I finally fixed my camera issues and it seems it was the USB cord! I can finally share my latest project in more detail. Since first mentioning the new (old) camper, we have almost stripped all of the old interior paint off the birchwood panels and will be starting on the wiring soon.
I believe the camper is a Trotwood "Cub" built in Trotwood, Ohio in 1958. The Trotwood Trailer, Co. was the first to enter the travel trailer industry (as far as I can find anyway) and created a pull-a-long in 1932 (my historic facts aren't exact as I could not find much information on them and I am still researching). We are the third owners and in her past she has gone f
rom shiny aluminum color to having giant hippy flowers painted all over her body (according to RV place where we bought it) to being coated in the color you see here. Our plans are to take her back to shiny, if we can, or if not maybe a plum color (still on planning board).
rom shiny aluminum color to having giant hippy flowers painted all over her body (according to RV place where we bought it) to being coated in the color you see here. Our plans are to take her back to shiny, if we can, or if not maybe a plum color (still on planning board).In the interior photos, you can see the water damage we need to fix (on the right side above the bed). I am thinking water came in that backdoor as the previous owner put chalk all around it. You can also see the bright yellow and lime green 
paint. My favorite color is yellow, but not in this shade. It made the inside feel weird, like being trapped in a bag of yellow and green M & M's. I started peeling the paint by hand and it came off in sheets. We have since used a scrapper and most of it is gone. We still have a few spots on the trim to contend with and the cabinets are s
till yellow and lime green, but I plan to prime them and paint them a color more suitable to my eyes (I am think Robin's egg blue at the moment). You can also see the black & white vinyl squares they used to cover up the GREAT formica counters. I doubt I can save those as they painted over the formica first. They did save the dinette table (the chairs/convertible bed has been removed and bunk beds built in its place), so I know what it was like before they ruined it! I'll have to cross the bridge on how to make it better later.
paint. My favorite color is yellow, but not in this shade. It made the inside feel weird, like being trapped in a bag of yellow and green M & M's. I started peeling the paint by hand and it came off in sheets. We have since used a scrapper and most of it is gone. We still have a few spots on the trim to contend with and the cabinets are s
till yellow and lime green, but I plan to prime them and paint them a color more suitable to my eyes (I am think Robin's egg blue at the moment). You can also see the black & white vinyl squares they used to cover up the GREAT formica counters. I doubt I can save those as they painted over the formica first. They did save the dinette table (the chairs/convertible bed has been removed and bunk beds built in its place), so I know what it was like before they ruined it! I'll have to cross the bridge on how to make it better later.I am looking forward to camping in our little "canned ham" (and doesn't it look exactly like a giant canned ham on wheels???) I feel really lucky to have found it for the price we did and husband and I finally have a project we are both excited about pursuing! And, like Tansy said, it makes the ultimate bug out bag!! ;)
19 comments:
Looks like a lot of work. Glad you are both happy. :D
Thanks, Phelan! It's actually less work than it looks. We already have all the yellow and most of the lime green paint off and the "bones" are in excellent shape for a 51 year old camper!
This looks like a really fun project....Hope all goes well. I'm excited to see it done. You're gonna have a blast with this!
So much potential! I think you've made a great investment, Gina, and what you've done so far looks great. I had to lol at the "canned ham" name--but you hit the nail on the head with that one :-)
now that i've seen the before, i can't wait to see the after pictures!
i love to restore things to their former glory, this looks like a fun project!
I forget to tell this part about it: I was told by the RV place selling it (on commission for the owner) that the owner's sons liked to use it for a "clubhouse" by their pond, but the guy bought a nice, big modern 5th wheel and decided to get rid of all his other rvs, including the canned ham (can'ttake credit for naming them that, but it really does look like a canned ham!). I wondered why he felt like he needed to get rid of one he was using for a clubhouse (and it didn't bring in hardly any money), but I told Sr I bet the "clubhouse" was the "Shaghouse" and Dad wanted to get rid of it for that reason.
Well, fast forward, I dropped my paint scrapper while working above the bed and had to climb into the storage area to retrieve it. I reached in to grab it and felt a wrapper. I pulled it out and, guess what? Sure enough, an opened condom wrapper!!
We still need to disinfect beds!!
How adorable!!! Have you ever seen http://www.sistersonthefly.com/trailers.php ... these trailers are painted the most adorable and wacky ways. Worth seeing for ideas if you haven't already.
Heck, it's worth seeing even if you DON'T have a trailer! They are THAT cute.
Hi, came by to see your cutie canned ham...Just love it! Yellow paint and all...shag house or not;D It will be the beauty in your minds eye, and I can't wait to see your end dream result! We'll have to get together for a campout :D
Sunshiny thoughts go with you on your wonderful canned ham adventure!
Christine
OMG that is SO awesome...you are going to feel so great when you finish it..its gonna be amazing i just know it!
Gina, I saw that you're hoping to join that camping-ladies group..... I'd seen that on an HGTV show a couple years back, and it looked like a blast.... I LOVED the minute clips showing a couple of the campers inside. They can be completely adorable, when they're highly individualized! I look forward to seeing what you & Sr. do with this one. Have fun!
Thanks, All, for your comments!!
I did find the camping ladies after I brought her home and started searching around on the internet (in fact, that's how I found you Christine!! :)
I can't wait for it to be finished. Both Sr and I have a bad case of "lose focusitis" and we are keeping ourselves active on this project to get it done. We are making progress, but still far to go. We had hoped to have it done by end of July/Aug to attend one of the vintage camper rallies (being held near to us), but that is not looking feasible right now. Maybe next year!
I wish I had seen the HGTV thing!!
Husband and wife working together -priceless. :)
kris
Gina- I had posted on TinCanCottage about the paint. I have since painted my tiny trailer (65 Shasta Compact). After painting the bottom half about the same scary yellow as the inside of your trailer I went to an autopaint store and had a custom color mixed. MUCH better and exactly what I wanted. It was harder to work with than the rustoleum but worth the color change in the end. Good luck with your project.
Oh how exciting! I envy your purchase. That is very similar to what I have been drooling over. There is a silver air stream just sitting out in a side lot not far from here- unsued and wasting away. I so wish I could I get it.
Some inspiration for you to look into may be the groups who restore the old airstreams- although yours is not one, it can still get the juices flowing.Not to mention an enjoyable time looking over what others have done. Now if I could jsut remeber that groups name..
Looking forward to more of your camper updates. I can't wait to see your finsihed work.
(and kudo's on having a project the 2 of you can enjoy working together on. :) )
Hello! My husband and I bought a Trotwood a year ago,(1964) and are just now finishing it. It had water damage so we gutted it. We could not find out much about it either. I grew up close to Trotwood Ohio and my parents said they knew where the company had been, but they said it burnt down years ago. I found an ad. on the internet for them, but as far as the canned hams go you are the only other people we have found restoring one. All others seem to be Shastas. A friendly piece of advice put some bug bombs in it and close it tight! We found A HUGE AND I MEAN HUGE ANT COLONY in ours it covered the back and 1 side wall of the camper. When we took off one of the old sheets of paneling they poured out like water. I ran screaming and my husband screamed like a girl! (DONT TELL I TOLD LOL) Not trying to freak you out just trying to help. We learned alot about the construction of these campers if you need help we would be glad to tell you what we know. I cannot wait to go camping for the first time in our ham which we have named El Rancho De Chupacobra after our dog. Thats another story! Have a nice day!
Hello! We bought a Trotwood a year ago(1964 model). It had a leak so we gutted it. That was a mess!! I strongly suggest you put a few bug bombs inside of it and close it up tight. When my husband tore off the first sheet of paneling we discovered a huge and I do mean huge ant colony! They were those great big ants too. It was like something out of a horror movie!! They fell out like water! I ran screaming and my husband screamed like a girl. (dont tell him I said that lol)The colony covered the back wall and one side wall. Thats why I suggest bug bombs just to make sure. But other than that it has been alot of fun. We are doing the wireing and insulation tomorrow, and hope to have her on the road soon. I grew up close to Trotood Ohio and asked my parents about the company. They said that it burnt down years ago. I have not been able to find any info on them other than an ad I found on the internet. I would love to find some original exterior and interior pics for decorating it. If you guys need advice or tips on how to fix anything let us know. It looks like ours might have had alot more of the original materials left on the inside than yours. We kept all of the shelves and there decorative pieces for patterns. Have fun and good luck!
Gina I am taking the plunge and buying an old 1961 travel trailer 4 hours north of here in michigan. I am getting great deal and was hesitant to do it until I read your post. It looks to be so much fun and a way I can get my creative kicks during the winter. Just pull into the garage and go to work with the kids just 10 feet away. Thank you for giving me the courage to wrestle this new venture. It looks to be fun- Oh and you may have found this link already but just in case thought it may help get some ideas rolling around.
http://oldtincans.blogspot.com/
Hopefully I can get out of here this week to go bring her home.
see? You are a new trend setter!LOL. Enjoy your status as the queen of vintage camper trendsetting in the homesteading circle.HA!
Eee, so behind on my comments!!
Lisa: Thanks for the information. It's really helpful and gives me an idea of how to tackle that project.
Kris: I know! I would have never guessed we would both enjoy the camper as we do (I knew I would, but had no idea Shawn would be so excited too!)
Ferd: Oh, I would love to see your Trotwood! If you have photos would you email a few to me (ginastjoe at aol dot com)? I'd love to see some of the detail as I can only find few resources! Thanks for all the advice!
The funny thing is hubby put bug bombs in before we did anything else (I'm an entomologist and am very tolerant of insects; I've heard that same scream from hubby when he gets a spider on him! :)
Tammie: I am sooooo excited you are buying a tin can too!! We have to get together and go camping as soon as they are ready. We can start our own vintage homesteaders camping club!! I know Tansy has an interest too (hint, hint ;) Tansy!!) It will be so fun to camp out in our little home on wheels!! I can't wait to see pictures.
On that topic, we went to UP Michigan last week and I saw so many vintage campers sitting in backyards and woods! I think I could get addicted to these little things!!
I plan to revamp mine like the sisters on the fly women (make it my own rather than restore it to the original), but we also like some of the vintage aspects (such as color or the birchwood!) It's funny how such a little space can entice the decorator in me!
I need to do an update post because it already looks way different from the early photos!
Hi Gina,
My husband and I recently repurchased a 1959 Trotwood 16ft trailer. It was purchased by my husband's grandfather in the late 50's and sat in his driveway unused until he passed away in the late 80's. We have been trying to find information on this camper as well as the company. This is how we came across your blog. It is all in original condition with no interior water damage. It is equipped with a toilet, refrig/stove/sink combo. If you are interested in pictures to help with your restoration, I can email some to you. Good Luck!
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