Some vintage trailer projects start with a classic canned ham or an old fiberglass beauty. Ours began with something a little more… unexpected. We transformed a true “vintage” horse trailer into a cozy, cleverly designed camper—and we named it Trigger.
From the beginning, we wanted to preserve the trailer’s original character. That meant keeping its unmistakable horse-trailer look and incorporating the existing doors and windows into the new layout. After attending the design course at the Vintage Camper Trailers Magazine’s Boot Camp in 2018, Ev sketched out a plan that gave us an open, roomy feel while still staying true to the trailer’s roots.
Bringing Vintage Style Into a Unique Space
Maintaining a vintage vibe was essential. We used retro arborite, chevron-style handles, classic aluminum trim, and a checkerboard floor to tie the whole look together. The sink and icebox—rescued from an early ’60s Vanguard—fit the aesthetic perfectly. The dinette table drops down to create a 59-inch bed, and we even managed to tuck a porta potty into a cabinet under the bench seat for those middle-of-the-night necessities.
One of the biggest challenges was insulation and sealing. Horse trailers were never meant to be watertight—or warm. But with my background in the RV industry (from the mid-’70s through the early ’80s), plus the knowledge we brushed up on at VCT Boot Camp, we managed to turn this drafty old hauler into a snug little camper. It took patience and problem-solving, but we got there.
The Trailer That Waited for Us
This project really began when Ev spotted the trailer sitting at a client’s property, being used for storage. Something about the shape—the rounded, bread-loaf profile—caught her eye. If you know your vintage trailers, you’ve probably noticed that many bread-loaf styles like Vagabonds, Westcrafts, and Gliders look a bit like horse trailers themselves. No wonder it felt familiar.
Ev mentioned her interest, and then… we waited. Two years later, the owner called to say he was ready to sell. We didn’t hesitate for a second.
What followed was the kind of project that brings out the best in teamwork. Ev’s creativity and skill with power tools paired perfectly with my RV experience. Together, we turned Trigger into a one-of-a-kind camper that blends history, personality, and a whole lot of charm.
Trigger may not have started life as a camper, but today she’s every bit as inviting—and definitely one of the most unique builds we’ve ever taken on.
