Well, this was one of those deals I couldn't resist.....a Cox Commander 515 tent camper for $30!
The floor's solid as can be and everything inside is pretty much intact. The cushions were more rotten thna a month old orange, so they had to go. BUT......I'm not sure if she's worth sinking money into to get going, or if this trailer is better served as parts or the wrong end of a Sawzall....
So fellow campers, help me decide, should I restore her? Here's a couple pics:
1985 Chevy Conversion van
1969 Coachmen 24' (the new project dynamic)
1970? Cox Commander 515 Popup
Now inside it does have a sink, stove, and fridge, which all seem to be in pretty good shape. She's going to need all new cushions, and some woodwork in the form of new plywood "doors" for the underseat storage.
I had thought that the canvas might be somewhat salvageable as it is mostly decent, but it's pretty holey. Here's an inside corner shot:
With no experience restoring things, I would say that canvas looks pretty shot. (Literally, perhaps?) If you like to restore old things and don't mind sinking some bucks in for new canvas as well as cushions, and doing a lot of the work yourself, it might be worth a shot. It'll get you some looks and comments too (in a good way)!
2007 Toyota Tundra CrewMax 5.7L V8 w/ tow pkg, Equal-i-zer
2008 Flagstaff 831RLSS
previous HTT: 2005 Starcraft Travelstar 21SSO
Never even heard of that name. What year is it? If you want a project and a novilty camper, looks like you got one there. Fix it up and you could draw a good bit of interest.
Good luck and happy camping!
Turn Key, DW and Tilly, The Camping Boston Terrier
'03 Chevy 2500HD, 4X4, X-Cab, Long-Bed
'04 K-Z "Durango", 275RK ("Sunday Haus II")
Twin Kayaks, "The Ride" by Wilderness Systems
Do you have the knowledge, facility and experience to take on the challenge? Do all of the appliances work? Refer cools? Makes Hot water? No leaks in water system? If yes, go for it. Is a replacement Tent canopy available? Cost? and how hard to install? I am an RV Mechanic and these are the things I would think about. Good Luck!
Dan, Ret Navy CPO
Minnie The Wife Extraordinare
Chris Our Son the Genius
3 Dogs 1 Dumb , 1 Fat and Stubborn, and 1 new and Adorable
2005 Jazz 2550RL 5er
2003 Dodge Quad Cab Long Bed Cummins 6 shooter
Hot water? Don't know for sure that it has such a capability, I'm guessing not. Unsure of the year because I got it without a title, however getting a title on a trailer in NY is fairly simple.
I guess the question is more of a financial vs. love thing.....more of a gut reaction than anything else. This always happens to me.....I look hard for one of something and then I find a dozen. Same happened with pinball machines!
Just asking, I guess, what you would do if it was yours
Take the Sawzall to it and turn it into a utility trailer. You could then re-sell it in that state and probably make a profit off of someone looking for one for an ATV or motorcycle.
From the looks of the other Trailer, you have the ability and the love to take on the tent trailer. There are folks here with the contacts to replace the canvas. I say, for $30.00 go for it.
Keep us posted!
Lisa and Madison
2004 Grand Caravan
2005 Flagstaff 425D
NEW 2005 Keystone Sprinter 259BHS
If it was mine, I'd fix it. I love the unusual style of the roof (looks like the roof of my house) and the little awnings over the windows.
A replacement canvas will probably be expensive. Check with Bear Creek canvas; I've heard good things about them. If it's too expensive to replace, I'd do something weird - big obvious patches in wild colors over the holes. I'd put air mattresses on the beds - cheaper and more comfortable than foam. Or, check on the size and use futon mattresses. Again, comfortable and probably cheaper than new foam mattresses.
If you happen to run across a good deal on foam in sizes larger than you need, we've found that an electric knife (like you use to cut a turkey) works wonderfully to cut foam.
P.S. Good job on your other trailer. Now that I'm about done with my '73 Apache, I'm looking for a small travel trailer like that to restore. Can't find one cheap enough and close enough, though. I find lots of cheap ones...and lots of close ones. But they're never the same ones.
'98 Suburban
'73 Apache Roamer (hard sided popup)
"You have to write the book that wants to be written. And if the book will be too difficult for grown-ups, then you write it for children."
~~Madeleine L’Engle
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