By Cheri Sicard
In the video below, the team from BossaNova Life introduces us to Bill McKee, who gives us a tour of a 1954 Kenskill travel trailer. Besides a meticulous restoration and lots of upgrades, Bill’s vintage Kenskill can now go where it never could before—on water! Its axles and wheels have been replaced with a pontoon boat. Bill calls his boat/trailer hybrid the “Lake House.”
The pontoon boat base might be the most significant change this vintage trailer has been through, but beyond that, it has been meticulously restored and upgraded. Bill did the work himself, and it took him about four years.
When Bill bought the trailer, it was in rough shape. However, it was complete, so he mainly bought it for the parts and skin. He reframed everything, which also allowed him to add a rooftop patio.
The interior looks authentic, but it isn’t. The original wood was rotted out, but Bill did an incredible job of recreating the Kenskill’s original look. Another significant change is that the entire front of the trailer lifts up like a garage door, creating a big indoor/outdoor space.
He kept the original appliances, sort of. The stove housing is the same, but the cooking part is modern. The vintage refrigerator is the same: When you open the door, you find a Norcold inside.
What do you think of Bill’s Kenskill trailer pontoon boat? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
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Thank you, Cheri! 🙂 I do wonder if he has cameras — none were mentioned — or spotters when he drives the boat to a location. The walls of the RV limit his view considerably relative to a standard pontoon boat. Perhaps traffic is light where they typically boat and seeing ahead is sufficient. I wonder too if the relevant boating authorities had to approve the modifications to ensure safety? It certainly is a cool RV/pontoon boat. Happy new year and safe travels!
I hope all leaks above and below have been taken care of…
Some folks have great talents and imaginations! Kudos to all of them!