Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Our 1969 Serro Scotty HiLander



Oh boy! The Heynen family bought a travel trailer last night. 

Let me tell you a bit about it all... This camper obsession started about 8 years ago. It was originally all Nik who wanted a vintage airstream to travel the country in. I have always loved the idea of restoring one but not so much camping in it. But we started tent camping at the beach and it turns out I really like camping. I'm a beach person not a mountain person that was the whole problem, not the camping part. 

So over the years we have also always talked about taking a big out west trip, seeing all of the parks, mountains, etc. Nik still wanted to go with the camper model of seeing the west. I was more of the hotel and partial camping model. I didn't like the idea of pulling something, flat tires, maintenance etc. But after checking out the cost of renting an RV or staying in hotels, by far the vintage trailer was the best option. If you've been on Pinterest you probably have seen the million photos of redone vintage trailers. After seeing them, I was hooked, it just had to be small. 


We started doing research on the types of vintage trailers out there. We came to a conclusion that we wanted a Shasta or a Serro Scotty. They are the most popular and so you can find parts and online DIY posts. With there being four of us, that narrowed the choices down to just a couple of options. Most of the 12ft and under trailers sleep 2-3. I will admit, we're going to be tight in this one, but we all get a bed.

I became partial to the Serro Scotty because my Grandpa and Grandma had one of these and maybe around the same year as this one. I'm going to see if anyone can find a family photo of them with it. I would love to see it.

So with our trip planned for next year, we knew that this summer we needed to buy the trailer. Nik and I are willing to learn but in general we don't know a whole lot about fixing things, it's going to take us awhile. We've had our eye on Craigslist and Ebay for the past few months. Lots of really old and gutted fixer upppers out there. I came across a few though that fit our requirements. The first trailer sold before I could even get a hold of the person to come see it. The second one I found, we were under the impression that it was ours once we came to see it. Then all of sudden someone else got to see it first and buy it. I was super bummed because it was in good shape. Then I woke up the next morning and voila on Craigslist 20 minutes from our house was this one. I called right away, we went out a saw it and said yes immediately. They were super nice folks and let us come get it last night. They had loads of other calls throughout the day but they saved it for us, what a relief.



It needs more work than the one we originally thought we were getting, but we Heynen's always like to look on the bright side. We've decided that this way we get to add a new stove, wiring, and plumbing that would have been old in the other trailer. And in the end for about the same price.


The selling point for us on this trailer was the outside. It's in beautiful condition for it's age. We will clean it up some but we don't have to paint it. I love the turquoise and white. So it's all about the interior. Did I mention that all four of us are really allergic to dust mites?


There's the ceiling water damage. From the first looks of it the side wall are all good. We've got our fingers crossed that they really are.


 The dinette and cabinets are all original. We pulled it home last night and it was pretty easy to do. It's the same width as the car so we didn't have to compensate for size. The best part is that it's so light, Nik was able to pick it up by the tongue and move it. That's super handy because our plan is to use it as an office, guest room, slumber party camper when we are back from our trip out west. We can park it in the backyard wherever we would like without having to use the truck to get it there.

I have big decorating plans. I have a bit of an idea right now of how I would like it to look. Kind of a retro, kitschy travel theme but Jangled up and happy of course. I will blog as we redo the camper. Oh and a name... were still thinking of one but for now Lucy is what sticks in my head. We'll see if anyone else comes up with something better.

Here we are cheesing it up for our first day with Lucy.



Have a great day,









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18 comments:

  1. Oh, that is just marvelous fun! You are starting with that picture right there, making memories your kids will carry with them! I can't wait to see it all Jangled up inside. It will surely be a happy way to travel! Enjoy the day. Erin

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  2. I love it and have thoroughly enjoyed your photos and your plans for "Lucy". I can't wait to see the progress as you go along. Congrats on your new acquisition. I hope you have lots and lots of fun times - and just think of the memories you will accumulate! And, yes, Jangle it up inside and outside, too!!

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  3. Looks so fun and oh the memories you'll have, awesome! can't wait to see what it looks like later.

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  4. Can't wait to see the tranforming and final product !

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  5. Fantastic find! Congratulations!!! I really like the fender openings. Have fun restoring with your kiddos.

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  6. So cute! Reminds me of this Shasta:

    http://cornbreadandbeansquilting.wordpress.com/2013/04/16/shasta-love/

    You might have seen it on Corn and Beans blog but she did an adorable makeover of her little Shasta. I don't envy you all the work but it will be fun when you are finished. I can just see it made over with your fabulous fabric and art!

    Cheery wave from
    Bev

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  7. Congrats! Do the Jangle. I can't wait to see what you do with it. I know it will make everyone smile.

    Have fun.

    Debbie

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  8. I see some flamingo pink fabrics working with the turquoise camper with splashes of lemon yellow.

    Can't wait to see what you do with it. Lucy sounds just right for her name,

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  9. Congrats on your new adventure!! It sounds like boat loads of fun to be had after a bit of hard work, but I am sure it will all be worth it. Thanks for sharing!! Lynn in Miami

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  10. I went camping on Hatteras Island, NC with my best friends at the end of my senior year in high school. We camped in a Scotty...a little one with a bed/table on one side and a bed and a hammock on the other side. It was one of the best times of my life and I fell in love with that Scotty. I have been wanting one for the longest time. I even bought my Kia Sportage with the idea of pulling a tiny Scotty. I am going to get one as soon as I find one that I can afford to restore. Congratulations on your purchase. BTW - love the fabric I bought from your Etsy shop!

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  11. Gosh, retro trailers are really the rage. I work in a little quilt store and a gal came in and shared photos of a trailer her and her Dad have almost totally redone. They even painted it using a paint booth also with the white and turquoise. Inside they have also redone and she was looking for a red check for curtains like in the Glamping line. After your trip, there are a ton of things the trailer could be used for. Happy Camping!

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  12. What a wonderful find! You will surely make some fantastic memories for your families. I got a kick out of your name indecision. I always name my vehicles. I think it reverts back to some old western TV show where a guy had a jeep named Nellybelle. That was the first thing that popped into my head when I read that you were naming her, and of course, the first name that popped into my head was Jangle-Belle, so that will probably stick in my head whenever I read an update. It will be fun to see how you fix her up.

    off the topic....my daughter and I took a trip to Micheal's this week. We do not go often because it's a half hour drive. I got to see some of your beads up close and personal and of course, they followed me home. They are much prettier in person!

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  13. wow I was class of 69. You got a lovely thing, there Jennifer! Enjoy it!

    You are in my blog today ! Jean xox

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  14. Are we supposed to name it??? WHOA!
    check out my blog even more! There are no coincidences. !!! :) jean

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  15. So happy to read everyones comments. I will being posting more pictures soon.

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  16. Nice work. Join the NSSO if you haven't already. Fridge vent is easy fix unless its a gas/electric like a dometic. Best fridge to get is a 12v/115 A hybrid. This doesn't use a compressor, therefore it can take a jostling. Works like a heat pump. Only need about 3" of space behind it. I have vented mine throughout the cabinet space so it can disperse what heat it makes. If you se a compressor version, you should be ok venting it to a closet, but if the compressor leaks, you don't want to be shut in with it. A small vent to the outside is not a big deal tp do. A vent is about $15 for a small and you just have to make a cut out. You can get them with louvers to open and close it for when you travel. Research the hybrid electric. I paid $189 at WalMart.com with free shipping. Good luck. Keep me posted. Scott. sseelyfire8@windstream.net

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  17. Scott, That's awesome information and I did not know about those refrigerators. I am going to check them out now. Thanks a bunch!

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