In 1941, just before America got involved in WWII, Shasta started making camping trailers and they’re still going strong today. With remote working a reality today, get away from it all in this 1962 Shasta Compact trailer! It’s listed here on eBay in Orland, Indiana, there is no reserve, and the current bid price is $2,750 with three days left on the auction as I write this.
If the last three years have taught us anything, it’s that most of us like being by ourselves, or at least without hoards of people around us in offices, and especially on the road. Who hasn’t wanted to chuck everything and head out on the open road? I do, or did before seeing how drivers haven’t exactly become models of fine, careful, courteous driving. Is that pandemic-related? Smartphone and texting-related, or some other reason? Shasta’s famous wings appeared in 1958 and this trailer would be quite an eye-catcher with a day’s worth of exterior polishing.
Whatever the reason, I can think of no better way to travel than on deserted two-lane roads while pulling a 1,115-pound, 12.5-foot Shasta Compact trailer, headed for unknown destinations, stopping when you want to stop, going where you want to go. Some people would want a slightly-upgraded and bigger trailer with an indoor bathroom, and I can’t argue that point. Afterall, if you’re trying to get away from hoards of people, why would you want to use a public restroom?
The interior shows that there’s a bit of work to do here, but if you have a spare single-car garage, what a great winter project. The flooring and curtains have been changed and the seller says that it has a new sink, two-burner stove, and refrigerator, but I’d want to bring it back to the early-60s in appearance. Although, if you’re just using it to get away from everyone, function over form works.
The dining area converts to a bed, or beds, depending on how tall or short a person is. The seller says that this trailer doesn’t leak, it has new tires, and it pulls down the road nicely. Are you someone who feels the need to get away from it all? If so, would a 12.5-foot trailer work for you?
Yep, but being 6′,4″, it might be challenging.
Where was I from the last camper,,let’s see, Scotty G, parents camper, ultimate recluse, and so on. This, I think could be pulled by a smaller vehicle, my neighbor has a small Casita “egg” he pulls with a V6 Highlander. There’s the wings, and one of the neatest campers. But that’s all it was, a place to sleep, or hang out in the rain. The great outdoors was the attraction, not Wendy Williams on the big screen. Some companies are reproducing “retro” campers like this. One lodge has like 5 of the retro ones for their guests. Again, from the last camper post, campgrounds aren’t like in the 70s, when the “Woodalls” was thicker than a 1970 NYC phone book with campgrounds. Like most everything else I hold dear, they are closing, and the remaining ones are packed with campers that reserve for the whole season. Generators have replaced hoot owls in the night. Have fun camping out at Walmart,,until morning, that is.
So, another Howard A dismal post? You bet. While it’s entertaining to see a visual of my memories, it’s bittersweet. It’s a constant reminder of what we don’t have today. To quote the great Bob Seger( in a different context) “those are the memories, that make me a wealthy soul”,,,
The 3.5 litre V-6 in the Toyota Highlander makes at least 269 horsepower depending on the model year. This is on par with many V-8 engines from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. I have one in a RAV4. Very sweet engine.
Lots of campgrounds around the country are putting age limit on campers,I think it’s 10year old you may be turned around and back to Walmart you go.
State and county parks don’t have a age limit
Not really true, no matter how often you hear it. Vintage trailer camping and Rallies are BIG, and it is with old full-time mobile homes that mobile home parks have an issue. ( I was a mobile home park manager and trailers sometimes stay 10 – 20 years in a Park, and that can cause a problem. )
I won’t pretend to know where you live, but I am in WI. From my house, there are 4 campgrounds within 15-20 minutes. 1 private, 1 state, and 2 county. Driving another hour or two pulls in a bunch more state parks. I don’t like any of them on the Door Peninsula, but i really like the ones by Wisconsin Dells.
Woodalls, that’s a good memory. We were always Good Sam members and liked to look for their recommended campgrounds for some reason. I don’t know if it made a huge difference. KOA was another one that we always looked for. Kamp Dakota, etc., I bet folks here could come up with a ton of great campground names from the ol’ days.
I used to work remotely for many years (way before WFH was cool…). When I would visit the factory in another state, the constant ringing of phones, intercom, employee chit-chat, etc. drove me crazy- I was used to peace and quiet while I got my work done. When my wife retired, my boss said, “Now you don’t have an excuse not to move here.” (he knew we liked the city and area). I told him that would occur on one condition- that they buy a travel trailer with power and an internet connection for me and put it in the back parking lot of the factory and then leave me alone. While he was receptive to the idea, we never moved, and I stayed in my home office with two cats and a big dog as office mates for many more years.
To be on the safe side, before sleeping in it, I’d call an exterminator.
Nice retro feel. I would fit it with brakes however. Then get a towing vehicle of same vintage with tow package.
Wouldn’t this would be the ideal trailer for a Bantam roadster owner?
As for the lack of . . . ah . . . facilities, no need for public restrooms: there are many portable camping toilets on the market that could be tucked away in a cabinet when not in use.
This is very cool.Not sure if this is allowed, but I would gut the whole interior and replace with current stuff, and electrical system, as well as add brakes. The outside looks great and bet even better buffed out. I’ll be watching this one. Thanks for this Scotty…
Vintage Trailer Gatherings are the new rage…
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All states have them.
The bad driving is definitely pandemic related it’s the same here in the UK were ” might is right” is the road etiquette now the bigger & more aggressive you are is king.
The camper looks great for a getaway.
Here in Las Vegas, the police were busy guarding the casinos on the strip, literally. Drive down the empty strip and see many police cars parked at all entrances. Practically the entire force was down there, which meant you could do whatever you wanted anywhere else in the city. The freeway was just that. Just about everyone was doing 100 or more. Interesting time, the pandemic.
As for this trailer, 1) I need an indoor bathroom w/shower, 2) I hate the wood interior, redo in drywall and metal. The entire kitchenette needs redoing. This is a pass. There are others out there in better shape.
Hi ACD, I agree, however, drywall and metal add weight, and that paneling was ever so popular in the 60s. EVERYTHING had paneling. I lived in a N.Wis. town that had a paneling plant. It sustained the area for years, and only recently went out of business.
Re: apocalypse or end of the world, come on up to my place. There’s enough lead paint on it, we should be safe,,, :)
This is small/light enough to tow behind almost anything you can put a hitch on. Doesn’t need brakes or upgrades. Clean it up and use it. It’s a CAMPER, not a GLAMPER.
“…work for you?…”
sure.
an interior re-do would too (tear out, assure skin is H2O proof, modern closed cell insul, reconfigure to sleep dwn the side, use of boat’n rv modern amenties, ac, may B shower/toliet combo, etc). Need it sm like this too~
B fun, no?
AND
era correct for my 1st gen bronk.