The COVID-19 VIRUS HASN'T SHUT DOWN THESE VINTAGE TRAILER BUSINESSES.

From “business as usual” to “closed to the public,” the Covid-19 virus pandemic has altered the way many of us live, play, and work. Along with many other events scheduled for this spring, we had to cancel our Cajun Rally in San Dimas, CA, less than a couple of weeks after hosting Boot Camp. We are under a mandatory Shelter in Place order in Sacramento, CA. We operate our family business from our home, so while we are required to stay home, we can get caught up on projects that usually get pushed to the side. As far as the Vintage Camper Trailers Magazine goes, it is business as usual. We always appreciate the support and the input of the community and our subscribers.

I wanted to know how our advertisers were handling the current situation, so I reached out to them. Many are operational, and one is even observing the Shelter in place order and staying at the shop to be able to finish customer’s trailers. These dedicated professionals are just some of the businesses that cater to the vintage trailering hobby and would appreciate hearing from you.

Steve at Hemet Valley RV says it’s business as usual. If you need siding for a project, give them a call. Hemet Valley RV can match most aluminum siding patterns and supply you with everything you need to reskin your trailer or make repairs. www.hemetvalleyrv.com or (951) 765-5075
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Rachel at Harps RV Service says that although it is a tough time, they are still open and working and hoping to continue to do so. “We will stay working as long as it is safe,” Rachel said. Harps services new and vintage RVs and reminds us it’s easier to prepare than repair. 
www.harpsrv.com or (916) 434-9151

GT Services Vintage Trailer Works is open for business! Glenn let us know, “We have no storefront; in fact, we are located next to a huge wheat field, so we have almost no interaction with the public.” They are taking new Restoration, Repair, Modernization, Maintenance, and Service projects for the summer season. GT Services Vintage Trailer Works is also Montana’s premier Airstream collision repair center, for vintage trailers all the way up through the 2020 models! They are offering new clients a 5% discount on any work totaling $25,000 or more. GT works on all makes, models and years of trailers in an effort to support the members of our small community.  Glenn said, “We always make room in our shop so local Montanans can get service work done!” www.gtservicesvintagetrailers.com (406) 599-6963
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Gary at Heffrons Retro Design is up and running. Full staff, taking precautions, self-quarantine to the best of their ability and self-distancing in office, warehouse, and workspaces. It seems people are taking advantage of the downtime to catch up. “I believe this may change, how some things are done, in our workforce, all over the world, and how we conduct business futuristically, for a long time to come,” Gary shared.  He went on to say, “Without this pandemic, it would be nice to slow our bump and grind workforce, to be more casual, as it was years ago all the while, still keeping up with demand. It seems like it would make for larger productions, with people more relaxed, rested, and being able to enjoy the family, just a little more. Like taking a drive through the Smokey Mountains.” Heffrons is starting to sell a lot of Metal Vintage Lawn Chairs, Gas Pumps, Car Sofas, Neon’s, as well as stools, booths, and all of the other items on their web site. www.heffrons.com (315) 363-7726

​Airparts Inc. is still taking phone and online orders and shipping daily! Chris agrees that now is a great time to work on at home projects. She is hoping everyone’s projects get lots of attention during this time. www.airpartsinc.com 913-831-1780
 
James Polk Appraisals is business as usual if you need an appraisal.  www.polkValuations.com (805) 646-7293
 
At Vintage Campers, Dan says it’s business pretty much as usual.  The majority of their business, whether it be vintage trailer sales or parts, is done online and via telephone.  The trailer restorations are done at their shop in Peru, IN. Correspondence with customers is done by email and phone.  Dan is still very actively selling and shipping parts.  If you are stuck at home because of social distancing, what better thing to do than work on your vintage camper.  Vintage Campers is very proud of the fact that they have all their “custom made” vintage trailer parts manufactured in the USA. Even though it costs more, Dan would rather support American workers.  You should not see any problems or delays in receiving custom made parts from www.VintageCampers.com. All of their vintage trailers and campers are on sale.  FREE storage of any trailer you buy from them for up to one year. (765) 473-8088

​Retroluxe Vintage Trailers, for the most part, is following the direction of the Shelter in Place mandate in California. Damen (one of the crew) is temporarily living on-site with his wife in their vintage Silver Streak trailer. (even though they just bought a house). He will continue to work on customer’s trailers at the Retroluxe shop. Scott and Wendy, the owners, are caring for Wendy’s elderly disabled mother, and they have chosen not to go out for her sake. They will continue correspondences and schedule future projects by phone and email. They said, “We will get through this and hope to be back up and running with our full staff after the crisis.” www.retroluxevintagetrailers.com (530) 303-3936
 
At this time, Heintz Designs will be closed to the public. This will include shop tours, consultations, trailer inspections, and client meetings. Any previously scheduled trailer deliveries and/or pick-ups will still be executed as long as the CDC will allow such activity. Tim says he has already seen an increase in delays from our suppliers. Tim will continue to do his best to move forward with all client projects. Please monitor their website www.HeintzDesigns.com for updates.

​Tell us how the current state of the nation has affected your life in the comments below.