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1987 Vintage to Modern Camper Reno

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Our 80’s Glamper

Many people have inquired about the 1987 vintage camper that we renovated. Since posting about it, we have sold the camper, but I want to take a quick journey back through the restoration process. We took this drab, outdated camper and turned it into a modern glamper in the time span of ONE WEEK!

That’s right, one week. My friend Julia came to visit from Illinois, and she thought it would be “fun” to see if we could flip a camper in a week. We enlisted the help our kids, at least the seven that were old enough to help.

Let me tell you, if you’re ever concerned about your kids acting too spoiled or entitled, or you just think they’ve been sitting around enjoying life a little too much

…make them paint a trailer (maniacal laughter)!


I give you, Exhibit A.

Finding the Right Trailer

We knew we wanted something with a lot of room for decorative upgrades, without a lot of structural damage. We also wanted a good price so that after additional spending on upgrades, we would still be able to sell and make a profit.

There were two main spots of concern for water damage. Both of these spots were obvious because the previous owners had already started to pull the wall apart and inspect it. We were able to pinpoint exactly where water was coming in which made sealing everything up a little easier.

Aside from the water damage, hideous smell and outdated decor, we loved the layout and those quad bunk beds!

What We Did

Here are a few of the things we did:

  • Removed original window coverings and valences
  • Removed original couch and cushions
  • Rebuilt and reinforced frame that had water damaged
  • Re-caulked and sealed up outside
  • Added rain gutter above windows and problem areas
  • Deep cleaned the inside and outside
  • Painted walls and cabinets
  • Painted floor with floor paint
  • Spray painted nobs and door pulls
  • Built a frame around water tanks and heater to hold a new futon bed
  • Replaced shower faucet
  • New decor

Supplies

Here are a few of the supplies we used:

Decor

Here are a few of the things we used to decorate the interior:

  • Large Clock from Walmart
  • Artwork from Walmart
  • Aztec pillow from Walmart
  • Swiss cross pillow from Amazon
  • Pillow from IKEA
  • Futon from Walmart
  • Towel from Walmart – Similar at Target
  • Rugs from Walmart
  • Sheets and blankets from Walmart
  • Greenery from IKEA

 

Check out my other trailer renovations!
Find them here: Camper Renovating

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About Sarah Lemp

Sarah is a second generation homeschooling mom. She lives in Metro Detroit with her husband Jay, 5 kids and dog, Edison. They love staying active as a family and going on trips in their renovated RV's. Sarah loves to sing, make pretty things and eat pizza.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Becky

    Hi. I very recently purchased a 1986 Terry Taurus 31′ camper. I was advised by the former owner that l probably shouldn’t get on top of it since it didn’t come with a pre-installed ladder. I see that you obviously got on the top of yours. I only weigh 110 pounds. Do you think l would harm anything if l were to get on the top of mine? It needs to have vents cleaned, seals checked & repaired, and it needs to be recoated. I want to get it back in like new condition next spring. I am also planning on renovating & updating the inside. Yours is so gorgeous! You do awesome work. Such an inspiration!

    Reply

    • Sarah Lemp

      It is generally advised not to go up when there isn’t a ladder – but yes, sometimes you have to get up there to do work. I would not walk around on the roof – use a ladder and sit on the edge if necessary, or where there may be supports/beams. You can use a stud finder on the outside or inside to see where the support beams are. I have done it, but I try to step lightly and cautiously. It’s definitely a little nerve-wracking LOL

      Reply

      • Becky Smith

        Thanks so much for your input. I am a total novice at this! Wish l had gotten into this before. My camper has so much potential, and just looking at yours has given me so much inspiration. They are beautiful. Campers are a way less expensive, and more fun to decorate than a tiny home. I ❤️ my 31′ Terry Taurus!

        Reply

  2. Alicia Hursley

    Thanks for sharing your awesome journey. We are trying our best to renovate our old 5th wheel. So far we’ve replaced the cabinet doors, reupholstered the couch, and put in a new stove top. Lot’s of work and it gets daunting, but your story ahs pushed us to keep going.

    Reply

  3. Amy

    My Travel Trailer I’m renovating right now is almost identical to this! Looks beautiful and I love the color scheme! I’m doing something similar in mine. I’m wondering if you have a how to on the rain gutter and what materials you used?

    Reply

  5. Gif

    I want to paint over the 19 year old cracked and ugly deco stickers. Do I need to prime them first. Other then just a bit of sanding. !?

    Reply

  6. Gene

    We wanted to buy an old on to redo but the estimates on roof repair ran $5-$7 thousand. What did you do to redo the roof?

    Reply

    • Kelli Swanson

      It’s so bizarre that our camper is identical to yours inside and out except the bedroom. We have a queen instead of bunks. We renovated the inside and we are nearly finished with painting the outside.

      Reply

  7. Amy

    SO inspirational! Showed my husband and he is slightly onboard now for painting the inside of ours!

    Wondering how you tackled all the interior plastic trim pieces? My trailer has plastic brown (ewww) trim around ceiling and around some of the edging if the table seat backs etc. Just prime with same stuff I use for walls?

    LOOKS AMAZING!

    Reply

  8. Alejandra

    Hi Sarah, a few months back we found a Terry Manor that was for sale. I googled the model and found your website with a Terry Taurus that looked pretty similar to the one we were considering buying. Your post encouraged me to take the challenge to remodel our own 1988 terry. Now the job is done and I came back to your post to say thank you. I love to see the same RV and the different design choices we made. I haven’t posted before and after pics but I would love to do it soon.

    Reply

  9. Thomas W Kimble

    Great job my wife and I refinished a 22 foot motor home ,which we later had to sell. Thinking about a small camper trailer next. Would love to talk to you when possible. We have a home in Flushing Mi

    Reply

  10. Valorie Fritz

    The work is awesome and gave me lots of ideas as the front of the camper is just like ours. I was wondering what changes if any you made to the bathroom. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Our camper is sound and hauls great so not ready to give up on it.

    Thanks,
    Val

    Reply

    • Mrs. Espo

      This is not my remodel, but the process to replace a slide out sofa is pretty easy. Depending upon the size of the sofa, the sofa may need to be partially dismantled to remove it from your RV. The primary consideration in this process is to ensure your replacement can be fit through the door of the RV.

      Happy remodeling!

      Reply

  12. Renata

    Hi! I wondering overall how much this cost? Like all the renovations? Also how much did you buy it for? I am thinking of doing this to live in and I am just trying to get an idea of what it all takes. Thanks! Love this!

    Reply

  14. Julie

    How did you get those nasty balances off? I’m having a heck of a time.

    Also was there that gold trim that like a foil around it? What did you do to that?

    Reply

  17. Pyper Dunavin

    Where did you find the materials to replace the windows and door? or did you do that? I’m looking to do the same to a smaller camper trailer, that would be a much smaller project but don’t know where to begin to find camper trailer materials.

    Thank you so much in advance for the information.

    Reply

  19. JENNIFER FARMER

    What kind of brushes did you use to paint outside of camper? Thank you! Love this camper its beautiful inside and out

    Reply

  20. Taylor Deere

    We just began working on our 1997 camper and your blog is a constant source of inspiration! I’m amazed by your results on a budget!! So I have two windows that I had to pull back walls like in the before photo of your quad bunks. I am a little unsure how to repair the walls. I will reinforce the frame and replace insulation. And I’ve priced some 1/4 plywood but I can’t see how I’ll install it so seamlessly. Did you have to replace to entire wall to get a smooth look, or are there seams where you replaced one part where it buts up to the old undamaged wall? And really curious how you managed to cut the new walls to perfectly fit the window curve. Sorry for question overload…I may be in over my head here :)

    Reply

    • Sarah Lemp

      Hi Taylor! Thanks so much and I’m so glad you have found helpful information here!
      So… it depends on the particular project, but if the wall is really damaged, I usually remove a full section of paneling so I can easily cut and hang a replacement piece that will fit nicely and line up with studs. Does that makes sense? You can cut away at a wall, but if you haven’t removed it far enough to reveal a stud, your new piece wont have anything to connect with. There will obviously be a seam. You can caulk this seam and paint over it, or use a very thin piece of trim. Vintage trailers use tiny pieces of wood trim, while newer trailers use a vinyl trim. As far as cutting around a window, I create a paper template and use a jigsaw (like this: https://amzn.to/3cC3Nya) to make the cuts. Sometimes there is window trim you can remove first, other times you can just wedge the new wall panel in behind the window trim. Sorry, I’m having a hard time figuring out how to word this LOL If all else fails, caulk and paint work wonders! Or, if you wall is really rough, use wallpaper!

      Reply

      • Taylor

        Thanks so much for your reply! I see what you’re saying–I’ll go past the water damage some to remove/replace a nice full panel so it lines up and so I can get to the studs. Great tip with the paper template! I feel much more confident knowing that will work. I think I’ll be popping said windows out anyway so do a really thorough resealing job so that will help when replacing the panels. And yesss I am all about that white paint after–like they say white paint covers a multitude of sin :) Peel and stick wallpaper is also in my cart. I’m ready to get to the fun finishing touches as soon as I figure out this wall mess! Thanks again!

        Reply

  21. Louise Laprade

    What more can I say but WOW! What a splendid pimp of that trailer of yours. This is one project I have to tackle one day and sure hope the results turn out as good as yours. You guys should be proud of yourselves as you did an amazing job. Just ❤️ It.

    Reply

  22. Carryn

    Did your cabinets have that oh so lovely plastic trim and if so, did you take that off, paint them? I am lost on how to eliminate that horrible plastic. Your reno is beautiful! Thanks for the inpiration and showing all of us how, these old beauties have a second beautiful life

    Reply

  23. Katie

    Sarah! I have read your posts about how you do your camper exteriors – love it! The transformations are amazing

    But I have a question – we are renovating a 1973 camper for our family and I’m unclear if you recommend priming the metal siding or not? The paint is not peeling, I have pressure washed her 2x and will seal her next. I’d like to slap some paint on (because she’s kind of an eyesore, I’m sure you can relate) but I want to make sure I prime if it’s necessary- but would LOVE to skip it if it’s not…

    Thanks Mama! Your posts are so encouraging!

    Reply

    • Sarah Lemp

      Hi Katie!! Thank you for being so nice, you just made my day! :)

      Sounds like you have a fun project going on!! I have done it both ways: used a primer like Stix or Gripper first, then painted OR used just Behr Marquee paint directly on the surface. Both ways have worked, but I’d say it kind of depends on how glossy your finish is. If it is super dull, then a quality paint that is self priming or has the primer in it should work just fine! If it has a bit of a gloss to it, you might want to use a gripping primer first… but I feel ya, I’m all about skipping extra steps whenever I can!! :)

      Reply

  25. Megan Boehm

    Hi Sarah,
    What was the total cost and profit from the Reno? My hubby and I are thinking of remodeling and flipping an RV, maybe even renting one out and we are wondering about the overall costs. I know each project is different, but I’m gathering a ballpark.

    Reply

  26. Kara

    What did you recover the walls with after you fixed the water leaks? Also what did you do to the front window cover? We just bought a very similar camper that I’m eager to fix up.

    Reply

  27. Wanda

    Hi Sarah! Just curious did you sand your paneling and cabinet before you painted or did you just use primer.

    Reply

  28. Angelica Gabriel

    I don’t see after pictures of the bathroom. I am in the middle of remodeling my RV bathroom and the before looks similar to yours. I was looking at ideas for my after. The rest is beautiful!

    Reply

  29. Shannon Mcburnie

    Hey
    I have the same trailer I’m renovating under your futon didnt you have the wheel covering sticking up ? Or is your futon a foot away from the window??

    Reply

    • Sarah Lemp

      Hi Brittany! They are actually outdoor pillows from Better Homes and Gardens at Walmart! I bought them at the end of the season last year for like $1.99 each, but I have seen similar ones on sale this year :)

      Reply

  31. Heather

    Hi! Loving this!! Can you share what exact product you used for the window gutters, etc.? What prep did you do to the exterior before painting?

    Reply

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