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The nice thing about old trailers

SprinklerMan
Explorer
Explorer
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"
35 REPLIES 35

2012Coleman
Explorer II
Explorer II
I like them thar old travel trailers - Ummm Hummm..
Experience without good judgment is worthless; good judgment without experience is still good judgment!

2018 RAM 3500 Big Horn CTD
2018 Grand Design Reflection 303RLS

Mr_Beebo
Explorer
Explorer
Just watched a guy buy a 1986 38' Pace Arrow for $2600. The previous owner put 10K into the motor and front end, new appliances, etc. No it wouldn't get into the hi nose rv parks, but for someone on a budget who wanted to see the USA, I say go for it.
2010 Rockwood Roo 23SS
2009 Silverado 2500 6.0

michigansandzil
Explorer
Explorer
That's a nice story.

We sold our used, paid off TT and purchased a brand new one 3 years ago. I haven't ever regretted the decision, but I can understand where that guy is coming from. A friend recently asked us if we planned on upgrading anytime soon. I was surprised by the suggestion. Ours is very new in my eyes and I plan to raise my kids in it.

We're making so many memories in it that I can imagine it will be really hard to ever let it go. Although, I'm sure in another 5 years there will be some new design or feature that will seem really appealing and might persuade me to jump ship sooner.
2017 Coachmen Catalina 323 BHDSCK
2018 Ford F150 FX4
3 growing kids and 1 big dog

7GenTex
Explorer
Explorer
Dog Folks wrote:
In the 80's we had a 1966 Avion. It was in great shape. In many ways,I wish I still had that trailer.


Like this?

Love my 1966 T-27

F150 SuperCrew EcoBoost 3.55
1966 Avion T-27

JordanH
Explorer II
Explorer II
Great story! Thats what I like about my 2001. Its paid for, and if something breaks Ill fix it.
2009 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie
2001 Dutchmen Sport 25f
2010 Honda EU3000iS
2008 Summit x 800r
2008 Outlander 800XT
2003 HD Heritage Softail
2012 Lund WC-14 with 2013 Evinrude 15hp
1994 Ford Mustang V6
2014 Nights camping: 10

macsplinter
Explorer
Explorer
We are now in a trailer seven years old and we maintain it very well. It will be our last probably and expect it to last at least twenty years. At the price of new, we don't have to have the latest. It is the memories and the time together that is important.

Nvr2loud
Explorer II
Explorer II
We had a 1971 Travelaire 18ft trailer for our family of 5 until June 2012 when we replaced with a 30ft R-Vision.

The ants finally won the battle for the old trailer....

It was nice and full of memories, really heavy, well built, very ugly, and we loved it.

I tore it all down to the frame, axle, and wheels... now I'm converting it to a flatbed trailer for my UTV with racks for my Canoe and Kayaks. It weighed over 6000 lbs empty and without water, had only a single (very heavy duty axle) and 8 ply truck tires. My newer trailer weighs 6000 lbs when fully loaded with all our stuff, sits on two light duty axles, with 4 tires (that were B rated, but recently upgraded to C rated)

GrandpaKip
Explorer II
Explorer II
Dog Folks wrote:
Starchmill wrote:
What a beautiful post. Thanks for sharing this. It made my day!


X2


Yep, love it. Thanks.
Kip
2015 Skyline Dart 214RB
2018 Silverado Double Cab 4x4
Andersen Hitch

rockhillmanor
Explorer
Explorer
dewey02 wrote:
Old-Biscuit wrote:
Trailers now a days won't be around in 20(+) yrs. unless they have been parked on a permanent site.

And it's not just trailers....cars, trucks etc.


I don't know about today's trailers (we had a 1978 Wilderness until about 2005), but cars and trucks today last FAR longer than they did in the 1960's and 1970's. Back then, if you got 10 years or 100K miles out of a car you were lucky. They would often rust out in only about 7 years. Today, 250k is not unusual. We have 3 vehicles, 1 is 10 years old and two are 12 years old. Very little rust, and our tow vehicle still going at 12 years old.


Ditto x2

When your car started sniffing 70,000 miles it was most definitely the time to get rid of it because you knew the fuel pump, water pump, etc where going to go out as sure as the sun shines and the rust holes would start opening.

Certainly not like that today at all. Bodies don't rust, over 100K commonplace. We might still not like the car manufacturer's but those of us who have been around for awhile DO see the difference. And ya, the cost of a car is waay different too! If I go on any longer I'll start sounding like my Dad about the good ole days when it comes to what stuff used to cost!!!:B:B

We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned,
so as to have the life that is waiting for us.

Dog_Folks
Explorer
Explorer
In the 80's we had a 1966 Avion. It was in great shape. In many ways,I wish I still had that trailer.
Our Rig:
2005 Dodge 3500 - Dually- Cummins
2006 Outback 27 RSDS

We also have with us two rescue dogs. A Chihuahua mix & a Catahoula mix.

"I did not get to this advanced age because I am stupid."

Full time since June 2006

dewey02
Explorer II
Explorer II
Old-Biscuit wrote:
Trailers now a days won't be around in 20(+) yrs. unless they have been parked on a permanent site.

And it's not just trailers....cars, trucks etc.


I don't know about today's trailers (we had a 1978 Wilderness until about 2005), but cars and trucks today last FAR longer than they did in the 1960's and 1970's. Back then, if you got 10 years or 100K miles out of a car you were lucky. They would often rust out in only about 7 years. Today, 250k is not unusual. We have 3 vehicles, 1 is 10 years old and two are 12 years old. Very little rust, and our tow vehicle still going at 12 years old.

Lantley
Nomad
Nomad
Great Post.
I don't think there is any shame in having a new trailer, however you can have just as much fun and create the exact same memories in an older model as well.

In the end it's more about the person and their attitude vs. the physical trailer.

In the end money does not buy happiness. True joy come from within.
19'Duramax w/hips, 2022 Alliance Paradigm 390MP >BD3,r,22" Blackstone
r,RV760 w/BC20,Glow Steps, Enduraplas25,Pedego
BakFlip,RVLock,Prog.50A surge ,Hughes autoformer
Porta Bote 8.0 Nissan, Sailun S637

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


X2
Our Rig:
2005 Dodge 3500 - Dually- Cummins
2006 Outback 27 RSDS

We also have with us two rescue dogs. A Chihuahua mix & a Catahoula mix.

"I did not get to this advanced age because I am stupid."

Full time since June 2006

chezmoose
Explorer
Explorer
I totally get it! And this is the reason that our 40-year-old PUP still claims a great deal of space in our pole barn even though we just got a new TT. We've had the PUP 15 years but DH's parents bought it brand new when he was 10 so it's the only camper he's ever known. Even though we wanted to simplify our camping experience, that thing is packed full of memories and will be very hard to part with. Sometimes we just go inside it to smell the old camper smell. I'm looking forward to creating new memories in the new TT and hopefully the "new camper" smell will be replaced quickly with campfire smoke, fresh air, bacon, etc...

And in the meantime, the old camper will remain in the barn "in case we need it"... ๐Ÿ˜‰
DH, Me and 3 Australian Shepherds
2011 F150 EcoBoost Super Crew
"Elsa" - 2014 Skyline Eco Camp 19WQ
"Stella" - 1974 Starcraft Galaxy 6 PUP

Shadow_Catcher
Explorer
Explorer
My back ground is in non destructive testing, quality control and I approached our teardrop trailer with the question what fails in RV's and they are in order, wood and rust. Our tear was custom made for us and has an all aluminum frame taking care of both. Cabinets are custom and high quality with dovetail joints...
You can find a quality product but you may have to work and finding exactly what you want.