Meet Ali Our 1966 Alijo Camp Trailer

Kids are only little for so long and we want to enjoy as much time with them as we can. We enjoy traveling and camping, but its exhausting to pack up a garage full of gear and two kids and drive a few hours then set up camp, only to take it all down and put it all away a day or two later. So we decided maybe it was time to look for a camp trailer.

Last fall we were forced to get a new car after a minor car accident, we had on our wish list a car that could tow a small trailer. Through a bit of luck and I am certain, divine intervention, we purchased a mid-size SUV. I have been reading all kinds of DIY blogs over the years and a number of bloggers have been fixing up vintage campers. I'm somewhat experienced in most DIY areas so when we found a very budget friendly- but needs a TON of work camper we loaded up the kids and drove over a few towns and met "Ali". 

She's old, and dusty, and a little rusty, and I might be in way over my head, but she is ours! We have grand plans for this little trailer! I have been googling, I have a pinterest board, and I have been watching just about any you tube video about old camp trailer remodels I can find. 

Here is what we are starting with: 

Inside there is a bit of water damage and just plain "old-ness". This is the screenshot I sent to my husband from the seller on Craigslist. You can see the ceiling is in rough shape. It looks like it spent a winter or two with open roof vents. 

Here are the pictures we took once we got home. Its tricky to take pictures of such a small space. We aren't going to have a stove/oven in here so we let the seller keep it for his other camper. 

Front Window

Old Kitchen Area

The tiniest bathroom ever- there is a shower to the right

So here is the plan, EVERYTHING is coming out and going to the landfill. The panel walls are old and thin, I can easily push through them. I wish we could reuse some of it but its all in sad shape. I know there is a bit of water damage that will need to be cut out and patched on the structural sections. The floor appears to be in okay shape, however since we are removing all the plumbing/water lines and gas lines there will be a few open holes in the floor. So we will put down new plywood to reinforce the floor and cover the holes. 

Currently, we are tent campers and we have a few favorite campgrounds that we go to about 90% of the time. So we have decided to have a "dry" trailer. Meaning no utility lines, no potty, no gas lines. Just electric for the lights and a couple of outlets. Because it is such a small space (roughly 7ft by 12 ft) there isn't much room in there to start with! We also know that we are pretty basic when we camp. Don't come to our campsite looking for some elaborate gourmet dinner, we like sandwiches, and oatmeal, pancakes, eggs, easy and simple is the idea. Since we generally go to established campgrounds there is always a potty/outhouse near by so we decided to reduce some weight and not worry about that either. One day down the line those would all be easy things to add back in if we wanted to. 

Looks like fun right! Hopefully it will be quick and not too many surprises.