Have you ever wished you could add more living space to your vintage trailer? I suppose I’m speaking to those folks with really small trailers. Or maybe it would be nice to have an enclosed area to set up a table for dining, card playing, etc., when the weather is less than ideal?
For us the desire to have more space is actually for the purpose of sleeping. A larger trailer isn’t an option because I love our tiny trailer and wouldn’t change a thing about it’s size! But we did need to find a solution for sleeping arrangements when all 5 of us go camping together. Our Shasta Compact has a king size bed and we’ve slept 2 adults (one being a 16 year old and might as well classify as an adult in size anyway) and 2 children (ages 2 and 10) on that bed actually very comfortably and didn’t feel cramped. I was pretty surprised by that. Anyway while 4 can sleep in there, 5 would be like sardines. Especially, when my husband is 6′ 3″.
So the solution I came up with is a Add-A-Room for the awning. Marti of Marti’s Awnings is taking our existing awning which is appx 10 x 10 (if memory serves me correctly) and adding removable sides and a front panel. Each side will also have a screen window that has a roll down window cover. The windows were an important feature to me because I want to be able to see out and be able to have a way to let in a breeze. I’m not sure you’d want an enclosed canvas room that doesn’t have some sort of ventilation as it would likely get pretty hot during the summer.
I tried to search for some examples but couldn’t find any for vintage trailers. So you’ll have to use your imagination when you look at these pictures. The sides will be made from sunbrella material that matches our yellow/white striped awning. Then each side panel will have a window. I’m talking to Marti about a roll up entry door as well but not sure if we’ll go with that or just enter through the corner. I will be sure and share pictures of the finished product once we set it up on our first camping trip this Spring. In the meantime, here are a few screened in room examples.
Photo courtesy of mouseketab.blogspot.com
This Tab trailer set up above is really cute. However, I wanted to have something where I could change it from the Add-A-Room back to just the awning in a jiffy. Some of these I’ve seen do have zippered sides that are removable. So that is a real plus in my book! Finding one for a vintage trailer?? Almost impossible. Thus the need to have one made.
One other benefit I can see from having a Add-A-Room is having a place to hang out during less than ideal weather. When you have a tiny camper like we do, a place to hang out during rainy weather can be a challenge. Since the sides will be made of sunbrella fabric so the interior should stay pretty dry. Of course, this set up would NOT be ideal during high winds or really severe storms and we will definitely watch the weather prior to our trips.
During the days of good weather I plan on removing the sides. I don’t want to hide the trailer (: Each side will be made so it’s easily and quickly removable to convert back to just awning mode.
My plan is to create a sleeping area for my husband and my 16 year old son. The guys will have their own roomy space and we won’t have to set up a tent anymore. I have these great vintage camping cots that I showed you all in this past post here, that I will make memory foam mattresses for. They will be so comfy! I’m thinking also if there is enough room I may set up a small folding table and chairs for late night card games, snack bar, etc.,
I’m pretty excited if you can’t tell!
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I saw marti's proto type add-a-room at the Coloma CA TCT rally. She was still working out the kinks and deciding how she'd do it. Can't wait to see the finished product.
Can't wait to see it. Sounds great!
How cute are they!
I'm so glad that you mentioned that your husband is 6'3" – I don't have a vintage trailer (yet!), but it's my dream to own a Shasta. My husband is a tad under 6'3", and I was wondering if he would be able to stand up in it if (when?) I get one!
Marguerite, Oh I would of loved to see that! I'll have to ask her if she has any photos of that prototype.
Debbie, thanks. I can't wait either (:
Susan, in our Compact he has to stoop a little. He doesn't mind it though as most of the time he's not even inside anyway, unless he's sitting at the dinette or laying on the bed watching a movie. So it was never a deal breaker for him.
These are so neat! I'm enjoying your blog! I'm hopping over to Welcome you….from the Cozy little house! ♥
Hello ~ I just came over from Cozy Little House and I love your little trailer. I have a vintage camper too 😉
I am going to follow along to see what you do and where you go with that little gem
Have a great day
Very cool!!! I like that idea! If the weather isn't good, searching for a place to sit is a bit of a bummer!! Can't wait to see pictures!
Thank you so much for the welcome on Cozy Little House blog. That was such a nice surprise!
Stopping by to say hi. I love your trailer! I've wanted one for so long. I'll just live vicariously through you for now.
I have heard about these, what a great idea!
Wow Kelle, I had no idea such things existed. I mean I've seen the screens used in many ways but this is a great idea. I also am giggling wondering if maybe your husband snores and how much better you will be able to sleep now! Don't ask me why I thought that, probably because someone (not naming names but could be the Mr.) was snoring last night!
I am still waiting for my trailer to find me, I will never give up!
Happy new year my friend!
Hugs,
Julie
Cindy, aww you'll find just the one. That's what I did too and still do is visit everyone else's blogs and such on vintage trailers. It was a true obsession (I mean mission) from the start.
Katmom, I can't wait to be able to show you all what it looks like set up.
Julie, That is too funny you mentioned that. He does indeed snore and heaven knows it makes it hard to sleep. But actually, the main reason is lack of space in the Compact trying to fit all 5 of us in there. Plus I think he and our 16 year old son like to have their own space. Guy bonding and all I guess. Or maybe the interior is just too girly for them (:
Kelle, this is just the thing I need! My husband is 6’2″ and I have three children. The youngest is 10 and I have two teenage boys. When we went across country in our Shasta compact last summer, we fit very well, until my husband joined us in CA. We set up a tent when we could, for the boys to sleep in. However, this seems to be a problem in some trailer parks. They wouldn’t always allow us to set up a tent on a trailer site.
Please post when your add-a-room is done. I’d love to see it.
Thanks,
Lisa
I’ll be sure and post some pictures when we get it and have a chance to set it up. I know what you mean about some campgrounds not allowing a tent on certain sites. Or they might require a second site to have a tent on and we didn’t want to go that route. This way the guys will have a place to sleep and we’ll all be together. I think the awning add-a-room will be quicker and easy to set up as well.
I love the idea of the add on room to your awning! I have a Shasta Compact, a tall husband, and two boys. I would love to have the extra room outside without setting up a tent but have wondered how you keep skunks and other critters from walking in from under the trailer side?
Thanks,
Lariann
Peppermint oil on a cloth keeps mice, skunk and anything with a sniffer at bay. It burns sensitive noses.
Has this been created? I am dying for something like this for our Shasta compact too!!!
Did you ever get your add-a-room made? Would love to see pics.
I would love to see the picture of how the awning/add a room, turned out. We are currently refurbishing a 1968 Shasta Compact and we’re very interested in doing the same thing.
Hi Kelly, Here is a link to the photos of the add-a-room. Hope that helps!
http://littlevintagetrailer.com/2012/03/new-awning-add-a-room-by-martis-awnings/