When you buy a vintage RV, it isn’t always going to be perfect right away. Sometimes – especially if you’re getting a good price – you may want to to customize it in order to fit your own needs and preferences.
The more personalized your RV, the more you’ll feel at home.
If you’re thinking about renovating an old camper soon, here are a few tips on turning it into a one-of-a-kind treasure of your own.
1. First things first – plan a budget.
Unless you happen to own a money tree, mapping out a budget is pretty important. How much do you plan on spending on your new mobile home – including the costs of supplies to fix it up? Have you been saving for awhile, or will you need to stay within a certain price range? Your funds will end up greatly affecting what kind of RV you end up with.
2. Then it’s time to find the perfect camper.
What you start out with is important. It’s the main framework you’ll be working with. These days, you can find great deals on RVs all over the web, like on RV Trader, craigslist or even on eBay.
There are so many kinds of vintage RVs to choose from out there, and they’re all amazing in their own ways. You can never go wrong with an Airstream or a Volkswagen bus – but of course, that’s up to your own taste (and price range).
No matter what you end up deciding on, you’ll want one that’s still in good shape and at a good price. Getting the most bang for your buck will only make it easier on your overall budget.
3. Make sure it works first.
Taking a good look at the RV is essential before you start to do any customization on it. You won’t want to end up finding out later on that the engine won’t even start.
4. Everything looks good? Time to clear out the inside.
ArronX is the photographer
You don’t need to necessarily cut out everything. But if you’re looking for an all-out customization, it’s probably best to start from scratch. Especially if it’s all rugged and dirty inside after years of not being used.
5. You may want to draw it out first.
Once you know what kind of RV you’re working with, and you’ve gotten a good sense of the inside, it’s not a bad idea to sit and draw out a construction plan. It can help you really start to visualize what the end result should look like.
6. Pick a theme.
Decorating the inside (and possibly outside) of your trailer really gives it that personalized, unique touch. You can even mix themes. Maybe go with a cutesy ’50s-vintage style. Or on the other hand, maybe a horror movie/zombie theme. Or fill it with animal and wildlife decor. Really, the possibilities are endless.
7. Hire electricians and plumbers.
Unless you’re a jack of all trades, or maybe a plumber or electrician yourself, this kind of work is something you may just want to leave to the pros. Besides, it’s less hassle and work off your hands. You can just sit back and relax while they take care of it all.
8. Score all of your decor from neighborhood thrift shops.
To make your camper really feel like home, you’ll want to furnish it accordingly to your theme. But there’s no reason to shell out a lot of money and go over-budget.
You can pick up all kinds of unique, affordable items at thrift stores, and/or neighborhood yard sales. Places like Goodwill, Value Village, and small town thrift shops are great places to find new home items and decor for your trailer. Online from eBay and Amazon are good options too, but you will end up having to pay for shipping.
Have you customized your own vintage camper before? What are some tips you have for making it your own?
