In the Summer of 2019, I became interested in old travel trailers. I noticed an online advertisement for an intriguing looking blueish colored trailer that appeared to be from the 1960s. The pictures in the ad were pretty rough, and I could tell the trailer needed TLC. It seemed to have some unique parts, including a German-made Vaillant Geyser water heater, a Braund Mobile Vee Antenna system, and it’s own unique character, including a solid wood interior.
The owner said it was an Akkerman and Sons Diamond Coach. I immediately went online to look it up. I was not able to find anything even after a few days of searching. I figured he was mistaken and that maybe the name on the side was that of an old trailer dealership. However, when I went to see it in person, it became apparent it was made by a company called Akkerman Trailers. To my surprise, it was a local company here in Alberta, Canada. I immediately bought it and towed it home.
Since that day, I have been restoring the trailer, researching the company history, and trying desperately to find someone somewhere that has another one. I have posted information about the company and their RV’s on almost two dozen Facebook pages, but have had no luck.
I have learned a great deal about this company and its history, including the fact that they were in business for 40 years and built hundreds and maybe even thousands of trailers. Yet to this day, I can find almost nobody (not even locally) that has much knowledge to share. It is as if it never existed. I reached out to the school that shares his name, hoping they would have some information. They did not have anything to offer, but I have since shared my findings with them, and they were thrilled. They shared it with the staff and students of the school as part of honor week. I also heard from 2 gentlemen that worked for Chris Akkerman in the ’70s. Still, they didn’t have any photos to share or more information than I already discovered. Most recently, I was contacted by a nice older woman who has been friends with Chris Akkerman’s daughter for 60 years. She spoke with his daughter, and apparently, she would like to talk to me to discuss her father and his company. I am hoping if this happens, it will fill in some blanks.
