Starling Travel

This trailer was completely beyond me when I saw it on KSL Classifieds the other day. It’s a 1977 Coachman Fifth Wheel on a Flatbed Trailer.

It’s a towing nightmare just waiting to happen. (Continue Reading…)

I was poking around the U.S. Patents, looking for interesting things and I found this:

• United States Patent: 3719244

The description (Continue Reading…)

I found this 1951 Mobile Cruiser on KSL Classifieds. While it’s far bigger than I want in a camper, it is a beautifully preserved trailer from the classic age.

Their description is so alluring:

Stored inside for all but approx. 15 years of its life, this little gem is near new condition. WIth a little attention it could look like it just came off the show room floor. (Continue Reading…)

I was wondering if it’s possible. Is there hope for fifth wheel owners out there to create an adorable trailer that attracts people to their campsite? When I did a Google image search for the words “adorable fifth wheel,” “cute fifth wheel,” and “darling fifth wheel.” The only thing that came up were two images: This one of a Richard Neuman drawing:

The other image is this Yellowstone camper photographed by Bolerific. It isn’t a fifth wheel, it’s a bumper pull trailer with a bunk overhang, but it IS an example of how you could make your fifth wheel camper adorable.

The only other creative fifth wheel I could find was this one owned by Vance and Kathleen Hamiliton featured on Fifth Wheelin’.

A fifth wheel trailer is much more stable and safe to tow than a traditional bumper pull camper. Why is it that they haven’t been adopted and adored by the Canned Ham people? There are plenty of them on the used market. Why aren’t they being snatched up, painted and remodeled?

I think the Canned Ham people are more about nostalgia than about utility. Those trailers are the campers that the baby boomers grew up in, so that group of people is intent on making them whole and adorable again.

Fifth wheels, on the other hand, are the nostalgic loves of Generation X and Y. I suspect that in ten to fifteen years, you’ll see a plethora of adorable fifth wheels just making all of us drool with their cuteness!

I found a really interesting invention floating around the patent filings and it makes me wonder why I haven’t seen it on any campers:

• United States Patent: 3511529

It is a collapsible room for portable campers. It looks pretty non-descript on the back of this truck camper when it’s folded up:

When it’s deployed, however, it opens up a huge tent room. (Continue Reading…)

Just a quick link:

• Mello Mike’s Truck Camper Adventures: RV Wet Baths: Pros, Cons and a Few Tips

We don’t have a bath in our tent trailer and I am always tempted by one. This article is a great reference for taking care of one if I get one and the reasons to upgrade or leave well enough alone.

I absolutely adore this 1970 14 foot Rancho Beach Trailer on KSL Classifieds!

If you look carefully, it’s not really a canned ham shape. The Rancho trailers had a style all their own, but they ARE more boxy than a cute little canned ham trailer.

All the difference on this adorable trailer is the paint job and decorating. And if you thought it was cute outside, you’ll ADORE how good it looks on the inside! (Continue Reading…)

I found this mystery vintage trailer on KSL Classifieds and I love the design. Who was the manufacturer?

Based on the shape of the aluminum over the wheels, it looks like it might by a Scotty. (Continue Reading…)

This motorhome on eBay is the most tempting thing I’ve seen in a LONG time.

• 1976 GMC Eleganza II 40,000 miles needs airbags in RVs & Campers | eBay Motors

It looks so much like a Barbie Star Traveler that I want to drive on down to Alabama to claim it as my own.

Here’s a photo of my Barbie Star Traveler to compare. Barbie and Ken say, “Hi!” They love it when I drag them out to go camping!

The description leaves a lot to be desired. (Continue Reading…)

For only the few short years of 1991 to 1993, Amerigo made some unique travel trailers that were hard-sided hybrids. Here is the 14′ design, the M-145, that I found for sale in Arkansas:

• $800 – 1993 Ames amerigo travel trailer

As you can see, both sides fold out for beds, like a modern hybrid trailer, but the sides aren’t canvas. (Continue Reading…)