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Across the Fence:  How to find a vintage trailer  |
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Aunt Em
True Blue Farmgirl
137 Posts
Emme
Carnation
WA
137 Posts |
 Posted - Jul 07 2008 : 1:43:36 PM
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Ok ladies, you gotta tell me! How on earth did you find your vintage trailers? After seeing the pictures in the Outpost book and the amazing ones you've showcased here, I want one! Did you refurbish it yourself? I've looked on Craigslist, and I've seen a couple of campers on there, but they need A LOT of TLC, and I just don't know if I have the skills to dress it up the way it needs to be. So tell me, if you have one of those pretty vintage campers, how'd you do it? What type, make, model, do you recommend? I'd love an airstream but they seem so spendy, even (and maybe especially) the old ones. Tell me! I must know!
Farmgirl Sister #138
http://www.LilBitCrunchy.blogspot.com
"In my world everyone is a pony, and they all eat rainbows and poop out butterflies." -Horton Hears a Who |
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Carrie W
Farmgirl Legend/Chapter Guru
437 Posts
Saratoga Springs
New York
USA
437 Posts |
Posted - Jul 07 2008 : 1:48:24 PM
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I'm with Emme! I want one, too! It's all I can think about today. I pitched a tent in the yard last night and took my brand new copy of the Outpost out and read it by the fire. I got all geared up to hook up and venture out! We have a pop up trailer but I don't think I could pitch it by myself, and I'd really rather have a small self contained. My Chevy Blazer is equipped with tow hitch so I just need the trailer now. We also have a '72 Winnebago self contained but it is too large and needs a mechanic to run it anywhere (that's were dh comes in).
Please share some ideas as to where to look and what is a reasonable price...I know nothing about these things!
carrie m
www.totallykadeshfarm.blogspot.com
Farmgirl Sisterhood #147
Tis better to weep at joy than to joy at weeping--Shakespeare, Much Ado About Nothing |
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ruralfarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
4309 Posts
Rene'
Prosser
WA
USA
4309 Posts |
Posted - Jul 07 2008 : 4:13:43 PM
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EM and Carrie,
Me too... arent they adorable... We were in North Bend WA this weekend, and there were several old cars all pulling the vintage trailers, looked like so much fun!
Rene~Prosser Farmgirl #185
" Plant goodness, harvest the fruit of loyalty, plow the new ground of knowledge. Hosea 10:12 |
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Aunt Em
True Blue Farmgirl
137 Posts
Emme
Carnation
WA
137 Posts |
Posted - Jul 07 2008 : 4:29:15 PM
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Rene, I live about 15 minutes from North Bend! I saw those riding around too. I think there was a big vintage car show around here somewhere. That's what really got me to thinking and wanting to know how to get one!
Farmgirl Sister #138
http://www.LilBitCrunchy.blogspot.com
"In my world everyone is a pony, and they all eat rainbows and poop out butterflies." -Horton Hears a Who |
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willowtreecreek
True Blue Farmgirl
4813 Posts
Julie
Russell
AR
USA
4813 Posts |
Posted - Jul 07 2008 : 6:14:32 PM
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Emme it is SOOO funny that you brought this up. I too have been thinking about it. My hubby and I went for a drive yesterday and I was taking note of quite a few "vintage" looking trailers in peoples back yards. The only bad thing is MOST looked to be in horrible disrepair! I want one too though!
Farmgirl Sister #17
Blog
www.willowtreecreek.wordpress.com
Felt and Fabric Crafts
www.willowartist.etsy.com
www.willowtreecreek.com
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MissLorri
Farmgirl in Training
28 Posts
Lorri
North East
Texas
USA
28 Posts |
Posted - Jul 07 2008 : 6:22:52 PM
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Girls, just keep looking. I bought a 59 scotty last year and it was completly renovated. I do not have the skills to do one up, but it is hard to find one in such great shape. And if they have been redone it will cost you. I am now looking for another one and they are getting hard to locate, especially in decent condition. THe main thing to look for is the frame, the floor, the roof and does it leak. If the floor is bad pass on it, unless you have a husband who is handy.
Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway....John Wayne |
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Jami
True Blue Farmgirl
1238 Posts
Jami
Ellensburg
WA
USA
1238 Posts |
Posted - Jul 07 2008 : 6:55:57 PM
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Funny you should post about this Em...since seeing the ones on this forum, I started looking online...the completely renovated ones are EXPENSIVE...as in $5,000 and up (some to $26,000!). So I've been taking the back roads places to and fro and lookey-louing all over to try to find an old junker in someone's yard for sale...but then what would I do with it??? Have no clue and know how to decorate but not sure if I could do the mechanical stuff or know what needed to be done. There's a website online of a guy who redoes them...think it's vintagetrailers.com or something like that. Do a Google and he'll come up in the first 3 sites.
Jami in WA
Okay, so now I have a blog. http://woolyinwashington.wordpress.com/ |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Jul 07 2008 : 7:08:49 PM
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Years ago I decorated and re-did a '70's trailer and LOVED it. Wish I would have kept it for sure. But now I want a teardrop!! It is so NOT practical for me to want one..I have 4 kids and a husband at home. We always tent camp, but I would love it just as a "base station" for the kitchen and parents bed. The kids can still sleep in our big 2 room tent..the youngest are 11 now. But where to find one? I did find one very plain one available ( I would LOVE to fix it up!!!) but it was $3,000! Way out of my budget so I guess I will wait and look. I just love those little things though!!
Jenny in Utah
Proud Farmgirl sister #24
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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MissLorri
Farmgirl in Training
28 Posts
Lorri
North East
Texas
USA
28 Posts |
Posted - Jul 07 2008 : 7:17:27 PM
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One more thing about trailers, I am a sister on the fly member and the majority tell me that even if you buy an old trailer to "fix" the money spent on it will about equal out as if you bought one already done. Since I do not have a husband I cant do all of the carpentry work needed so I did buy one already restored. It was less than 5K but not much less. If you have a handy man then you could at least spread out the money over a period of time. Just make sure the foundation is good or it will cost you alot more
Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway....John Wayne |
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Ga Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
2355 Posts
Karen
Meansville
Ga.
USA
2355 Posts |
Posted - Jul 08 2008 : 05:14:28 AM
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I've been watching craigs list to, but they are hard to come buy. But I right there with the rest of you I want one too. Karen
Create in me a pure heart,O God and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalms 51:10 http://farmgirlingastyle.blogspot.com/ |
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Yogifarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
297 Posts
Jenn
Swiftwater
PA
USA
297 Posts |
Posted - Jul 08 2008 : 05:37:20 AM
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Hey Ladies
Try www.freecycle.org
You would be amazed what people give away for free. Especially if they just bought an old house and the trailer is sitting in the yard. They might just wanna get rid of it instead of paying for it to be hauled away. I love freecycle and have gotten a lot of neat things. Good Luck
Jenn
www.sundariyoga.com
"Breathe in the Sunshine" |
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CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
Posted - Jul 08 2008 : 06:22:15 AM
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gosh .. i thought they would mostly be about $25 to $50 THOUSAND dollars ... i would love to find one in EXCELLENT 'physical' (as in the GUTS of it!) condition! i'm not sure it would look 'quite right' sitting in front of these olde pioneer cabins we live in .. but i would probably do mine up (painted outside and decorated inside) in the 'pioneer spirit' .. what a great little 'guest house' or 'get-away' place it would be!
i wonder if any 'retiring Fly Girls' sell theirs and how to find one??? i did see the category on the Fly Girls site .. but NONE were available. i'll keep watching that! i think i'll join FLY GIRLS and keep posting (ha! probably with a thousand other women) that i would love to buy one.
if anyone hears of one that is in EXCELLENT condition and they want to pass on it .. pleeeeeeeeeeeeze let me know about it. xo
True Friends * Frannie
adopt a 'rag-chile'
http://sistermercysfoundlinhome.blogspot.com
treasures .. new and olde .. http://mudpiemanormercantile.blogspot.com
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StarMeadow
True Blue Farmgirl
940 Posts
T
MI
940 Posts |
Posted - Jul 08 2008 : 06:24:34 AM
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I was also smitten by the trailers! I looked and looked the other day online. I absolutely love the 1959 Shastas. They even have a website. www.vintageshastas.com I just get a super kick out of those wings. I read a lot about people finding them for cheap but they are often filled with dry-rot. I can't imagine taking the thing down to the frame and starting from there... Coachman is making a "new" Shasta Airflyte 12 BUT it STARTS at $20,300 and has a base weight of 2500 pounds! Not to mention that in their attempt to make them "modern" they've really done in the interior...not at all like the cuties of olde. The vintage ones are much, much lighter. Maybe it's the bathroom?
--I am grateful. I have enough.-- |
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Mountain Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
806 Posts
JoAnn
Colville
Washington
USA
806 Posts |
Posted - Jul 08 2008 : 07:34:47 AM
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| Jenny, There was a program on tv about trailers, rv's etc. It was quite good. They had one section on teardrops. They were so cute and they were decorated in styles that reflect their owners. The segment that I liked the best was of a 80 year old woman who goes camping with her teardrop trailer. She said if she backs it wrong she just gets out and pushes it in place! I want to be 80 and do that. JoAnn |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Jul 08 2008 : 08:18:43 AM
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Now that makes it worthwhile right there...I always have trouble backing up trailers straight..haha.
Jenny in Utah
Proud Farmgirl sister #24
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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Maryjane Lee
True Blue Farmgirl
2195 Posts
Maryjane
CA
USA
2195 Posts |
Posted - Jul 08 2008 : 11:28:51 AM
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Hey Frannie, I DID buy my cute little trailer from a Sister on the Fly! Since I am a member, we have a private Message Board and a place where we list trailers for sell. Some sell theirs for a different one or gives a "heads up" where they found one. MANY have more then one! I became a member before I had a trailer! I bought mine from a sister in Idaho and had the trailer "trucked" down here to CA. I paid $4,000. for it. We put about $6,000 in her before I hit the road towing her. All repairs were underneath. New tires, leaf springs, new axle, etc. The floor was strong, no leaks and otherwise in great shape! She is a keeper! Good luck finding yours gals! They are out there but harder to find because they are sooooo popular!
Hugs, Maryjane Lee
Farmgirl Sister #44
http://thebeehivecottage.blogspot.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5202149
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Edited by - Maryjane Lee on Jul 08 2008 1:22:12 PM |
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Yogifarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
297 Posts
Jenn
Swiftwater
PA
USA
297 Posts |
Posted - Jul 08 2008 : 11:53:55 AM
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What is the fly girls website?? Female pilots?
www.sundariyoga.com
"Breathe in the Sunshine" |
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amyartgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
991 Posts
Amy
Junction City
Ohio
USA
991 Posts |
Posted - Jul 08 2008 : 11:59:10 AM
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Ooooh, I am on the lookout for one too. My one grandmother had one a LONG time ago (when I was a kid), but as time passed, it was getting very old and the family had to trash it when my grandparents (on my dad's side)died. As kids, we used to sleep in it. I hope that I am able to find one.
Farmgirl Sister #21
Heart of Ohio Farmgirls
Proud member of Bees w/o Borders and ArtFuL SisTeRs
http://artfulheart.blogspot.com
http://farmgirltales.blogspot.com |
Edited by - amyartgirl on Jul 08 2008 12:05:31 PM |
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amyartgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
991 Posts
Amy
Junction City
Ohio
USA
991 Posts |
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Forrester Farm
True Blue Farmgirl
703 Posts
Ann
Belmont
MI
USA
703 Posts |
Posted - Jul 08 2008 : 12:26:19 PM
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I will be keeping my eyes open for all of you - especially Renee in Michigan - because she lives close to me.
We just found one at a garage sale last week - before I even realized how in demand these are! I had even flipped thru MJ's new Outback book last Wed. at a book store, but missed the trailer part. Found the '63 Winnebago on Thursday, bought it on Saturday. (posted story under Maryjanes pictures post).
I found out today that my brother's girlfriend, Jenny, owns a vintage Shasta. Her ex-husband started tearing it apart to remodel, and never finished. Jenny's dad and my dad were both old car nuts, and my brother was always working with them on the cars. It wouldn't be too much of a challenge for my brother to work on Jenny's trailer. I encouraged him to do it so that we could have some fun family outings too.
Today's first purchase for the trailer was a $3 vintage linen American flag from Salvation Army. The tag on it says: "Pioneer" Grade - Valley Forge Flag Co. - Spring City, PA.
Looking forward to hearing all of the stories to come about who finds their trailers and where. The search is part of the fun!
Ann
Forrester Farm
http://picasaweb.google.com/FORRESTERFARM/FORRESTERFARMWEDDINGS |
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Maryjane Lee
True Blue Farmgirl
2195 Posts
Maryjane
CA
USA
2195 Posts |
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Kathie
True Blue Farmgirl
2436 Posts
Kathie
Thonotosassa
Florida
USA
2436 Posts |
Posted - Jul 08 2008 : 1:42:20 PM
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I want an old Camper so bad i can't Stand it!!
I've been lugging around this Old set of Pink Appliances for years.. !
My Husband keeps threatening to Pitch them everytime he's doing anything big in that shed! I tell him i will Kick him in the Shins if he touches these little Beauties!! But I'm afraid he's going to get rid of them before i find my Camper!!!!
It's an Oven .. A Slide in if memory serves.. A stove top.. & a Range hood!! SOOoo Cute with it's lovely little old Dials!!!
I keep an Eye peeled for a Peentsy little Pink Fridge.. although I'm certain that would surely send him over the edge!!!
Kathie..
Farm Girl Sister #29
"In a World Where You Can Be Anything, Be Yourself.."
www.nitegardener.blogspot.com
www.NitegardenerLite.blogspot.com
http://www.nitegardener.etsy.com/
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Miss Bee Haven
True Blue Farmgirl
4331 Posts
Janice
Louisville/Irvington
Kentucky
USA
4331 Posts |
Posted - Jul 09 2008 : 08:11:04 AM
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Kathie - Pink Appliances!!!!! If I see a tiny pink fridge, I'll sure let you know! I did see a set of full sized pink appliances in an antique mall here about six months ago. You go, girl!!!! That would just rock!
Farmgirl Sister #50
"If you think you've got it nailed down, then what's all that around it?"
'Br.Dave Gardner' |
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CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
Posted - Jul 09 2008 : 08:43:25 AM
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on the way home from the hospital (my sore toe adventure!) .. we travelled the 'back-roads' .. and i SCREAMED for hank ato STOP the car .. i saw a travel trailer in someone's yard!!! (but it was bigger than i wnat though!)
i want to get the 'perfect' one .. or i don't want one. xo
True Friends * Frannie
adopt a 'rag-chile'
http://sistermercysfoundlinhome.blogspot.com
treasures .. new and olde .. http://mudpiemanormercantile.blogspot.com
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Kathie
True Blue Farmgirl
2436 Posts
Kathie
Thonotosassa
Florida
USA
2436 Posts |
Posted - Jul 09 2008 : 09:47:28 AM
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Thats it.. It CAN't be too big.. Just has to be OUR size.. right??
yes Janice Pink ones.. I'll see if One of these days i can climb my oversized self back in that shed for a couple pictures when he's not around! Don't want to revisit the old conversation ya know..
Right now they are outta site.. outta mind kinda things..
But they aren't small.. I'd say they are pretty average sized.. just not a real big set..
Kathie..
Farm Girl Sister #29
"In a World Where You Can Be Anything, Be Yourself.."
www.nitegardener.blogspot.com
www.NitegardenerLite.blogspot.com
http://www.nitegardener.etsy.com/
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Miss Bee Haven
True Blue Farmgirl
4331 Posts
Janice
Louisville/Irvington
Kentucky
USA
4331 Posts |
Posted - Jul 09 2008 : 10:00:04 AM
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I'd love to see a photo of them, Kathie. Sneak in there someday and snap a pic. ;)
Farmgirl Sister #50
"If you think you've got it nailed down, then what's all that around it?"
'Br.Dave Gardner' |
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Across the Fence: How to find a vintage trailer |
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How to find a vintage trailer
