Tips
VINTAGE CAMPER RESTORATION GUIDE
We’ve been compiling photos, gathering, writing and editing content for our How To book on Vintage Camper Restoration. We are now in the process of sending out our manuscript to publishers. We are very excited! In fact, several of our online readers and fellow enthusiasts have contacted us and have contributed their own photos and tips and now we have been inspired to start working on a second edition of the restoration manual. To say we are excited is an understatement… didn’t we already say that?!?! LOL
If you have tips, photos or other helpful hints you would like to see in a Vintage Camper Restoration Guide, please email us at HappyCamper@CampyClassics.com . We’re not greedy with the recognition and fame. You will be given full credit for your contribution!
DECORATE OUTSIDE THE BOX…
Here’s an idea that I can’t claim is mine, but I certainly can claim to have used it successfully. When I have a small space, such as my 12′ Serro Scotty, I try to use interior colors that wouldn’t normally be used in a camper, certainly not a vintage camper. Take for instance the Scotty. They are quite small inside, however, I used a chocolate brown paint on the walls and oversized art. Believe it or not, it actually makes my small space feel bigger! I would also recommend taking out the dining table if you can. Honestly, when I camp, I spend as much time outside as possible and that is where I do my eating, so the table was just taking up space. Now I have a smart little sitting area that can accommodate four adults or makes a comfortable space to sit and watch a movie when it’s raining out.
SOLID FLOORS!
Master Carpenter is by no means in any one’s title here at Campy Classics. We have some skills, maybe a tad beyond basics, but it is all by trial and error for us. So, the first in our TIPS series is for those of you considering purchasing a vintage camper. SOLID FLOORS! I cannot stress that enough. If you don’t want to end up like us on a couple of projects, make sure you give the floor of your prospective purchase a good walking-weight test. Here’s how. As you walk through the trailer, make sure to put your full weight down in all the areas of the trailer, including the areas inside shower/bath areas, closets, and under bench seats. Pay particular attention to the areas near windows and door openings, as leaks may have developed over the years and softened the sub-floor.
What if you find a soft spot in the floor? Well, don’t panic… it doesn’t necessarily mean the entire floor needs replacing, however, it would certainly be worth your while if you did a little more investigating. Pull up carpet or go outside and crawl up under the trailer and inspect it (actually, you should do that whether you have a soft spot in the floor or not) more thoroughly.
USING A GUTTED CAMPER SHELL
We purchased a 1969 Avion Argonaut, site unseen, from Ebay. The exterior photos looked decent, so I figured let’s take the chance that the interior looks good too. Well, to make a long story short… it didn’t. Matter of fact, it was almost 100% gutted inside and what was there was broken beyond repair. So, we pulled the rest out, leaving only one closet to use as our electrical closet. After we replaced 70% of the sub-floor, due to rot, we decided to improvise on the new interior design layout, starting with the kitchen area.
A full set of standard kitchen upper cabinets were purchased from a friend closing his cabinet store. We got Teak cabinets with glass and stainless steel doors, all for $100, plus a thank you for hauling them away! We used the upper cabinets as our base by putting them on the wheel well and using 4″ stainless steel legs under the cabinets to give it that free-floating effect (and ease of cleaning under). After that we added an IKEA butcher block counter top and cut our holes for the sink and drop-in gas range and we were good to go! No space gets lost by using the upper cabinets as bases. The space behind the cabinets that were pushed off the wheel well, created a nice area to store folding chairs, umbrellas, etc. and is covered by a door made from a scrap piece of cabinetry.
Projects
Projects waiting patiently to be restored. Some with a little done, but still not ready for camping. You will also find artwork, projects that we have worked on around the grounds/studio… artsy fartsy stuff… clever stuff… green stuff… just plain fun stuff! You may even get a chance to see the inner-workings of the courtyard!
We’ve restored the following:
1963 Serro Scotty,
1965 Shasta Compact,
1964 Avion,
1972 Airstream,
1964 Wildwood,
1970 Pathfinder,
1970 Serro Scotty
and a 1958 Airstream!
Our current ‘waiting in the wings sections’ has:
1948 Vagabond (Sold to a friend and we are restoring together!)
1973 Airstream
1950’s Nomad
We are always on the hunt for more! Let us know if you have seen a trailer in the weeds… we love to resurect them from the grave!
Drop us a line with photos of your project and we will be sure to get it on the site as soon as possible!
