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I recently purchased a sweet little refurbished 1957 Aloha from Tin Inn trailers. I found Wendy the owner of the co really helpful and easy… Read More

I did NOT get what I paid for.  Here is the story.

I purchased a 1956 Shasta 1500 from Tin Inn about a year ago, and was told that was… Read More

I did NOT get what I paid for.  Here is the story.

I purchased a 1956 Shasta 1500 from Tin Inn about a year ago, and was told that was advertised as being in amazing condition. IT had the original stove, gas lamp, ice box cabinets in decent condition, etc.  I paid $4000 for it.  In the world of vintage trailers this amount generally is reserved for trailers that have have been restored with rot removed, drip rails and windows removed and reset with new butyl tape.  They still generally have work to be done on them (upholstery, perhaps a broken window to be fixed, exterior paint, etc. ). I was told this trailer had all systems working, no leaks and that all old water damaged panels would be replaced and a new floor and window coverings would be put in before pick up. I was not able to do the pickup.  When my good friend arrived to do the pick up he inspected it and believed it looked as promised.  I arrived home in Oakland California safely and seemingly as promised.  However the first rainstorm revealed leaks in the newly installed roof vent, and in all four corners of the trailer.  Further inspection revealed that new panels had been placed over older rotten panels over rotted framing that was falling apart.  Extensive damage had been concealed.  When I contacted the business I was assured that it hadn t had any leaks and that the seals must have broken in transit.  She offered to have the workman come down and fix it..since he d be traveling to the bay area soon--no thanks. apologized for his inexperience.  I declined this offer, why would I want the person who messed it up to fix it.  Instead she gave me a $300 credit saying that is probably what the repairs would cost.   I wasn t satisfied, but figured this was going nowhere.

I took it upon myself to restore this trailer.  This involved replacing the skin front and back, building new floor front and back, and replacing rotted framing on sides, front and back, new insulation, new birch paneling. pulling, polishing and resetting all the windows and drip rail.  These repairs cost me more than $1,000 to complete using mostly my own labor, to bring it back to the condition is was supposed to have been in when I purchased it.  I added more upgrades and spend countless hours and another $1500 getting her to the point she is now.  This is documented in my blog aguadream.blogspot.com

Never buy a trailer that is promoted as ready to camp no leaks no rot from a distance unless you get full documentation of all work done.  And even then try to get someone who knows what to look for do a full and complete inspection.  If the person you are buying from is a dealer insist on references from at least several buyers who have had their trailers for several months.  A dealer who is proud of their work will be happy to provide oodles of restoration pictures and references.  The going rate for project trailers is 1000 to 1500 in the condition mine was actually in, don t pay more unless you have proof of the work done -- which should include at least pictures showing the torn down condition of the trailer and step by step rebuild.  Insist that drip rails and windows be seated in new butyl tape and that NO silicone is used to caulk.   Insist on a complete list of repairs.  If the seller can t produce walk away and keep looking.

There are lots of reputable vintage trailer restorers out there.  Do your homework on facebook groups and other internet resources, go to vintage rallies and talk to owners.  Get a pro to go look at potential trailers with you.  Vintage trailer buffs in your area will likely be happy to oblige.