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Does anyone make 'em anymore?

_tiredTeacher
Explorer
Explorer
I need a one-man camper for boondocking and don't want to bother with any inverter or converter, generator or solar. I'd just as soon not bother with electricity at all.
Water from a tank that is pressurized with a hand or foot pump. Heat from a radiant, propane heater. Refrigeration from a manually lit and controlled propane refrigerator. Propane mantled gas lights for illumination and a stove for cooking.
All the trailers I see today are chocked full of power-needy appliances. Even the teardrops have microwaves and electric coolers. What's a boondocker to do? Having a TT custom built is out of this ol' retired school teacher's means.

'tiredTeacher
Wright and Penny
2010 Tundra 4X4
2014 Rockwood 2604WS
"Life is a cruel teacher. She gives the test first; the lesson then follows."
35 REPLIES 35

_tiredTeacher
Explorer
Explorer
Lwiddis wrote:
"Old school" is fun for about 20 minutes. NObody makes them because you are nearly the only customer.

Hmmmmโ€ฆ... you may be right.:S
Wright and Penny
2010 Tundra 4X4
2014 Rockwood 2604WS
"Life is a cruel teacher. She gives the test first; the lesson then follows."

lots2seeinmyrv
Explorer
Explorer
Casita $5800

Here you go!

Looks really nice!

Grit_dog
Nomad III
Nomad III
Unique Off Grid offers the appliance types you're looking for, but I don't think you'll get away without either battery/LP self contained or 12V/LP typical RV fridge.
But that's ok. Pretty tough to roll with NO electricity at all, so install a simple 12v system with solar charging.
Be a sweet project.
2016 Ram 2500, MotorOps.ca EFIlive tuned, 5โ€ turbo back, 6" lift on 37s
2017 Heartland Torque T29 - Sold.
Couple of Arctic Fox TCs - Sold

Grit_dog
Nomad III
Nomad III
Good luck finding a 50 year old camper that meets your amenities requirement at all, much less one that is serviceable and certainly not one that is in great shape.
From your posts, guessing the diy build your own from a cargo trailer idea is not within your skill set. But if it is, you say you have no room to work on it. Presuming city apartment living.
If you bought a trailer you'd have to park or store it somewhere, so that is where you'd build your project.
Getting creative, presuming you have tools, you could outfit a small cargo trailer. Like a 7x14V nose or even smaller, including the new trailer, for maybe $7-8k all in.
2016 Ram 2500, MotorOps.ca EFIlive tuned, 5โ€ turbo back, 6" lift on 37s
2017 Heartland Torque T29 - Sold.
Couple of Arctic Fox TCs - Sold

gmw_photos
Explorer
Explorer
'tiredTeacher wrote:
beemerphile1 wrote:
Sounds like you want a 1960s era camper/trailer.

You got it. And since I live in the inner city with no place to work inside, doing conversions is difficult and costly. Especially adding a shower and toilet.
I was hoping I'd overlooked a retro manufacturer in my search, but apparently finding an old unit is my only hope.
I certainly can't afford to have a Scamp, Casita, Oliver, etc. special built.
Alrighty then, Craigslist it is.

Teach

The biggest problem with an old unit is at this point it's most likely going to need to be rebuilt/restored. Restore projects typically take much longer and require more material than you initially think. See if you can find the videos of Mark Polk rebuilding the old Yellowstone trailer. It's a good source of info on the resto of an old trailer. Came out awesome.

GrandpaKip
Explorer
Explorer
Most older canned hams and such didnโ€™t have a head. Porta-potties work well. We used one for years in our pop-up and cargo trailer conversion.
Kip
2015 Skyline Dart 214RB
2018 Silverado Double Cab 4x4
Andersen Hitch

normal_dave
Explorer
Explorer
I echo a cargo conversion, most all the work is done inside the trailer anyhow, you could get the windows, rv door, etc. installed at the factory. Mine is a Cargo Craft nade in the Georgia plant. Homesteader in Tennessee will also do basic conversions for you to finish out the interior the way you want.
7x16 Toy/hauler camper conversion

Here's one from IntechRV you could configure it to cover most of your needs. Very well built trailer.
IntechRV Explore

I've also been following these folks lately, very impressed, I think they could set you up with whatever you wanted in a conversion, all aluminum, yes they are in Canada, but the exchange rate looks good right now...
Canadian Trailer Company

Here's one pretty well ready to go, more options than you wanted, but I'd guess you could order one "bare bones".
7x16 Lightning Tent trailer
1995 Ford E-150 Club Wagon Chateau Van
2012 Cargo Trailer Conversion Camper/Hauler

patperry2766
Explorer
Explorer
Can't get any easier or cheaper than this

The US has 3,531,905 square miles of land, so surely peeing won't be a problem
Courage is the feeling you have right before you fully understand the situation

colliehauler
Explorer
Explorer
Craigslist or ebay might have a vintage unit. Some of them didn't have holding tanks so no shower of toliet. Most had a stove, refrigerator, heater and gas lights if you go back far enough.

_tiredTeacher
Explorer
Explorer
Jebby14 wrote:
convert an enclosed utility trailer. Good luck finding a fridge with no controller though. everything else should be easy to come by.

I still won't have a toilet. Trying to get away from taking a s**t in the rain.
Wright and Penny
2010 Tundra 4X4
2014 Rockwood 2604WS
"Life is a cruel teacher. She gives the test first; the lesson then follows."

_tiredTeacher
Explorer
Explorer
Chris Bryant wrote:
My โ€˜69 VW Wetfalia pop top would meet your needs.

No toilet. I had a 1970 VW bus for 20 yrs. and camped out of it until 1990.

Teach
Wright and Penny
2010 Tundra 4X4
2014 Rockwood 2604WS
"Life is a cruel teacher. She gives the test first; the lesson then follows."

trail-explorer
Explorer
Explorer
the bear II wrote:
Most manufacturers will build the interior to meet your needs.


I haven't found this to be the case with mass produced units. Manufacturers cater to the dealers, and don't do custom builds for a given customer.
Bob

_tiredTeacher
Explorer
Explorer
beemerphile1 wrote:
Sounds like you want a 1960s era camper/trailer.

You got it. And since I live in the inner city with no place to work inside, doing conversions is difficult and costly. Especially adding a shower and toilet.
I was hoping I'd overlooked a retro manufacturer in my search, but apparently finding an old unit is my only hope.
I certainly can't afford to have a Scamp, Casita, Oliver, etc. special built.
Alrighty then, Craigslist it is.

Teach
Wright and Penny
2010 Tundra 4X4
2014 Rockwood 2604WS
"Life is a cruel teacher. She gives the test first; the lesson then follows."

colliehauler
Explorer
Explorer
Jebby14 wrote:
convert an enclosed utility trailer. Good luck finding a fridge with no controller though. everything else should be easy to come by.
^^^This, you can put in whatever you want for a lot less money. Neighbor converted a cargo trailer but did add A/C, 110 volt frig, microwave, and generator. Has a queen bed that folds flat against the wall. He uses a Coleman stove to cook,on.

Point is you can put in as little or as much as you want.