TRAILER ISSUE 34, 2017 JUL/AUG
USA $7.50
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Rolling Solo? 10 Tips
For First Timers
Tin Can Tourists
2017 Annual Gathering
Mellow Yellow
1959 Oasis
1957 Scotsman
Vintage, Classic, Retro Style & Nostalgia P L U S
R O A D
T R I P
E V E N T S
G U I D E
&
S E R V I C E S
D I R E C T O R Y
Inside Jeri & Barb Saia’s 1959 Aloha “Happy Go Go”
Vintage Trailer Magazine | Issue 34 July/August 2017
« contents« Special Features
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Cover Story: Happy Go Glamping
Feature Trailer: Peter’s Travels
Jeri & Barb Saia’s 1959 Aloha
Peter Nunn’s 1960s Lilliput
Regular Features 2 . . About Vintage Trailer Magazine 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Editor’s Rave 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . Letters to the Editor 6 . . . . . . . . . VTM Subscriptions Form 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Where We Went
26 Feature Trailer: Mellow Yellow
31 Event Review: Tin Can Tourists Annual Rally
Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend
24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Centerfold 37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kitsch Kitchen
Amy Smith’s 1957 Scotsman
44 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Road Trip! Events Guide
46 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Trailer Treasure 47 . . . . . . . . . . . . . Services Directory
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Special Feature: Rolling Solo?
Feature Trailer: Rosie the Riveted
Top 10 Tips for first timers
Lisa Mora’s 1949 Crown
About Vintage Trailer Magazine Vintage Trailer Magazine is the world’s first magazine solely dedicated to vintage, classic, retro-styled and custom trailers and those who love them.
V
intage Trailerites come from all walks of life and are drawn to vintage trailers for a variety of reasons. Some have nostalgic memories of childhood seaside holidays spent in trailer parks, some choose a retro camper because it looks good behind their prized classic car on its way to a car show campout. Along with a sense of classic style, lovers of retro trailers take delight in life’s many wonders – they enjoy adventure, travelling to new destinations, appreciating nature’s beauty and living a life less stressful. Vintage trailerites often also share a passion for classic cars or hot rods and will happily devote countless hours looking after their “toys”. They also have a very keen sense of aesthetic style and an eye for making small spaces look absolutely adorable. So, Vintage Trailer Magazine is about all of these things; an eclectic collection of stories, pictures, input and ideas from sources who all share so much more than a passion for camping. To the vintage trailerites out there living the dream, taking their rescued older trailers back out on the road, this magazine is for you! To those of you who wish you had one, or have one in restoration, I hope Vintage Trailer Magazine will inspire and motivate you to make your dreams come true and join the growing number of vintage trailer enthusiasts enjoying the wide-open spaces, dramatic scenery and fellow friendly travellers out there on the road.. Vintage Trailer Magazine always welcomes submissions from its readers. If you have a story you’d like to share, an amusing road trip photo or a trailer restoration you’d like to share: write to: editor@vintagetrailermagazine.com
Production Crew PUBLISHER & EDITOR Lisa Mora EMAIL editor@vintagetrailermagazine.com EDITOR’S ASSISTANT Alex Bouchet DESIGN & LAYOUT Kelsey Adams (www.kelseyjdesigns.com) Printed in the U.S.A. CONTRIBUTORS Rhonda Gelstein, Len Nordmann, David Northcraft, Peter Nunn, Barbara Saia, Amy Smith ADVERTISING EMAIL ads@vintagetrailermagazine.com PHONE (541) 529 9533 CONTACT Vintage Trailer Magazine PO Box 509, Oakland OR 97462 USA www.facebook.com/vintagetrailermagazine
TRAILER ISSUE 34, 2017 JUL/AUG
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Rolling Solo? 10 Tips
For First Timers
Tin Can Tourists
2017 Annual Gathering
1959 Oasis www.vintagetrailermagazine.com
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Mellow Yellow
1957 Scotsman
Issue 34 2017
Vintage, Classic, Retro Style & Nostalgia PLUS ROAD TRIP EVENTS GUIDE & SERVICES DIRECTORY
COVER PHOTO Jeri & Barb Saia’s 1959 Aloha “Happy Go Go” Photo by Lisa Mora
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Vintage Trailer Magazine is published six times per year by Lisa Mora. UPC 07447029041. Vintage Trailer Magazine is a Registered Trademark. All rights reserved © 2017. No part of this publication can be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission from the publisher. Opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher/editor. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information in the publication, however the publisher assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions or consequences in reliance on this publication.
« EDITOR’S RAVE «
There are so many events and rallies going on in so many places, I’m out and about every weekend now, yet I still don’t feel like I’m getting to as many events as I’d like to be! But for now I have plenty of juicy content on some truly spectacular trailers and inspirational ideas and advice in this special summer edition of Vintage Trailer Magazine #34. As I’ve been packing up, setting up and packing down quite a bit lately, and the process is somewhat different here than it was in Australia, I decided to put together some of the best tips I’ve been given as a woman travelling on my own with a vintage trailer in tow. I’m sure you can think of many more, and feel free to write in with your best tips to share, but let this be a good starting point for those of you wanting to, but still unsure of the how-to, of setting out to your first vintage trailer rally.
much fun and to everyone who took the time to tell me all bout the stories behind the many trailers that have caught my eyes in my recent wanderings. It may take a little while and a few more issues to featuring you all, but I’m working on it!
Photo by John Mahoney
I
t’s been a very busy couple of months since the last issue. We attended Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Festival, then a Sisters on the Fly Cinco de Mayo campout in Newport, Oregon. Two days after getting back from the Pismo Beach Vintage Trailer Rally in California we were off again to the Rollin’ Oldies Vintage Trailer Rally at Rogue River in Oregon where we were camping in 90 degree plus heat. So yes, the summer camping season is well and truly upon us!
Updates on upcoming events that we will be attending (and when I say “we” people often ask me to whom I am referring… I mean my trailer “Rosie”, “Doc Hudson” my car and I) over the coming months will also be posted on our Vintage Trailer Magazine Facebook page, so do come up and say “Hi” if you see me out there! If you are new to the world of vintage trailers and anxious about what you need to know and have and how to travel with a trailer, I would really encourage you to join up a group such as Tin Can Tourists, Sisters on the Fly, Rollin’ Oldies Vintage Trailers, Glampers on the Loose or any or several of the many vintage trailer groups around the country. Choose one that operates actively in your local area, attend a rally and get to know other vintage trailer tragics in your area to network tips and advice and for moral support on your first few outings. See you at the next rally!
Once again I have to thank the owners of the juicy little cherry-flavored Aloha that has graced our cover this issue for making our 4th July themed photo shoot so
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For more of Lisa’s “raves” and photos visit her Blog: “My Dream Home is Portable” link from the VTM website at: www.vintagetrailermagazine.com vintagetrailermagazine
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Letters to the Editor Hi Lisa,
I have just heard R about your magazine E T T LE through the sisters on the fly and I love it! I was especially happy to know that it was created a run by a woman, no wonder it looks so beautiful! My best friend and business partner and I live full time in our trailer and we did the entire renovation ourselves. It’s a 1970 Kit Companion that we modernized slightly for our own sake. KYLA TRETHEWEY Thank you for your lovely letter Kyla! A gift basket of delicious pampering products from Tub Time Treasures is on its way to you! www.tubtimetreasures.com
Hi Lisa,
My heart goes out to you! It must have been SO tough to have to let go of something you love SO much! (Ed’s note: Vintage Caravan Magazine in Australia) You could see your passion in every magazine that you did! The quality was exquisite! I love it so much, and I really want to support you from down here in Australia so I’m going to go for it! I will get the Vintage Trailer Magazine sent to me! I look forward to joining the American version of the magazine and reading all about those creative and crazy sisters involved, and I hope that you stay positive and remain strong through this difficult time! Warmest Regards, JO BONE WARRNAMBOOL, VIC, AUSTRALIA
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Hi,
I subscribed to your magazine a couple of weeks ago not expected to get the current issue. After calling all three Barnes & Noble locations (they aren’t close by) to find out they hadn’t received it yet, and stalking your website to see if it was available for purchase as a back issue, much to my delight there was a hand addressed envelope in my mailbox yesterday with this issue! I really wanted this one as my friend Angela’s trailer is on the cover. After reading it cover-to-cover last night and bringing it to work with me today so I can peruse more, I’m looking forward to receiving future issues. Thank you so much for going above and beyond for a new subscriber! JACKIE LILLY CHOCTAW, OK
Hello!
Is your lovely magazine available in stores? I am selling my house but don’t know when I’ll be moving, so I don’t want to subscribe just yet. Once I move, I would love to subscribe. Until then, I was hoping to be able to buy the current issue somewhere. Thanks! PEYTON Hi Peyton, Thank you for your inquiry and lovely feedback! Vintage Trailer Magazine is available in Barnes & Noble Stores and there is a list of every store on the VTM Facebook page notes section. You can also order individual issues from our website store at: www.vintagetrailermagazine.com Good luck with your move and house sale! Kind regards, Lisa
Hi Lisa,
I just read that I can get issues posted from the US. I would really like to do this. I am unsure on how many more issues I have left in my subscription. The last issue I received was 30. I would like to start from issue 31 onwards. Thanks MONICA :) MOUNT WARRIGAL, NSW, AUSTRALIA Hi Monica, Good to hear from you! The last Vintage Caravan Magazine published in Australia was issue 30. There is now an option for former Vintage Caravan Magazine subscribers to opt to get the rest of their subscriptions or re-subscribe to Vintage Trailer Magazine on the VCM website store at www.vintagecaravanmagazine.com Glad to have you back! Lisa
Dear Lisa, Thank you so much for your explanation, so helpful in understanding your situation. I wish you well in your move to the USA and hope your health continues to improve along with your business. I have appreciated and enjoyed your excellent publication, in particular the ‘how to‘ articles whilst I was restoring my tiny 1957 caravan. Kind regards ADELE WOTZKE ADELAIDE, SA, AUSTRALIA
Hi Lisa,
Not sure if you have any photos from the Pismo Vintage Trailer Show 2017. Thought I would share the ones I got of you and your Hudson at the show. I t
was nice talking with you and hearing all of your road trip stories, especially the Route 66 ones. Thank you for your time with us. JOHN & DEB SANTA MARIA, CA Thanks so much John for this issue’s Editor’s Rave photo – I love it! Lisa
Hi Lisa,
My name is Tawny Fernandez and my husband Miguel and I are the proud owners of a Vintage 1956 Rainbow Trailer (pictured). We rescued it and spent the past 6 months renovating and restoring it. Through our work, we have discovered the world of vintage trailers and have fallen in love! We recently ordered your magazine and think it’s great! Thank you! TAWNY AND MIGUEL FERNANDEZ BAKERSFIELD, CA
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Cover Story
HaPpY Go Glamping (& Moonshine Cherries!) WORDS & PICS LISA MORA
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“S
o how did we come to being chosen as the next cover?” Barb pondered. “All I remember is talking to you over in the bathrooms and inviting you for dinner and then you brought those Moonshine Cherries…” and the rest, as they say, is history! Truth was I had already hand picked their sweet little cheery, cherry-themed 1959 Oasis for the next cover almost as soon as I had set up camp at Pismo Beach Vintage Trailer Rally. The dinner invite and the Moonshine cherries, well that just made the rest of the weekend even more hilarious fun! Barb and Jeri Saia live in Morro Bay, so we planned to meet up at their place after Pismo was over for a photo shoot of their Oasis on the beach. Whilst waiting for the legendary California coast fog to lift, Barb and I jumped into their van and she took me for a tour around the picturesque seaside town of Cayucos and to visit her cute little store: HapPy gO SmiLe. We got to chatting about how she came to open a store, what had got them into vintage trailers and the joy of living a life pursuing her passion for art.
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It turns out I couldn’t have picked a better trailer to be our 4th July cover star as the town of Cayucos is a bit legendary when it comes to 4th July celebrations. For a town of only 3,000 population, Barb tells me that 40,000 people come to Cayucos every year for the 4th July celebrations. Whilst I am ogling over all the cute things in her store I notice the dedicated art space down the back of the store where she does her workshops. Barb tells me that she hosted a multi-media art workshop for 125 Sisters on the Fly at Lopez where they got to paint their own trailers and how much fun she had doing that. Always thrilled to meet another creative person following their dreams, I asked Barb how she came to opening the store here in Cayucos. “After loosing my job of eleven years, my dear friend Wendy said to me: ‘Let’s open a shop!’ So we did! Sadly, my vintagetrailermagazine
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Inside Barb’s kitchen at home
dear friend of twenty-five years passed away one and a half years after we opened the shop. She kindly left me all of the garment printing equipment, so I continued on. I figured out how to use the machines by Googling and watching YouTube! The shop just turned four years old on May 1st. I’m grateful to Wendy for seeing in me something I didn’t see in myself and for starting me out on this venture. I truly love the shop and my customers. It’s a little shop where you can eat cupcakes that make you HapPy, gO to create art, and shop for things that make you SmiLe! We carry apparel with custom art on it and do all of our own printing on the garments as well. We also carry home goods and lots of cute trailer items. We have mixed media paint & collage classes every Saturday! Our next ART Retreat is October 6-8, and you get to glamp in vintage trailers at a winery for the weekend and create aRT!! We take our trailer to shows and have little pop up shops too! So how did the Oasis make its way into their lives? Having previously been on a few glamping trips with friends, Barb says that it wasn’t long before they were on the hunt for a vintage trailer of their own. It took them about two years of searching, but when they found the Oasis in Arroyo Grande for $1,400 and it was made in the same year that Jeri was born, they knew that it was “the one”!
p It took Jeri 17 layers of wood to repair this rotted framework 10
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Inside before
“It was on Jeri’s birthday three years ago when my friend Stephanie called and said there was a trailer for sale in Arroyo Grande”, Barb recalls.
“We went right away and looked at it. I opened the door and said I’ll buy it! It was in great condition compared to all the other trailers we had looked at. The joke is I bought Jeri a trailer for his birthday! He spent the next year, or as he likes to say: 52 Sundays restoring it!” The first job when it came to restoring the Oasis was to put in a whole new axel and new tires. Jeri and his friend Rick then
gutted the entire inside to repair damage from water, saving as much original wood as possible. They removed the windows, took out the heater, scraped off the floor tiles, and repaired the holes in the floor. Then they replaced the 1 ½” x 1 ½” framing and glued and screwed everything back together. They also replaced all electrical and water lines, put in a new water tank and pump and then put all of the windows back in.
Next, new oak paneling was pickled and varnished to match the original cabinets before they were all re-installed inside the trailer. In the meantime, the original stove and fridge were powder coated in a vibrant red. They were lucky enough to be able to keep the original Formica on table and countertop but had to replace the backsplash Formica. Barb then had all the cushions recovered, lay down new floor vintagetrailermagazine
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Betsey the labradoodle
tiles and used a Futon with foam topper to create a cozy bed and the cherry theme was decided upon for this little glamper. “My house has been decorated with cherries for twenty-five years and I’ve always loved red, so, my trailer is a continuation of my home! Just like me – it’s happy and whimsical!” says Barb with a smile.
“The day after we brought our trailer home we went three miles down to the beach to go camping. We picked the trailer up on a Tuesday and then showed it on the weekend at the Stranded In Morro Bay Vintage Trailer show. All I did was wash the curtains and counters! We told everyone this was the before and the following year we brought it back restored so they could see the after! The trailer always make me feel happy and wherever we go everyone always wants to look inside. They just love it! It’s so much fun to talk to people about the trailer. I love that it’s so small and cozy. I call it: ‘A she shed on wheels’!”
You can check out Barb’s cute shop Happy Go Smile on Facebook & Instagram and at: www.happygosmile.com 12
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Feature Caravan
Peter’s Travels
The Lilliput is an iconic fibreglass caravan that was manufactured in Auckland, New Zealand between 1962 and 1980 by Bruce Webster. Most were 10 foot 6 inches in length with a small number of 12 footers built. Despite the small numbers built, they have a strong following with a very active Lilliput Club membership but Peter Nunn’s Lilliput is a bit of an enigma.
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first met Peter a few years ago at the Whangamata Beach Hop Retro Caravan Show when he fronted up with a small 1968 Crusader caravan, towed by a 1968 Nissan Gloria. The next year he turned up with this cute little Lilliput in tow. He had felt the Crusader was a little fragile and says that this time he wanted something a bit more more durable. Peter is still uncertain of the exact year of his Lilliput, as are some of the Lilliput experts. The caravan is lacking a chassis number and in place of it are the words ‘Brown build.’ Not very helpful for vintagetrailermagazine
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determining the year of manufacture! To further complicate things, it has features common to some of the older Lilliputs along with features common to some of the newer Lilliputs. Peter says he was reasonably sure it was out of the sixties, but can’t be absolutely 100% sure about the year. It could possibly be early seventies. One thing is for sure, she is definitely an immaculate original Lilliput and Peter has made a great job of doing her up. Peter tells me that he bought the Lilliput sight unseen, going off photographs he saw online. He gutted the interior leaving only the front and rear overhead cupboard shells and the wall lights 14
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intact. A completely new set of interior furniture was then constructed to Peter’s design including a wine rack that has been fitted in the base of the wardrobe. Peter changed the olive green stripe on the outside to a more turquoise blue to match the car and then chose all of the colours and bench tops along with the general décor of the inside. The lights are now all running 12-volt LED bulbs and he runs a Waeco 12 volt electric fridge. The deep cycle house battery is connected to two flexible roof mounted 100-watt solar panels. Peter even has an App on his phone that shows him the real time state of his battery, how long he has in terms of battery life and what his fridge is drawing. Very impressive! I want one.
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The layout has a fixed two-person dinette at the front with a king single at the rear. Under this is a 45-litre water tank and storage. The caravan also has a self-containment certificate, with an under bunk stored Porta Potti. This self-containment certificate allows NZ caravanners to camp in freedom camps, 16
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Department of Conservation camps and if you are a member of the New Zealand Motor Caravan Association in their camps as well. Peter has gone for an orange and turquoise colour scheme in the caravan using Dulux Kerikeri Orange and Lake
Wardell soft Blue colours, which looks really attractive. He has also fitted it out with many colour coded period niknaks, including bright orange Duraware crockery, canisters and pots. His cushions and towels are also his favourite shade of orange. A favourite piece of mine is the drinks table, which lives under
the roof awning. The overall effect just looks great and makes you feel you are stepping back in time. On the outside, the main body is in a cream finish with the Lilliput side flash and rear insert panel painted in a turquoise that exactly matches Peters 1968 Nissan Gloria. The caravan has matching front and rear canvas sunshades and a roof awning/ annex. A feature that the Lilliput’s are well known for are their large opening roof vents. These can be directionalised in all manner of ways according to Peter, and it is something he really loves about the caravan.
Under his awning is a perfect scale model of the Lilliput, which doubles as a dog kennel. Peter and his two very little dogs use the caravan to go camping in various scenic destinations around New Zealand every two to three weeks, so it is well loved, and that’s the way it should be. Peter is also the founder of the North Island Retro Car and Caravan Club. Don’t be deceived by the car bit. If you have a Vintage caravan, even if it is towed by a modern car, you are absolutely welcome to become a member.
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Where We Went
Vintage Ve gas Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend • Las Vegas, Nevada April 13 – 16, 2017 WORDS & PICS LISA MORA
icking off the season of events in April, my little Canned Ham “Rosie” still wasn’t going to be ready in time to make this one, so I called in a favor from the lovely winner of our 2015 subscriber prize giveaway trailer. “Do you still have that trailer by any chance?” I asked. It turns out that not only did she still have it; she hasn’t changed a thing about it since winning it. Even all the stickers from all the places that little 1957 Mercury had been all across America and the entire length of Route 66 were still there on the back of the distressed metal of the gravity-fed water tank where I used to rest and put my feet up after a long day of driving… Ah the memories!
K
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I set off from a very green and bursting into spring Oregon and drove through the rice fields around Oroville and the dam that had recently threatened to burst and paid a visit to my friend Elaine in Nevada City, California as it was her birthday the next day. After a good sleep in her eiderdown quilted spare bed and my birthday greetings bestowed, it was time for me to hit the road again for the long last leg onto Las Vegas. And it was a long leg. Especially for me, stopping every 100 miles for gas, spending at least ten minutes chatting to random people about the Hudson (EVERY time!) and then stopping to take photos and breathe in the serenity or wide open spaces, or the
smell of giant trees, or the feel of snow in my face. Yep, snow! So often people ask me: “So what way are you going?” (to Vegas for example) “Are you taking the 38/395/5/?” (insert whatever variety of numbers of highways in America) and I always say: “I’m taking whatever way the GPS sends me!” and I don’t really know what way that is until I get there and I do sometimes wonder at the seemingly “back roads” ways it has taken me in what I assume it thinks is the quickest route, and may well be, as far as the crow flies, but does not take into account the slowing down for extreme hill climbs, winding roads, or in this case, snow.
About fifteen minutes out of Nevada City in what felt like a back forest road, I saw a snow plough driving towards me on the other side of the road. “Hmmm… that’s not a good sign”, I thought. Within ten minutes the banks of snow on the sides of the road grew thicker and taller and then there were warning signs with little orange light dots: “Snow ahead. GO SLOW”. You don’t expect that on your way to the Desert!
Sure enough, snow was falling all around making the long and winding stretch down to Truckee treacherously slippery, but luckily everyone on the road was taking it easy. The Hudson had no problems and we enjoyed a stop off for a photo with Lake Tahoe in the background. Although I was tempted to stop off at my favorite shoe shop in Reno, I had a lot of miles to cover, so I bypassed straight past Sparks and back out into the long desert stretch on to Vegas. I really enjoyed the changes in the scenery and the little ghost
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towns along the way, and stopped off for a bit at the lake to soak up some stunning scenery. The last couple of hours of the drive were the hardest as I started to get tired, but I managed to make it to Vegas and was cruising down the strip to the Motel at 10pm on a Tuesday. The next day, I drove out from Vegas to Peggy Sues 50s Diner; a Route 66 Icon near Barstow, on the road from Vegas to LA, to meet up with Sue with the trailer. We hooked “Posie” back up to the Hudson and I drove back to Vegas again. I was lucky enough to find someone to come and give them both a wash in the driveway of the motel before rolling into the car park of the Orleans Hotel to be parked up for the legendary Viva Las Vegas Car Show on Thursday morning. The Car Show at Viva is an event unto itself. Although most cars get parked up on Thursday and are in the fenced confines of the large vehicle car park area
Inside is where the magic happens: the glitz, the glamor, the dancing, the bands and the pinups and the burlesque queens, but outside, out here in the car park, this is where the REAL is at. of the Orleans Hotel until the Sunday, the actual Car Show event is held on the Saturday and goes all day long. This is where the true rockabilly legends can be found, the car buffs, the hot rod guys and their cool as chicks, amongst the chrome and the Mexican blankets, hanging out under awnings and umbrellas, beers on ice in the red cooler to the right. Inside is where the magic happens: the glitz, the glamor, the dancing, the bands and the pinups and the burlesque queens, but outside, out here in the car park, this is where the REAL is at. This was my favorite place to be and just hang out at the trailer. I really enjoyed just sitting under the shade of the side of the trailer as the sun went overhead, chatting to so many people from all over 20
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the world and watching the whole event almost come to you. Just watching the people walking around is entertainment at Viva! I love that everyone makes an effort; it’s part of what makes the event so special. Walking into the lobby of the Orleans Hotel is like stepping back in time; a time of Hollywood glamour and Pin Curls and Victory Rolls and Peroxide blonde and shimmering gold dresses. The Sunday Pool Party is the best part of all, to see the palm-studded pool area a sea of retro swimwear, complete with era-appropriate sunglasses, hats and hair-do’s, that’s a definite highlight for me. Music-wise, this event is the best of the best as far as worldwide Rockabilly goes. I was happy to see young Aussie rocker Pat Capocci on stage on Saturday night, was blown away by the super slick
performance of the Jive Aces and the Satin Dollz in the downstairs Arena on Sunday night (much better sound quality in there than in the upstairs Ballroom the night before) and Lee Rocker doing the Stray Cats in the Car Park on Saturday afternoon was just… WOW! So good! Best vibe ever down there on the asphalt! One show that I was especially excited to see was the Burlesque show, knowing that it had one of my idols: Dita Von Teese in it this year. Thankfully Dita didn’t fail to please kicking off the show with her famous Martini glass act. I also decided to check out the “Burlesque Bingo” this year and have to say that, despite having very few expectations, it actually proved to be hilarious fun! Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend pretty much takes over the entire Orleans Hotel vintagetrailermagazine
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for a week. During the weekend there are two main room upstairs for music: One that seems to cater more for Swing and the “Jivers” and the other more “down & dirty” type rockabilly bands. In between the two is a large vendors area and the vintage items on offer in this extensive market place are always a big draw card of Viva. If you’re after a piece of genuine vintage fashion then this is the place to get it! I was a good girl this year and did not splash out, although I did get to wear my delicious vintage 50’s black and white party dress that I had bought from Coutura Vintage in Australia before I left especially for this occasion, and I felt like a princess in it too! But despite the chance to dress up, dance and shop, my main focus at this event was on sharing my love of vintage trailers with others. I certainly did not expect to get so many people coming by to look inside the trailer and talk to me about the car and my travels and the magazine. I was absolutely blown away by the positive reactions! There were about six or so other vintage trailers in the show and I had fun on Saturday afternoon going around with the camera filming the
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magnificent sight of the car show still in full swing at sundown, the crowds, the outfits, the harirdo’s the make up, the music, the cars, and the trailers. Viva Las Vegas is like Christmas to me. It’s like when all the things you love are all put together in one place at the one time and the world is a perfect place. Seeing old friends from across the world that you only ever see at other Rockabilly events, making new friends, parting ways with others, but this year the very best part of all for me, was being able to have those moments from the cozy interior of a cute little vintage trailer named “Posie”. Having her there with the Hudson was a long-awaited dream come true for me,
so I have to thank Sue again for being such a good sport in letting me borrow your prize and for being part of this momentous occasion of doing Viva with a vintage trailer! Thanks Sue! We had a lovely lunch together back at Peggy Sue’s on the Monday after it was all over and I was stoked to see the Satin Dollz sitting at the next table from us. Photo opportunity! They were happy to oblige and get a photo outside with “Posie” before Sue took her away on a camping venture with her family in the Mojave somewhere and “Doc” Hudson and I headed back north up to Oregon. With the extra 300-mile round trip on the side to Peggy Sue’s for the trailer, I had driven just over 2,200 miles – the
equivalent to driving the entire length of Route 66 again! It was a test of my driving endurance but I enjoyed every minute of it being out there on the road again and bopping away to top notch rockabilly tunes.
The good news is that I now have my “Rosie” back and “on duty” and we have since attended quite a few other events and have already booked into do Viva Las Vegas next year. So, make sure you grab a ticket and a hotel room and hopefully we’ll see you there next year!
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Artwork by Len Nordmann – Reprinted with Permission
To order a custom drawing of your trailer email lennordmann@gmail.com
Feature Trailer
Mellow Yellow
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WORDS LISA MORA
M
y sister Amy says that she blames me for her vintage trailer obsession. Her first purchase was a 1957 Westerner that she found sitting around the corner from their house in Oakland, Oregon with a “For sale” sign in the window, but it was this 1957 Scotsman Highlander that truly captured her heart. “It was buried under blackberry bushes and had not moved from that location for about forty-five years!” Amy recalls. “I’d had a few vintage trailers before this
PHOTOS LISA MORA & DAVID NORTHCRAFT
one, because I love the idea of rescuing something that might otherwise be left to disintegrate in a field somewhere, but Ngaire has a special meaning to us as we found her on the piece of the property we inherited from my husband’s parents”. Amy’s husband’s father sadly passed away a few years later, but Amy says that she feels like the trailer carries a little bit of Papa’s spirit with it. Inside the Scotsman was in a sorry state and was completely rotted out and parts of
the outer skin were peeling off. Inside the cupboards Amy found an assortment of old candy wrappers along with rodent-chewed Sears catalogs from the sixties. The stickers on the license plates were from 1965 but Amy was not sure of the year the trailer had been built, so she called the DMV with the plate number and they told her it was a 1957. Amy was also fortunate that the previous owners of the property helped her go through the process of getting a replacement title from the previous owners’ children, as it had been a deceased estate. vintagetrailermagazine
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With three teenage daughters and a busy auction business, time to spare on a restoration was limited; so Amy and Brian decided to call in the experts to tackle what was to be a complete ground up rebuild on the Scotsman. “I was very fortunate to stumble across David Northcraft of Northcraft Restorations in Boring, Oregon”, says Amy “He is a true craftsman and rebuilt just about every inch of her from the frame up. After decades in the wet Pacific North West, her wooden interior had seen better days. David consulted with me
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every step of the way and gave me the opportunity to make decisions during every step of the restoration. I chose to stick to a fairly traditional rebuild – with the idea that she would look very similar to how she would have looked when she rolled off the production line in 1957 but with some modern touches added to increase safety factors”. Amy also chose to keep the trailer in its original yellow color scheme and was lucky that the original yellow Princess stove was still in excellent working
condition. It really does look amazing against the shining honey-colored new birch wood paneling of the interior; a combination that Amy describes as “fresh and happy”. The name “Ngaire” (pronounced ‘Ny-Ree’) is a native New Zealand Maori girl’s name and is proudly displayed across the rear of the trailer along with two kiwi birds and was chosen by Amy to reflect her New Zealand roots. Once the restoration was complete, came the fun part of decorating her. Having acquired a candy-colored assortment of vintage trailers over the past few years,
Amy already had a garage full of totes full of decorative items and finishes for a variety of color schemes before the trailer had even been finished. Now she has been having fun buying the necessary final finishing touches such as the striped awning by Tin Can Awnings and a folding table and chairs set for the outside along with a yellow chenille bedspread and a cute set of yellow canisters for the inside. With very few such shining examples of Scotsman trailer rebuilds out and about at Rallies Ngaire certainly does stand out from the crowd. Ngaire’s first outing was to the Rollin’ Oldies Vintage Trailer Rally in Rogue River vintagetrailermagazine
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last month and everyone who looked inside her was really impressed with the workmanship of the restoration. Amy also took along her cute little pink Shasta Compact “Phoebe” for her daughter Madeline and her boyfriend Justin to stay in and her and Brian stayed in the Scotman. Amy uses the Shasta for Sisters on the Fly events but says that Ngaire will be the trailer she uses for events when Brian can come along too. “We couldn’t wait to take her out”, Amy tells me “Our first sleepover in her was actually in our carport. My hubby and I lay in bed just gazing around at the trailer marveling at how beautiful it was! But our first actual outing with Ngaire was to the Valley of the Rogue State Park in Southern Oregon and she was a big hit with everybody commenting on the workmanship of her rebuild. I love that she’s a bit unusual with her pompadour at the front!” 30
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Event Review
Tin Can Fun
Tin Can Tourists Annual Gathering • May 18 – 20, 2017 WORDS & PHOTOS RHONDA GELSTEIN
Gorgeous 1947 Westcraft Coronado is owned by Scott and Jean Eliot
“Bluebird” is a 1956 Shasta Deluxe owned by Carrie DeVoll
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F
or the past twenty years, trailerites from across the country have gathered at Camp Dearborn in Milford, Michigan for the Tin Can Tourists Annual Gathering. For many of us, it’s the official start of the camping season as we kick it off in grand style in May with our TCT friends. Trailers spanning the decades, in every size and configuration were on display. The Annual Gathering features fun events
like a theme dance with a live band. This year the theme was Steampunk and the costumes were off the hook! Games, mealtime gathering, campfires and an Open House keep the attendees meeting each other and creating new memories. My family has attended the Annual Gathering (held in Spring) and the Fall Gathering since 2003. When we joined Tin Can Tourists we didn’t know another
Bill and Vicki Chilton own the 1947 McGinness towed in style.
Close up of Faye.
Butch and Pam Starner brought this adorable handcrafted teardrop trailer to display with their 1977 Serro Scotty. Butch has created several mini trailers for their grandchildren to play in. They’re always a huge hit.
The GMC truck is happy to be seen pulling a 1947 Tam owned by Mike & Cheryl O’Connor.
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vintage trailer owner. We came out to visit an open house as were hooked. The next rally we were there with our trailer, and we love every year. While our trailers have changed over the years, the incredible people we meet and the friendships we have formed have not. Our children have grown up going to the events. We love the family atmosphere. Vintage trailer owners are a unique people. We found our tribe. TCT Member Terry Evans compared the
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Jason and Angie created a fun retro tiki vibe in their 1964 Airstream Safari. The trailer was slated to become a food trailer, and when the deal fell through they quickly rescued it and turned it into the beauty that it is today. The wood is all original but the fun colors are not. The trailer truly reflects the personality of Jason and Angie.
Interior of a 1964 Avion Holiday 24 owned by Baron and Teri LeBlanc. Baron and Teri and their pup Maddie love to “Go A Wandering” in their Avion. Their trailer features a Mid-Century Modern décor to match the age of the trailer.
Rosie keeps careful guard over the 1951 Spartanette Tandem owned by James and Nancy Warner. She was created for a prior Gathering and was such a hit Rosie returns year after year.
Marilyn Monroe themed altered vintage train case created by Rhonda Gelstein of Funky Stuff Gifts. This train case was spotted in a 1964 Avion Holiday 24 owned by Baron and Teri LeBlanc.
1964 Safari Airstream “Faye” owned by Jason and Angie Black. Vinyl decal logo is of their signature “Faye”. The Airstream was built in Jackson Center.
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Annual Gathering to the first day back to school after summer vacation. Everyone is so excited to see each other again. We catch up on each other’s lives, discuss changes to the trailers, welcome the new kids to the group and remember those who cannot be with us. It’s one big crazy family. Each rally has its own vibe. The Annual Gathering is different from the Fall Gathering. The Annual Gathering is special because there is judging, if you are into that type of thing. During the Open House a team of judges comprised of the previous years’ winners tour the trailers that were entered into the judging. There are fun categories such as “Friday Night Lights” and “Awesome Interiors” as well as categories for various sizes/types of trailers. The Fall Rally features a flea market at the various trailer sites and a more laid-back atmosphere. You never
The 1952 Vagabond owned by Steve Brown and Sandy Mastin is impeccably restored inside and out. Vintage accessories take you back in time. They are also the “hosts with the most” and a crowd can usually be seen gathered under the awning laughing and enjoying the day.
The adorable Sea Side is a 1957 Play-ette owned by Debra VanNorman Rivet and her daughter Jennifer Hammons.
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The pirate theme continues inside. Jackie uses accessories in creative ways to carry out her vision. Check out the cool light over the table.
Ahoy Matey! TCT member Jackie Jernigan is known for taking a theme to the max. Her 1959 Layton sports a pirate theme. From the treasure chest in the front to the mast, flag and crow’s nest – no detail is overlooked. Inside and out it’s enough to make Jack Sparrow feel right at home. Painstakingly restored by Lester and Arlene Parsons, this 1939 Alma was a hit at the show. It truly showed the way camping was “back in the day”.
Kevin and Sharon Sopata are cute as can be in front of their 1964 Shasta Airflyte.
know what treasures you will find. At each rally there are freshly restored trailers, and barn fresh finds. All are welcome and it’s fun seeing the changes from one year to the next. Of course, one of the best things about a vintage trailer rally is the Open House. Many members dress in period clothing to match their trailer. Trailers are accessorized in period-appropriate knickknacks. Guests flock from trailer to trailer taking photos, talking to the owners and getting bitten by the vintage trailer bug. Many of them will attend a future event with their own trailers. The 20th Tin Can Tourists Annual Gathering was held May 18 – 21, 2017 at Camp Dearborn in Milford, Michigan. There were 175 trailers registered for
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the event, with attendees from all over the country. 2019 marks the Centennial Anniversary for Tin Can Tourists. Originally founded in 1919 in Florida, Tin Can Tourists stated objective was “to unite fraternally all autocampers”. In 1998 Forrest and Jeri Bone revived the organization as an all make and model vintage trailer club. 21 rigs attended the May Renewal Gathering. Now membership spans the globe with rallies held across the country. Special rallies
will be held to commemorate the 100th anniversary. For more information about Tin Can Tourists and to keep up with special anniversary plans, please visit their website www.tincantourists.com If you attend a future TCT Annual Gathering, be sure to look us up. Drinks are cold and we promise you’ll be welcomed with open arms. We were visitors in 2003 and immediately felt like family. You will too.
Little Gem is the absolute right name for this 1965 cutie. Owned by Carl and Kathi Curtis, this trailer is spot on. Don’t you want to pick it up and take it home with you?
Barry and Lori Harris are the proud owners of this cute as can be1959 Holly named Ellie Mae. Holly is one of the many trailer brands built in Michigan. Barry and Lori are active participants at trailer rallies across the state. Before you enter, make sure you check out the Mood Barometer just inside the door.
Steve and Sandy have carefully selected accessories to recreate that vintage vacation feel in their ’52 Vagabond. It’s absolute perfection.
1965 Shasta Airflyte owned by Steve Collins. This western themed trailer was painted by artist Bob Meredith. This is one of several completely unique trailers that Bob has created. 36
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Barry and Lori Harris, owners of the 1959 Holly. Aren’t they adorable?!
Looking for ideas to take to your next potluck? Here we feature treasured recipe fresh from the faded pages of grandma’s favorite old recipe book along some tried and true favourites. So pull out the Pyrex, don your aprons and hoist the eggbeater and let’s get cooking Vintage Trailer Style.
Anzac Biscuits
nzac biscuits are an Australian and New Zealand classic that have always been one of my favorite on-the-road snacks. The name ANZAC comes from the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) that was established in World War I. The story goes that these “biscuits” were sent over to the soldiers because they had a long shelf life and would keep well during their journey by boat. The term Anzac is protected under Australian and New Zealand law but there is a general exemption granted for Anzac biscuits, as long as these biscuits remain basically true to the original recipe and are both referred to and sold as Anzac biscuits and never as cookies.
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Ingredients
• 1 cup plain flour • 1 cup rolled oats (regular oatmeal) uncooked • 1 cup desiccated coconut • 1 cup brown sugar • 1/2 cup butter • 2 tbsp golden syrup • 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda • 2 tbsp boiling water
Method
Combine the flour (sifted), oats, coconut and sugar in a bowl. Melt the butter and Golden Syrup in a saucepan over a low heat. Mix the bicarbonate of soda with the water and add to the butter and Golden Syrup. Pour the liquids into the dry ingredients and mix well. Spoon dollops of mixture, about the size of a walnut shell, onto a greased tin leaving as much space again between dollops to allow for spreading. Bake in a moderate oven, 180C / 350F, for 15-20 minutes. Cool on a wire rack and seal in airtight containers.
Tips
The American tablespoon is a little smaller than the British/Australian tablespoon, so be generous with your Golden Syrup and water. And never, ever call them ANZAC cookies – please retain their original and historic name. Golden Syrup is a form of semi-refined dark-colored sugar syrup often used in cooking in Britain, Australia and New Zealand and is often sold in a tin. It can now be purchased in the USA from Walmart online and is the main ingredient in “Sea Foam” or “honeycomb” candy.
Got a classic recipe you’d like to share? Send your favorite old time recipes to: editor@vintagetrailermagazine.com vintagetrailermagazine
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Special Feature
Rolling Solo? WORDS & PHOTOS LISA MORA
common “just arrived at the campsite” conversation is often about the mishaps or incidents that are unfortunately an inevitability of frequent travels with older trailers (and even more so for those of use with older tow vehicles as well!). I’ve been doing this for a while now, and I can admit that I’ve forgotten one of each of the steps of the process of hitching up and towing, backing and setting up and unhitching at least once I am sure! (that’s all it usually takes to never forget again!) I also had an advantage having been into showing horses prior to becoming a
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vintage trailer tragic, so I was somewhat familiar with the process but I still love the stories I hear about other women’s experiences setting out on there own for the first time, trailer in tow. It’s easy to laugh about it in hindsight but can be quite a terrifying experience for many first timers. The most common question I get asked by fascinated women whenever I take my trailer to a show and they find out I have travelled there solo (after: “Do you actually sleep in that?”) is: “Are you ever afraid?”
My answer has always been: “No”. I trust my gut instincts, I assume the best in humanity and expect to manifest only that into my life. If I focused on all the things that could go wrong or the bad things that might happen I might never do what I love doing so much: travelling around the country with my cute little home office behind me. I’d probably never get on a plane or cross the road either. I don’t want to believe that I am any more at risk than a man travelling on his own would be. Having said that; I don’t take stupid risks and I always take necessary pre-travel precautions.
These are my top ten tips for solo travellers setting out on the road for the first time: Always get your tow vehicle checked over prior to going out on a long road trip towing a trailer. Make sure all the fluids are up, the tires and brakes are good and the tire pressure has been adjusted to carrying an extra load (don’t forget all that extra stuff us glamper types lug around with us everywhere we go can weigh a lot!) Make sure your trailer sits level when hitched to your car. Measure the height from the ground to the top of the tow ball receiver on the trailer when it is 100% level and then get a tow ball hitch that is the same height on your car. If your trailer sits too high at the front or too low, your ability to control the trailer is severely compromised. There should be a straight line all the way along from the A-frame to the car.
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Because I’m often tired when I get back from a big road trip to a rally, I clean the trailer BEFORE I go out on the next trip rather than when I get home. But never leave any food inside the trailer as mice love any excuse to make a nest inside that cozy abode of yours!
2.
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Prepping the trailer: Make sure your battery is fully charged and that you have all the necessary set up tools required: an electric cord, a clean water hose, a grey water outlet hose and black water hose and tank if you have a toilet, wheel chocks, a slab or two of timber for unhitching and a bucket (if there is no grey water outlet), your awning and poles, ropes and pegs in an easy to get to position with easy access so you can set up easily upon arrival. I use my side locker under the rear bed for these things.
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Hooking up. I think it’s funny that American vintage trailers only have those wind up posts for unhitching and that everyone has to carry chunks of wood around to support them. In Australia and New Zealand we have “Jockey wheels” that attach to the side of the A-frame and a handbrake to the trailer wheels also mounted on the A-frame (so our caravans don’t roll away!) and these are great for me when hooking up too as if you are an inch or two off on either side you can just tug on the A-frame and roll the trailer across (if it’s a little one like mine are). I found a version of this at Napa that bolts (or can be welded) on to the A-frame and lifts upright into position or horizontally when traveling with a simple crank. I have put it one on my “Rosie” and it’s great, although because my car sits very low I still do sometimes have to use the old post to give me the height to allow the wheel to spin down into position. When travelling, use a piece of wire to strap the handle to maintain it in the horizontal position whilst travelling. Turn off your Propane!
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In Australia I had a little acronym to remind me of the process of hitching and unhitching that I’d count off across my knuckles: JCHE. It stood for Jockey wheel, chains, handbrake, electrics. Now I don’t have a handbrake I’ll have to come up with another one! Make your own up and be methodical about the process, EVERY TIME. Try not to let anyone else help you or get chatting to you while you do it the first few times so you get that system in your head. Make sure the chains are crossed so if
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the hitch jumps off the ball the chains will catch it. Use properly rated chain and shackles. Unhook one terminal of your battery whilst travelling. Make sure your electric plug is locked in place and test the indicators and brake lights are working on the trailer before setting off anywhere. Every time. BATTEN DOWN THE HATCHES! Walk all around the trailer and touch each window and give it a little push to make sure all windows and the roof hatch are super secure before driving. Air getting inside a trailer whist driving can be catastrophic. (See tip #6 below!)
Driving whilst towing: I’ve heard more than one woman talk abut this experience as giving them white knuckles at first. Here’s a few tips to make the experience a little less stressful: Take YOUR time. Don’t feel pressure to keep up with anyone else on the road, travel all the way at 55mph if you feel best doing that. I know I do. It’s safer in wind gusts, when being overtaken by huge trucks and when unexpected obstacles appear on the road in front of you. There’s a very valid reason most states make that the legal limit for anyone towing. If the GPS says the trip is going to take 3 hours, allow for 4. Stop often and rest.
6.
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no power steering and a very short trailer with very short A-frame! Longer trailers are easier to back, believe it or not. I’m usually a whizz at backing, but I still struggle a lot with my Hudson with its “Armstrong steering” and 12-foot combination! Safety: I was once asked if I carried a gun when travelling on my own. When I replied that I did not I got a great tip that I have used ever since: carry a can of wasp spray in your car’s cup holder (pictured left). It can down a person from thirty feet away apparently. I haven’t ever needed it, but it’s reassuringly there, like insurance. Meanwhile trust your gut instincts and if something does not feel right, move on.
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Another great tip I received from a trucker when I found myself stuck in a truck stop with two missing windows that had literally exploded off the side of my trailer whilst I was being overtaken by a big rig on a narrow road. The trucker recommended pulling as far over to the edge of the road as possible when being overtaken by trucks as air pressure can build up inside trailers and the extra pressure when the trucks pass you can be all it takes. “I’ve seen whole trailers explode off their chassis and end up in pieces on the road”, he warned me. Sage advice I have adhered to and passed along ever since! Weight distribution hitches or stabilizer bars are helpful if your trailer has a lot of sway when being overtaken too. When it comes to backing up, practice makes perfect. Turn off the stereo, wind down both windows, take a moment to breathe and center yourself then just think: “Opposite. Opposite. Opposite”. That’s how your trailer’s ass will work; the OPPOSITE of what your car’s ass would do if you steered it without the trailer on! Again, take your time, if you feel comfortable taking instructions from others you will find there is always a bevvy of willing instructors on hand as soon as you look like you’re struggling a bit with it and most other RV’ers are very understanding because it IS hard! Try doing it with a long heavy car with 40
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Insurance: Get it and make sure it’s enough to not just replace the trailer you have so painstakingly restored, but all of the special things inside it should the worst befall and it is stolen or completely destroyed. Don’t leave home without it, and AAA maximum coverage with extra RV coverage so your trailer gets full towing services as well. I also use a little pin lock on my hitch, it’s a deterrent for thieves and also locks the hitch onto the ball whilst travelling. Other locks go up inside the ball when unhitched and then there are wheel locks as well, the more to deter thieves you can utilize the better as our babies are becoming very highly desirable property and become almost as much a part of our families as our pets or children!
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My brother in law got me this cute little head torch for $1 (right) and it has been a godsend! (Thanks Brian). I keep it on the driver’s side visor in my car for easy access for those times when you find yourself having to set up in the dark. Just make sure you put it back in its spot after you’re done with it. Same rule applies to everything about tiny trailer living and travelling. Have a place for everything and put everything back in its place after use!
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Which brings me to the next and most important tip: lanyards are good! Always keep your trailer keys on a lanyard and wear it the while time you are
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camping, and hang it on the door handle when you go to sleep. We’ve all locked ourselves out at one point and trailers can be very tricky to break into! Keep a spare set of keys to your trailer in your car and a spare set of car keys in the trailer. Be brave, be bold and get out there and explore this beautiful country and I’ll see you on the road! To share your stories and best tips email Lisa at: editor@vintagetrailermagazine.com
Feature Trailer
Rosie the Riveted I WORDS & PHOTOS LISA MORA
t’s been five years since I first spotted that little silver bubble from across the road at the Hot August Nights Swap Meet in Reno in 2012. It was across the road in the Salvation Army sale lot and initially I just intended to take a photo of it. At that stage I didn’t even live here yet, but when I saw the price tag of $1,000 in the window, I knew it had to be mine. “We’ll think about it”, my boyfriend said. But there are some things you just don’t “think about” and I knew this was one of those things. It was a 1949 Crown 12-foot trailer with the original badge that said
“Made expressly for Al Rose, the Trailer King, El Monte, CA” riveted onto the side near the door. Inside was a bit rotted and it had a massive dent in the back but it was the cutest thing I had ever seen and I was in love. I offered them $500 and they surprisingly accepted. I quickly called my sister in Oregon to make sure we could store it at the big shed at her place and thankfully she said she would. “Rosie” as she was promptly named had only just been brought in that morning on thirty year-old tires. In the time it took for us to go to Les Schwab and get some
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new tires and come back the Major who had sold it to me said he could have sold it a hundred times over since we’d been there. I knew I had scored a bargain. Getting Rosie ready for her big debit at Pismo Beach Vintage Trailer Rally was a frantic “all hands on deck” effort to get her finished in time with my sister and I and I sanding, scrubbing and painting and installing knobs on the drawers and cupboards, my brother in law Brian rewiring all the lights, installing a deep cycle battery and re-installing the refinished ice box for me and my niece’s boyfriend Justin installing a hanging rail in my new wardrobe that was re-built where the original furnace had been and the jockey
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wheel on to the A-frame. Meanwhile each night I was madly sewing all of the curtains and the night before I left one of Amy and Brian’s employees Terry then worked all night polishing Rosie’s original riveted sides and painting the A-frame in cherry red for me. I am so thankful to everyone who chipped in to make this possible! I love you guys! Thank you! Then came the best part: All of the items that had been sitting in boxes in my cupboard got to finally come out and the fun part of decorating began. The “Rosie the Riveter” theme had been chosen when I bought her, as I wanted something completely different from my very pink and girly caravan “Betty” in Australia. This trailer represents the strong, independent side of my personality and the colors I have chosen are all a tribute to “Rosie the
Riveter”. Being from the same era, as a 1949, and her original sides put together with rivets, war-time bomber style, I could just imagine Rosie having camped in a trailer like this one after the war was over. I found what I later found out is called a “Sweetheart pillow” in blue satin with yellow tassel fringing and red roses and yellow flowers around the border of a love poem. Apparently these cushions would be sent to men away at war from their “sweethearts” back at home. It tied the color scheme of the Rosie the Riveter poster with my “red roses” touches (for “Rosie”). It was all coming together! The Rosie theme continued to evolve… I made the red and white polka dot curtains for Rosie’s famous bandana, the blue denim on the upholstery of the dinette seats are like Rosie’s coveralls and the pale yellow walls are similar to
the yellow background of the “We can do it!” poster that I have on her wall. I had started crocheting the red, white and blue throw rug for Rosie three years ago and I finally got to out her inside as a tribute to my American heritage along an assortment of mementos from my travels around America. The black and white check flooring and red boomerang laminate on the counter tops and chrome trims along the edges are in keeping with my penchant for rockabilly and fifties styling. The chrome round knobs on the cupboards and doors were super cheap from Home Depot but really finish off the fifties diner
styling. I installed a full-length mirror to the outside of the wardrobe to give the illusion of more space in side the very tiny ten-feet of space. I also chose to take out the propane and original stove to give me more counter space as I have an aversion to propane and would never use it in a trailer after having witnessed a trailer burn to the ground in ten minutes flat turned me off for life. I have a small one burner electric hot plate for cooking, a crockpot and my blender. Although she is very small, I am finding her more than adequate for my needs so far. I have a full sized rear permanent bed, a very small single seater dinette and plenty of power outlets to charge up my phones, cameras and computer when I am travelling. I have an extra storage space under the bed where I keep my Astro turf and hooking up equipment and it also has a door that can be accessed from inside where I keep a suitcase with extra clothes and whatever doesn’t fit inside the trailer can easily fit in the Hudson anyway. I love my little Rosie home. Right now I am camping in Twin Falls Idaho with ten of my Sister on the Fly sisters on our way to the Northwest Gathering in Ririe, Idaho. We’ve had an amazing time caravanning together, sight seeing and laughing and my world feels complete. As I sit here inside Rosie finishing off this issue of the magazine, I can hear my sisters laughing next door with their feet in the splash pool and this is my last article before we go to print, so I’m going to go grab a Margarita and go and join them, but Rosie and I will be out and about nearly every weekend between now and October so keep an eye on our Facebook page and the events guide in the magazine to find out where we’ll be next and if you’re around, please do come up and say “Hi” and come check out my cubby house!
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! p i r T Road « events guide« JUNE 30 – JULY 5 ALL-AMERICAN VINTAGE TRAILER RALLY
Powerland Heritage Park, 3995 Brooklake Rd NE, Brooks, OR 97303 Oregon’s largest vintage trailer rally. No reservations required! Held in Brooks, Oregon July 4th weekend. The site has many active museums for trains, trolleys, tractors, trucks, motorcycles, cars, dozers, logging, etc. An antique trolley runs through our camp area. Also: a huge Civil War reenactment. Check the web site for all the details at: www.all-american-rally.com
with Camper Manufactures, Exhibitors, Vendors, Etc. This is a total Road/Retro 50s 60s Life-Style-Show...Weekender. We have the entire Historic Chateau Hotel in Bloomington blocked out for the weekend. The event also features Classic cars, truck, hot rods, customs, choppers. Vendors and exhibitors from all over the country. Music festival, fun foods and drinks, Pink Flamingo Tiki bar & Route 66 Theatre. Please Note: This is a user-friendly event without one million rules and very fair pricing. Hope to see you there... Von Lar Go to: www.rocknrodson66.com for more information.
JULY 5 – 9 GRAFFITI WEEKEND RAT ROD ROUNDUP & VINTAGE TRAILER SHOW
JULY 28 – 30 GOOD GUYS PACIFIC NORTHWEST NATIONALS
Douglas County Fairgrounds, 2110 Frear St, Roseburg, Oregon 97471 Graffiti Weekend is the premier car show event in the Pacific Northwest located in Roseburg, Oregon. There are car shows happening all over town and cruises, no pre-registration necessary, just show up! This year the organizers of the Rat Rod & Rat Bike show hosted by the Pacific Racing Assn. have invited vintage trailers to display as part of their show on the 8th July. Gates Open 8am – 4pm followed by drag racing. For more information email Bob at: r.r.roundup@gmail.com graffitiweekend.com
JULY 14 – 16 ROCK N RODS ON ROUTE 66
Historic Chateau Hotel, Bloomington, Illinois This year Rock N Rods on Route 66 is welcoming Vintage Campers to the event. Featuring a Happy Camper Showcase 44
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Washington State Fair Events Center, 110 9th Ave SW, Puyallup, WA Over 2,500 Pre-1972 Rods, Customs, Classic, Muscle Cars & Trucks, Friday night Drags at Pacific Raceway, Saturday night twilight cruise, swap meet, vendor exhibits, kids zone, K & N Filters All American Sunday welcoming American made or powered vehicles of all years, model & pedal car show, live music. For more information go to: www.good-guys.com/pnwn-2017
AUGUST 3 – 6 ON THE ROAD AGAIN VINTAGE TRAILER RALLY
Renfro Valley KOA, Mt. Vernon, Kentucky This event is open to vintage trailers built from 1985 back, reissue models and tiny homes. This is a family event. Many activities planned. Held near the charming, arty town of Berea, Kentucky and other local popular sight-seeing attractions. Open house on
Saturday August 5. Rally hosts: Vern Nevoraski & Kiki Alexander For more information email Kiki at: kiki.alexander3@gmail.com For reservations phone the KOA on: (800) 562 2475
AUGUST 4 – 6 12TH ANNUAL VINTAGE & FIBERGLASS CAMPER MEET
Abrams Village, Abrams Village, Prince Edward Island, Canada The Family / Committee has a Goal of 100 units to celebrate The 150th Birthday of Canada. Two-way Hook up. Friday and Saturday Night Camping Saturday Evening: The French Connection Buffet. Acadian Style Buffet for Two. Your weekend Package: $80.00 taxes included. $25.00 for extra camp nights. Come and enjoy the Acadian Culture in Music, food and Hospitality. It is such an honor and a privilege to be able to be home on PEI in order to host this event for all you wonderful people and enthusiasts. Contact Karl at: proudecanadian@gmail.com
AUGUST 8 – 13 HOT AUGUST NIGHTS
Washoe County Rancho San Rafael Regional Park, Reno, NV For the first time in Hot August Nights history, vintage trailers will add another layer of nostalgia and competition to the main event. These rolling living spaces and their classic or non-classic tow vehicle can register to be part of HAN and receive credentials for all venues. 1976 and older classic trailers of all shapes and sizes are invited to camp at Washoe County’s Rancho San Rafael Regional Park between Tuesday, Aug. 8 and Sunday, Aug.
Places to visit and things to see and do. Road Trip! is your essential guide to upcoming events, rallies, gatherings and campouts in the coming months. 13. Trailers can also take part in a Shown-Shine with judging conducted by an expert panel. Ribbons will be presented to the top three trailers on Friday, Aug. 11! From classic to kitschy, these vintage beauties will add a whole new element to the event! For more information go to: https:// hotaugustnights.net/vintage-trailer-revival/
AUGUST 11 – 12 SYMCO HOT ROD & KUSTOM WEEKENDER
The Union Thresheree Grounds, Symco, Wisconsin Every second weekend in August the little town of Symco comes roaring to life in a celebration unlike any other. For years traditional hot rods & kustoms from across the Midwest have gathered together to step back in time. Behind them they pull Shasta and Scottie campers loaded with vintage luggage. The roof racks are strapped with midcentury Rollfast and ColorFlo bicycles and the rumble of open headers and rockabilly fill the air. The smell of delicious food drifts on the breeze, past the egar heads tuning their mini bikes for the drags on the dirt track. Fellas enjoy a cold PBR while their gals browse through vendors and look at attire for the pinup contest. Guys wander the swap meet in search of that illusive final piece for their current build. From the vintage camping area comes the laughter of families cooling off in the river. This unique setting provides the backdrop for the most anticipated annual event in the Midwest. To book your site or for more information go to: www.symcohotrods.com or phone John Pence on: (902) 251-0920
AUGUST 26 – 28 FANTASY ISLAND VINTAGE CAMPER WEEKEND
Fantasy Island Campground, 401 Park Drive, Sunbury, PA 17801 Come join us for our 1st ever “Vintage Camper Rally!” We welcome all vintage campers of every year, make, model, and size! There’ll be tours of those
who wish to show their ‘home away from homes.’ Plus we’ll have awards for the oldest, best survivor, and best custom. To book email fantasyislandcampground@ yahoo.com or phone: (866) 882 1307 www.fantasyislandcampground.com
SEPTEMBER 7 – 10 2017 17TH ANNUAL MT BAKER VINTAGE TRAILER RALLY
The Northwest Washington Fair and Event Center, 1775 Front St , Lynden, WA 98264 Annual Vintage Trailer Rally held every year the weekend after Labor Day at the NW Washington Fairgrounds in Lynden, WA. The official rally is Sept 7-10, 2017 but you can arrive as early as the 5th. This is field camping with no assigned spots. You pay and register upon arrival (cash, check or credit card). Showers, restrooms and RV dump station are on site. Power and water is abundant and available for most everyone with extension cords and water splitters. Cost is: $25 per night and one time rally fee of $15. (Add 3% for credit card payments). All are welcome to attend. Those trailers that aren’t vintage or “in the Spirit of vintage” will just be asked to park in a designated section along the perimeter.
SEPTEMBER 15 – 17 SOUTH BEACH ROLLIN’ OLDIES VINTAGE TRAILER RALLY
South Beach State Park, 5580 South Coast Highway, South Beach, Oregon 97366 South Beach ROVT Rally is BACK!! The rally is in South Beach State Park in Newport, OR. The rally will be held in Loop A, B and C which have electric and water. We are looking at getting the meeting room for having the potlucks with of course open house and “Night Glow”. We will be posting how to reserve a campsite closer to time that you can reserve them. Julie Cramer Bennett, Karen Hofmann Hansis and Ashley Morrison Roberts are co-host. Reservations through ReserveAmerica.com For more information go to: www.rovt.org/events.htm
OCTOBER 12 – 15 GATHERING OF THE TIMES VINTAGE TRAILER RALLY 2017
Pine Mountain RV Resort, 8804 Hamilton Rd, Pine Mountain, GA 31822 Gathering of the Times is the new North Georgia Vintage Trailer Rally. We just changed the name. Please join us at the Pine Mountain RV Resort in Pine Mountain Georgia for our 5th annual Gathering Of The Times Vintage Trailer Rally. Perfectly situated next to Calloway Gardens, it will certainly be a rally to remember. Only trailers 1979 and earlier can participate. Call (706) 663-4329 to reserve a campsite. Tell them you are with the vintage trailer group and are in the Azalea (new) section. After you have reserved please let me know the year/ make of your trailer, who will be occupying the site, and your site number so that I can keep a master list. Contact Pete Whitley via Facebook Messenger, email pete_whitley@yahoo.com or phone 678-378-3725.
OCTOBER 20 – 22 VINTAGEVIBE FESTIVAL™
Palm Springs, California A rockin’ new celebration of American culture in the heyday and twilight of the 20th century, VintageVibe Fest captures a time period unique for its bold evolutions in and modernizations of style, fashion, music, and art. The festival will include nightly musical performances by major musical groups whose music has a “throwback sound.” While the day’s events will center around the Vintage Market. Held during the Modernism Week Fall preview, the Vintage Market will be filled with a wide variety of vendors whose product has a “vintage vibe” including Vintage Trailer Magazine! For more information go to: www.vintagevibefest.com
= Events Vintage Trailer Magazine will be attending
To advertise your vintage trailer friendly event here for free email details to: editor@vintagetrailermagazine.com vintagetrailermagazine
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Happy Camper water bottle $32 from Happy Go Smile, Cayucos
Happy Go Smile had lots of cute vintage trailer items like this for sale in their Caycucos store
Drink Cozy $6
Kim DeVries gave me this awesome Route 66 mug
Trailer
Treasure
Shirts & sweatshirts
from Happy Go Smile in Cayucos
Sisters Get Their Kicks on Route 66 book $29.95
from www.perspectiveskarenwestphotography. myshopify.com
More cute trailer stuff at Happy Go Smile, Cayucos, CA
Trailer Trash Find
I spotted this old trailer on the road between Reno and Las Vegas 46
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Vintage trailer lovers from all over the world love “treasure hunting”. Whether it be op shopping, garage sales or online auction sites, we love salvaging items others have discarded as trash and treasuring them once more. Many a vintage trailer has been lovingly restored from possible ruin from those less appreciative of its charm, and the same is often so of the adornments found in the retro themed interiors of vintage trailers and their owners’ homes. Interior design ideas, homewares, brica-brac, clothing and kitsch, along with trailer trash finds, each issue we will feature items found from VTM’s “Treasure Hunters”. Do you have a rescued treasure or retro style item for sale that you’d like to share? Or snapped a sadly rejected trailer out there somewhere? To feature here in Trailer Treasure, contact editor@vintagetrailermagazine.com with the subject line: “Trailer Treasure”.
Barb & Jeri picked up these red retro suitcases from the swap meet at Pismo Beach Vintage Trailer Rally
from Brent Pederson, Oregon brentkelly64@msm.com
Custom Trailer Key tags
by Rene Perret from www.downrivertrailers.com
20” x 12” Sisters on the Fly Decal $65
from www.sistersonthefly.com store
Red, white & blue string lights $30 from Joann’s
Correction from issue 33
Mini versions of your trailer custom made by Brent Pederson in Oregon email brentkelly64@msm.com
Services Directory
HapPy gO SmiLe Custom built Bondwood caravans built in Australia and shipped internationally
HapPy gO SmiLe: A little shop in Cayucos where you can eat cupcakes that make you HapPy, gO to create art, and shop for things that make you SmiLe!
36 N Ocean Ave, Cayucos, CA.
Unit 3/14 Hilldon Crt Nerang, Queensland 4211, Australia Phone +61 0414 944 850 Email woodycaravans@hotmail.com
FolLow us on Facebook & Instagram
Find us on Facebook and Instagram!
www.woodycaravans.com.au
Aug 25 – 27, 2016
Come join our Second Annual Vintage Camper Rally at Fantasy Island Campground!
Friday – 8:00 p.m. Bingo followed by campfires and trailer talk
Saturday – 10:30 a.m. Wine Glass/Glass Painting Party (advanced sign up required)
11:00 a.m.-‐5:00 p.m. Wine Tasting with Olivero’s & Penn Valley Cheese 1:00 p.m. -‐4:00 p.m. “Tour of Homes” Awards: Oldest, Furthest Traveled, & People’s Choice (1st, 2nd, & 3rd) 4:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Dynamic Wings Concession Stand 7:30 p.m. Winners Announced 7:30 p.m.-‐11:00 p.m. Entertainment: “Warren Dane”
wW w.happygosmile.com
$42 per night for camping (entry included)
Contact: Fantasy Island Campground 401 Park Drive, Sunbury, PA (570) 286-‐1307
Tin Can Awnings Custom designed awnings just for you! Jean Bundschuh - Owner/Operator Parker, Colorado, USA Phone: 719-TCA-1TCA / 719-822-1822 Email: nenenudesigns@gmail.com Find us on Facebook
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POSITION VACANT: Senior Media Sales Vintage Trailer Magazine Flexible hours, Remote work from home opportunity Must have own computer, cell phone and transport. Previous media sales experience preferred. Computer, phone & Excel skills need to be impeccable. An interest in, and knowledge of vintage trailers and camping lifestyle is highly desirable. Enthusiasm, friendliness and positive outlook are essential.
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FunkyStuffGifts.com
RENT THIS SPACE!
To apply send a cover letter outlining skills and qualities that address the criteria and a resume to: editor@vintagetrailermagazine.com
VTM oers great value online and print advertising packages giving your business access to our 30,000+ customers.
Become part of the fun and vibrant Vintage Trailer Magazine team!
For your copy of the VTM Media Kit email ads@vintagetrailermagazine.com
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Tin Can Tourists is an all make and model vintage trailer and motor coach club. Rallies, trailer information, thousands of pictures, Facebook group and free classified ads
www.tincantourists.com
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New to the event, Hot August Nights Vintage Trailer Revival will be the talk of the park, trailer park that is! Vintage trailers 1976 and older will be able to dry camp for the week long event at County of Washoe Rancho San Rafael Park.With registration you will be able to participate in a Show-n-Shine competition and receive 2 credentials to access all Hot August Nights venues. MUST BE 1976 OR OLDER; ONLY 150 SPOTS AVAILABLE, REGISTER TODAY TO SECURE YOUR SPACE! Registration fees are $250 for Trailer and Non-HAN registered classic tow vehicle, or $300 for Trailer and HAN Classic Car Combo. Don’t miss out on your opportunity to meet Justin & Anna Scribner of Flyte Camp! Three Celebrity Choice Show-n-Shine awards will be chosen by: Flyte Camp, Airstream, and Pink Flamingo RV Radio
For more information visit HotAugustNights.net | 775.356.1956