Just over a year ago, we sold our 1980 Triple E and bought our 1980 Bonair Tent Trailer. Since then, we’ve done lots of work and lots of camping. We are really glad that we decided to embark on another vintage camper renovation project. We had learned a lot from the Triple E so we knew what was worth our time and money, what wasn’t, and what adds value. We also got to try some new techniques and navigate some different challenges than we did with the first project. Our hallmark in these projects has become preserving little elements of the original retro camper.
When we bought the trailer, we knew the roof had some water damage. What we did not realize, was just how extensive it was. We ended up stripping the entire roof and rebuilding it, only keeping the outer tin shell. The insulation had to be stripped out, Mack had to reframe for stability and a snug fit on top of the lower half of the camper, we had to reinsulate, and we had to be mindful of weight. It was quite a challenge, but Mack did a perfect job. We decided to finish off the ceiling with shiplap-style panelling, pot lights, and a new vent.
One of the small elements of the original camper I wanted to preserve was the darling flower cupboard handles. With a lot of elbow grease and chemicals, I brought them back to their shiny brass finish. I opted for green paint for an eclectic feel and the brass handles complimented the green perfectly.
We laid laminate flooring, replaced the table with one we made from a slab of maple, and replaced the countertops with slabs of pine. Our main bed is the one to the right of the door and here, we stripped out the small cupboards that were not a great use of space and opened up the area by adding a small step that also functions as a shoe rack. We added carbon monoxide and smoke detectors, an inverter, and a 12-volt outlet (not pictured). We decided to keep the original cushion covers because they look so fun with the green paint and wood accents.
We are so proud of how our project turned out!
Meet Archie. He loves the camper too.
Could you tell me the tire size on this item?
Love this! What color green did you use for the cabinets and did you have to do any repair work on the canvas? We have this exact trailer and will be renovating it this summer ♡