Woman buys rare 1980s U-Haul camper, reveals the interior of the vintage gem she bought for $7K

During the fun 1980s, U-Haul offered various rentals like movies, ATVs, and paint sprayers, but one of the coolest was the U-Haul Camper.

In response to the trend of fiberglass travel trailers in the 1970s and 1980s, U-Haul created its own models, including the VT16 Vacation Traveler and CT13 Get-A-Way Camper, according to Jalopnik.

These trailers, especially the 1985 U-Haul CT13, are rare, with an estimated fewer than 2,000 in existence worldwide.

There’s limited information about the CT13 and VT16 models, mainly sourced from dedicated owners who have conducted thorough research.

According to U-Haul camper owners, the CT13 and VT16 trailers were made by a U-Haul subsidiary, Rec-Vee World, during a short production period from 1984 to 1985.

These trailers were manufactured by Dayton Trailer Manufacturing Company and Youngstown Trailer Manufacturing in Ohio, as well as by U-Haul in Arizona, based on VIN plates and owners’ accounts.

Both models were available in 13 or 16-foot lengths and featured standard RV amenities like fridges, sinks, and furnaces.

However, only the VT16 model offered a bathroom, though it lacked a shower.

Reports suggest that these campers were manufactured as late as 1988, and U-Haul sold out their fleet by 1992.

Ashley Kooijman shared her U-Haul camper, which she obtained in 2019.

She mentioned that her camper had its logo covered initially, but she removed it later on.

“I don’t know if I was supposed to or not, but I did anyway,” said Ashley.

These campers, made from fiberglass, are known for their durability and insulation with double walls.

Their larger-than-usual bumper is specifically designed for rental purposes.

Ashley discovered her camper, manufactured by Rec-Vee World, on Facebook Marketplace while searching for a Scamp.

She specifically sought a fiberglass camper suitable for towing with her Honda CRV, which has a 1500-pound towing capacity.

The camper weighs 1250 pounds, leaving some room within her vehicle’s capacity.

However, with added belongings, she’s likely nearing the maximum towing limit.

Going inside Ashle’s U-Haul camper, there’s the original couch, but it’s now transformed into bunk beds to accommodate both the owner and her cat comfortably during travels.

The ceiling, once carpeted, is now covered with a vinyl piece for easier maintenance.

Despite modifications, the camper retains its original stove and cabinetry, featuring the U-Haul emblem.

Throughout the interior, warning labels offer guidance on proper use, enhancing the camper’s functionality.

Entering the camper reveals limited floor space, akin to a small tent on wheels.

“I feel kind of like I live in a Jacuzzi tub. It’s very easy to keep clean, very easy to manage things in here the way they have it set up,” said Ashley.

While there’s a table for dining, the owner opts to keep it as a bed for travel convenience, preferring outdoor dining.

Overall, the camper offers a compact but functional living space that meets the owner’s needs.

Ashley has made a few modifications to the camper, like adding an aftermarket air conditioning unit and a new porta potty.

She finds it intriguing that U-Haul used to provide porta potties and even a camping cookbook for their campers.

Despite these updates, Ashley has kept everything else in the camper original, striving to maintain its authenticity.

She also mentions that the Max fan is an aftermarket addition, not part of the original setup.

Meanwhile, to address a non-functional carbon monoxide detector, Ashley installed a new one.

The camper’s locks also bear U-Haul camper emblems, underscoring its branding.

Ashley still has the original lights in the camper. Still, they need to fix the molding around them to prevent water leakage, which is a challenge as these moldings are no longer available.

She plans to address this issue after finishing their travels.

Additionally, Ashley still has instructions on how to use the jacks properly.

The “manufactured by” sticker on the original campers is an interesting feature, providing details about the camper’s origin and its major appliances and equipment.

Ashley’s camper, manufactured in Atlanta, Georgia, has such a sticker, like what’s indicated on the exterior.

This sticker outlines the custom features and includes major appliances.

While the campers used to come with a solar panel and regulator, Ashley installed her own solar setup.

“We installed our own solar, so I have 50 watts of trickle charge solar now on a deep cycle battery, which is just enough to run everything that I need,” she said.

It’s a neat aspect of the camper’s history and functionality.

Ashley got on the road for a total of seven thousand dollars, finding her camper on Facebook Marketplace for six thousand dollars.

She also recommends considering other fiberglass campers like Scamp or Casita, and vintage Burros, which resemble U-Haul campers.

Bolers, offering retro looks, are another option, though pricier. Despite the cost, they’re all cool alternatives.

“Any of the egg fiberglass campers that you can get your hands on, I mean, they’re fun. They’re just like fun little toys,” Ashley said.

Ashley has lived in her camper since November 2022, enjoying every moment of her journey.

While she’s ready to return home, she feels fortunate not to have had to make significant sacrifices like others to hit the road.

Ashley wishes these campers were still in production for everyone to enjoy.

If you find one for sale, she advises not to miss out, as it’s been an amazing experience for her.

Although she hopes to restore it eventually, for now, she’s putting many miles on it.

Despite mishaps like losing the front windshield in Gallup, Arizona, Ashley encourages others to consider eggshell campers.

She feels lucky to have found her U-Haul camper and cherishes the experiences it has provided.

See Ashley’s U-Haul camper by watching the video below:

Subscribe to Ashley’s YouTube Channel, Tennessee Wanderer, for more U-Haul camper and outdoor adventrures video.