I picked up the truck about a year ago to use as a shop truck and recently finished getting it squared away mechanically. The camper is a more recent addition—we’ve only had it for a month—but I’ve already refinished the entire thing. Over the years I’ve restored five other vintage trailers: a 1960 Terry, 1965 Terry, 1955 Hanson, 1957 Santa Fe, and a 1958 Scotty.
This Romer was in the best original condition of any camper I’ve bought, though it still needed attention. I went through all the wiring, pump, lines, hardware, seals, and reinforced the bottom wood. On the outside, I polished the aluminum and gave it fresh paint. Inside, I added new foam and fabric to make it comfortable again.
What makes this trailer stand out is how well-preserved it was when I found it. Most of my other projects were pulled from fields after sitting untouched for decades. My process is always the same: get them roadworthy enough to tow home, and within 45 days, take them on a 3,000-mile road trip. That “shakedown” run gives me the chance to fix anything that breaks while I restore the trailer cosmetically. We’ll use them for about six months, then I move on to the next project. Ironically, I’ve never actually camped in a finished trailer, despite restoring so many!
Alongside trailers, I run an antiques restoration shop—Vintage 55 Restorations—specializing in mid-century refrigerators, mixers, and furniture. Cars are also a big part of my life. In addition to the F-250, I’ve got a 1955 F-100, 1956 Lincoln, and a 1963 Falcon. At 30, I can honestly say the F-250 is the newest vehicle I’ve ever owned—and I’ve never smogged a car in my life.
Photos of the Romer and F-250 were taken at El Mirage Dry Lake during the land speed trials by my wife, Chelsea (@gollygeephotography).
By Justin Zerwekh
