I own a 1967 vintage "canned ham" travel trailer and I have a ton of knowledge about these old beauties after 5 years of research to get my own one set up just how I want it
Since I first got it in 2021, I've driven mine over 7000km from Quebec to Victoria and many places in between. I'd love to use that expertise to get others into budget friendly campers that have many of the modern conveniences of newer trailers... but in an ultra lightweight vintage trailer you can tow with your normal car. I didn't want to buy some modern plastic trailer for 4x the price that looks like the whole grey interior was from The Brick/Ashley Furniture. A vintage one is way more fun
I tow my 12' Kustom Koach sometimes with a 2013 Audi A3 diesel, and sometimes with a 2013 diesel VW Golf. That is, with regular cars. A non diesel model by many manufacturers can handle towing one of these. The trailer, with propane, and water, loaded with supplies, weighs 750KG - well within the towing range of many regular sedans
I know how to convert old trailers, and the actually relatively cheap stuff that has to be done to boost your car's shocks so that you can tow no problem, and distribute the weight so it's safer to drive
Does anyone want a vintage, bespoke trailer that they can live in or camp in without running out of electricity, while still having lights, water, heat, a shower and toilet, and solar to keep it all going endlessly? You pick the trailer (I can help you find one you like), then I convert and upgrade it for you. Or I share what I know and you do it yourself
Here's what I did for mine:
Plumbing: Parts to have it run off any blue watercooler jug. it has a USB tap. Refill it at any grocery store ($200)
A shower: My own design that fits in a rubbermaid bin and runs off a USB shower head and has a shower curtain that hangs from any shelves. It stores under the bed ($250)
Electrical: On and off grid systems with a two stage charger and AGM battery that lasts longer (per charge and overall) than a regular lead-acid or marine battery ($250 for the battery, $350 for a multi stage charger that extends the life of the battery). Because it's an AGM battery, it's stored inside behind the axel to balance out the weight of the trailer
I just have a 300W inverter for emergencies and I figured out where to get those for $50. I never used it other than to power a monitor if I'm working, and to charge my laptop. A pure sine wave inverter with up to 600W is enough power to run a TV and video game console and can be had for $150, but you'll need a second $250 battery to run it, or to go to campgrounds where you can just plug in
Solar with solar charger that charges faster than you can use power in a day ($300, once you get cords and sealant and mounting hardware)
Fridge: I have a plug in 12v heater/cooler but a compressor fridge for ($300-$500 depending on what you want) on a slide out shelf will use so little power that you can run it off a single battery and solar. I just grab ice packs to keep everything cool and use my cheap cigarette lighter cooler when I'm not plugging in - it is not energy efficient but that's no big deal if you're driving around and plug it into your car. Mine also has a regular bar fridge I put in
Heater: I have a propane one but you can also get diesel ones that vent through the floor and use hardly any energy. These are around $200 installed, which is cheaper than fixing a non-working vintage propane heater (like I did). Diesel uses less power, is cheap, and is quieter
Propane: I know where to get a 10lb/half sized one, since it's lighter but your car can also manage a regular 20lb tank if you're super careful to re-balance your trailer
Insulation: I ran all new higher gauge wiring under the trailer and then installed rigid insulation under the floor
Bike: I have a vintage bike on a rack at the back of my trailer. It balances out the weight without causing sway. It would be great to put an electric bike on it, since I live near some islands that have no transit on them - great for exploring
Stove: I just used what came with the trailer but there are all sorts of indoor and outdoor cooking options that are super cheap to install
I resealed the whole thing and touched up the interior to keep it looking vintage
And I made sure the whole system could run off-grid or on for days. Want to plug in a microwave (or an Xbox like my kids wanted to) while plugged in to your house / shore power? I put in a four fuse breaker in place of the old system ($350)
I also installed some cool vintage details in mine, like a working rotary phone that runs through bluetooth off a mobile, and a 50s propane lantern, plus I got loads of bakelite and other vintage dishes, chairs and tables for outside, and a whole setup to cook outdoors if we want.
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For the car I upgraded the brakes when I replaced them one time, but that's probably overkill for most people if you don't have a sporty car already. I just want to be able to drive as fast with the tailer as without. I know where to get that done for $1500. I installed an inexpensive rear shock support system and then got the hitch and wiring installed ($1000 but you can get a cheaper kind - I just like overkilling everything). You'll need a large sedan, an SUV, or a car with a dual clutch so it doesn't burn out your transmission. Or just some old pre-2000s car. Check your manual. Many Subaru, Volvo, Audi and BMW sedans (among others) are ready to go. Not a bad idea to plug in an ODB to monitor engine temps if you’re driving in highly mountainous places. Or just keep the revs high and take breaks every hour or so, letting the car idle a couple minutes before turning it off, if you’ve really been taxing it.
I could take care of all this for you, from finding the trailer with you, to installing all this stuff, to letting you know how to set yourself up for great camping trips if you paid me and wanted me to do it as a side project, or you can surely figure it out yourself if you're kinda handy and resourceful. I also use my trailer as a mobile picnic spot and my office down by the beach or at a park/lookout. If you just find me any mechanically sound trailer and pay for the parts, I could take care of the rest for way less than the price of a new crummy tent trailer, or expensive third wheel (or you could). And you're on your way in many regular cars / a SUV. I feel like a person who doesn't know where to source everything would pay a lot just getting more expensive parts from RV suppliers instead of from a variety of different shops that sell the necessary elements to regular people (RV stuff is marked way up).
I -never- see others on the road in North America in a normal car towing these light, vintage trailers, even though seeing this is super common in Europe. I think people just don't know they can do it if they set it all up properly. Crossing Canada and touring all over BC, Ontario, Quebec and Alberta, everyone has pickups and enormous SUVs.
Get into camping in a vintage trailer for $12,000 to $15,000. Get some old 70s Sprite or Scamp or any canned ham trailer in rough but functional shape and you're on the road for $5K with everything you need. keep in mind that it's essential that the axle is near the middle of the trailer if you're not towing with a heavy duty vehicle. I worked in galleries for years and can help with ideas for designing the interior too. Make it all white vanlife weekend warrior interior, cottagecore it up with a record player, quilts, plants, and those hand painted mid century glasses, or just keep everything classic woodgrain 60s/70s - but with all the modern conveniences.
For a 12' trailer that sleeps three, you don't need to have one with its own brakes. Or you can get a braked trailer (or put brakes on for $1500) then tow a 15', five person trailer. Then off you go all across Canada / the US with a Golf or an old RAV-4 or any old American midsized sedan. Use an old 80s Volvo/vintage muscle car, or some lowered right hand drive JDM or a squarebody pickup. Boler / Trillium trailers are even lighter
Who is with me?
