Vintage Camper Restoration Project: Compact Jr.

Adding a new dimension to our road trip experience, we plan to delve into the vintage camper world with the restoration of a Compact Jr. Similar to the camper restoration project documented by the Tin Can Tourists, we’re planning a complete gutting of our lime “Green Bean”.

Given to us by a friend, our initial investment in this project is a whopping zero dollars. As you can see, the interior is in rough shape. Our first project will be to completely gut the interior and line the walls with an insulation foam. We’ll reinforce the both the floor and pop up trolley (which currently sags and collects standing water) with cross braces and plywood.

Ultimately the goal is to keep the towing weight as low as possible and use as many reclaimed and repurposed materials in the process. I’ll be pulling the Green Bean with my 2017 Subaru Outback, and secured a used trailer receiver from a local auto salvage yard for $65.

Exposed to the elements for many years, we spent some time hand-scrubbing the fiber glass exterior with a power drill brush attachment kit from Amazon.com. As you can see from the feature photo, the brush attachment was gentle enough to not damage the surface but powerful enough to speed up the cleaning process.

Next up is coming up with a plan for electricity – we plan to camp in the shoulder seasons and will need a small heating element that can (ideally) run with an electrical hookup or small solar-powered battery. The interior re-design will center around storage and a comfortable sleeping arrangement at least 75 inches long.

Thankfully the internet is full of inspiration for tiny homes and vintage camper redesign – follow along as we work on this fun project over the winter.


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Happy trails!

About the Author

Julie Henning
Julie Henning is a freelance writer and journalist based out of Eugene, Oregon. She is a member of the Society of American Travel Writers and owner of the family-travel website RoadTripsForFamilies.com. She is a recent past member of the Midwest Travel Writers Association and the Association for Great Lakes Outdoor Writers. In March 2018 Julie Henning published the book "100 Things to Do in Eugene Before You Die" (Reedy Press). She is a member of the Society of American Travel Writers and recent past member of the Midwest Travel Writers Association and the Association for Great Lakes Outdoor Writers. She has been published in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the Wisconsin State Journal, Travel Wisconsin, Travel Oregon, Hometown News Group, The Daily Journal (Kankakee, Illinois), the Rochester Post Bulletin, Wisconsin Natural Resources Magazine (DNR publication), Experience Michigan Magazine, the Official Oregon Wine Touring Guide, Metro Parent Milwaukee Magazine, Eugene Cascades & Coast Official Visitors Guide, Trivago, Intercom Magazine, Roadtrippers.com, Amtrak.com, Eugene Magazine, and FTF Geocacher Magazine. Julie has appeared on Wisconsin Public Radio, Ohio Public Radio, and KCBX FM Central Coast Radio. She has produced episodes for Journey of Discovery with Tom Wilmer, a National Public Radio travel podcast. Julie has also produced travel apps with Sutro Media and Bindu Media. She works full time in marketing. Julie has appeared on Wisconsin Public Radio, Ohio Public Radio, and KCBX FM Central Coast Radio and is an affiliate producer with the Journeys of Discovery with Tom Wilmer, a National Public Radio travel podcast. She has blogged for TravelWisconsin.com, Travel Oregon, and VISIT Milwaukee. Julie travels with her three kids and black lab as much as possible and lives by the motto, "Not all who wander are lost." Check out some of her best work at www.juliehenning.com.