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INTRODUCTION

Despite Airstream being the first brand to come to someone’s mind when discussing shiny vintage campers, there are many alternatives to choose from, like this polished Barth.

When I started this book, the only camper I planned to include was a 1952 Airstream Cruisette. As soon as writing began, however, it was apparent that more than one restoration should be featured to cover everything you need to know to resurrect an old camper. Besides the Cruisette, I included a 1950s Boles Aero Ensenada and a 1970s Airstream Sovereign.

Boles Aero Ensenada

Pulled from the palm desert where it sat for decades, the Boles Aero Ensenada required a couple of days and a well-equipped tow rig to recover. Sometimes retrieving a camper requires traveling to remote areas and using minimal resources to fix it. Getting this gem from a sedentary state to roadworthy status required jacking it up in the sandy desert to remove the wheels so the dry-rotted and square tires could be replaced. Luckily, it did not have split rims, so the wheels did not need to be replaced.

It’s possible that the perfect camper restoration project is around the corner from where you’re sitting right now. But more likely, finding a worthy candidate often leads to traveling thousands of miles to retrieve, such as the Boles Aero featured in this book.

Finding the proper bolt-pattern wheels for this camper would have been difficult. Just finding a good set of tires took a day to complete. While the wheels were off, the hubs were disassembled and re-greased to ensure that it would make the trip to Salt Lake City. It’s always fun disassembling stuff in a dirty environment. If it had been windy, the hubs would not have been serviced because dust would contaminate the bearings.

Trailer lights were run under the trailer and zip-tied to LP lines and frame wheels. Because there wasn’t anything ferrous to attach the magnetic trailer light kit to, they were duct-taped to the original light buckets.

The Ensenada was originally a park model, which means that there were no fresh, gray-, or black-water tanks installed on the camper. To make it usable off-grid, holding tanks were added to the unit.

The basic interior layout was retained, but a few changes were made to open up the interior and accommodate modern conveniences. Now a 12-volt electrical system based on two 6-volt glass-mat batteries powers interior electrical components, including lighting and ventilation. When plugged into shore power, the batteries are maintained, and the 110-volt outlets are powered.

This is how the Boles Aero looked when it arrived at Camper Reparadise. Water damage was pretty rampant, affecting the usual locations, including the vent opening and windows, and some not-too-common places such as the galley.

Some custom cabinetry from a previous owner had taken the place of the original liquid propane heater, but thankfully, the heater was found in a pile of scrap in an adjacent field.

The galley retained its original faucet and the cabinets still had their art deco latches, which are the important bits. Sourcing hardware that matches these originals can be difficult.

Boles Aero Aluminum Trailers

The name Boles Aero carries just as much history as an Airstream but is less of a household name due to the company closing its doors in the 1980s. They are a riveted, lightweight, all-aluminum top-quality trailer that dates back to the post–World War II trailer camper boom. According to Tincantourists.com, Don Boles, the Boles Aero founder, was instrumental in founding the consumer rally and show that by the mid-1960s was the largest RV-related event in the world.

Boles Aero contributed many design features still used today, such as flush vent covers, recessed fillers, and flush door handles for a smooth, aerodynamic profile. Not only that, Don Boles spearheaded setting industry standards for safety and quality that were enforced by various associations. It’s estimated that nearly 18,000 trailers of various types and configurations were produced by the Boles factory in Burbank, California. ■

Adding trailer lights to a vintage camper can be difficult because the light kits are designed to magnetically attach to bumpers. Many early campers, such as this Boles Aero, did not have bumpers. To get this trailer 800 miles home, the trailer lights were taped to the camper’s original light buckets.

A quilted stainless-steel backsplash, solid black-walnut countertops, and painted walls give this 1950s Boles Aero a classic yet distinctive look. It also hides many contemporary upgrades, including an LED TV in the galley cabinet (it pops up through the countertop when needed). (Photo Courtesy Joe Roberts, Abaci Photos)

The original restored heater adds to the Boles Aero’s history and interior space. A quilted heat shield ties this space into the galley, while the shoe storage by the door is a custom feature. The walnut ceiling and Marmoleum floor go the length of the trailer. In back is a full-size shower and queen-size bed. (Photo Courtesy Joe Roberts, Abaci Photos)

A TV is hidden in the galley countertop, and a modern water heater, range, and fridge ensure that these conveniences operate flawlessly. For the sound system, modern speakers are hidden behind original venting slats. The interior finish is a fresh change from the normal varnished birch common in most vintage campers. Painted walls and cabinets set off the walnut ceiling. Original, refinished cabinet hardware and fastening screws retain the vintage art deco feel.

The floor is finished with Marmoleum, and the walls are insulated with 2-pound closed-cell foam. The result is a vintage camper unlike any other and a great retreat after a long day.

Airstream Sovereign

The other camper that is featured in this book is a 1970s Airstream Sovereign. This restoration arrived as a blank canvas, with an owner ready to try something different. With the goal of off-grid capabilities and fully featured interior accoutrements, I set out to build something special.

As with most of my restorations, 2-pound closed-cell spray foam insulates this camper from the elements. After the exterior was patched and sealed, insulation was sprayed on the walls, ceiling, and belly pan to provide 360 degrees of thermal efficiency and sound deadening. The coach is warmed by an Aquahot system that also heats water for the sinks and shower.

When cabin heat is needed, the hot water is circulated throughout the cabin and fed through heat exchangers until the thermostat tells the system to stop circulating. The result is quiet and safe heat. The system can run on liquid propane or 120-volt electricity. To power the large Airstream off-grid, six 6-volt glass-mat batteries are charged by solar panels and an external generator.

If your wish is for a fully custom interior, you can often find someone else’s abandoned project for cheap. This Airstream arrived fully gutted and ready for a custom interior design.

Even though someone had already installed a new subfloor, it was removed to ensure that there was no rot and to add insulation and new tanks. The endcap, window surrounds, and interior skin still need to be removed.

A wood-burning stove in this Airstream provides heat and ambiance, a unique feature that you do not find on a production camper. Both the galley and bathroom are split into two sections. There are no overhead cabinets, which lends to the feel of an open space. (Photo Courtesy Joe Roberts, Abaci Photos)

Behind the art glass, a 43-inch TV is hidden and raises and lowers via a remote control. This is a clever way to hide an often-taboo item like a TV in a recreational vehicle. Vents at the front of the TV cabinet provide heat from the Aquahot system. (Photo Courtesy Joe Roberts, Abaci Photos)

The solid-surface counters in this Airstream are easy to clean and work well with their simplicity. The range is opposite of the sink to increase counter space. Instead of factory plastic knobs on the window levers, custom aluminum handles complement the marine window shades. Another custom feature is the walnut droplights above the countertops. (Photo Courtesy Joe Roberts, Abaci Photos)

The interior features custom walnut cabinetry, Marmoleum flooring, and new aluminum skin. The front endcap features back-mounted woofers for the sound system, while the tweeters are mounted above the front windows. For entertainment, a 43-inch TV is hidden inside the cabinet by the door. Art glass in the TV cabinet ties into the glass found at the end of the galley, which covers the audio system’s amplifier.

Art glass is also used for the shower and bathroom doors. This glass was crafted by a local artist for this project and is intended to represent Aspen trees. The green glass leaves also coordinate with the custom lounge upholstery.

The split galley (sink on one side, range on the other) houses two high-efficiency Engle refrigerators/freezers. Two are used to maximize space. Having two fridges is a common practice on land yachts, where efficiency and space is a priority.

On the sink side, a clothing washer and dryer are housed in the cabinet. This unit is for shore power or generator use only, like the low-profile Dometic A/C unit mounted on top of the Airstream.

The countertops are a solid surface and were produced by a local manufacturer.

Dual 12-volt fridges help to maximize space, while the drop-down counter and lounge area can do double-duty as a computer workstation. Across from the fridges, a washer/dryer all-in-one unit is hidden in the cabinet. (Photo Courtesy Joe Roberts, Abaci Photos)

The exterior was left as is to ease maintenance, rather than stripping the clear coat and polishing. On top of the coupler is the Aquahot water heating system and a propane tank. (Photo Courtesy Joe Roberts, Abaci Photos)