There are two things I love: camping and DIY projects. The part I didn’t like about camping was sleeping on the ground. With this DIY project, I’m done sleeping on the ground. Say hello to my newest DIY project: a 1963 Aloha Travel Trailer also known as “Scamper.”
I’ve been looking for one of these for several years and I bought this from a neighbor. She and I worked out a deal – and I did the paperwork to get a title. It’s official now – after 4 1/2 months of correspondence and phone calls with the Division of Motor Vehicles. It’s mine and I have the license plate to prove it.
Here’s a tour – all “before” pictures. I’ve been itching to work on it but Brad talked me out of doing too much – until we officially owned it. It’s our new little project! I think I’m more excited than he is – he loves to sleep in a tent. I told him he can continue to sleep in a tent on the ground but I will be in the “Scamper” – in comfort!
It’s totally trashed but has lots of potential. I’m picturing it being totally adorable when we’re done!
Here’s a little tour….
It’s dry and doesn’t leak – so look out! It could be visiting you soon!
Where should we begin? What should we start with? What would you do with this camper?
Go Gingham related links:
Camp cooking supplies and what I cook with
Save money on your next trip: before and during
Meal planning for campers can be found here
Want to keep food costs low while traveling? Try these tips!
Headed to the Pacific Northwest? You’ll want to hit these spots.
Home swapping and eating like a local – foodies will love this!
Go Gingham 
Let’s go camping – we can even go in the winter b/c we’ll all be warm and dry! Of course you’ll have gingham curtains, but I really think you should paint the outside gingham like that one in the Target ad!
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wow. I can’t wait to see the after pictures! 🙂
Why the heck did it take 4 1/2 months to get title?
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Bobbi, the DMV!! The last title held was in 1997 so I had to do all sorts of paperwork to get the information about the person who owned it – notarized, etc. A couple times I called and they told me they couldn’t find any of my paperwork! Grrrrr…..One of my calls ended with me saying they ran a turkey farm – the very next week, my paperwork showed up! Miracle. 🙂
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I love it! I’ve been on the lookout for one also. Maybe we could meet up one day with our glampers! Do you follow Vintage Revivals? She is just about done restoring hers. Good luck!
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Ruthie, I haven’t heard of that group but I’d love to meet up! There’s another group “Sisters on the Fly” and I got their book from the library. It’s great, too. Check it out. 🙂
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I am so excited about this project! I can’t wait to see what you do with it. It almost deserves it’s own blog! I know it’s going to be fabulous 🙂
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Oh, thanks, Alyssa! Look out because you might find it in your driveway – road trip!!
🙂 I’m thinking an ‘owl’ theme might be in good order….
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Can’t wait to see what you do with it! Our family camps too. When we lived in the US we owned a small trailer which just barely fit the five of us. We sold it when we made our move back to Canada, partly because we didn’t want to make a long and possibly dicey winter drive pulling a trailer, partly because we were outgrowing it anyway (the older kids were getting too tall to fit on the bunks). I was very sad to see it go, as it held such good memories for us. Since then we’ve gone tent camping, and although the sleeping on the ground part isn’t something I relish, I have to say there is a certain charm to the sense of minimalistic tidiness that comes when you fold up the tent and set it on a shelf in the basement!
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Yes, Marian, I know you have a really good point about the tidiness of the tent. This “Scamper” is big – and barely fits on our driveway! Camping is such a fun thing for families to do. We’ve camped with our kids for years and this past year didn’t – they’re both teenagers and have declared it not acceptable any longer – with us. We’ll see – they may want to tag along when we take the Scamper out.
Thanks, Marian!
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Michigan has fantastic camping, in case you want to venture out this way! C’mon, it’d be fun to meet you ….
My friend’s hubby is renovating an Airstream. I admire hard work in other people. I just don’t really care for it, myself. Guess that means I’ll be using our air mattress in our tent for awhile …
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Kris, Michigan sounds great!
I don’t think our renovation will be too extensive….this will be more of a tent on wheels type of thing. I’m not putting the stove back in or a refrigerator. It will be like tent camping only inside – on wheels. 🙂
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This will be AWESOME! Are there any photos of what the interior of the originals looked like? That would be a good place to start for a floorplan. Marmoleum tiles in a gingham design on the floor, gingham curtains, gingham quilt for the bed, etc. There are several companies in Oregon who are buying up old trailers and doing the same thing. It would be good to look at those articles for ideas . . . if I could only remember where I read about it!
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Oh, I’m noticing a gingham theme here, Michelle! I like it – of course!
We have leftover Marmoleum tiles from our bathroom project – gingham pattern – that we’ll definitely be reusing. We may need a trip to the fabric store together!! 🙂
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Can’t wait to see the cute “ginghamness” that shows through in your finished product! If anybody can shine that little scamper up, it is you!
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I’ll have to forward this to a friend who has the exact same one, mildew and all. After she got it, I put her in touch with another friend who can pretty much make, mill, manufacture anything, and he made some structural improvements…since then it’s sat in her driveway waiting for the makeover. You’ll be her inspiration I’m sure! Hopefully she won’t read this comment! 🙂
Can’t wait to see the after pix!
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Kristin – THIS is that Scamper! I bought it from Kate after it sat in her driveway for ages. Yes, I’ve been stalking little cute campers for several years. 🙂
Thanks for stopping by – I can’t wait to see the ‘after’ either!
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This looks like so much fun!! I haven’t been camping since I was a teenager, and I’m not a fan of sleeping on the ground, either. I would definitely go camping in this scamper! I can’t wait to see in-progress and after photos.
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Sarah,
This will truly be the way to camp! While it’s pouring down rain – like it is right now outside – the “Scamper” is nice and dry. OK, I shouldn’t use the term ‘nice’ just yet because it still looks pretty trashed inside BUT it will get there.
Thanks for stopping by 🙂
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Glamping.
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I look forward to eating in your new foodcart.
For your convenience, here a few cart name suggestions:
This Scampi Happening
Que Sara-Sara
Go Ging Ham and Eggs
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I think you need to high tail it cross country and come visit me in that awesome buggy!
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You’re on! I’m already thinking about a tour and it will definitely include a loooooong stop at your place!!
It’s not so pretty now but it will be very cute – once it’s done!! xoxo
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