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Post by danrhodes on Oct 25, 2014 19:40:28 GMT -8
We bought our '65 Field and Stream trailer for cheap (around here at least) to introduce our kids to camping, and the pressure is on to make it "cute" with the least investment required. Is anyone around here feeling the "Pinterest Effect", i.e. painted walls (over water stains), checkerboard floors, 60s upholstery and glamping accessories? I was all in favor of a full period restoration, but the more I learn about this trailer, the more I think it's a better canvas for an update (i.e. poor quality construction, ash paneling that can't be replaced, weird layout, etc). I'll certainly waterproof it and fix the rot, but I could probably get out for under a grand in paint, framing lumber, fabric and miscellaneous, so is there any reason to try and get an undesirable trailer back to showroom condition? I've replaced every 60s fixture in my house with modern equivalents, so it's making more sense to me to just get this thing clean, safe and functional...
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John Palmer
Senior Member
Hi, From a vintage trailer guy located in Santa Ana, CA. It's good to see lots of activity here.
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Post by John Palmer on Oct 25, 2014 20:05:57 GMT -8
Dan, here's my take on this subject from my car hobby point of view. Body work, Parts, Paint Materials, Painter Labor, Upholstery, etc, etc,......all cost the same. You want to make these high dollar investments into some model that you have a chance of recouping your investment of time and materials. That's the reason, you see lots of nice 57 Convertibles, two door wagons, two door hard tops, and other limited edition models. But you hardly ever see someone restore a 1957 four door sedan. The four door cars cost the same to restore, but will not bring the dollar value at the time of sale.
IMO, it does not matter how much you invest into a trailer, but in todays market the late 1940's and 1950's trailer's are the ones that are driving the big demands in the market place.
When the guy at the paint store puts a gallon of $400 paint on the counter, he does not care what you spray it on. It's up to the restorer to understand the market, and choose models that will get their money back at the time of sale.
Restoring Trailer's, Car's, Motorcycle's, Bicycle's, it's always the same.
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Post by danrhodes on Oct 25, 2014 20:15:25 GMT -8
Dan, here's my take on this subject from my car hobby point of view. Body work, Parts, Paint Materials, Painter Labor, Upholstery, etc, etc,......all cost the same. You want to make these high dollar investments into some model that you have a chance of recouping your investment of time and materials. That's the reason, you see lots of nice 57 Convertibles, two door wagons, two door hard tops, and other limited edition models. But you hardly ever see someone restore a 1957 four door sedan. The four door cars cost the same to restore, but will not bring the dollar value at the time of sale. IMO, it does not matter how much you invest into a trailer, but in todays market the late 1940's and 1950's trailer's are the ones that are driving the big demands in the market place. When the guy at the paint store puts a gallon of $400 paint on the counter, he does not care what you spray it on. It's up to the restorer to understand the market, and choose models that will get their money back at the time of sale. Restoring Trailer's, Car's, Motorcycle's, Bicycle's, it's always the same. Thanks John. I think your posts have been the most influential to me here, if only for their blunt honesty. We bought this thing because it was a cost effective alternative to even a 15 year old tent trailer. It's the trailer equivalent to the 69 Nova 4 door I drove in high school and probably doesn't deserve more than the garage spray job that old car got. I'll definitely get it waterproof, safe and comfortable but we'll do the upholstery, paint and carpentry. The gals on Pinterest will think she's nice, but she'll never run with the birch beauties I see around here. |
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John Palmer
Senior Member
Hi, From a vintage trailer guy located in Santa Ana, CA. It's good to see lots of activity here.
Posts: 1,629
Likes: 576
Currently Offline
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Post by John Palmer on Oct 25, 2014 20:55:09 GMT -8
Dan, here's my take on this subject from my car hobby point of view. Body work, Parts, Paint Materials, Painter Labor, Upholstery, etc, etc,......all cost the same. You want to make these high dollar investments into some model that you have a chance of recouping your investment of time and materials. That's the reason, you see lots of nice 57 Convertibles, two door wagons, two door hard tops, and other limited edition models. But you hardly ever see someone restore a 1957 four door sedan. The four door cars cost the same to restore, but will not bring the dollar value at the time of sale. IMO, it does not matter how much you invest into a trailer, but in todays market the late 1940's and 1950's trailer's are the ones that are driving the big demands in the market place. When the guy at the paint store puts a gallon of $400 paint on the counter, he does not care what you spray it on. It's up to the restorer to understand the market, and choose models that will get their money back at the time of sale. Restoring Trailer's, Car's, Motorcycle's, Bicycle's, it's always the same. Thanks John. I think your posts have been the most influential to me here, if only for their blunt honesty. We bought this thing because it was a cost effective alternative to even a 15 year old tent trailer. It's the trailer equivalent to the 69 Nova 4 door I drove in high school and probably doesn't deserve more than the garage spray job that old car got. I'll definitely get it waterproof, safe and comfortable but we'll do the upholstery, paint and carpentry. The gals on Pinterest will think she's nice, but she'll never run with the birch beauties I see around here. Dan, I see nothing wrong with your camper, fix it up to be safe and road worthy. Just don't dump a bunch of money into it, then camp the wheels off of it.
Our first camper was a four door, 1961 Dodge wagon, and a surplus ARMY tent. We had small two kids at the time, and my daughter, now 45 still will not go in an outhouse, because "it might have spiders", LOL! It was some of our best camping trip memories. Remember, this is a disease, and nobody has "just one trailer". You need one to be useable, while your working on the next one.
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cheri
Active Member
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1967 Vanbrook Trunkback
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Post by cheri on Oct 26, 2014 3:01:50 GMT -8
Hi Dan, I totally understand where you are coming from. I LOVE looking at trailers on pintrest. The first year I had my trailer, I painted and used her as she was. What my family (allergy sufferers) couldn't handle was the mold/mildew etc. that had accumulated under the paneling and in the ceiling from water. The ceiling panels were vinyl covered hardboard that was disintegrating. There was no birch in my trailer at all, but I found it to be the cheapest way to replace the damage. I was not terribly picky about grain/feature matching etc. I bought stuff (like the counter top) on clearance or on sale, added a dead bolt to the door vs buying a restored L100/L200 replacement lock set etc. So she's not vintage, but I like the look and she smells good and doesn't make anyone sick. My plan for the outside is a "do it yourself paint job". I think I am typical in that I am always tinkering/adding/changing so the cost creeps up slowly, but it really isn't for necessity, just fun. Here is a link to my latest post about her. You can see the paint vs birch. I listed some of my costs, but I also spent about $60 for insulation and $45 for the counter. Have fun!! vintagetrailertalk.freeforums.net/thread/3008/out-paint-birch |
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turbodaddy
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17' 1965 Fan "Sunseeker"
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Post by turbodaddy on Oct 26, 2014 4:10:54 GMT -8
Hey Dan,
"Clean,safe and functional" was what I wanted to achieve as well. There were a few less than desirable candidates out there that I deemed unworthy of the huge investment of time and energy it takes to get to "clean, safe & functional". Why put a ton of effort into something you do not hold in high esteem? I waited until I found a trailer that my little family would all enjoy, one that we will keep for a very long time. It isn't going to be perfect, and it won't appeal to everyone. I do not plan to sell it and am certain that if I did I would never recoup the $$$ that have gone into it! I can tell you this though, sitting inside my trailer knowing that I have done my best (within my means and capabilities)is enormously rewarding.
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ladywendolyn
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1964 Golden Falcon
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Post by ladywendolyn on Oct 26, 2014 5:05:26 GMT -8
If your wife is into Pintrest, then most of the trailers on their are painted. I agree that the key is affordability to the season you are in. Like John we worked our way up from a tent, and being "one of those ladies" I was likely to glamp everything up and make it cute anyway but always within a very small budget. The other thing not mentioned here is the age of your kids if you have any.... Camping with kids should be fun, and I sometimes wonder how people deal with their kids when they have the perfect white on white trailer, or the perfectly constructed arrangement of glass 1950's accessories and bar ware. "DONT TOUCH THAT! " Is not what I wanted to give my energy to when my kids were growing up. I waited till they grew up and moved out to take on my Glamper project, and now I have the time, and money to do it up right without pressuring my husband to pour money into something that is more about my ego than what's good for the family..... Hmmm...maybe that was too blunt.... Well, you said you liked blunt..... Lol
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Post by vintagebruce on Oct 26, 2014 11:13:35 GMT -8
The BEST time to find that perfect trailer for you is when you already have one you are enjoying, either enjoying the fix-up process as you are indicating for the F&S or once you have it safe to enjoy camping. Then the "pressure" is off to get a camper. That is when I think you will find that nice canned ham, if that is your desire, and I also think there will be a 50/50 chance it won't be discovered in a FS ad, but while you are out and about and least expect it. Also get camping in the F&S and you will be able to gauge whether the next one needs to be bigger or smaller than what you have now.
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