I am sure that when I am done I will never want to sell this thing. That was not part of the plan. Anyhow here is an initial design shape that I will massage over the next while until it is built.

This is the the initial camper idea. I think the wheel base is a bit short. I also do not really like the windows but they are the louvered style that is great for air flow and look really vintage to me. If they are 1947-1950 ish is another question. I have found a nice web site for parts if I don't find any locally.
VintageCampers.com :: Vintage Campers, Vintage Trailers, Vintage Parts, Vintage Restorations
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Not too sure about the siding but the roof could be like the woody GB Sisson made.
I have thought about making the siding from cedar or building it like the woody. However they were prone to rot over time (but then everything does. The sun even rots the plastic, so to speak)
As far as the windows go there is this one from a 53 Vegabond 35' trailer. That window would look great on one side and allow so much light.



For the rear door I have considered two french doors. If the weather is not so great you can still see the world. If the glass would not handle the stress then perhaps some lexan would.
The shape of the roof came more or less from the woody built by GB Sisson. A work of art that I will include here. (Can't get the web site to take the URL so I have to download it and reload it to include it.)

 

You might want to consider what its going to weigh before you get to far into this. Just a thought.

 

I would use flat sheet aluminum siding over a 1/4" plywood sheathing. Glue the sheathing to the lightweight studs. Spruce would make good framing, light and strong. The Firestone rubber roofing is an excellent choice. Said to last 50 years and my 10 x 10 sheet of 1/8" was about a hundred bucks on amazon. I can show you when you come down for multi-piece wheel school.

 

Interesting idea. Saving weight should be a top goal as said above, as it adds up fast. Also consider the aerodynamics if you plan to travel at highway speeds.

 

I remember Spruce was used in aircraft frames. Plywood is beyond expensive now in some cases. Does not mean I will not use it but then there is not much other choice. Well maybe the panels used on RV's but then it would look like a new RV and that is not the point.


I included windows in the back just as a ref. If each side had that and two french doors out back it would give a real outside feel if it was raining. However that may not be practical.

 

You can still get most of the profiles of early camper aluminum skin

 

I didn't know that. Not really sure what to look for in a search for that. Aluminum Camper cladding? There are times where the net is not such an easy place to find stuff.

 

You may want to think the window thing over real thoroughly. Any window in a moving vehicle is subject to water intrusion thru the smallest crack or joint. Water can be driven upward to defy gravity. How do I know this? I made the mistake when I built my first truck camper for my then new 1965 Ford. Don't even think of using jalousy type windows.
Keep us updated.

 

I have a friend who was working at a place that repairs trailers and motor homes. He told me they could get most of the old profiles but I don't know their sources

 

Plywood should be available reasonably there. It doesn't need to be marine grade, just exterior grade. It won't show inside or out. Try to make a sheet of plywood (or paper) go diagonal. Then some rigid foam cut between the studs. I have had good luck with the old style crank out louvered glass windows.

 

Called jalousie windows, not sure I spelled that right. I have a couple old campers with lots of those, easy to scavenge but be prepared for clutch head screws, not easy to find a bit for those just anywhere.

 

Just a thought but, have you looked into old Volkswagen camper Windows?

 

But jalousie windows are what old campers are all about! I would need to make sure I have them very well sealed. I would love to have it look a lot like a woody and looking at those it looks like those windows are just mounted in the wood frame.
How did they make these things not leak. Or is it a situation of "they did leak and that is why they all rotted away"?

The thing is this is a summer only camper and I have dry storage for it. Not the tent.

I am also wondering about lexan vs glass. Yes there are scratch issues but are not the expansion rates of wood and plastic more similar than glass? Then there are the aluminum frames that grow faster than some small children.
Shutters would be cool.

 

The problem is, there is no way to seal between the glass panes on a jalousie window and the water will blow and wick between the panes. Don't confuse jalousies with awning windows.

 

Also the plain glass of the old jalousies isn't even legal now. I broke one backing into a cactus in the Mojave and couldn't find a glass shop in Cali so I finally found a shop and didn't tell them it was for a camper.
At best they will leak a little, wind blows around them.
Make sure you get a fogged round glass for the door!!