Who knew that buying an old camper and fixing it up would turn out to be a life-changing experience? We certainly didn’t when we took the plunge into the vintage trailer hobby years ago.
When my wife Liz and I first started, we were just looking for a new project. We’d been married for a few years, had settled comfortably into our first home, and I was itching for something creative to dive into. We’d always enjoyed camping—though it was more my thing than hers at first—and we both agreed it might be more enjoyable if we traded in the tent for a camper.
Our love for old things had already taken shape through restoring vintage cars, so when we started shopping for a trailer, we naturally leaned toward something with character. The new campers we looked at felt overpriced and uninspired—mass-produced “white boxes” that lacked soul. That’s when it hit me: why not restore an old one myself?
It didn’t take long before a gutted 1961 Avion T27 found its way into our driveway. I poured hundreds of hours into bringing it back to life while our curious neighbors watched the transformation unfold. That project taught us more than we could’ve imagined—and it sparked a hobby that would shape our lives.
Since then, we’ve worked on a few more trailers, including a Holiday Traveler, a Del Rey Truck Camper, and our current pride and joy—a 1957 Trotwood Cub that’s been our home on wheels for several years. Restoring these campers has become one of my favorite pastimes, and we’ve even “rescued” a few others that have gone on to be lovingly restored by new owners.
Our latest project, a 1955 Silver Dome built in Kalamazoo, Michigan (just 90 miles from our home in Muskegon), is nearing completion. This one will have a few more creature comforts than the Trotwood—and our dream is to someday tow it behind our ’48 Pontiac Convertible along historic Route 66 all the way to the West Coast.
But the biggest surprise of all hasn’t been the trailers—it’s been the people. The friendships and community we’ve found through vintage camping have enriched our lives in ways we never expected.
We’ve hosted the West Michigan Vintage Rally at Hoffmaster State Park multiple times, often welcoming over 100 trailers and around 1,000 visitors for the open house. We also organized the Tin Can Tourists Super Dooper Yooper Looper Tour—a 10-day caravan through Michigan’s Upper Peninsula with 30 vintage rigs and a caterer traveling along to serve dinner each night! Between that and countless other adventures throughout the Midwest, we’ve logged thousands of miles and even more smiles.
From Pennsylvania to West Virginia and back through Ohio, we’ve explored the backroads of America, often towing the Trotwood behind our trusty Pontiac. The miles and memories have taught us that the real treasure in this hobby isn’t the trailers—it’s the friendships, the shared laughter, and the stories that connect us all.
As we look ahead to another summer of adventures, we can’t wait to hit the road again—top down, trailer in tow, and hearts full of gratitude for this incredible community.
Happy camping, and we hope to see you down the road!
