Help with trailer ID, Please !!!

[Kevin & Sandy]

I found one of these down the road from me, can anyone tell me what kind/make/model of camper this is? I crawled all over it and couldn't find a thing to help identify it. It would need ALOT of work, but you gotta start somewhere.

My teardrop works great for the two of us, but now we have a grandson that LOVES camping and I am thinking that two beds would be handy for future camping adventures!!

(No, I am not selling the Teardrop!!)

[aggie79]

It looks like a Pierce-Arrow Travelodge.

I believe Pierce-Arrow made the Travelodge in three different lengths. Here are a couple more photos of the Travelodge:





If it is in any kind of decent shape, and you could get it for a decent price, I'd jump all over it.

Take care,
Tom

[Gage]

Here's another picture of that trailer Kevin. It could very well be a Pierce-Arrow, but not sure right now. I'll get back to you on this.

[aggie79]

Kevin,

I took a guess at what the trailer may be but I'm glade to see Gage looking into your trailer ID. He is a walking encyclopedia on vintage trailers and teardrops.

Regardless of who made it, it almost certainly is a bread loaf design. There were a lot of different manufactures of this style and many of these are vary similar in design. Have you been close enough to tell if it has a metal skin? If so, that would narrow down who made it.

Take care,
Tom

[Gage]

Yep, I'm pretty sure it's a Pierce-Arrow, mid 30's. A rear trailer. They only produced them for about 5 years and not that many are around. A lot of beautiful woodwork inside, all first class to match the cars history. Chances are that the sides are painted Masonite. A real find if the price is right and would be quit a project, but in the end, well worth it. What does the current owner know about it? There must be some family history about it. (he doesn’t need to know how rear it is). ......

P.S. Check the right tongue arm for the vin number. You may have to remove some paint. If it's there, it would be on top about 6" to 10" from the body of the trailer.

[Kevin & Sandy]

I'll do some more looking, I haven't talked history with the owner, but he has just been using it as a shed to sit in and warm up while working with calves in the early spring time. It hasn't moved for YEARS. I don't believe he has cattle anymore. Not sure about the exterior, but I think it is riveted aluminum, and it has a wood frame that still looks okay. Kinda hard to see under it because the wheels have settled into the ground somewhat.

Now I have some info to start with, THANKS !!

[reo-ron]

I have a Travelodge and they were built in late 36 and/or very early 37.l Pierce was bankrupt in late 37. Yes, there were 3 lenghts 13', 16' (the most common), and 19 ft. The blue one pictured is a 19ft. If it's a Travelodge it will be a steel skeleton with an aluminum skin riveted to it. It will also have independent suspension with half-leaf springs and hydralic brakes. These were VERY nice coaches. Although the exterior is rather plain boxy looking. Mine was not painted but did have the stripes around the body mid-line. The Travelodge had plates by the door and on the street side that say "Travelodge" and down just above the tounge is a patent plate and the serial number plate. I don't have the original tounge under my trailer so I'm don't know if they stamped a serial on the frame. That my 2 cents worth!
Ron in Tulsa

[Kevin & Sandy]

I talked to the owner and looked the trailer over good yesterday. I could find NO ID anywhere.

Bad news: It was owned by a club, so he is not sure of ownership, even though the club has been disbanded and this camper has been on his property for 20 years.

Good News: He will see if any ex club member wants it, (only a couple still around) but he seriously doubts they do, he says if they don't, I can haul it away for FREE on Monday. (On the condition I show him the final product.)

Here are some pics. I doubt it is a Pierce Arrow, but no matter because it is the style I want.

This shows how they wrapped the corner. Lots of angles to consider when repairing.



Side View, Yes, there are wheels under there somewhere.



Front




Interior, lights have been replaced. Green stove and sink from 60's, but this has to be older than that. Check out the routered out design, this is continued throughout the trailer.

[reo-ron]

No, it not a Pierce Arrow Travelodge - BUT - it is a great looking project. It's probally pre-war and it's a good size. You will have a great conversation piece and a fun camper when finished. And the price is my favorite!! However, a buddy of mine says "sometimes free is too much" . It will be a lot of work but when you pull into a camp ground you are the talk of the park!! Hope you like visitors!
Have fun
Ron in Tulsa

[dreadcptflint]

What is the faucet on the sink look like?

[4123]

Hey Kevin,

I'm going to stick my neck out here. I say that it is a Silver Dome made in Kalamazoo Mich. I'm going to go a bit further and say it is for sure!!! I know this because I have the same exact trailer parked on my land with a wood structure that I built around it. Its been my electric shop for the past 30 years. I purchased it from a man who purchased it in Redding California in 1940. He pulled it over the Siskiyou Mountains on dirt roads behind a Ford Model A. His mother lived in it until she died and then I ended up with it. I still have the original name tag around here somewhere. I can find it if you are interested.

Ron

[Kevin & Sandy]

dreadcptflint,
I think the plumbing was done in the 60's maybe 70's because it is a modern looking sink (as opposed to something from the 40's)and the handle looks like about the cheapest thing you could get at the hardware store at that time.
If I get the camper, I'll get many more pics.

Ron,
I would appreciate ANY info I could get on this just for the fun factor. Here again, if I do get it Monday, I'll for sure be visiting with you more !!!

Thanks !!!!!

I'm glad there are so many folks that take an interest in this! When I mentioned it at work, they just looked at the pics and figured I need to get on some kind of medication!

[oicu812]

There are so many manufacture's it's hard to ID them. All the Silver Dome's that I've seen [not many] have wheel cut out's and a crown on top or the whole top is arched, also flat front and angled back. This one has no wheel cut out's and angled front and back, the tip top has no crown, more flat.
The corner's are fabricated from gore's rather than stamped. I think it's a Glider made in Chicago. I wonder if it had a canvas or skin over the top at one time like a Schult. The pic of the design behind the light is a good clue and may help identify it. Good luck I hope you get it.
Tony.