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Outpost:  Camper dreams!  |
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RachelLeigh
True Blue Farmgirl
635 Posts
Rachel
Rainier
WA
USA
635 Posts |
 Posted - Oct 16 2008 : 8:22:52 PM
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I'm so excited! Tomorrow evening, my husband and I are going to look at a 1973 New Paris 16' travel trailer that was just reduced to $500!!!!!!! It looks like it's in good condition (according to the pictures) but does need some work. Here's the fun part - if we buy it, we'll have to pay the guy to deliver it because we don't have a vehicle that can pull it yet! We're going shopping for a VERY used SUV this weekend but don't have one yet! Our goal is to find an old trailer that's still in working condition but needs a little TLC and spend the next six months fixing it up so that when April comes around, we've figured out how to pull the thing and are ready to go camping in our new/old camper!
I've been dreaming about finding an old camper for weeks now.... I hope I like it! I want to camp!!!!!!!! 
FARMGIRL SISTER #127
My sites:
Backwoods Junction: http://www.backwoodsjunction.com
The Catholic Wife: http://www.thecatholicwife.com
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RachelLeigh
True Blue Farmgirl
635 Posts
Rachel
Rainier
WA
USA
635 Posts |
Posted - Oct 17 2008 : 4:07:06 PM
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We bought the camper!! It needs some work but is in great condition for its age. It had a roof leak which the guy fixed. I can't wait to paint it inside and out, add new curtains, redo the cushions....etc!
FARMGIRL SISTER #127
My sites:
Backwoods Junction: http://www.backwoodsjunction.com
The Catholic Wife: http://www.thecatholicwife.com
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City Chick
True Blue Farmgirl
1402 Posts
Deb
Chattanooga
TN
USA
1402 Posts |
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therusticcottage
True Blue Farmgirl
4439 Posts
Kay
Vancouver
WA
USA
4439 Posts |
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jinia
True Blue Farmgirl
152 Posts
jinia
mo
USA
152 Posts |
Posted - Oct 21 2008 : 12:50:02 PM
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| Never entered my mind untill I stumbled upon this forum, but now I am looking for one to! Glad yall found yours! |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Oct 21 2008 : 2:04:58 PM
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How fun!! I have fixed up two camper trailers over the years and loved them. I am wishing for a tiny teardrop one now. My kids are bigger and can have a separate tent at this point and so that is my dream. Have any of you seen the one on the MaryJane's farm product part of the website..oh my ..it is awesome! Just exactly what I would LOVE..out of my price range at this point, but a farmgirl can dream, right? You never know.
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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acairnsmom
True Blue Farmgirl
1319 Posts
audrey
cheyenne
wy
1319 Posts |
Posted - Oct 21 2008 : 4:37:45 PM
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Mary Jane has a teardrop!???? (running to the website to find it) Ohhhhh, it's so cute! We have a small RV but if anyone I know says they're thinking about getting some sort of RV, I tell them they should get a teardrop. Now I can tell them where to get it from!
Rachel, I can't wait to hear how you're fixing your trailer up and pictures are a must! Before and After!
Audrey
Toto, we're not in Kansas any more! |
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RachelLeigh
True Blue Farmgirl
635 Posts
Rachel
Rainier
WA
USA
635 Posts |
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electricdunce
True Blue Farmgirl
2544 Posts
Karin
Belmont
ME
USA
2544 Posts |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Oct 24 2008 : 10:54:34 PM
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Oh Rachel..you will have such a good time..the pictures are so cute..I can hardly wait to see Miz Gracie come to life..cute cute cute!!
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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acairnsmom
True Blue Farmgirl
1319 Posts
audrey
cheyenne
wy
1319 Posts |
Posted - Oct 25 2008 : 12:55:17 PM
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George and Gracie, how wonderful! Just make sure George is rated to tow Gracie when she's fully loaded. We had an Explorer and bought a small 20' trailer. Long story short, the Explorer wasn't really rated to tow a trailer that size and we wound up totalling both of them and shuting down the Interstate for a couple of hours. DH and I were unhurt praise God and now we have a small Motorhome since I'm reluctant to get in a vehicle when something's being towed.
Gracie looks like she's going to give you lots of fun not only fixing her up but camping in her afterward. Keep us posted to her progress. I must be getting over my fear of towed vehicles because I'm dreaming of getting a small fixer upper just like Gracie!
Audrey
Toto, we're not in Kansas any more! |
Edited by - acairnsmom on Oct 25 2008 12:57:12 PM |
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RachelLeigh
True Blue Farmgirl
635 Posts
Rachel
Rainier
WA
USA
635 Posts |
Posted - Oct 25 2008 : 3:08:23 PM
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Oh Audrey, that sounds awful! No wonder you are a little tow-shy! I know I totally would be! I've researched and our 1997 Bravada has the complete tow package and is rated to tow up to 5000 lbs. Gracie is only 16 ft long and weighs around 3000 lbs I think. Plus we found in the owner's manual where the previous owner had towed 5500 lbs with no problems.
UPDATE: I took the pictures of the damage to my grandpa today and he said that fixing Gracie should be pretty easy! YAY! We tried to move her around in the backyard tonight but really couldn't figure out what we were doing. This WHOLE thing is a true learning experience! We've never towed anything before now....LOL. Anyway, once we figure this out, we're going to two her to my grandpa's house and let him do the interior work and plumbing that needs done! I'm excited.....I just hope we can figure out how to tow! Plus we need to get our Bravada fixed....we think it needs some new fuel injectors. We only paid $2k for it and it has 160,000 miles on it so we expect to have to do some work to make George ready to pull Gracie!
FARMGIRL SISTER #127
My sites:
Backwoods Junction: http://www.backwoodsjunction.com
The Catholic Wife: http://www.thecatholicwife.com
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Edited by - RachelLeigh on Oct 25 2008 3:08:57 PM |
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RachelLeigh
True Blue Farmgirl
635 Posts
Rachel
Rainier
WA
USA
635 Posts |
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westfork woman
True Blue Farmgirl
554 Posts
Kennie Lyn
Emmett
Idaho
USA
554 Posts |
Posted - Oct 25 2008 : 4:18:24 PM
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Have you all seen the Cowgirl Caravans that Sisters on the Fly drive all over the West? DH and I had just purchased, brand new, a 24 ft 5th wheel when I saw the article in Country Living about the little vintage tralers. I would be hard pressed to give up my 5th wheel, but those little campers are so cool. I would see some of the in Idaho every so often, but haven't seen any over here in Wyoming. There are so many ways to fix up a vintage camper, even saw one done up in a Medieval fashion, with lots of white lace and girly stuff.
Greetings from the morning side of the hill. |
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RachelLeigh
True Blue Farmgirl
635 Posts
Rachel
Rainier
WA
USA
635 Posts |
Posted - Oct 26 2008 : 1:32:02 PM
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I am totally inspired by the Cowgirl Caravans of the Sisters on the Fly! I want to paint Gracie up in a cool way like that! I wanted to make our camper pink and lacy but my husband said no! LOL. Instead, we're going with a camping/cabin theme and I'm going to make curtains out of fabric with cabin scenes and stuff on it.
FARMGIRL SISTER #127
My sites:
Backwoods Junction: http://www.backwoodsjunction.com
The Catholic Wife: http://www.thecatholicwife.com
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westfork woman
True Blue Farmgirl
554 Posts
Kennie Lyn
Emmett
Idaho
USA
554 Posts |
Posted - Oct 27 2008 : 11:42:00 AM
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So much fun. I had fun doing up our 5th wheel. Since it was the first new house I had ever had, I thought I would buy all new stuff for it. That lasted one trip to a kitchen store. No way will I pay $12 for a potato peeler, so I did the thrift store thing. No one knows unless I tell them. I came up with a covered wagon theme and colors that I liked and just kept that in mind while I thrifted. In a summer I had everything I needed, most things didn't cost more than $3. I have seen quite a lot of cabin inspired stuff at thrift stores and yard sales. Have a good time fixing up and then camping.
Greetings from the morning side of the hill. |
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Forrester Farm
True Blue Farmgirl
703 Posts
Ann
Belmont
MI
USA
703 Posts |
Posted - Nov 18 2008 : 04:24:05 AM
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We found all of our camper supplies at garage sales/trift stores too. - All except for the fabric for the curtains and cushions (which was on sale at a great price). One sale was a jackpot though. The man who had the sale owned a kitchen store. He was selling all of his overstock and samples at bargain prices. Brand new everything. Once the word got out about his sale, his street was lined with cars. My husband met me on his lunch break and we filled the camper with all of the needed extra pots, pans, utensils, etc. for a great price.
I think it makes it even more of an adventure to take your time and find the bargains for what you need for the camper. Enjoy the process!
Ann
Forrester Farm
www.forresterfarm.com
www.forresterfarm.etsy.com |
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Bellepepper
True Blue Farmgirl
1207 Posts
Belle
Coffeyville
KS
USA
1207 Posts |
Posted - Nov 18 2008 : 09:33:58 AM
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When we bought our first motorhome, it was 20 years old but the couple that had it didn't drive it except to the gulf every winter then back in the spring. It had very few miles and run like a new one. Then we thought we were real smart and bought a new one. Wrong. Had tons of problems and wished many times we had our little old one back. And all the money we spent on the new one. When we bought the new motorhome, I bought all new dishes, pots and pans,bedding and the works. Now all my favorite stuff in in the motorhome. When we have special company, I go out and get the sheets and pillows for our spare bed. They are the best we've got.
Have fun with your vintage RVs. Thats about as good as it can get and the most fun you can have. |
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RachelLeigh
True Blue Farmgirl
635 Posts
Rachel
Rainier
WA
USA
635 Posts |
Posted - Nov 23 2008 : 07:45:03 AM
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My poor Gracie (our camper) is just sitting in the backyard, waiting for restoration. I'm hoping it all works out and we can afford to restore her this year. Otherwise, she'll just keep sitting there like the big, faded, aluminum eyesore that she currently is! But I love her and hope to see her ready to camp next year!
FARMGIRL SISTER #127
My sites:
Backwoods Junction: http://www.backwoodsjunction.com
The Catholic Wife: http://www.thecatholicwife.com
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farmmommy
True Blue Farmgirl
500 Posts
Kelley
Texas
USA
500 Posts |
Posted - Jan 07 2009 : 1:50:05 PM
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| I also am a fan of the Cowgirl Caravans!!! They have so much fun....I would love to join or start one, too. Now that my babes aren't infants anymore and Daddy is much more comfortable keeping them, I'm on a "New Hobby Trip" and caravaning is it!!! Now, if I can just find the right little airstream, at the right little price! And ..... if any other gals in the east Texas area are interested....email me, and lets get something started!!! I'm so excited for you Rachel....hope you've been having fun with it...Kelley |
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homesteaderbelle
True Blue Farmgirl
391 Posts
Belle
USA
391 Posts |
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cottagegirl
Farmgirl at Heart
9 Posts
Carla
Williamsburg
Virginia
USA
9 Posts |
Posted - Jan 08 2009 : 04:20:23 AM
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Well I am so glad to hear of others giving their possessions a name. We have names for all of our vehicles, but we don't stop there! We even name our trees in the yard!
I too have been looking at camper trailers and have the same issue of no way to tow it if we did buy one! I am really happy for your little gem and wish it were mine! Enjoy! |
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katmom
True Blue Farmgirl
17161 Posts
Grace
WACAL Gal
WashCalif.
USA
17161 Posts |
Posted - Feb 06 2009 : 9:43:58 PM
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Hey Rachel,
How's your "Gracie" coming along?
I can't believe how lucky you are to have a stove in such great shape. Mine has seen better days.
Hope to see pic's of your trailer's make-over as you progress. My DH is in charge of the restoration, I am in charge of the fun stuff...decorating....
>^..^<
>^..^< Happiness is being a katmom.
"I've never met a sewing machine I didn't like!"
mjf#72
Sisters on the Fly#472
www.katmom4.blogspot.com
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Thistle Cove Farm
True Blue Farmgirl
141 Posts
Sandra
Tazewell
VA
USA
141 Posts |
Posted - Mar 11 2009 : 1:11:16 PM
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Congratulations Rachel! This is fabulous and I'm happy for you. Now, start a blog, please, on trailer updates!
Thistle Cove Farm ~ God's blessings on you, yours and the work of your hands & heart ~
www.thistlecovefarm.com
www.thistlecovefarm.blogspot.com |
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Thistle Cove Farm
True Blue Farmgirl
141 Posts
Sandra
Tazewell
VA
USA
141 Posts |
Posted - Mar 11 2009 : 1:14:38 PM
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oops...sorry Rachel...just visited your blog and read recent news. Prayers for your grandmother and for your family.
Thistle Cove Farm ~ God's blessings on you, yours and the work of your hands & heart ~
www.thistlecovefarm.com
www.thistlecovefarm.blogspot.com |
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RachelLeigh
True Blue Farmgirl
635 Posts
Rachel
Rainier
WA
USA
635 Posts |
Posted - Mar 14 2009 : 12:56:30 PM
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Yeah, it's been a bummer with Gracie. She's sitting out there and she's probably going up for sale soon. We just don't have the know-how to remodel her ourselves and with my grandmother's cancer and other health problems, Papaw just doesn't have time. I haven't been able to make myself list Gracie for sale yet....but I know I have to. My husband doesn't have a job so we could use what little money we could get out of her. But it makes me sad. We're probably just going to buy a used pop-up that doesn't need restoration and all that work. I really love Gracie and wanted to be able to camp with her. She is much larger and more difficult to tow than we imagined, as well.
*sigh* Just sad all around.....
And thanks for well-wishes for my grandmother. I'm very close to her and plan on being at the hospital the day they operate and remove the cancer from her kidneys.
The Catholic Wife - in the Spirit of Titus 2 and Proverbs 31: http://www.thecatholicwife.com
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Edited by - RachelLeigh on Mar 14 2009 12:58:14 PM |
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Outpost: Camper dreams! |
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Camper dreams!
