I have a story to share with you all about the last 48 hours of my life. So it goes something like this…
It was 12:45 am (yes, I was up way past my bedtime) when I saw an ad for a vintage trailer that someone was selling and it read as follows:
“1963 camper. Has been partially remodeled when there was a family illness. Now we must sale. New carpet. New partial ceiling. New floor and carpet. Sleeps ,4-6.brand new tires. Needs cushion covers and curtains. Inbox me if interested. Located in Indiana.”
While I wasn’t even in the market for another trailer, this one intrigued me and the ad had no pictures. So being curious I contacted the seller and she sent me this picture. Of course, it’s a night shot and the trailer is far away so I asked if she could send more and she said she would the next morning. I’m thinking to myself as I look at this picture;
1. It’s ADORABLE!
2. It’s small! {Measured it when I got home and it’s only 12 ft long including overhead bunk area)
3. It has that cute little bump out.
Turns out this is a 1963 Layton.
So the next morning I receive more photos and as suspected the trailer needs work. But nothing I can’t handle. If any of you follow my Tiny Lake House blog you already know I’ve been working on the interior of a tiny house all summer. So I’ve picked up more skills and have confidence I can tackle this little peanut of a trailer {remind me that I said that if I start complaining while working on it}.
So after I received these pictures below I quickly threw the following in the car and off I went.
1. 3 different ball hitches
2. Temporary lights
3. Flash light
4. Wire
5. Change of clothes
6. Battery operated lantern
7. Luggable Loo
8. Sheets, blankets and pillow
9. Bungy cords
10. Snacks
I arrived yesterday evening and the sellers husband helped to get the lights all hooked up so I could be on my way. Unfortunately, I didn’t have any running lights and not sure why. Everything worked on the temporary lights {the lights on the trailer didn’t work} so I couldn’t drive at night time. Which was fine with me as I’m not really keen on doing that anyway with a trailer I’m not familiar with towing.
So I decided to pull it down the road to Walmart and get a safety chain. While I was there I was talking to a friend on the phone and they suggested I stay in the Walmart parking lot for the night. This is a first for me, as I haven’t boondocked in a parking lot before. I parked under one of the bright lights, set up the bed, the luggable loo and the battery lantern, pulled out a magazine and settled in. I felt very safe there. There was a few semi-trucks parked in the lot as well and of course Walmart was open 24 hours. At first it was hard to go to sleep as you could hear cars with driving in or teenagers thumping their music. Who shops at that time of night anyway?
Now before you decide to stay overnight at a Walmart, make sure they allow it. As not all of them may allow overnight parking.
I woke up at the crack of dawn to a Walmart sunrise.
So I brushed my teeth and hair, slapped on some deoderant and off I went. The little trailer towed great!
I had to stop for gas and while I was doing that I checked the wheels to make sure they weren’t hot. Although the seller did check to make sure they were greased while I was there picking it up. You just never know. Anyway, I noticed I was missing a lugnut on one of the wheels so I stopped at Autozone where a nice gentleman found me the correct size and put it on for me.
While checking in with the Mr. he suggested that I stop at a antique mall and see if there is anything needed for my business as I could write off part of the trip if so. How in the world is a girl suppose to argue with being told to stop at a antique mall AND to buy something?? Not this girl! So I stopped at the Markle Antique Mall. Great mall and BIG! I found a vintage aqua fan and a couple thermoses.
The was about 600 miles round trip so it took about 5 hours to get home. Not counting the stops I made. I was happy to see the Ohio state line as that meant I only had around 100 miles to go!
Made it home safe and sound. Jelly Bean {the one in the carport} is checking out the trailer.} I need to move Jelly Bean to our other carport so I can work on the Layton here near the garage.
I think it’s pretty cute! It’s 12 long and 7 feet wide. It’s a little wider than my 55 Bellwood; Jellybean. It makes it feel very roomy inside. It could sleep 4-5. My husband saw it when we got home and said he loved it! Now, understand that he never says that about trailers. I think he loves that I only paid $300 for it. Oh and he did go on to say that he loves that we could all sleep in it as the Bellwood really only sleeps 3 comfortably, 4 if one is a small child.
WARNING: The following pictures are “BEFORE” pictures. You have to look at these photos with creative vision. The interior will need work no doubt about that. I won’t know just how much until I start tearing out the paneling. The floor feels solid. It doesn’t have a stove or faucet for the sink but I’m not sure if I’ll even replace the stove. I never use mine in the Bellwood as we cook outside, but we’ll see. Just know that this trailer eventually is going to be so sweet on the inside when I get done with it. Those bags in the overhead bunk are foam.
I can’t stand carpet in trailers. So that will be ripped up and tile put down. That A/C will go as well. Hopefully, I can find a replacement window. The paneling will be replaced with new birch and I’ll rebuild any framing as necessary…even if that means I have to take it down to the bare frame. I’m just going to take my time and do a little at a time. I may also re-skin this trailer. Not sure yet about that. I need to get the gunk, silicone and paint off and see what I have first. The skin is actually in good shape as far as being straight and lacking dents. So who knows, I may be able to just strip it and re-paint it. Did you know there is no roof vent in this trailer? Odd isn’t it but doesn’t look like it ever had one as I looked on the roof and there is no evidence of a patched vent hole or anything that I could see. Believe it or not that doesn’t bother me at all. In fact, I actually like that idea in a way. No roof vent to worry about leaking 🙂
So there you have it. This proves you can find $300 {project} trailers. You just have to keep looking and be in the right place at the right time and be willing to do the work on restoring them. Also if you need a place to pull over for the night the Walmart Super Centers that are open 24 hours are a good option. Make sure they are in a good area of town. Use common sense of course. Also Flying J’s gas stations may be another option. It saved me the cost of a hotel or campground fee.
Stay tuned for progress updates on this trailer.
Share this:
Congratulations on your latest find! This trailer “has good bones”! This is going to look soooo nice when you are done with it! What color are you thinking of using for the interior? Will you decorate it in a “theme”? Looking forward to your future posts. Take good care. 🙂
I love your little trailer. I can’t wait to see what it looks like, please post progress photos to inspire the rest of us!
What a great find and so many possibilities for it! Have fun. Looking forward to pictures as it progresses.
Cute trailer! What a great find!
My hubby and I picked up a 1965 KenSkill 32′ Park Model for free 🙂 We can’t wait to get started on getting it! Do you have any suggestions?
I meant getting it ready! Too late in the evening for me! LOL! 🙂
It’s a cutie. What a bargain. I too vote for progress pics.
Kelle, what a great find! Once bit by the trailer bug you can not resist it. I am sure you will work your magic and make it beautiful.
What a fun adventure .. looking forward to the heights you take this new baby. 🙂
What a great story! A true find too! YES there are bargains still out there, my sis found one in the wheat fields of eastern Oregon for 300.00. A 16 foot in pretty good condition and they are working on it now. I love seeing the photos you put up too! Thanks for sharing !!!! Can not wait to see the progress too!
I am impressed with your new found little treasure!!
Oh, how I would love to do that! I first fell in love with vintage trailers in about 2007, just after my husband and I moved to 65 acres in the country and began building our “forever home”. The plan was to look for one he could restore, buy it, and as soon as the house was finished (he was doing everything when he was off work) he would restore it with my help. Just before he completed the interior finish work on our house, he was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer (no symptoms and no family history — found through a routine physical) and died 6 weeks and 1 day later. I’ve moved to the city and taken a new job, and I dream of owning a small vintage camper. Two problems — I don’t have the skill, wherewithall, or (quite honestly) the desire to do any rehabbing. I need one that’s already restored. Second problem — I’m at a loss about recognizing a good solid camper on my limited budget. But I’m not giving up. For now, I live vicariously through your blog and fb posts! Thank you!!
That is beautiful! I wish I could get one, the caravans over here in the UK aren’t anywhere near as pretty! I got a 1971 Royale T125 this year, needed nearly as much work as yours, cost me £1000! Not as pretty either! Good luck with her xx
OMG…I can’t believe you found this little gem right under my nose….I have been looking and looking for months now and I livein Indiana!!!! However we did finally acquire our own little gem last weekend for $500……oursseems to be in about the same shape as yours. She will be a winter project….ours is calleda Pixie Piker was built in Bourbon, Indiana by Hodges MFG and that’s all we can find out about this little trailer….love your new little trailer and hope you share pics of her makeover!
I think you made a great deal. Plenty of room and I’m sure it will turn out great. Keep us informed.
So sorry for your loss Patti. My advice to you…just do it… in memory of your husband. You CAN do it.
Great find on the camper !!! I too am looking for a great find, a Shasta, hopefully 1961 or older. I feel in love with them after attending “The Country Living Fair” in Columbus Ohio the last 2 years & a few “Sisters on the Fly” vintage campers were there… Now I dream of owning one !
Pattie, I read your note, I’m truly sorry for your loss- I’m in the southern tip of Indiana & im hoping to find a gem to restore myself, but you keep looking, there’s some out there all fixed up & still at a great price !
That’s a really cute little trailer! Have fun fixing it up. We found a 1967 Aloha that’s in really good shape, not much needed to fix it up. We paid a bit more, but wanted something we could use right away. The trailer bug sure is strong though… I can see why people buy more than one!
Well that is the cutest thing ever and it looks to be in remarkable shape, especially for that price. I will have to keep an eye on your progress. I want t see how it’s going to turn out and I bet its going to be cute!
Dude.. I am sooo jealous of your find! I hope you post pictures soon or if you have I run across them here in my search. I love the small camper and the price you paid for it. It looks like it has really good bones! When I get off work I am going to find as many ATMs or get cash back at every store on my way home so I can go purchase my first fixer upper camper, here in Indiana as well, for $900.
Love your story so much. I need to take the roof gunk off and redo it plus remove one of two vents and I have to do this myself. Not because I can’t wait to get up there, but because of my SSI budget….so, do you have a hint as to what I can use to get the grey stuff off and roll something new up there….as for removing the vent and covering the hole up, I will have to have help with that at a local trailer shop. If I get really brave, I’d love to strip off the old rattle can paint job and do an implement paint job or maybe a white auto paint job and then just do my own stripe with a paint brush. My baby is a ’56 Terry canned ham and I’ve got it glambed up like crazy…I love to just go out there and sit in it, but alas, I must do something about the exterior. If nothing else, I just need some encourgement…
What a neat trailer, ours just came back from the detail shop its a 64 oasis, I choose marshmallow, and a neat aqua for the strips, the guys put grey on top of the aqua to give it extra cuteness. I still hsve to redo the cushions, finish painting it. Good luck on your new remodel.
Love your little trailer….. and how independent to go get it on your own! Can’t wait to see the “after” pictures! I want a vintage shasta so bad! Been looking but no luck so far. Have fun!
I’m so anxious to hear more about your reno..and see pictures. I purchased an old camper at the end of the fall season and can’t wait to pull my sleeves back this spring. Its no where near as unique as your nifty finds..but I have 5 kids so I had to go big. Someday I’ll own an Airstream. That’s my dream camper. 🙂
Hi Kelle. I recently purchased what I believe to be a 1961 Layton Camper. I am trying to find the VIN number so that I can obtain a title. I had a couple questions – would the Layton name be somewhere on the camper? And did you locate the VIN number on your trailer? I’ve looked on the tongue, but don’t see anything (although there are several coats of paint). Thanks for any help you can offer!!!
Inspiring! I am looking to do something like this myself. I’ll retire soon and I’d like my vacation home to be on wheels. Having a recreational lifestyle helps keep things positive in your life.
Well, how is your project going now? Would love to see it : )