Joe and Nancy Owens of Arizona shared their story with us back in 2017, and it remains an important reminder for anyone restoring a vintage trailer. Sadly, our good friend Joe has since passed—a true loss to the vintage trailer community.
This is Joe’s account of what happened during the restoration of their 1964 Shasta 16SC:
The day after Thanksgiving, Nancy had just finished staining the remaining wood on the front of our Shasta. It was beautiful. The wiring was new, the seams resealed, the windows polished, and the turquoise-and-white paint gleamed. All that remained was the flooring and countertops. We were nearly finished.
That evening, while preparing to stay in and watch the Arizona Wildcats, Nancy said, “I smell smoke.” Moments later she looked outside and shouted, “The trailer is on fire!” She quickly called 911, grabbed our cat Felix, and moved the El Camino while I tried—unsuccessfully—to battle the flames with a garden hose. The Fire Department arrived quickly and worked to contain the fire, but in the end, our little Shasta was gone.
The fire burned so hot it warped the frame, melted welds, and even vaporized the brand-new tires—leaving only the steel belts behind.
The Fire Department determined the cause: spontaneous combustion from the linseed oil–based stain reacting with damp wood. Nancy had carefully followed instructions, and the trailer had no propane or electrical hookups. The cool weather made the outcome even more surprising.
The loss was devastating, but Joe and Nancy were grateful for two things. First, that they had been home that night. Had they gone out, the fire would likely have spread to a nearby eucalyptus tree and their home. Second, their homeowner’s insurance (AAA) responded quickly and fairly, covering over $4,400 in damages, including removal of the 40-foot tree and cleanup costs.
This story has long served as a warning to others in the hobby: avoid using linseed oil–based stains inside trailers. More importantly, it stands as a testament to Joe and Nancy’s resilience, and to Joe’s generosity in sharing his experience so others might avoid the same heartbreak.
We remember Joe with gratitude for his contributions to our community, and we honor his memory with this story.
