Is My Vintage Trailer an Orphan
Question: Luise: Great website! I just bought a 1977 fiberglass trailer manufactured by Compact Equipment Company of California that I think may be what they call an “orphan”. I can’t find any information on this company. I have looked on several vintage travel trailer sites and have found no information on the company or this particular trailer. It is oddly shaped and has a very “70s” exterior color scheme. Any information that you may have would be quite helpful. Thank you! Heather in Flagstaff
Answer: Dear Heather in Flagstaff: Thank you for your kind remarks about my website.
Until I got my vintage Argosy travel trailer and found out it was manufactured by Airstream I had no idea there were so many companies that haven’t made it in the travel trailer industry. It was pure luck that I have a manufacturer still in business that actually has parts. When my door lock died of old age, I was amazed that I was able to replace it.
I think the best way for you to find out more about your new acquisition is to find other owners of units made by Comfort Equipment, if you can, to share information back and forth with. One method is a good RV chat room. Another source are the forums at Tin Can Tourist. And a great index for further research is over at Vintage Airstream.
It’s going to be a kind of hit and miss thing because everything I have found indicates that your trailer is an orphan and no longer in production. How great that they made a Fiberglas model back then! Also, you need to be prepared for some snobbery. There are those who feel a “Vintage Travel Trailer” must have been manufactured before 1970 to rate the title. I kid you not.
I love my ‘72, 27 foot Argosy with a passion. The real wood paneling beats the fake stuff all to heck and gone. I don’t have an icemaker, automatic levelers, basement compartments, etc. but it’s worth it to me to have charm. I’ve put down braided rugs and have crewel embroidered curtain/drapes. I even found a great cuckoo clock that fits my only real wall space. I’ve finished it off with an electric, freestanding fireplace and glider rockers with footstools. Cozy!
Welcome to world of the “oldies but goodies”. Blessings, Luise
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