THIS TRAILER IS NOW SOLD.
I have decided to list Bubbles and see if there is any interest in her. She’s a work in progress right now but will be so adorable when she’s done. I’ll share a little secret with you all…if she doesn’t sell I’m fine with that and we’ll continue to restore her BUT I’m afraid that once she’s restored I won’t want to sell her! Honestly, I have no room to keep 3 trailers. We have to jockey cars to get in/out of our driveway right now so it’s just not practical.
“Before” picture. Isn’t she cute!!?
SEE CRAIGSLIST AD HERE: http://toledo.craigslist.org/rvs/3092925209.html
This is what the ad reads:
This is a very rare 1956 Southland Runabout camper. If you google the name you’ll find only a few that come up. It was manufactured by the Mathison aircraft company out of Longbeach, CA. This canned ham is 11 feet (13 ft including the tongue). Our plan for this trailer was to restore it and if it does not sell that is what we’ll do. We started the process by removing the front skin and tearing out a lot of the interior paneling. The previous owner “fixed” it by simply installing new paneling over the old which isn’t the proper way to do it. Our goal was to remove all the paneling, replace any rotted framing on the front and rear and install new birch. I have saved all of the interior panels we’ve removed thus far in order to use them as templates for the new birch. The trailer also has a number of interior lights that run on 12 volts as well as some that run on regular 110. I have a stove top that will go with the trailer and with a full price offer I will include the newly made dinette seats and a brand new, never used fridge that fits perfectly.
You can see “BEFORE” pictures at this link. Keep in mind these are before pictures and currently the trailer is in the midst of restoration. http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/24089690 It looks adorable doesn’t it?? One probably could of left it like this and camped for a couple seasons as it was. However, if I know there is wood rot, I just can’t leave that alone and I knew this trailer needed to be restored. I’m not in a hurry to sell it but I thought I would see if there is any interest by anyone that wants to take on a restoration project as I have another trailer I need to get busy on as well. But if not, then we’ll continue restoring this one and offer it for sale in the Spring for a lot more moolah (:
The exterior of this trailer will shine up nicely! I have a similar aluminum canned ham that I’ve started polishing and all I can say is WOW! So I know this one will look incredible after it’s polished. The tires on the trailer are good and the floor is original and solid. The floor, while not perfect we were actually going to leave as-is because it’s so neat and retro looking. Whomever buys this trailer I will be happy to provide information on where to buy 1/8th inch birch panels and polish, etc., so you know where to get those things to help you get going.
Because the front skin is off I believe this trailer would need to be trailered to it’s new home. The front skin was not re-usable so we can’t just button her back up at this point.
I do have a CLEAR TITLE and that will make life much easier for you at least in regards to your trip to the Secretary of State.
The pictures on Craigslist ad are what she looks like currently. Except for the second exterior photo. That photo was taken prior to her restoration being started. Again, to see BEFORE pics please see this link: http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/24089690 This is a restoration project but if you are handy and can do basic carpentry you can bring her back to her former glory. Again, this is a rare trailer and she’s so canned hammed that she’s almost a half circle in shape. Because of that we’ve affectionately named her “Bubbles”.
If you would like to give Bubbles a new home and new lease on life feel free to contact me. I am firm on the price however, if you do not want the fridge, stove or newly created dinette seats I will negotiate a bit.
So there you go. If you want to take on a project this might be the one you’ve been looking for.
Happy Camping!
Would you consider a trade for our 1961 Shasta compact?
Melissa, I sent you an e-mail.
Hi, I have been looking for awhile and am wondering if this one is still for sale? It is so precious. I am going to have one some day.Please let me know. Or if you know of one someone has that has one for sale I would appreciate any direction you could give me.
LaVern
LaVerne, I have someone coming next Sunday to see it. So I won’t know if it’s still available until then.
do you know where i can get parts? I’m restoring one myself with my cousin and we need a few things
Hi Travis, I would say it depends on what parts you are looking for. Vintage Trailer supply has various parts but if you are looking for original parts you might keep your eye out for someone parting out one of these trailers.
Is the trailer still available? How much work do you think needs to be done? I’m new to the vintage trailer world, but I’m obsessed. I grew up spending my weekends in a regular boring 80′s trailer, but I loved every minute of it. I would love to venture into the vintage trailer universe but other than painting, wouldn’t know where to start.
Tara, this trailer needs restoration done to it. My guess would be it would be more than you’d want to dig into just because it’s going to require some new framing and new interior birch.
I see that you have someone coming to see your darling vintage camper on Sunday—we are in Alabama and have been searching for “bubbles”
Please let me know if it is still available then or now or whenever
We are looking for a “project”….and, Bobby is my “carpenter” husband-so, it would be perfect….
i just think we might be a little late
ok…..thanks!!!! Debbie and Bobby
Hi,
My husband and I have been looking for a canned ham trailer. My husband is 6’5″ and I’m not sure we can find one he can actually stand in. Do you have any input on this? I read something a while back that said your husband is tall too.
Thanks!
Hi Megan,
Yes, my husband is 6’3 1/2 and he can’t stand up fully in either of our canned ham trailers. I think in a lot of the smaller trailers this may be the case where they don’t have the headroom someone of that height would need. Though I’ve seen a few 16 footers that had quite a bit of headroom. I know when we had a Shasta Astroflyte he was able to stand up fully in that one. So maybe try looking at the 16 footers and research the various heights in them to see what you find.
The Southland Runabout is SOLD. She’s on her way to being restored and off to new adventures with her new owner. Hopefully, I’ll be able to share photos of her once she’s restored sometime next year with you all.
Hi,
the website is unrelated to campers but…
I must have a small 8′-14′ camper to restore myself! I have all the skills to do this right! It can need near total rebuild from frame up and (If I live long enough) I can do it. I have been looking for awhile now in Upstate NY and so far no real prospects. I was hoping that there might be units available that others, who are looking for the finished restoration or an easy one, might pass on. I will admit that I wouldn’t complain if the restoration was easier than previously indicated just as long as I get bragging rights to its final outcome.
Anyone out there with a project that I might take on? THANX, Bob
On the Little Vintage Trailer website – seems most of the trailers for sale have already been sold. Is there a special website or even a location that specializes in the tiny trailers either vintage or not? Looking for something I can pull with my car.
There is a little Cozy Cruiser listed for sale right now. Yes, most of them do sell pretty quickly. You might try searching Craigslist.