Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Rare, vintage, all original 1957 Oasis 15' travel trailer for sale. White and Baby Blue exterior, solid light Ash veneer on the interior. This trailer has been well cared for and has been in storage and unused for the last seven years. The interior is cherry -- warm wood veneer, super-cool yellow Formica table and counter, clean oven and ice box -- white enamel in the sink. Electrical works perfectly, all lights work beautifully; the front door, screen door, windows, and all drawers open, shut and seal tightly as they should. Slight water damage on wood veneer surrounding roof vent and back window (see pics), and a few bumps and scratches on the exterior as might be expected for a travel trailer over 50 years old (see pics), but other than that she is in terrific shape and in very solid condition both cosmetically and structurally.

They do not make them like this anymore, and this one doesn't need much to be absolutely mint.

$4500 obo

Thank you for looking!
[email protected]

Some information on Oasis Travel Trailers (courtesy of Tin Can Tourists):
http://www.tincantourists.com/wiki/doku.php?id=oasis












































Edited to remove coding, replaced with (img) tags. Kevin A.

Nice, but I see skin seperation up front. What about dryrot that you can't see. Have you check? I also see some water damage on the corners where water is seeping in at the skin edges. Edge molding needs to be resealed. $4500 might be a little high. There's a lot of work there to make it right.

I just gotta agree with Gage...a lot of potential trouble spots...for the price asked, this one should be just about totally cherry...which it doesn't appear to be from the pics...however, the seller appears to be honest in his pics and not trying to hide anything in the cosmetic dept...how structurally sound it is will make a huge difference in the going price.................
madjack

Gage and Madjack,

Thank you for your comments. I included the pics of the skin separation and two areas of water damage so any prospective buyer could see the whole picture. As far as I can tell there is no rot -- at least not that I have found or am aware of. I have been unable to find another Oasis trailer from the 50's or 60's for sale -- or recently sold -- anywhere. I've been told they are fairly rare.

Hi,

While I wish you well with your sale and don't mean to be negative, there are a couple things I'd like to point out.

You state in your auction that;

this one doesn't need much to be absolutely mint.

And in your reply to Gage and Jack;

As far as I can tell there is no rot -- at least not that I have found or am aware of

While most owners/sellers are not aware of rot, one must understand that for the paneling inside the trailer to have become damaged from a leak, water traveled from the outside in, soaking the structural framing on its way.
The paneling on the inside dried fairly fast, but the framing did not.

While the damage to the paneling "appears" to be minimal (to the average buyer) it is in fact extensive, requiring a large amount of effort to dismantle the trailer to repair the damage.

Which brings me to your first quote "doesn't need much"
To be brought back to "mint" the trailer needs a large amount of work.

No doubt it is a great example to start with, and will be very nice when finished.

Please understand that this is not a personal attack, but an attempt to make clear what may well be misunderstood.

Rob

Having experienced this first-hand, I have to agree with Gage and Rob. It's what you can't see behind those walls is where the big problems lie. When I bought a 58 Fan a few years, upon first inspection it didn't look to bad, just a couple of water stains beneath the windows. When I got it home and went to work on it, I planned on replacing the water stained panels. Took the panels off and discovered that the wood frame beneath was either extensively rotted or just plain gone! Long story short, I decided that the 600 dollars I just spent would be better served recycling the frame and axle and other parts for a smaller trailer, my "Fandrop"
I do wish you luck with your sale, but in all fairness, I would definately rethink your asking price.

Gentleman,

Thank you for your comments. I have tried to describe the trailer -- including the condition of the trailer -- to the best of my ability. Whomever purchases this trailer will own one of the first Oasis 15' Travel Trailers produced in in Bellflower, California in 1957 by Donhal, and if by chance someone is able to locate another Oasis 15" for sale please contact me as I have been unable to locate another Oasis 15' for sale anywhere.

Your temperament is commendable!

I hope you find a buyer that can bring the trailer back to life.
Your lower Craigslist price may help, though the asking price is not, and never was of interest to me.

It seems to be a battle that cannot be won, but one last shot and I will retreat...

You continue to state;

she is in terrific shape and in very solid condition both cosmetically and structurally.

You even offer this photo of the skin separated from the body.

<img src="http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/6978/trailer026l.jpg">

The point that you seem to ignore is that for the skin to separate, the screws must loose their holding power.
For this to happen the structural wood to which they are attached must be so weak that it cannot hold them.

This means the trailer is NOT structurally sound.

You place great importance on the age/rarity of the trailer.
Both are nice, but don't make up for structural damage.

It is what it is.

Once again, I wish you well, and hope you get your asking price, but ask that you consider representing the actual condition of the trailer.

If it is as rare and desirable as you state, the right buyer will gladly accept the challenge of rebuilding it, including replacing damaged framing.

Sincere Regards.

Rob

Rob,

Again, thank you for your post. Without getting into too much detail, the separation in front was not caused by rusted nails and structural damage as you surmise, but rather undue pressue placed on the front of the trailer when the transportation captain from a film production company tried to back the trailer into a driveway that happened to be too canted/steep so that the trailer was not rolling up the driveway as much as being pinched by the front support bars. It was the pressure that caused the seam -- trust me -- not some mysterious structural rot. The seam itself is a simple fix. Please keep in mind that this trailer is over 50 years old, and I still contend it is in excellent shape for that age.

tmarkes wrote:-- trust me -- not some mysterious structural rot. The seam itself is a simple fix. Please keep in mind that this trailer is over 50 years old, and I still contend it is in excellent shape for that age.

If that is the case. You should take a little time and fix it (both sides). It will make it easier to get what you want for it. The way it sits right now (cosmetically), it's not a $4000 trailer. And if the damage was caused by the 'transportation captain from a film production'. You got reimbursed for damage repair needed, by them.

Just trying to help you out.

I'd put the value of this "classic" at about $500. The delaminated interior plywood in the usual places and the unfastened exterior on the corners add up to major rot in the framing no matter how you rationalize it. While many parts and components can be reused it is still a rebuilder not a small repair here and there to be perfect. The mold and mildew and infestation problems haven't been addressed as yet. It is hazardous to sleep in a confined space with mold, rot, droppings etc in the enclosed wall spaces, these should be addressed by removing the inner walls, or outer skin to get to it.

tmarkes,

Since you joined this site to sell your trailer, you might not but should know. Gage, Rob and Rick are well known around the world for their small travel trailer expertise, and are being diligent by looking out for their fellow forum members who might be in the market for a tiny trailer project.

Just my opinion.

Gage, your point is well taken -- i have received a bid from a well known vintage trailer restoration company to fix both sides of the exterior for around $500 which seems reasonable.

Steve, I am extremely appreciative of the comments, suggestions and recommendations by Gage, Rob, and Rick and have thanked each of them for their posts.

tmarkes wrote:Gage, your point is well taken -- i have received a bid from a well known vintage trailer restoration company to fix both sides of the exterior for around $500 which seems reasonable.

Iowa Boys by chance? $500 is a reasonable price because right now the trailer isn't worth $1000 because of the visual damage. You also might think about putting a propane tank back up front. A minor thing, so for the most part the trailer will be ready to use.