Friday, February 3, 2012

Vintage Camper Remodel to Start Soon

Lets start with a little of my camper history... I grew up going camping with my family in pop up camper, after I got out of collage I wanted a camper and the one thing I knew was I didn't want a pop up. At the time, 2001, I was driving a mini van and wanted something small I could pull with it. Most people told me it would have to be a pop up, I proved them wrong. One day my family got together at my cousin Carl's house and just around the corner was the smallest camper I have ever seen for sale. My dad and I looked at it and he said I could pull it. It was a 1964 Serio Scotty camper, only about 10 or 12 long but a man 6'1' could stand in it (in the center). I loved that little thing and took it many places, some of my favorite trips with it was when my now ex-husband and I took it to Kelley's Island (a week with two people in it got tight thou). As much as I loved that little thing I wanted something just a little bit bigger and it needed more work then I alone could put into it, so last winter, 2011, I sold it and started my search for something else.
Me and my Scotty in 2006 on Kelley's Island
Finally last Aug. right in the town I live in I found a camper for sale in my price range and almost just what I was looking for. I bought a 1963 Holiday Rambler, it is 15' long and much taller all round then my last one. Most of the inside had been gutted, but that's ok, that is what I wanted a good shell to make and layout how I wanted inside.

Last weekend the camper got moved to my parents farm so that it can go in the barn for me to start working on it and remodeling it to be ready to use this summer. I have laid out my floor plan (pictured) and found examples of other camper remodels of what I would like to do. For the most part I just want a nice bed and storage on wheels, a place to sleep and get in out of weather if needed. I have decided to put in a full size bed (after a long debate to put in a futon type sofa bed). The camper table booth is still intact and I'm keeping it as is and was given cushions out of another camper to recover and use... right now I am thinking about recovering them in red with one front panel being pattern print of some type. I want cabinets with a small sink and counter space for my camp stove to set on if I would need to cook inside and I have a microfridge to go in there with it. I want to leave the other side open for more room, except the cabinets above that are there now. Then cabinets or shelves above the bed and that is about it, very basic... I still like to ruff it a little.

I can't wait to get started, hopefully some this weekend, been collecting all kinds of ideas on Pinterest and Camper Part websites... will post updates as I go.