Manufacturers - How Do You Answer This
This is one aspect of why I am leery of an aluminum framed camper, not to mention a newer, expensive camper. Of course the extremely poor quality craftsmanship could be duplicated in a wood-framed cam...
Forum Discussion
So as fate would have it we decided against a new camper. When we saw the vintage camper ad on Craigslist we felt that familiar fondness we had when we camped in our old 1950's canned ham trailers. The birch wood paneling, the quality construction, the simpler feel of a simpler time.
The first one we bought (10.5') needed some work, but we were willing. Then we found the smaller 8.5' in excellent shape and drove 1000 miles to buy it for $700. We'll do a resto-mod. Keep it's character, it's charm, but add in the things they didn't have back then.
Even with the first purchase (which hence-forth shall be referred to as "the parts camper") also at $700, we have $1400 invested, plus gas and travel expenses. Next comes the gut job (appliances, tanks, etc.) then the woodwork refinishing. Follow that with new appliance retro-fit, new tanks and lines and wiring where needed.
Even with a 8.5' length at 7.5' wide and almost as short as a larger modern pop-up on highway (no basement), but about 6'3" inside, we'll have a wet bath with large porti-potti for black water needs and I can carve out a 30 gallon fresh water tank with an 18 gallon grey water. Looks like I'll get two batteries, probably group 27, and two vertical 20lb propane tanks. The configuration competes well with both the Wolfcreek 840 and the Northstar 8.5 Arrow, our two new campers choices we had weedled it down to.
Yes, there's some work involved, but pricing things out I'm thinking we'll get about $6500-$10,000 max for an awesome little camper that fits the majority of our needs; keeps us smaller and more nimble, all the creature comforts we want, and ability to tow the Willys Jeep or the boat.
If interested, follow our resto-mod in future weeks and months by finding subject lines including "Travel Queen". Here's out 1968 8.5' Travel Queen. With a restore and modification, built with owner quality, maybe this little girl will see another 46 years!
The first one we bought (10.5') needed some work, but we were willing. Then we found the smaller 8.5' in excellent shape and drove 1000 miles to buy it for $700. We'll do a resto-mod. Keep it's character, it's charm, but add in the things they didn't have back then.
Even with the first purchase (which hence-forth shall be referred to as "the parts camper") also at $700, we have $1400 invested, plus gas and travel expenses. Next comes the gut job (appliances, tanks, etc.) then the woodwork refinishing. Follow that with new appliance retro-fit, new tanks and lines and wiring where needed.
Even with a 8.5' length at 7.5' wide and almost as short as a larger modern pop-up on highway (no basement), but about 6'3" inside, we'll have a wet bath with large porti-potti for black water needs and I can carve out a 30 gallon fresh water tank with an 18 gallon grey water. Looks like I'll get two batteries, probably group 27, and two vertical 20lb propane tanks. The configuration competes well with both the Wolfcreek 840 and the Northstar 8.5 Arrow, our two new campers choices we had weedled it down to.
Yes, there's some work involved, but pricing things out I'm thinking we'll get about $6500-$10,000 max for an awesome little camper that fits the majority of our needs; keeps us smaller and more nimble, all the creature comforts we want, and ability to tow the Willys Jeep or the boat.
If interested, follow our resto-mod in future weeks and months by finding subject lines including "Travel Queen". Here's out 1968 8.5' Travel Queen. With a restore and modification, built with owner quality, maybe this little girl will see another 46 years!
