There goes my stealth, lol.

[Unchained]

So, my plan was to start out with an Astro and then maybe add a stealth cargo trailer somewhere down the line.<br /> <br />The best laid plans of mice and men...<br />... often get FUBARed in the end <img src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /><br /><br />Yesterday, my co-worker offered me a vintage Shasta 'canned ham' TT for $250.00. What could I say but 'hell, yeah!' The structure is pretty sound for its age, although I will have to remove at least some of the skin to repair a few areas of water damage to the wood. The inside is pretty hammered as regards the cabinets, kitchen, and completely missing dinette, but that is actually ok with me, as I don't plan on restoring it in the 'all original back to the 50s/60s' kind of way. <br /><br />I may decide to sell the trailer instead of taking it with once I have my van and am ready to hit the road, but at least I now have a roof over my head if da boss decides to pull the plug here without notice. Either way, I'm pretty sure that I could get my money back and then some by putting it on Craigslist, even with no repairs, so this just seems like a 'win/win' to me. <br /><br />What do you think?<br />A couple of pics of 'Bertha' <img src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" />

 

[dragonflyinthesky]

Welcome to your new addiction. There are more vintage shasta enthusiests out there than you may realize. Several on here, myself included have one or more. <a href="http://vintageshasta.proboards.com/index.cgi">http://vintageshasta.proboards.com/index.cgi</a><br /><br /><strong><span style="color: #ff00ff;">Dragonfly</span></strong>

 

[sl1966]

OH NO! NONONO ... that trailer is gorgeous! Please don't let it go. A little tender loving care and ingenuity would make that place a palace!<br /><br />

 

[Journeyman]

I wish, I wish, I wish I had one of those.<br /><br />

 

[Unchained]

Thanks, everyone! I was sooo afraid that I would get a bunch of 'Oh HELL no!' responses <img src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /><br /><br />@Dragonfly- Thanks for the link! I actually found that forum about 1/2 hr after buying Bertha, but I had no idea that there was an overlap with the membership here. Very cool! <img src="/images/boards/smilies/cool.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /><br />As I said, probably not going to go 'all original', but nice to know that parts are still available and that others are into 'tiny trailers'!<br /><br />@sl1966- My little trailer is growing on me, despite the repairs that I will have to make and the hassle that getting it registered will be (no title and I will need some heavy duty paint remover to even get to the VIN stamped on the hitch). <br />I was standing in it earlier and had 2 thoughts simultaneously:<br />1. This really COULD be a palace<br />and<br />2. Only vandwellers would consider something <em>this</em> tiny a palace <img src="/images/boards/smilies/rofl.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /><br />Now, where did I hide those crown jewels.... <br /><br />@journeyman- I wouldn't even have it if it hadn't literally dropped into my lap, but I'm REALLY glad it did!<br /><br />Bertha is now part time home to a friend and coworker who lives in the LA area, but spends 3-4 days a week here on the farm. In lieu of rent, he will be helping me fix her up, another 'win/ win'!<br /><br />Now, the important question.... what do I tow her with? I'm still thinking Astro, but the thread on them has me a little concerned.

 

[dragonflyinthesky]

You know whats great about this? At least you have something and like so many of us here try to tell newbies, it doesn't have to be perfect at first or last forever.&nbsp;Most folks will go thru lots of RVs Van Cargo or travel trailers or even motorcycles before finding out what works best for them.<br /><br />With your shasta, start doing some repairs, justify them with before and after pics and you will be pleasantly suprised when you may decide to sell it. Original isn't necessary but I would recomend this if you definately&nbsp;want to sell.<br />I have&nbsp;2 compacts and the Astrodome. I am&nbsp;working on the compacts to resell. Fortunately Ohio makes it easy to get a trailer title so I don't have the problems others have.&nbsp;<br />pm me if you want.<br /><strong><span style="color: #ff00ff;">Dragonfly</span></strong>

 

[sparky1]

Please keep the Shasta---I have a 66 13 ft Loflyte.I'm currently rebuilding,There are several Shasta web sites.<br />ps the upper cabinets,are part of the strutural integrity, keeps it from,flexing,almost all older campers/travel trailers are made that way.<br />good luck&nbsp; with your Jewel you have.<br />sparky1&nbsp;in southern Va.&nbsp;<br />ps i would love to have another one.

 

[Mortisha]

You are truly lucky!! I would love one of those but hate to pay the price for them. They are too cute... maybe I will find one someday LOL

 

[Seraphim]

Get a norarized statement from your friend about the sale and why there is no title. I'd recommend gettting it as soon as possible, in case he/she becomes indisposed, and you have a trailer you can't get a tag for.<br /><br />Contact the title department where you live and find out what else you may need.<br /><br />Just from experience.

 

[sidat202]

I don't know what state your in. In washington you can get a title by having it inspected by the state patrol. Make sure you get a bill of sale. But once that happens we can't sell it for two years. If you get the vin number, you can call the police dept. and they will run it to make sure it is not listed as stolen. I have done that before. <br />I have to say, I love that style trailer. You should be able to pull it with&nbsp;an astro. Many full size chevy pickups have the same drive train as an astro.

 

[Cubey]

Comfort is more important than stealth in my opinion. What good is stealth if you're miserable in your 'home'?

 

[sidat202]

My vehicle doesn't provide much stealth. Once I break my ties completely and hit the road, stealth won't be an issue.

 

[sl1966]

I'm so glad you got it! Like everyone before me has said ... stealth only counts in the big city. Small towns don't care because you're usually passing through them. When you're camping in dispersed areas, it won't matter at all.<br /><br />

 

[angeli]

sl, you are so right!&nbsp; In big city it COUNTS.&nbsp; I'd only add that can also count if you are work camping, depending on what type of work camping you are doing, even in small towns.<br /><br />Unchained, I LOVE your trailer.&nbsp; I lived for six years on the road in a Scotty, same vintage, similar condition.&nbsp; Love love loved it.&nbsp; It was my little home and just the right size.&nbsp; Good luck with your restore or rebuild, however you do it.&nbsp; And you can make it just the way you want it!

 

[Les H]

Unchained- welcome to the insanity! I have a 69 shasta 1400, a bit bigger than Dragonflys aerodomes. I have rebuilt mine " useable" not restoration. Has lots new in it over the last 5 years, with another 5 to go if i want to finish!
Does yours still have the origional wings? VIN can be found welded or ground into the tounge, underside left as facing the front. I had no problems getting a plate in Ny when i registered it, but i either burried them with paperwork or baffled them with bullsh**
Good luck with it!

 

[WanderingRain]

250 for a house you completely own isn't a bad deal at all... no 30 year mortgage... best of all, no lawn to mow. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">

 

[Ballenxj]

NICE! There are groups of people that restore those old trailers to "classic" condition then show them. Do a search on the net and I'm sure you can find a club that revolves around classic trailers, and can give valuable pointers on fixing it up. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /><br />-Bruce