theresa
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from Northern Maine ~ Proud new owner of Lola, a 1960 Shasta Airflyte and Pearl, a 1962 Mobile Scout
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Post by theresa on Dec 12, 2016 6:44:30 GMT -8
I have a family member who is interested in purchasing a vintage. She sends Craigslist links to me occasionally asking my opinion, and it's always the same... "If it's painted inside, beware. You can't tell what they're hiding." "You're not buying a properly restored trailer for $1,500", etc. She trusts my opinion. Originally she was looking at all options, but now she's changing gears and had decided for sure that they don't want to get into doing a restoration. So where would you steer people to look for a properly restored trailer? So you have sellers that you know and trust? Do any of you have a website where you sell specifically? Or do you have them sold before you start? She lives in VT but probably for the right trailer, for the right price, could travel or would pay to have it shipped.
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Post by vintagebruce on Dec 12, 2016 10:35:45 GMT -8
They may not want to get into doing a restoration themselves, but if they have some patience, they might consider buying the size and type camper they really would like to have, and have it shipped to any of a number of Members known to do excellent rebuilds/restorations. A true restoration is actually more like a rally queen, imho. You certainly could depreciate the excellent value of a restoration by frequently camping in it, especially if you take non paved roads to boon-docking sites. I admit I am prejudiced. If I had the funds, I would buy a solid rebuild candidate small canned ham and have it shipped to vikx and request a solid rebuild. Then I would camp the heck out of it. The other possible option would be to consider one of the private builders that makes new "vintage" canned hams. Talk with them some more in depth and see what they really desire, what is the maximum investment they can afford (you actually do get what you pay for in this case), and what their time line is to take possession. Maybe some Member, near VT who is an excellent rebuilder can send you a PM to discuss what they can do. I have seen some really cool small vintage re-buildable candidates turn up within striking distance of VT. Good Luck to your family member. A very well though out and planned purchase could pay real dividends down the camping trails in the future. I am editing this post with two thoughts. I mentioned private persons who can build a "tribute" camper...I was thinking about our Member camperdude. I believe his name is Dan Sutton and he has built a couple very cool small "vintage" clones of campers like a Metzendorf and I believe a rear-door entry Scotty. I'm sure he could clone a Shasta Compact. He had a site Wetzeldorf campers, but that seems to be in limbo. Maybe you could try a PM to camperdude...and see what he is up to. smalltrailerenthusiast.com/2012/10/31/introducing-the-whetzeldorf/Or, if your family member absolutely knows what make they are most interested in, they should go to that make's facebook or Yahoo site, join, introduce themselves and describe what they are seeking. My brother once tried all the usual auto trader type sites because he wanted to buy a decent used '63 Corvette split-window coupe, but not at collector prices. He shopped around and then joined the local Corvette Club in New Orleans. He ended up buying a midnight blue split window in good original condition, at below market value from a Member of the club. Because he (the seller) said he knew it would go to a "good home" if it was bought by someone from the club. I believe, that most if not all the known "commercial" restored vintage camper sales sites are overpriced.
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theresa
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from Northern Maine ~ Proud new owner of Lola, a 1960 Shasta Airflyte and Pearl, a 1962 Mobile Scout
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Post by theresa on Dec 12, 2016 11:25:39 GMT -8
I agree that a lot of the sites currently are offering overpriced campers, but I think that's more due to the current upswing in everyone wanting to own a vintage; I've seen this happen in all sectors... my sister's granddaughter was selling wrapping paper for a school fundraiser. I ordered the vintage camper print, and got a replacement because it sold out. Target had a various selection of vintage camper Christmas decor, and the most prominent, a camper and truck (sold separately for, I believe, $40 each) is sold out in nearly every store and now being hocked on eBay for 4x that price. It's the newest rage and therefore is pushing the prices up.. a $200 camper is being sold for $2000. A shoddy flipper slaps on some tires, paints over the rot, hangs some frilly curtains and makes a couple grand.
I have told my cousin and his wife that they would need to decide three things a) their budget, b) their necessary amenities and desired length, and c) what their tow vehicle can accommodate. They want a vintage, with the vintage charm, (no reissues) without it being a show-piece. They will use it, but mostly in campgrounds with very little boon-docking, if any.
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Post by vintagebruce on Dec 12, 2016 16:07:03 GMT -8
Of all the sites that have a selection of current clean campers besides some on TCT they might want to familiarize themselves with my friend Kelle's littlevintagetrailer site. She runs ads for some nice campers for a modest $15 until sold. She does not endorse any of the campers, but she seems to get sellers with decent campers, yes many are glampers, but you can go to her site and peruse a number of active campers without sorting through the dregs on many CL ads. She occasionally does buy a clean classic that she will improve and then offer for sale too. Note, if you scroll through the current ones for sale, I think the third one down, is similar to the Aristocrat that a couple members thought that Thunderbolt might have been...ad calls it an Aristocrat Travelier...thread title says Lil Loafer... littlevintagetrailer.com/category/featured/trailersforsale/littlevintagetrailer.com/2016/12/1967-aristrocrat-lil-loafer/Also, I remember a few years back that I was seeing some campers for sale in full CL searches that were owned by Sisters on the Fly...imagine, some of them owned more than 1 and would periodically offer one being actively camped in, usually because they had found another one they wanted to buy. Might be worth a try to ask a VTT Member who is a SotF to alert you if something interesting pops up internally at their web site. Hard for me to infiltrate that site...
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theresa
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from Northern Maine ~ Proud new owner of Lola, a 1960 Shasta Airflyte and Pearl, a 1962 Mobile Scout
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Post by theresa on Dec 12, 2016 16:21:28 GMT -8
Also, I remember a few years back that I was seeing some campers for sale in full CL searches that were owned by Sisters on the Fly...imagine, some of them owned more than 1 and would periodically offer one being actively camped in, usually because they had found another one they wanted to buy. Might be worth a try to ask a VTT Member who is a SotF to alert you if something interesting pops up internally at their web site. Hard for me to infiltrate that site...Good ideas. Thanks Bruce... hahaha, and yes, I think you'd have a hard time getting into the SOTF. SaveSave
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on Dec 12, 2016 18:55:46 GMT -8
Also, I remember a few years back that I was seeing some campers for sale in full CL searches that were owned by Sisters on the Fly...imagine, some of them owned more than 1 and would periodically offer one being actively camped in, usually because they had found another one they wanted to buy. Might be worth a try to ask a VTT Member who is a SotF to alert you if something interesting pops up internally at their web site. Hard for me to infiltrate that site...Good ideas. Thanks Bruce... hahaha, and yes, I think you'd have a hard time getting into the SOTF. SaveSaveI've heard that the hubbies are the slaves in that club. And the hubbies tell me they love it. That's a very interesting club. Just make sure to instruct them on how to look for the bad stuff and to ask for Photos of the build or it didn't happen.
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Dec 12, 2016 20:16:38 GMT -8
Great advice above.
Three things I would suggest to them.
1. They get more for the money in a Toaster than a Ham.
2. Buy from a known restoration person. There are a half dozen here you might PM to see what they have in stock. You know, the multi-camper restoration hobbyist.
3. As I told a friend recently, if they want a camper somebody has worked 4-5 months full-time on, it's not going to be cheap. But it will be money well spent.
That said, I've seen a few really nice campers recently sell for less than a year ago. In my opinion, the rotted wrecks aren't getting cheaper but they aren't selling in a day anymore and the restored campers seem to have peaked in price.
As said above, no photos of the work, no sale.
Most important, tell them not to buy without talking with you first.
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theresa
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from Northern Maine ~ Proud new owner of Lola, a 1960 Shasta Airflyte and Pearl, a 1962 Mobile Scout
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Post by theresa on Dec 12, 2016 20:57:18 GMT -8
Yes, I definitely told them that anyone who has done a proper restoration has undoubtedly documented the repairs with several photos and would willingly be proud to show the work that went into it. And I do also think that the frenzy has leveled off, either that or it's just because it's winter in most parts of the nation. They have some decisions to make about budget, needs, etc. before proceeding. In the meantime, hopefully I can locate the names of some reputable restorers within their target area. Thanks all.
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Post by vikx on Dec 12, 2016 21:35:58 GMT -8
Sent you a PM...
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Post by kimberander on Feb 20, 2017 5:07:37 GMT -8
Thank you for posting this question because I am asking the same thing! Unfortunately, I've been to the sites listed before finding this forum. I've been searching for a trailer since last May, reading everything that I can in my spare time. I don't think I am ever going to get to 50 posts though...
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Feb 20, 2017 6:34:56 GMT -8
Thank you for posting this question because I am asking the same thing! Unfortunately, I've been to the sites listed before finding this forum. I've been searching for a trailer since last May, reading everything that I can in my spare time. I don't think I am ever going to get to 50 posts though... Most of what we share on our For Sale section are wrecks in need of a full restoration. We love cheap, rolling wrecks. I made a couple of suggestions on your intro post. Have fun with the search.
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mrmarty51
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Post by mrmarty51 on Feb 20, 2017 7:39:41 GMT -8
Thank you for posting this question because I am asking the same thing! Unfortunately, I've been to the sites listed before finding this forum. I've been searching for a trailer since last May, reading everything that I can in my spare time. I don't think I am ever going to get to 50 posts though... Welcome to VTT forum. It may take some time but You will find Your trailer/camper. It took Me three years to find the pickup of My desire, searching C.L. and other autos for sale sites. Keep coming back, post welcomes to the new members coming in and to threads where people have up dated their builds, you`ll get to post count 50 before You know it. LOL Are You looking for Cmper that needs restoring or for one already restored ? If already restored be very careful, there are a lot out there that claims to be restored but have actually hid all the bad.
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Post by vikx on Feb 20, 2017 21:29:29 GMT -8
Yes, our For Sale section isn't really about "selling". It gives us a place to discuss pros and cons of what's offered. We restricted it to keep buyers from joining just to defend their junk, er, trailer...
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on Feb 21, 2017 8:52:16 GMT -8
In my opinion, most people can not afford to "have a vintage camper restored properly" by someone who is doing it for a living. I have found this out the hard way. Just to make ends meet, I must charge $30 per hour plus expenses and materials to properly restore a camper. The more crap it has in it, the more it's going to cost and the longer it's going to take. The average 15 foot Canned Ham with no frills runs about 500 hours in labor. And what I'm finding out about self contained toasters is that they will take about 700 hours in labor. Do the math and don't forget to add the materials and parts. Also don't forget to add anywhere from $3000 to $5000 or more for the paint job at the end of the project.
I say the best thing to do is visit the rallies. There are lots of very well done restores for sale there. Just ask all the right questions and demand proof of the build through photos and or video. No photos? It didn't happen...
Patience and diligence are your two best friends.
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Feb 21, 2017 10:34:04 GMT -8
the average 15 foot Canned Ham with no frills runs about 500 hours in labor. And what I'm finding out about self contained toasters is that they will take about 700 hours in labor. The only reason you get a camper finished in 500 hours is because you've done it 15 times. My first camper took me twice that long. My 4th camper still took me 50% longer. Heck, trips to Lowes take up 50 hours.
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