​Vintage Vera is a Mobile Pop-Up Shop selling Vintage/Retro/Bohemian Fashions & Accessories out of a 1961 Glendale Glendette (made in Strathroy, Ontario) Vintage Camper NOW turned Glamper! Based out of Collingwood, Ontario, Canada. 
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The trailer is named Vera after my Nana. My business, VINTAGE VERA, got her name in my Nana's honor. She taught me to brake for thrift stores, yard sales, estate sales, flea markets, auctions, junk in the road and the occasional dumpster. I was lucky enough to have her for 36 years. She actually passed away on my birthday. A big part of my LOVE (or obsession) of the old and pre-loved is because of her. Some of my fondest memories are of Saturday mornings adventures with her, my mom and aunties and whoever else wanted to tag along. When I was about 14 she gave me my first beaded vintage hand bag and the rest is history. At last count I had over 70 vintage handbags and purses...every once in a while I try to purge them and add them to my shop inventory, but I’m not very good at it! 

I love vintage finds of all kinds and the hunt for the old, unexpected and unique...beautiful vintage dresses and purses, Pyrex and barware, swag lamps and quilts. I also really love old vintage camper trailers that have been restored or made into something exciting and new again. And I’m a  Glamping (Glamorous Camping) kind of girl. I try and go glamping in the warmer months as much as possible with my young son, we always do at least one camping trip that is about 14 days and a few 2-3 days one as well. ​

Placing a heating system on cars is as important as adding up an air-conditioner, especially in chilly weather. As a result, RV heating costs cheaper than on cold seasons than in normal days.
Here are the different types of heating systems for RVs:

Four Common Types of RV Heating System

Which of the four heating systems can keep your van warm – portable heaters, reverse-cycle air-conditioning, or gas or diesel heater?
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Portable heaters and air-cons demand extra work to get started. On the other hand, gas and diesel heaters are stand-alone systems to heat up RV interiors. Keep an eye on each type’s advantages and disadvantages to easily select which one is better. The sure thing is, no one is better than the other as the choice depends on your needs.

Reverse-Cycle Air-Conditioning
This option is a versatile way to keep your RV cool and dry at the same time. Most reverse-cycle air-conditioning is placed on the ceiling of a full-sized van. The installation process has all the accessories needed to be made available from the factory, like H-frame support. It can also be an all-round air-condition by its roof-top installation.
However, you should be extra careful with its pop-top design. The air-con unit has a harmful roof lifting mechanism that won’t lift extra weight during installation. Installing the unit with layout permitting, under a bed, or under seats could be an alternative. Allow extra space for route ducting and heated-air outlets.

One good thing with reverse-cycle air-conditioning is it can provide warmth overnight. Just set the temperature to your desired heat level and be ready to go. The air might become too dry that will cause irritation.
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Now, here are the downsides of air-conditioning you should be aware of:
●        Delivering heat in an RV starts after a few minutes, which is not ideal for most campers. Also, it is only compatible with 240v AC power.
●        Running the system can be noisy.
●        The need for a licensed electrician adds up the cost of installing the air-con unit.
●        You must look for a powered site before going on a trip to make use of the reverse-cycle air-conditioning.
●        A lithium power system is an expensive alternative to a power grid, hence adds up cost.
●        Using a generator is another option, but then again very costly. An air-con unit requires a 2.4kVa generator that may cost 2000 dollars.
●         It brings so much inconvenience for the campers.
As campers want to make things work faster, reverse-cycle air-conditioning is not ideal to break that chilly morning.

Gas Heater
Gas heaters are the best choice for heating large spaces since they operate quietly compared to other heating units.

To run the system, a 12V power must exist. It makes the fan and control unit function so well to create heat in your RV. Clean fuel is suitable for running the gas heater, which is accessible at home.

Gas heaters are both electricity and fuel-efficient in order to deliver heat in two weeks. Only a 9-kilogram bottle of clean fuel can last for weeks while drawing a low current. Remote areas charge higher costs in refilling the gas bottle than in cities. One is found in Australia’s Truma Vario Heat Eco, formerly Truma system.
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A gas heater must be installed by a licensed gas fitter to avoid leaks on the gas line. They follow regulations to safely fix the heating system to some RVs. Do not install a gas heater near the door, window, and other gas appliances for safety purposes.

Diesel Heater
The final caravan heater option is perfect for DIYers, with no need for licensed fitters. It is an efficient heating unit with a compact design. Diesel heaters work with 12V power and the same fuel for tow vehicles.

Proper installation will result in a quieter operation, as diesel heaters can be loud sometimes. Inlet silencer or exhaust muffler helps to reduce the noise of the pump, much better when it is insulated.

Having an extra diesel fuel during trips is advisable, together with a jerry in topping up the heater. Compared to gas fuel, diesel smells worse and can easily stain stuff. Heating performance may also be reduced by carbon deposits formed in the chamber. Running the system in the full heat of at least an hour helps to burn the deposits. Make sure the heater is set on high for long periods.

Periodic maintenance is necessary to enhance the features of the diesel heater. It includes cleaning the glow pin to remove the carbon deposits stuck in the chamber. In addition, replace the fuel filter and perform checkups on the exhaust lines at least two years in a row.
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Which Should I Choose?
Choosing the best air conditioning for caravans is crucial to match your trip essential on an RV. Better pick the system that fits your caravan needs as well as your budget. There are a lot of options you can find, so make sure to select the ones that passed quality standards.

NEVER use passenger car tires on your trailer. There are significant differences between passenger car tires and trailer tires. A passenger car tire is not designed to carry heavy loads for extended periods of time. The side walls are not as strong as trailer tires and can aggravate trailer swaying. A trailer tire is built for such purposes as well as low rolling resistance, long-life, and stability while towing. As a result, the tire may have different steel belts, plies, beads, thickness, and diameter as compared to a passenger car tire.  ​

It may be time to replace your existing tires even if they appear to have tread remaining. Consult this recent article, 5 Common Questions, published in the Vintage Camper Trailers Magazine to determine the age of your tires and find out if your trailer tires should be balanced. We also recommend checking that your lug nuts are tight before each trip.  ​

Will your vintage trailer be ready to go next time you want to take off? You do not have to be MacGyver to turn ordinary household items like WD-40, copper wool, and a light bulb into objects that will preserve your vintage trailer any time it is stored away.  Most vintage trailers have limited charging or plumbing systems and do not require technical winterizing. Still, you should do these simple things when storing your trailer to safeguard it and ensure it is ready when it is time to go to a rally next year. 

1. Your trailer should be stored on a solid surface like concrete, blacktop, or minimally compacted gravel. Parking your trailer on dirt or grass may deteriorate tires and shorten their lifetime. Covering your tires will protect them from sun damage. A cover, or better yet indoor storage, will preserve the exterior of your trailer from the negative impact of sun, rain, snow, and debris. If you must park your trailer outdoors, clear weeds from around the base, keeping a safe distance from larger foliage that may scratch the trailer when it sways in the wind. Avoid using a tarp to cover your trailer if possible.

2. Wasps and bees love to make nests in furnace and water heater vents. The best way to keep bees and other insects from getting inside in the first place is by covering up all exterior openings where they could enter. Mesh covers are available for your furnace vent, fridge vent, water heater, etc. WD-40 is also useful in killing and preventing wasps around the home and RV. Spray some WD-40 around all of your RV's vents to help keep wasps from nesting.

3. Ants. Leave ant traps in cupboards and closets to avoid an infestation.

4. Mice and rats like to burrow and spend the winter in the warm insulation. Snakes will sometimes follow the rodents in their search for food. Remove any human food from the trailer, so you are not attracting rodents. Rats and mice can chew through almost anything but will generally follow the path of least resistance. Plug any possible entrances with copper wool. If you discover an infestation, clean and repair the damage ASAP. If there are droppings inside a cabinet, pull everything out and carefully clean it all. Rodent droppings can carry diseases. Wipe everything down the area with a weak bleach and water solution. Check for further damage, such as chewed holes and patch them. You can fill them with copper wool and then cover the hole with an aluminum patch and/or fill it with expanding foam. Traps are preferred over poison. A rodent can die in a wall with poison and cause a horrible stench and be impossible to extract. If you use traps, check them frequently to avoid a rotting carcass.

5. Control the interiors moisture. Dehumidifiers and moisture-absorbing products will prevent your trailer from unwanted smells. A comment on our blog offered this tip… "another common trick of boaters is to leave a 115 VAC light bulb on (it needs to be old fashioned incandescent to provide heat)…". ​

The Retro Christmas Card Company has designed the cover of the Christmas season issue of the Vintage Camper Trailers Magazine for several years and this year is no different. Order your cards today to give to your friends and family. https://www.retrochristmascardcompany.com 

Yes it is a great flash light or flood light but what grabbed our attention is the built in solar panel and USB port! Charge it with the sun and use it as a back-up charger for your cellphone! Let there be light. ​http://www.goalzero.com

Hot off the press! While supplies last. We send free stickers with your order. Click here to shop. SOLD OUT

Prepare to restore like a pro at this networking and learning event. Click here for more information.

We absolutely love this oven for the oven less. Bake right on top of your camp stove! 
https://www.omniasweden.com/us

Save 20% on all books in our inventory through November, 2020 with code xmas20   Shop Now

A chair that "sits" more like a hammock. Collapsible aircraft grade aluminum folds down into its own compact carrying bag. The lower center of gravity, auto recline feature and swinging motion make for a comfortable campfire or nap. Click here to shop.

For collectors, restorers, admirers, and dreamers. The gift they will receive 6 times per year. Give yourself a gift and subscribe today or gift someone else a years worth of vintage trailers. 

We don't leave home without them. Level your trailer, RV or camper securely. We don't leave home without them. Get more info here.

Receive the stickers pictured here and a 5th bonus sticker for just $4.99. Remember the year you may want to forget! Very limited quantity so don't wait. Click here to order yours now. SOLD OUT

By Kathleen Casper
​It’s difficult to choose where to live when you are a Pacific Northwest mountain person and a tropical Florida beaches person. So, our family moved back and forth across the country every few years in an attempt to have it all. Three years in Washington State, then three or four in Florida, then back again. We’ve moved our five children cross-country so many times that even the four-year-old could probably give you directions.
That being said, we never just moved anywhere- we caravanned with our entourage of vehicles, boats, campers, and so many pets. Last we counted, the 12-year-old parakeet had moved across the country three times and around Florida a few times. And the 24-year-old red-earred slider turtle did the national move five times. Then add six cats and a few dogs. We called ourselves the Casper Family Circus and even considered painting the camper like a circus tent at one time.

​My husband, Brad is used to the chaos and my insatiable yearning for new places and exciting adventures. That’s why it makes me giggle a little when I think about this past move when I actually surprised him. He’s pretty unshakable and goes with the flow. But the day I told him I was going to “just see…” a pregnant mini horse, a few weeks before our scheduled move from Florida to Washington, he about fell out of his chair. “You’re going to see WHAT?!” I repeated my statement, grinning. “Where do you think you’re going to put a pregnant mini horse? We already have too many vehicles to move across the country. We didn’t even have a way to tow our second camper. That’s why we had to sell it. And we can’t afford a horse hauling company for a mini horse!” I was giggling by the time he finished. “It’s okay,” I smiled, “I’m only going to LOOK at it.” He knew better. Within a couple hours I was calling, “Can I buy it? She’s sooooo cute!” I imagined him shaking his head and rolling his eyes. “Where are we going to put it?”
“Oh, don’t worry,” I soothed him, “I have just the idea. I’m going to make the camper into a horse trailer!”
“What?” he hollered into the phone. “The camper we just spent all year rehabbing?! You’ve got to be kidding.”
But of course, I wasn’t. “It’s a two-for-one special, Brad. A horse within a horse. I just have to have her!” 

So, for the next few weeks, right up until the date we were scheduled to start driving the three thousand plus mile trip, I worked on creating the world’s best horse trailer for the adorable mini in our 1967 Monitor camper.
I was determined to create a safe and secure stall for our new friend, smack dab in the middle of the camper. She would have room to move around, but stall padding to lean against. And the whole thing would be wrapped in tarps and stall mats so no messes would get through to the structure.
First, we took the camper to the trailer shop to have them check the frame and ensure it was solid enough to hold a horse in there. (The horse only weighed about two hundred pounds, but I was scared that she could break through the floor if she stood in one place too long or we hit some bumps.) They assured us that the frame was strong, and they changed the bearings in the wheels and did a safety check on the whole structure.

Have you ever wanted something? Talked about that something for days, weeks, years? I have! Today I am one day post fulfilling one of my dreams. I am reflecting on the journey and steps that brought me to this place of accomplishment…

STEP ONE: DREAM A LITTLE DREAM
You can never accomplish what you do not know you want. One year ago, my good friend, Tim Brown, came to our yearly Trailerfest Rally walking gingerly. If you know Tim, that is not his usual mode of operation, so I asked him what was up. Tim said he and his high school buddies had climbed Half Dome just a few days before, and his calves were still a bit wobbly. That planted a little seed in the back of my mind, and I started asking questions and finding out what it would take to climb Half Dome. The more I talked about it, the more I wanted to do it! My dream was set, but I was still a long way from the top of Half Dome

STEP TWO: WRITE YOUR GOAL DOWN ON PAPER
Behind my desk is this saying by Greg Reid: “A DREAM written down with a date becomes a GOAL. A GOAL broken down into steps becomes a PLAN. A PLAN backed by ACTION becomes a REALITY!”
My Goal was to Hike Half Dome before I got too old! That was a big goal as I often feel that in my mid-forties, I have already passed my prime hiking days. A seventeen mile round trip hike with over a 4,000-foot elevation climb seemed ambitious, but I wrote it down. CLIMB HALF DOME. Honestly, I did not know what that entailed. But it was written down, and it was now my goal to accomplish.

STEP THREE: EDUCATE YOURSELF
Now that I had a dream and a goal, I needed to know the processes to fulfill my dream. In today’s society, we often have more information than time to sift through it for the nuggets of truth. I read the official National Park’s website and found out that Half Dome requires a permit. Permits are handed out in a lottery system that I had to apply for by March 31st. On April 10th, 2020 I received a giant surprise in my email. I had won the lottery and had secured a permit to climb Half Dome on September 3rd, 2020. I was so thrilled. I called all my people! I felt like I had received the best Christmas gift and was telling my all besties about it. YIPPIE!! Once I had secured a permit, things got serious. I ordered a book about Yosemite and the Half Dome Hike. I did not appreciate the appendix in the back listing all the deaths that had occurred during the said hike. It left me questioning myself and my sanity.

STEP FOUR: SURROUND YOURSELF WITH A GREAT SUPPORT TEAM
I did not want to do this hike alone. I asked my neighbor, Susie, if she would be crazy enough to want to do this with me. When she agreed, we decided to start walking together three times a week. We started slow but quickly worked up to 5 miles each time we walked. The time we spent together was the sweetest time of this journey. We had a chance to visit, pray and encourage each other. She also held me accountable. It is a lot harder to sleep-in when someone is waiting for you to go walking at 7 am.
Tim Brown said he would do the hike with us and even registered for our campsites. Quite a tricky process with a National Park. He invited me on several hikes in the Sierras that mimicked the elevation and climb, but were not quite as intense as Half Dome. Having a great support team around you is key to reaching goals. We all need cheerleaders, and accountability partners, and dog sitters, and counselors when we take on any big project. If you are blessed enough, you will even have a husband to drive and cook for you.

STEP SIX: DON’T STOP UNTIL YOU REACH THE TOP!
HOLY COW! That is all I can say. I read about the hike. I trained for the hike. I packed and prepped and studied for the hike. Hiking the hike- kicked my tail! If there was an elevator, up or down, I would have opted for it, but that was not a choice, so I put one foot in front of the other and marched on like a good soldier. Much of any goal is a mental game. I kept praying for strength and telling myself I could make it. I did not really look around while hoisting myself up on the cables. I didn’t want to picture myself pummeling to my death. My eyes were fixed on the next step. One step at a time and we made it to our goal. Thirteen hours, seventeen miles, two pairs of socks, two ibuprofen, two gallons of water and lots of beautiful sites, we made it back to camp having conquered Half Dome!

What does this have to do with vintage trailers? 
I’ve helped my husband rebuild several vintage trailers and the same steps apply. If you are reading this blog it is likely because you love vintage trailers. You have a dream. That dream can become a goal when you write it down and make a plan to accomplish that goal. Maybe you want to restore a trailer and need to prepare by reading other’s journeys and possibly by attending Boot Camp 2021. Maybe you want to buy a fully restored trailer and need to educate yourself on what to look for when buying a trailer. Surround yourself with a support team. Don’t give up. The Vintage Trailer Hobby is a journey. Enjoy reaching your goal even if it comes with a bit of pain -or a lot of pain. I am hobbling around today like I’ve been hit by a MACK truck but I have a smile on my face – I have reached my goal! What is your dream? You can do it!

RESOURCES:

• https://www.recreation.gov  Reservations to National Parks 
• https://www.nps.gov/yose/index.htm  Yosemite Info
• https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/halfdome.htm HalfDome Information
• https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/hdpermits.htm Half Dome Permits
• Subscribe to the Vintage Camper Trailers Magazine
• Back issue collections of the Vintage Camper Trailers Magazine - On Sale

Trailerfest rallies are known for hosting 200-300 trailers, having fantastic live music events, a busting open house, hot rods, food trucks and all kinds of fun. The virus has affected many rallies and group events this year. Most have been cancelled altogether and others have had their numbers greatly reduced. Understandably,  some people have opted to NOT attend these events. Others are willing to work within the guidelines and restrictions laid out by the county/state to get together and camp with friends.

The rally in Hollister, CA this August originally had 150 trailers signed up to attend. The western themed event was to have our usual potlucks, pancake breakfast and Johnny Cash tribute band. Covid restrictions would only allow us to camp, in every other campsite, and we could not host group events.

We dealt with the Covid restrictions, changed our itinerary to comply with the county/city guidelines and offered those with health concerns to cancel their reservations. There were many cancellations and the attendance dropped to about half. 75 trailers is still a good sized get together and those that felt safe going were excited to get together with friends after being quarantined for months.

Just when we thought it couldn't get any worse, Northern California was struck with multiple wildfires. As fate would have it, one fire was to the West of our rally and one to the North. The fires began on the 18th of August and were still only 35% contained when we arrived to Hollister on the 27th. A Cal-Fire Chief refereed to the SCU Lightning Complex Fire as a "mega-fire". By the time we had left on Sunday the fire had consumed over 378,000 acres and was about 50% contained.

Prior to the start of the rally we contacted everyone and gave them the choice of coming to the rally or receiving a refund. two-thirds cancelled. With only about 25 trailers coming, the original itinerary had to be scrapped. Those that did attend the camp out received a partial refund since there was no live band as advertised. We practiced social distancing and many commented on how nice it was to get to know people that they had only seen in passing at larger events.

There was no open house but we did have a beautiful, original Covered Wagon and period correct Hudson tow rig  on display. The Casa De Fruta park is open for you to enjoy. The onsite restaurants and ice cream shop offers outdoor dining and the Mexican food counter, in the service station near the entry to the park, delivered some mean nachos. The weather was very pleasant, in the low 80s, and amazingly clearer skies than most people had at home. (Many of us live in areas where the smoke from all of the fires is extremely thick.) We were glad we made the trip and we were able to "camp with our people". We look forward to the big Trailerfest rallies that we are accustomed to, but maybe attending even more of the smaller trailer gatherings where we have the opportunity to connect more with friends.

Bigger isn't necessarily better, especially if you are planning on it. Planning on 150 and adjusting down to 24 is not fun for anyone. Pick a date, pick a time, and go camping with some friends. If you would like others to come, post your gathering in the Vintage Camper Trailers Magazine by announcing it on www.vintagetrailerrallies.com

1. DRIVE THROUGH OPEN HOUSE
Rene and Jeremy from Down River Vintage Trailer Restoration, host the Mt. Baker Rally in Washington and shared this with us in an email…
...I have updated all our information on Period Events. Our dates have shortened, the location has changed, and we will require a pre-registration.  “Open” house is a drive-through ONLY, and folks will be required to remain in their vehicles to drive through the park to view the trailers from the outside only, no exceptions. Saturday, September 12, 2020 12-4 pm. (We love this idea!)

4. FOOD TO GO
Terry Prentkowski, host of the 2020 Silver Avion Fellowship Rally in Elkhart, IN,  shared how they were able to serve food. Terry and his crew prepared the food in a sanitized commercial kitchen.  While the rec hall typically would have tables set for eight, this year more tables were used and only four people sat at each table.  One table at a time was called to the buffet where they were given gloves to wear while going through the line.  Gloves were deposited in the trash at the end of the buffet.  Hand sanitizer was also available at both ends of the buffet.  For breakfast, all items were individually wrapped or in single serving size containers.

At the rally last weekend, Trailers in the Trees in Felton, CA,  the host, Penny Cotter, contacted the local pizza place and set up a delivery time to the campground.  Campers were able to call in and pay for their personal orders and then they were delivered all at one time.  Clever!
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Our 17-year-old son likes to remind us that food delivery service is also a valid option while camping.  It is an easy way to add some variety to your menu without leaving the campground or cooking!

For our rally in Hollister, August 27-30, 2020, we plan on serving doughnuts and coffee.  We will have masked and gloved servers hand the doughnuts out along with host filled cups of coffee and single serve coffee creamers and sugar.  We will also ask the doughnut shop not to mix the doughnut types up as is typical.  We will try to keep all the maple bars together… no digging through food to find that perfect doughnut.  It is hard to believe how we pawed through food just a short time ago.  Some changes are good! 
 
Rallies look different this year but having safe connection with fellow Trailerites makes the effort worthwhile.   We love our friends in the camping world and we were happy to see that folks were respectful of one another’s personal space.  Be safe and we will see you camping!