Vintage trailers can be a fun and economical hobby whether you are 16 or 75 years old or somewhere in between. If you can tow a small trailer, you are sure to be welcomed to one of the hundreds of vintage trailer rallies happening across the USA. Acquiring your trailer may prove to be the challenging part of the hobby. With pre-1969 trailers in such high demand, the prices of restored trailers reflect the investment of time and money put into them by their owners. If you are somewhat handy or crafty, or fancy yourself a do-it-yourselfer, you can probably restore your own vintage trailer!
We each have things we excel at and other things that may not be our strongest skills. You may know how to combine colors and patterns to create that perfect “look” for your trailer’s interior, but as good as you are at that, you may not know the first thing about plumbing. You may be able to refinish the interior wood paneling, but you do not know where to start when it is time to install new laminate countertops.
When it comes to wiring, you hope for the best when you are out on the road. Do you know what to check first if you get stuck out at night with no tail lights? Keep reading, and we’ll teach you something.
The great part about the vintage trailering hobby is that most aspects of restoration are not terribly difficult to accomplish. With a little bit of training, and a forum that allows you to ask the questions you need answers to, you can probably do this! You may also discover what you really can’t, or don’t want to do yourself. (I think a professional can install Forbo Marmoleum flooring better than I can, so I let them do it.)
The Vintage Camper Trailers Boot Camp is your ultimate gateway to mastering the art of vintage trailer restoration and maintenance! Whether you’re a novice just starting out or a seasoned enthusiast, our Boot Camp offers a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experiences tailored to your needs. Join us online to access expert-led sessions from the comfort of your home, diving into topics like electrical systems, axle replacement, and custom woodworking. Or, attend our in-person events for an immersive experience where you’ll network with fellow trailer lovers, participate in live workshops, and get hands-on with riveting, repairs, and more. Don’t miss this opportunity to turn your vintage dreams into reality—online or on-site, the journey to expertise begins here!
The VCT Boot Camp is the only event of its type. You can’t miss this year’s event if you are interested in rubbing elbows with other like-minded vintage trailer enthusiasts. We hope to see you there no matter where you come from, how you get there, or where you stay!
Typical DIY Repair: If the taillights on your trailer aren’t working, first check the fuse in your vehicle. If the fuse isn’t blown, you may have a connection problem where the trailer plugs into the tow vehicle near the hitch. Clean the terminals and/or wiggle the plug to improve the connection. Make sure the hitch is secured to the ball on the vehicle. This will help to “ground” the trailer. (A bad ground can cause all kinds of irregular symptoms.) You may also just have a bad bulb or a dirty connection at the socket. One of these is usually the issue. If not, you may have some old or damaged wiring somewhere in the trailer. Continue eliminating the possibilities until you chase it down.
