How Do You Restore A Vintage Travel Trailer?
Vintage travel trailers, from canned hams to teardrops to Airstreams, evoke a travel history that includes summer vacations by the lake and cross-country trips pulling a little piece of home behind the family auto. Restoring vintage trailers can be an expensive undertaking if you stay true to the original design and if significant changes have been made to the trailer. There are hundreds of companies that specialize in restoration, but if you do it yourself and invest sweat equity, you can keep the costs down. Thoroughly inspect the trailer for structural damage. Repair or replace rotted wood. Test the plumbing and electrical systems if they’re present in the trailer. Have them replaced or repaired by a professional if you lack the skills to do it yourself. Remove any visible parts that have been added to the trailer that aren’t consistent with its vintage. Look for replacements at salvage yards, in vintage trailer magazines and in advertising venues like Craig’s List. Place advertisem
