Sun, trailers, and mid-century charm took over Astoria, Oregon, as more than 50 vintage trailers lined up for an open house after three days of camping together. Owners swapped stories, shared cookies, poured mimosas, and invited strangers to step into their rolling time capsules. The whole scene felt like a small vintage village that just happened to be on wheels.
In the video at the end of this post, the team from BossaNova Life takes us along.
The rally stretched across rows of polished aluminum, pastel canned hams, and quirky themed rigs.
A few things that made the weekend stand out:
One of the showstoppers was a 1957 Airstream that had been taken down to a sad, rotted shell and built back up. Old photos showed crumbling sides, now replaced with solid structure and fresh interior work. The metal frame that Airstreams are known for made the rescue possible, where many wood-framed trailers would have been too far gone.
Another trailer had an interior layout almost identical to the hosts’ own Oasis, with the bathroom to the right and a proper shower. Up front, the dinette dropped down to create a huge bed across the width of the trailer, big enough to pass as a king-size, if needed.
The 1966 Aristocrat Lo-Liner lived up to its name. Built low so it could fit in a garage, it had a step-up front booth, a cut-out table, original countertops, and a bed that felt like a little throne. Ceiling leaves and tiny details gave it character without losing its original soul.
Other vintage trailer favorites included:
- A 1968 Frolic, restored by Down River Trailers, with warm cabinet work, a cozy lounge, and a tiny kitchen that basically begged for paper plates and pizza
- A pink and gold Kencraft with fiberglass front, back, and roof, Rat Pack touches, gold stars, and light wood that kept everything bright
- A rare Rainier from Everett, Washington, for sale at the rally, packed with fresh turquoise upholstery and a rebuilt gaucho that worked as both couch and bed
Between rigs, they stopped at the swag tables for turquoise plates and vintage paper goods, a reminder that even the old cups and napkins can be harder to find than the trailers themselves.
One of the most memorable stories belonged to a 1946 Dal Smilie trailer. In 1961, the owners hit a cow, rolled their Ford and the trailer, then dragged the wreck to their Mojave Desert property, where it sat for decades. The current owners rebuilt the frame, replaced most of the siding with heavy Alclad aluminum, and created a warm wood interior with rare fixtures and a clever cover that hides a modern gas stove.
Nearby, a 1957 Cal Craft glowed in a rich teal or turquoise shade. The owner had restored it solo and was even working on a matching truck. Inside, it had that classic small canned ham feel, complete with a sweet little spice rack and shelf that looked straight out of a mid-century catalog.
Another canned ham had a tiny Princess stove with an aluminum or stainless top, glossy wood, curved ceiling, and a shelf and spice rack that drew just as many photos as the trailer itself.
At the other end of the scale sat a huge 1950 Royal Spartanette, about 32 feet of box and 35 feet overall. Inside, it felt like a full house on wheels, with an original Frigidaire, rich wood, and a jaw-dropping turquoise shower that stopped people in their tracks. Someone had even set up a full makeup station inside, proof that camping can slide all the way into glamping.
On the compact side, a 1964 Shasta Compact named Ruthie wore her name in neon. Inside, soft flooring, a stuffed corgi, and a front lounge that turned into a huge bed made it feel more like a tiny living room than a camper.
A 1963 Aristocrat Little Loafer showed how much function can fit in a low-height package built to slide into a garage. Original paneling, a dinette that converted to a bed, and upper bunk space turned into storage kept things simple and true to its age.
Several Shasta trailers appeared, including a short 1966 model with black and red retro countertops, gingham curtains, and an I Love Lucy-themed owner display that fit the vibe perfectly.
Theme trailers kept the rally fun
- The gnome-filled 1965 Fleetcraft called Gnomeo, trimmed in red and black with cherries and tiki touches, complete with an inside bathroom and the classic 1970’s gnome book on display
- A tiki-heavy trailer with a separate bedroom, porthole bathroom door, fountain, and Hawaii tablecloths, ready for an evening party
- A rare Forester from Iowa turned into a speakeasy, with a safe on the front of the fridge, bar setup in the back, and phones and props that made guests slip into 1920s accents without even trying
Odd layouts and smart glamping upgrades
One Airstream flipped the usual layout. Instead of a rear bathroom, it held a rear kitchen with a vintage Dometic fridge, Holiday range, and matching sink. Up front, original cushions, a gaucho that pulled into a large bed, and extra sleeping space at the very front made it both familiar and fresh.
A Silver Streak Saber impressed with original wood, a beautiful enamel double sink, retro print curtains from Spoonflower, and a real bathtub in the bathroom. The owner had gone back to the original door after trying a pocket door that his wife hated, a reminder that these rigs keep evolving as people live in them.
One trailer hid a generator in the back, tucked behind a vented panel so the owners could run power off-grid. Paired with solar, it lets them stay out for days while still enjoying A/C, a microwave, and other creature comforts.
The Boles Aero trailer that the hosts first saw at the Mount Baker Vintage Trailer Rally appeared again, just as stunning. It featured a hidden wine rack by the door, a custom range hood, light modern Marmoleum-style flooring, and big windows that let in plenty of air.
All in all, a fun time was had by all at this amazing vintage trailer rally. Enjoy the eye candy! The video is fun!
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:
- If you see these valuable vintage RVs, buy them!
- Tour a 1987 vintage, classic Cadet fiberglass travel trailer
- RV tour of an awesome restored vintage 1959 Mobil Scout
- Vintage RVs all decked out for the holidays
- Using Facebook Marketplace to find amazing vintage RVs
RVT1238
