If you’re into vintage trailers, chances are you’ve caught some form of “-itis.” Whether it’s Canned Ham-itis, fiberglass-itis, trolley top-itis, or the ever-popular alumin-itis, these obsessions start small and quickly grow.
The variants of “-itis”
There are countless strains of this peculiar condition. You might suffer from Shasta-itis, Scamp-itis, Westwood-itis, or Spartan-itis. The more you dive into the hobby, the more severe your -itis becomes. You’re not alone—many enthusiasts across the country proudly display their collections, whether spread across a high-country property in Northern California or arranged in a backyard in Texas like a vintage trailer park.
Our own case of alumin-itis
We caught our particular strain of alumin-itis in 2002 when we purchased a used 1997 Airstream Safari. It wasn’t vintage, but it was a start. Once we were immersed in the Airstream lifestyle, the dream of owning a vintage model took hold. The itch became impossible to ignore after we camped next to an older couple in a 1950s Airstream Flying Cloud, complete with a vintage Ford pickup. Their hospitality, combined with the trailer’s charm, sealed our fate. By the summer of 2005, we became the proud owners of a 1962 Airstream Globetrotter.
Elevating our “-itis”
With the Globetrotter, our -itis reached a new level. We started attending rallies, hosting our own events, and becoming deeply connected to the vintage trailer culture.
Along the way, we met fellow enthusiasts, including one who was purging his collection of vintage aluminum trailers. When I visited his property, it was clear he had a serious case of alumin-itis. His collection included several Airstreams, an aluminum Kenskill teardrop, a Camp-O-Tel, and a Streamline, all under covered storage. Among his treasures was a rare 1948 Airstream Wee Wind.
The rare Wee Wind
Airstream’s 1948 lineup featured trailers named after various winds, with the 16-foot Wee Wind being the smallest. This model is incredibly rare, with only a few produced in 1948 and 1949, and even fewer surviving today. The Wee Wind we found was in mostly original condition, with only some upholstery and carpet updates over the years. After a bit of negotiating, we became the proud owners of this rare piece of Airstream history in August 2018.
The restoration journey
Our first trip with the Wee Wind was to the Buellton Vintage Trailer Bash the following month, and we quickly realized it was perfect for our family of three. However, during a Halloween rally in Santa Barbara in 2020, disaster struck—my foot went through the trailer floor at the entrance. Pulling up the carpet revealed rotted wood and an aluminum tear. The Wee Wind needed serious TLC.
The local restoration shop was booked, so the trailer sat quietly for a while. Finally, in early 2022, it was time to begin the repairs. As anyone who has restored a vintage trailer knows, it’s like peeling an onion—layers upon layers of issues can be uncovered. We faced a decision: patch things up or go all in for a complete restoration. Wanting to keep the Wee Wind for the long haul, we opted for a major update.
Bringing the Wee Wind back to life
The entire wooden floor had to be removed due to widespread rot, which meant gutting the interior. We decided to keep the original footprint but took the opportunity to make the trailer uniquely ours. We stripped and polished the aluminum walls and ceiling, refinished the woodwork, and installed new Forbo Marmoleum flooring. The beds received new fabric and accent pillows, and the windows were outfitted with new coverings that tied everything together.
The big reveal
The restoration was completed in August 2022, just in time for a debut at a local car show. The polished interior and coordinating colors drew curious onlookers, who were amazed at the level of detail. We then took the Wee Wind to the Buellton Vintage Trailer Bash, where we proudly shared our labor of love with fellow enthusiasts.
A rare Airstream
The Wee Wind is one of only a few that still exist, making it a rare gem in the Airstream world. Some are on display in museums, like the one at the Airstream Heritage Center in Ohio, but ours is out there on the road, continuing its journey. When not in use, it sits indoors alongside our other Airstreams, a testament to the lasting case of alumin-itis that we happily endure.
More vintage trailers from Paul:
- Restoring ‘Marilyn’: A Hollywood ‘glam’ masterpiece
- An epic 1966 road trip in a 1961 VW Bus
- The tale of a one-of-a-kind trailer boat
##RVT1174
Thank you, Paul! 🙂 No, the only person that I know of with tbe described malady is you. 🙂 We have a 2022 driveable, having traded our 2016 driveable for it. Vintage towables are fascinating and admirable, but not something that attracts DW or me, but probably IS more attractive to her than to me. Thanks again for revealing more of this aspect of the RV world each week! Have a great week, safe travels, and safe stays! 🙂
I currently own the third oldest Avion trailer known to exist.
It’s a 1957 Avion R20 in remarkable original condition. I originally purchased the trailer from the original owners family in 2017.
Like everything about it. Size, floorplan and the original dump toilet that dumps straight to the ground!