1968 Gypsie Soft-Top Tent Trailer - Unique Retro Fun!
Description
Ahhh, 1968... what an incredible year. I think the world tried to stuff a century of history into that year. The legends and myths were made that year... Robert Kennedy was shot, Pierre Tudeau was elected Prime Minister, Viet Nam war protesting... and almost every great album by every great band was released that year. None of that mindless crap that gets manufactured today, I'm talking real music that sounded great and carried a deep message.
Oddly, perhaps, many of us yearn for those days with the illogical belief that we can live out those days again when things were important but simpler, or at least expose this time period to our progeny. That may be precisely what drew you to this advert, an opportunity to revisit a better time, certainly better than the one we are in now. Somehow, despite the backdrop of riots, war and political change, things were just better! They didn’t produce the “Wonder Years” for nothing and do you think that any TV show called “2020” would be as entertaining? More like a horror show…
This may be your chance to revisit that storied past and escape the realities of today. I have for sale here a wonderful throwback to that exciting period in history... a 1968 Gypsie Tent Trailer in awesome condition and ready for its next adventure. Time seems to have stood still for this camping system and it is as ready today (actually, more so) to bring that joy forward. I have carefully and lovingly restored her to her “as new” glory, a situation that took months but was made easier due to such a solid base to work on. The canvas is in incredible shape and belies its 52 years of existence, making me think that she was in dry storage for decades. To be sure, I had a canvas professional completely re-stitch the entire unit, every stitch, and reinforce to make sure she would last another 52 years. New mosquito screens were added. She shows little wear and doesn’t intake a single drop of BC rainwater! In ingenious fashion, the cover for the trailer doubles as the awning! All of the original hardware is intact and functions well.
I completely stripped her down and repainted (original colour was white) and resprayed. The original checkerboard linoleum floor was too good to even consider replacing and feels right underfoot. The upholstery is original, a pleasant, period pattern, and shows little wear. All original hardware is intact and fully sorted out, working flawlessly.
The kitchen unit is quite a charming system and can be used inside or outside the trailer, it hangs off the side as shown in the pictures, or rests inside in a special place. The sink/faucet works as it should; the water is supplied either by pressurized city water or from a 9-gallon tank I installed underneath with a high-quality 12-volt water pump (Everflo) as used on much bigger rigs. There is a lot of storage for normal kitchen items, it surprised us. There is also an abundance of storage all over this well-thought-out tent trailer.
Electrical power comes from either the usual shorepower supply as found at most campsites, or by the wonderful renewable system which is sold with the trailer. It is a 315-watt solar panel (stores neatly under either bed) and a high-quality, 30-amp Renogy solar controller, along with 2 X Group 27 12-volt, deep-cycle batteries. This is all professionally installed and supplied more than enough electricity to satisfy our requirements. Main interior lighting is by a 48” strip LED light which lights up the unit nicely. FYI - Nothing installed in this rig cannot be removed to bring it back to original specification. There is a 12-volt power supply system for running a cooler or fans.
The wheels are all new (including the added tongue-mounted spare), bearings are new and she even benefits from a shock-absorber system. A propane cylinder has been mounted on the tongue as well and feeds to inside and outside the trailer. For added safety, I installed marker lights all around and a centre-mounted brake light at the back, attached to a wonderful, rustic storage box which makes it easy to access safety and set-up equipment.
The history of this wonderful rig remains a mystery. ICBC has little on her, only that it is a 1968 “Gypsie” (yes, their spelling, not mine) and other than a “Made in Canada” stamp on the back of the kitchen unit, that is all I have on her, no other tags or other identifiers. An excited camper assured me it was sold as a Craftsman product (Simpson Sears) and his family had one identical to it, but my Google searches have come up empty. Perhaps someone reading this could shed some light on this delightful treasure.
I have towed her all over the Lower Mainland and Gulf Islands behind my 2001 VW Beetle without issue, she tracks perfectly and presents no issue, is as stable as can be. Visibility is awesome as you can see over it as it trails diligently and quietly behind you. Total weight is about 750 lbs. and has a class 1 hitch (1 7/8”) and a “flat four” wiring.
She is being sold with a “porta-potty” that has NEVER been used, still in original packaging and is from the early 1970s. There is also a 10’ X 10’ screened room, a privacy shelter (can be used for an outdoor shower/bathroom), a large piece of outdoor carpet, a 1970 Coleman gas stove and a bunch of other goodies.
BOLER, SCHMOLER! This amazing tent trailer gets far more attention, is lighter and pure, simple joy.
I am certain that I have still missed a few points, and I have lots more pictures to share if required. Located in the Burke Mountain area of Coquitlam and ready to go on its next adventure. Ask for Monte.
- For Sale By: Owner
- Ad Type: Offering
cars & vehicles | RVs, campers, trailers | Other
2021-04-20