Vintage Camper Trailer Restoration - Ep 1: Before Renovation

After building a Tiny Home, Jenna bought a 60 square foot pop top vintage camper trailer and started renovating it a tiny nomadic home.

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Kate Steinway - "Tiny Home"

[truderenken]

I just bought a 1971 Trails West Campster to restore/personalize - looks very similar. I love your ideas, they really help, and I am so excited! Just retired at 70, and LETS GO CAMPING!

[UrbanHomesteadMomma]

That’s one of the most functional small trailer layouts I’ve seen! I love the rear door and the pop up roof... very cool

[edwardyates]

Hello Jenna. Enjoyed your video. We have a 1966 Wagonette, made in UK, and we think it is the only one left. We exhibit it at classic caravan rallies. Like your van, the door is at the back. When we first saw it it was rotting in a back garden, full of metal shelving and spiders. My husband who is a joiner by trade ripped all the rotten plywood out, and rebuilt the inside. It is quite something!

So - awning - we bought a porch awning on ebay, had the width reduced, installed an awning rail (both ends of the van are fibreglass), and we also had a canopy awning made. We have a submersible pump, a child's paddling pool, some old awning poles, cheapie shower curtain, and with these aids, we can have a shower. We did try the solar shower bag but in the UK, we needed to add hot water to it, our summers generally are not too warm.

I look forward to seeing the finished van, happy camping. Susan (wife of Edward in UK).

[nicksam]

Jenna, I recently purchased a hybrid popup trailer and have been modifying it also. It is very similar to yours but this one has a drop down back wall that can make into an extra room. Like yours I have a portapotty and no hotwater or shower either. I was able to make a throw together room out of 1 inch pvc pipe that breaks down into four single rods with fittings glued and four upper rods that support the four corners. It goes up really fast and then you can use harbor freight velcro wrap straps to hang cloth siding. Then I rigged a 110 volt on demand shower head commonly used by the Brazilians. the shower head hooks up to a fitting on the side of the trailer so it will use either electric pumped water from the trailer or city water from the trailer. If you want to see pictures let me know.

[TinyHouseGiantJourney]

Hey guys! I know it's been awhile since I posted the "BEFORE" video, but I promise the "AFTER" video is coming soon. I took the camper on a long road trip late last summer and realized it still needed a lot of work. Then, before I knew it, winter hit! I'm finishing the camper - NAMED APOLLO - this spring. So I'll post a new video soon. Thanks for hanging in there.

[smallfootprint]

Love the trailer. I lived in a little trailer.. several trailers when I was a kid. 12' long with 5 people. It was a bad experience at the time so, I think I've been directed back to this issue, partly, to work through those dark memories. A bright yellow trailer sure helps. So cute and joyful. I love the way you have fun with it. Sounds like fun to live in it part time.

[karenmitchell]

The original paint still looks great! If I may say, love the custom door with portal you mentioned. Looks like so much fun!

[heathermitchell]

I love the color that it already is! And it goes nicely with your truck too. Thanks for the vid.

[CiecieNewson]

I would not only get that toilet on a pullout shelf like you said but on a lazy susan too, so you can get leg room. This tiny camper is sweet. Good for you Jenna. I love the color it is too. ~Smile! (Name - Sunflower)

[weeb]

I love the sunny yellow. What an adorable little trailer.

[josephobrien]

I would name that camper "Lemon Drop".

[hannahmckinny]

summer, sunshine, daisy. i like those names, it’s so adorable & i love that color yellow

[luvnewideas]

Name it Lemon Drop! Lol, love it! Good luck.

[karleighkershner]

I just recently bought a vintage handmade trailer and I’m in love! Thank you for the ideas!!

[joeeggfromleigh]

Pop Secret! Reminds me of a popcorn kernel... Nice little project there Jenna!!

[deborahharvey]

It’s very spacious didn’t expect all of that and that little space

[guidadeabreu]

How about Yellow Submarine like the Beatles song, it will suit the porthole too. Looking forward to your new videos in it.

[chestrockwell]

Nice lil camper...I never saw a neon painted camper but it actually looks badass.

[josepherwin]

Instead of glass, maybe think about Lexan sheets. You can buy them at Orchard Supply Hardware, or online from TAP plastics. You cut them to fit yourself, using the same frames as you already have and you can double them up if you want them thicker. I used them in a camp trailer I built and put window tint between the layers, keeping it from getting scratched. You can get colored tint film, too. (Think yellow windows, or contrast red or blue with your yellow trailer. Just for fun!) Good luck with your renovation! Happy trails!

[timbeck]

She has a very soothing voice, I appreciate that on people. ☺️