As some of you likely know, I am helping to clear out a large collection of salvage and project vehicles from a private owner. You can read more about the collection here. As we move ahead with the process, I’ll be listing some of the more interesting cars individually, which will also help readers see more info about specific vehicles they may be interested in. Be sure to read the original post about the collection. This listing is for an interesting Prairie Schooner Camper, which dates back to the 1940s.
What Makes it Special? With the rise in popularity of “glamping” and the RV lifestyle, vintage camper trailers are coming into their prime as projects for those attracted to life on the open road. There’s honestly not much information about these trailers out there, other than they were built in smaller numbers than some of the bigger brands like Airstream. They were built with an aluminum skin, which helps explain why this one has survived so well.
Body Condition: Obviously, it needs paint. But the body does not show any major signs of accident damage/dings/dents. The doors open and close tightly, far better than you might expect for a camper trailer that’s been standing for years. Obviously, as seen here, some (if not all) glass will need replacing, which may be difficult given the rarity of the trailer. Aluminum is not the easiest surface to repair but there are no major signs of damage and the roof appears sound.
Mechanical Condition: There’s not a ton to talk about here, but the seller did confirm it sits on its original axles. The one drawback to this camper is that while vintage trailers are all the rage, those folks tend to want compact trailers – and this one isn’t that. However, the year is right in the sweet spot of what’s popular, so if extra space is a priority, a Prairie Schooner like this may make sense. The kitchen is still intact and my quick walk around the inside didn’t reveal any signs of significant water damage.
Restoring a trailer like this is truly a labor of love. It will never be hugely valuable but it is a hard to find model that will likely get tons of looks and thumbs-up at any camping spot. Plus, it’d look damn good hitched to a Chevy Apache or vintage Suburban on its way to Watkins Glen or a National Park. I will work on getting more pictures for any interested parties, and the trailer is viewable in Georgia, approximately 1.5 hours NW of Atlanta.
- Price: $2,500
- Location: Northwest Georgia
- Mileage: TMU
- Title Status: Bill of sale only
Do you have a low mileage survivor parked in your garage, shed or barn? Does it need a new home? Please consider listing it here on Barn Finds!
First things first does it have a sound frame and floor if yes you got something to work with. The first thing I’d do is get this trailer up on new springs, axles, and wheels. Than I’d get a new coupler on the front. As for the interior I’d clear it out to an empty shell followed by installing an antique mahogany interior staining and clear coating the walls and cabinets. I’d put dark hardwood floors in it too, followed by stainless steel modern appliances, plumbing , and electrical. On the outside I’d buff out the aluminum skin and a apply automotive clear coat to it to keep that polished look. After all that it would be time to tour in it and enjoy it.
Oh I forgot I’d put all new modern windows in it too.
You forgot to insulate that thing! Now you will have to tear everything out to sound proof and insulate! Just thought that you might want to do that! :-)
Silly me I forgot the insulation. Foam ijection would work if you didn’t want to take the wall apart.
Why not just start from scratch and build a brand new one from the ground up?
Priced right !
Camper? No, it is a trailer. Could be a fun (albeit expensive) project.
Poker shack in the woods,,
Roughly how much does it weigh? What is the tongue weight?
I’d combine canadainmarkseh’s and Howard’s suggestions and arrive at…
Voila! A really high-class poker shack in the woods!
The real value is in the trailers that are restored to original. If you never hope to sell it again, modify away! Just don’t gut it out unless you are sure you will be able to finish the job!
Faux streamlining…
Looking at the paint that still on there, you can see alternating light and dark grey down the sides… It was painted this way to make it look like it was a fluted “corrugated” siding on streamlined railway cars…