Arlen Rogers of Lewiston, Idaho, found his 1956 Airfloat in South Prairie, Washington—but getting it home was just the beginning. During transport, the entire front end of the trailer came apart, turning what might have been a simple project into a full-scale rebuild.
In April 2018, Arlen began the restoration. As a professional contractor and high-end finish carpenter, he took on nearly all of the work himself. Over the course of a year and a half—working five days a week—he carefully brought the Airfloat back to life.
One of the biggest challenges was reconstructing the front corners and the tight radius around the wheel wells. Each corner required nine layers of 1/4-inch plywood, all glued, pinned, and clamped into shape. With curves this tight, the wood had to be wetted and steamed to bend without breaking. Each corner alone took roughly eight hours to complete.
Inside, the original cabinetry was saved through persistence and hard work. Nearly seven gallons of paint stripper—and plenty of elbow grease—were used to bring the wood back. Arlen’s son, who owns a cabinet shop, stepped in to spray the final finish on the cabinets and interior panels, giving them a clean, professional look. For the exterior, Arlen chose to have the aluminum polished professionally and had a new axle installed.
Nicknamed the “Copper Cabana,” the trailer is now fully self-contained with modern appliances. An early plan to install real copper in the ceiling proved impractical due to the tight curvature, so Arlen opted for a PVC tile with a copper finish—capturing the look while allowing for flexibility in installation.
After completing the extensive restoration, Arlen debuted the Airfloat at several trailer rallies this past fall. The response was immediate, drawing admiration and praise from fellow enthusiasts. What began as a near loss on the road is now a standout example of craftsmanship, patience, and dedication.
