The seller claims this 1969 Winnebago camper is a barn find original, which is truly incredible once you peek inside. The camper has supposedly been stored indoors since new, which would certainly help account for the condition on display here. The classic olive and white paint job has been synonymous with Winnebagos of this era seemingly for decades, and while not exactly sexy, it’s what’s inside that counts. Find the Winnebago here on Facebook Marketplace with an asking price of $6,400 and located in Emporia, KS.
While the camping and Overlanding lifestyles have been all the rage for some time now, the movement has grown to incorporate glamping, which is the concept of just barely roughing it (or not at all) while still inhabiting a campsite for a few nights. More often than not, an “influencer” who is shilling for such a brand or movement will be shown parked in a campsite while lounging in a vintage camper such as this – with all of its period cooking equipment, curtains, and sleeping spaces still intact. While those photo ops most often take place in a restored camper, this one is claimed to be an original and looks absolutely mint.
Assuming it hasn’t been restored (and I don’t think it has, what with the teal oven/stove, fake wood paneling, and vintage fridge), this Winnebago has clearly been loved while still being lived in. The curtains look similar to the ones I removed from a junked Westfalia Bus and far cleaner. The photos aren’t super detailed, but this sitting area looks to be in fine shape, and although I can just make out the seat cushions, they don’t appear to be trashed, either. Was this Winnebago used at all while it was stored indoors? That’s the big question, and I’d love to know if it’s simply been preserved and not seen much time on the road.
While that would be a shame in some regards, it also presents a rare opportunity for the next owner to get into vintage camper ownership without having to gut the interior to address old water infiltration issues, mold problems, or faulty appliances. While every camper of this age should definitely be gone through to ensure its various electrical systems and cooking appliances are safe to use, starting with one as nicely preserved as this is definitely how you want to embark on your Winnebago adventure. Now, the next question is: what would you tow it with? Personally, I’d go with a Jeep Gladiator (SJ) pickup. What about you?
The trailer lifestyle is underrated. Everyone is into the vanlife now, but in the 70’s, my dad’s best friend and his wife (Frank and Dot) had a 28 foot country-aire (spelling?) trailer. Their daughter was grown and out of the house and they camped monthly, towing with a 74 Pontiac Catalina with a 455 until it was stolen and stripped in Philly one night while Frank was hauling freight for Conrail. He bought a Suburban, and dad and I put under dash AC in on a Saturday. Well, dad did it and I handed him tools.
Anyway, the 70s were the salad days for campers. Frank and Dot took anyone who was willing on trips, and I was into it. Unlike an RV, you could pull up,and leave the trailer and still use the tow vehicle. Not that we went anywhere. On the Chesapeake we fished all day, in the OBX we surfed. But the camper had AC, and was every bit as nice as a hotel room. The right buyer will come along for this, and realize that the preservation is worth saving. Why mess with success? No, there’s no giant TV, but we never missed it. These were durable, survived hikes in the Poconos and sandy beach trips. Unless everything is dry rotted, leave the interior.
Only caveat, they are a bear to wax. Frank would wax his every fall. It took a full day with several people working. I guess I don’t have any good info, just being nostalgic.
Nice but a little pricey if your going to have to due some updates – not cheap – most get started and gutted only to end back on CL. Good luck with it……………..
Van life , now that is suffering !
Too small, too low , no toilet, no shower, i look at their setups and know that the kids cant last very long in those
But this camper is beautiful
Everything is right there
If someone wants to go vintage this is spot on
But
Too pricey if one is not into vintage as a newer one will be cheaper and more convenient
Nevertheless
Its just right to pull with your old car/truck
I guess a woody station wagon would make it the dream team
I love it but no way could i get my gf to kick the fifthwheel with extensions and the f150
Our modern stuff is just tooo comfy !
Stay safe
🦠💩😷🤬
“Ooo, oo, that smell,,can’t you smell that smell”( in memory of Lynyrd Skynyrd) Older campers always have a certain funk about them, I’m sure this one is no different. My parents had campers when I was a kid. It was truly a different time. My old man went through a plethora of pull vehicles. From memory, a ’63 GMC Carryall, a ’61 Plymouth wagon, a ’61 Mercury wagon, a ’66 Dodge Polara wagon ( that almost burned to the ground on Monteagle Hill, and never owned another Chrysler product after that), a ’70 IH Travellall,( that was the worst), then the old man got smart, and switched to Chevy Suburbans. They took his abuse the best. Nice find, but off their cork on the price. I’m not known for my modern views on pricing, but $1,000 bucks, tops.
When was the last time you saw an old camper that was taken care of and parked inside? Nice find for someone wanting to take it to shows.
We had motoorhomes, a Travco, then a Winnibago then a Endeavor. We’d be cruising and once in a while see one of these wooden framed trailer spread out over the side of the road W/all the clothes hanging out. Usually because of a small tow vehicle or a driver that didn’t know how to pull a heavy trailer and the thing would get to swaying then overboard.
My vote for tow vehicle: Gold 70 Torino squire wagon with a 429 and hide away headlights.
Sorry but anybody thinking this isn’t worth more than $1,000 is way off. Older RVs rarely get kept inside so if this one has truly been kept inside all of its life it will not have deterioration from sun and water damage. It probably will take very little to get it 100% usable. Yes it’ll be a little dated, but it’ll probably hold up better than many of the new items that are available. I have several vintage RVs. If this one has truly been stored inside all of its life, it’s a deal and somebody should snap it up.
Absolutely! And if they sold it for a grand any knucklehead could buy it and not truly appreciate the value this time piece holds.
What are those slide out living quarters called that go in the back of a pickup truck?
I’d tow this with my 68 Coronet wagon,,duh.
We had one like that around ’73 while living in Chattanooga. My dad pulled it behind a ’69 Ford Galaxy 500, that was the days. We were pulling it to Huntsville, AL one summer down the interstate and it decided to have a mind of its own. It came along the drivers side the and back across, well you get the picture. Only thing that broke on that ole girl was the bathroom window that my mom left rolled out. Seeing this camper brought back memories. This one sure looks good for the age.
Such negativity! This is a cool old camp trailer that’s perfect for someone in the market for a cool old camp trailer! I have a lot of friends and family with new/newer trailers/RVs, and it seems like every time they take them out they have to fix something. I agree with Jeff–this is a great place to start, no matter what you want to do with it.
I’d leave it as it is and just make sure everything was working. As for a pull vehicle my 1994 dodge 3/4 ton 4×4 with 5.9 cumins diesel would pull this with ease. The whole point of buying a vintage camper would be the retro experience, so any restoration work would need to keep that in mind.