The nice thing about old trailers

[SprinklerMan]

I just got back form a short weekend trip in Pa . We had a great time . The couple next to us had a couple of older teenagers . But what he had that was interesting was a 1988 30 ft wildwood trailer , yes it was 26 years old . Not the best looking thing but not too hateful . I asked him why he hasnt moved up , He said " why ? its paid for " He told me to look around at all the bright new shiny trailers around , we are all at the same place , having the same good time , my AC works and my beer is cold , my bed is comfortable , I dont care about sctatches , dings or dents , if something breaks and it will ,I fix it , I know this trailer front to back . He bought it used for $ 2000 dollars 20 years ago . Spent over 100 weekends in it . His kids grew up in camping in that trailer . He showed me the inside , you could see the fun they had , the kids bunk area had stickers on the walls , there were scratches on the cabinets , the original refrigerator was replaced with an apartment size regular electric fridge . After I walked back out I then understood what he really was showing me , Its not about the shine , or the graphics , or the slideouts , or the flat screens , its about the fun , the family and the friends . I told the wife , " thats what I hope our trailer looks like in 15 more years"

[OhhWell]

7GenTex wrote:

OhhWell wrote:
Very touching. I just can't get past the interiors of the really older trailers. It may be superficial and just a product of what I am surrounded by and shown in this day and age but they all seem to be dark wood grain and brown fabrics. I swear I feel claustrophobic and depressed in them. ..................

Well, the original wood is somewhat dark, but............
(and NO, I did NOT pick the floor color!)

That's not bad. Looks like an airstream type.

What came to my mind were interiors like these:

[RangerEZ]

Starchmill wrote:
What a beautiful post. Thanks for sharing this. It made my day!

Made my day too. My family is just starting our camping adventures and we are stickering the walls with our travels and making all sorts of memories. I would give a lot to hold onto these days forever.

Thanks for the nice post, OP.

[7GenTex]

OhhWell wrote:
Very touching. I just can't get past the interiors of the really older trailers. It may be superficial and just a product of what I am surrounded by and shown in this day and age but they all seem to be dark wood grain and brown fabrics. I swear I feel claustrophobic and depressed in them. ..................

Well, the original wood is somewhat dark, but............
(and NO, I did NOT pick the floor color!)

[69_Avion]

I really enjoy my 45 year old Avion. It gets much more use than my larger 1988, 34' Avion. Could I buy a new trailer? Yes, but why. My trailers still look close to new and they serve their purpose very well. I'll bet my 1969 Avion will last 100 years if I don't wreck it. Since it has been in the family since new, and I bought it in 1983, I think I'll just fix it when it needs something and continue enjoying it for the rest of my life. I believe that I will get my money's worth out of it. Actually, I already have several times over.

[OhhWell]

Very touching. I just can't get past the interiors of the really older trailers. It may be superficial and just a product of what I am surrounded by and shown in this day and age but they all seem to be dark wood grain and brown fabrics. I swear I feel claustrophobic and depressed in them.

That's not to say I am a big fan of the outrageous monochromatic themes prevalent in Fleetwood coaches of the aged vintage like the one we own. We were lucky and the pink carpet was already replaced.

Other than that, there is something to be said for the way a lot of them were built and also something to be said for the aluminum siding over Vacuum bonded lUan Fiberglass if you have ever had water intrusion.

[Nvr2loud]

I bought my most recent trailer when it was 8 years old. It has a lot of decal fading / pealing, has a few fiberglass 'cracks' on the surface, past evidence of some slight water damage, but otherwise we love it. It replaced my 1971 travelaire that we also loved.

The thing I really miss from my Travelaire, the 3-way fridge. It could run on 120 volts / 12 volts / or propane (without 12 volts). The new fridge only runs on 120 volt or propane (12 volts needed on propane)

[allen8106]

I personally think it was kind of rude to ask him why he hasn't upgraded. It's really no ones business. Maybe he just likes what he has, maybe he can't afford a new rig, maybe he doesn't see any point in getting new one just to have the teenagers destroy it from the inside out. Either way it's not our concern....just MHO.

[moonlightrunner]

rainy029 wrote:
...the dogs love the new adventures and we are making new memories with our "older TT"

Furkids are always up for an adventure! And EVERYTHING is an adventure!!:B

[jaycocreek]

There's more older trailers around here than newer. Can't hardly drive 10 miles without seeing a 70's or 80's trailer in someone's driveway or yard....

Some great deals on older trailers.I have two 70's trailers in my driveway and use them often.

[Cantdrive55]

I bought a 95 Hornet 27' at the end of winter. Great price, great condition. It is my first TT after borrowing friends trailers over the years. I don't have a payment, can fit the kids / grandkids fine, and it gives me something to tinker with when I'm bored. It's a great way to see if I'll get enough use to justify a newer model and to learn all the ins and outs of owning and using one.

[dmopar74]

Got an 83 skyline Layton. Love it!

[rainy029]

We bought a 1992 Chataeu in February, 2014. Paid cash for it. It was what we could afford because I don't like paying someone interest money for something I want. IT isn't the newest, biggest, brightest, in the campground by a long shot. But pulling it to the same state park every weekend I wonder why all the new campers I see along the way are still sitting in their driveways or storage lots. Why pay all that money for something that is only used a handful of times. Maybe it is like my husband tells the guys he works with " I didn't go out and buy the biggest house I could find, I don't need to work 50hrs a week to pay my mortgage. 40hrs is all your getting out of my week. The rest is mine to do what I want."
Yes, our kids are growing up and don't always go with us. But the dogs love the new adventures and we are making new memories with our "older TT"

[dadmomh]

I do believe this man has his priorities in order. Great story.

[moonlightrunner]

I'm bookmarking this thread for when the "Old RV" bashing starts up!