Every vintage trailer has a story—but few can match the heart, history, and craftsmanship behind this one-of-a-kind home-built tent trailer, lovingly preserved by the Blair family.
Sometime between 1947 and 1950, Nathan A. “Bud” Gilbert of Whittier, California, and a friend set out to build two tent trailers. Bud’s trailer came first, followed by a slightly larger version built by his friend. Family lore suggests the plans may have come from a Popular Mechanics magazine, though that detail has never been confirmed.
Like many postwar projects, the trailer made use of military surplus materials—including aluminum panels and canvas snaps. It was an impressive build for its time, featuring a range of thoughtful details: vacuum brakes (though never used), an ice box, and a dry-goods cabinet accessible from both inside and outside. The interior included multiple drawers and cabinets, a sink, a butane stove, and a removable folding table.
Even more remarkable, many of the original accessories remain intact. The camping, cooking, and eating utensils are still stored inside—and still used. The canvas and mattresses are original, offering a rare glimpse into postwar American camping ingenuity.
In the early 1960s, Bud passed the trailer along to Nolan and Carol Lee Blair, Russ’s parents. It quickly became part of their family’s camping tradition. The Blairs used the trailer every year until 1978, when it went into storage for more than a decade. In the early 1990s, it saw a brief return to service before being stored again—until 2000, when it was lovingly brought back to life by Lisa and Kirk Ramos, Nolan and Carol’s daughter and son-in-law.
Since then, the trailer has been used nearly every year, creating memories for new generations. It is now destined to be passed down to Ava Ramos, Lisa and Kirk’s youngest daughter, ensuring that this unique piece of family and camping history continues to roll on.
Four generations have camped in this special home-built trailer so far—and with its sturdy craftsmanship and deep sentimental value, the Blair family hopes it will continue to be used for many more generations to come.
Story and photographs shared by Russ Blair
