Sunset Magazine published an article a House Crush on Wheels with a 1968 Serro Scotty Vintage Travel Trailer in it. I was in love. 
I started searching online for one. What a big wake up call!
$800-$1800 for just a shell! 
Shell means the trailer is striped inside of all appliances often all the wood paneling is gone and you are left with just a metal hull. We were not up for this level of work.
Setting guidelines for what we were looking for became a priority.
Taking my vision down a notch I had to think through the best options for my growing family of 4. What was it we really needed, had time for, and could afford.
Vision-Why a Vintage Travel Trailer?
What is the purpose of the travel trailer?
Long trips, short weekends, guest overflow, hunting camp, multiple use.
What comforts are a must?–
heat, hot water, bathroom, frig
Who will use it?–
family, guests, just you.
What kind of finished product will make all the work worth it?–
completely restored, family friendly, just so all the electricity works
Budget
I hate this part, but it is key to completing a project. What is your realistic budget. With building a house it is often the
joke that it will take 2 times the money you planned and takes 3 times as long to complete.
A tight budget means a lot of shopping and knowing exactly what you can live with and without.
Make a list of what you have to have in the travel trailer.
Revise the list with what you may be able to live without the first year.
Can you do all the work yourself or will you have to hire someone?
What is you base price for the vintage trailer?
How much can you afford to spend to fix it up this year?
Do you already have a vehicle to tow it?
Time
Vintage trailers are a labor of love. Forty plus years of hard wear may be what you are facing with a vintage camper rehab. So it does not become a rusting “objet de’ art” in your driveway, make sure you have the motivation and time to repair it.
When will you be able to spend time on it?
Will repairs require a garage?
What does completion look like?
Is this family time? Will everyone be able to participate?
Can you do the project over a series of summers or is it an all in one?
Are you being realistic about the time the repairs will take verse your family, work and personal obligations?
Our experience is that vintage campers are a fun family project. They are already a mess to start with so there is nowhere to go but up. Our kids enjoyed the demolishing of the unwanted parts of the camper, painting it and going to Camping World to find parts. Their is a common sense of ownership over the camper, as we all gave it our best. We did decide not to ad a bathroom–too much money, time and maintenance. A little compromise that got us camping quicker.
We would love to hear your experiences with remodeling travel trailers. What did you enjoy? What did you leave undone? What would you have done differently?
See Our 1971 Golden Falcon Remodel
Getting Ready for a 4 State Road Trip In the Sunset Travel Trailer
Mouse Proof Your Golden Falcon
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