Before You Buy a Vintage Travel Trailer

You’ve been dreaming about it for years.  Lawn chair facing the lake, coffee in hand, and some warm twinkle lights strung up around your adorable 1960s Shasta Camper.  Or maybe it’s a shiny, vintage Airstream.  Your Pinterest fantasy now a reality.  The only trouble is…Pinterest doesn’t often reflect reality.  And while that dream of owning a vintage travel trailer is certainly attainable, it isn’t as whimsical as the setting I just described.  We don’t want to crush your dreams, but we do want to offer some advice that may help give you some more realistic expectations.  Here are 5 things to consider before shelling out the cash for a vintage travel trailer.

Hard Work

As you’re browsing the web or the RV lots, keep in mind that most vintage travel trailers are going to need repair.  They’re old.  Old things deteriorate.  So just make sure you have an idea of how much blood, sweat, and tears you’re willing to shed for that vintage travel trailer.

Your Skills

Consider not just what you’re willing to do but also what you’re capable of doing.  Do you know how to do all the repairs necessary?  If not, are you willing to hire someone to do them? 

Water Damage

Experts say water damage could be a big problem in vintage travel trailers.  It could mean having to replace side panels and even the roof—so basically starting from scratch.  If the trailer you’re interested in has water damage, you may want to reconsider.

Budget

Before you hand over the cash for that sweet vintage trailer you think you’re getting for a steal, consider your max budget.  As I said, most vintage travel trailers will need repairs.  The money those repairs cost can easily exceed the amount of money you’re willing to spend. 

Blazing Texas Heat

Because we’re located in steamy South Texas, we know a cool place to escape is essential.  Vintage travel trailers aren’t known for their insulation, so they aren’t prime lodging for the middle of a Texas summer.  If you plan to spend summer in a hot climate, you may want to consider a more modern unit—unless you don’t mind living in a sauna.

If you’re still set on that vintage travel trailer, we wish you luck.  However, if you’re considering a modern unit with all the amenities to make your RV experience a comfortable one, stop by Howdy Ranch RV to browse our New and Used inventory.  From light weight travel trailers to spacious fifth wheels, we have a wide range of units to choose from—no repairs needed.