Trillium 1300 and 5500

[Legacy Posts]

It was suggested that I post some information about the difference between these two models in this forum.

Trillium trailers were made in Ontario in the 70's and 80's. The 1300 is again being manufactured in Canada and called the Outback.

The 1300 is 13 ft. long (including the hitch) - the actual space is about 10 x 7. It is very light and takes only a type A hitch. The sleeping area makes up to the table at the rear, galley and closet in the middle and a couch which folds into two bunks at the front. Basic features are sink, on board water, propane stove, furnace and ice box. The picture is our 1300, a 1973 unit that has been fully restored and is the one in the "for sale" part of the web site. The interior picture is looking to the rear. I really like the interior it has distinctive period feel to it.

The 5500 is 4 ft. longer and 1 foot wider. - the actual space is about 14 x 8. It has a shower/toilet, 12 volt system on board, oven, frig. in addition to the furnace and stove. But with all this stuff, the closet is even smaller than in the 1300. It is a heavier unit equiped with electric breaks and requires a better hitch. The picture is a 1981 unit which has not been fixed up. Unfortunately I do not have any interior shots but can say that the interior has a lot of fake wood grain. My wife and I have not figured out exactly we will do inside - it needs new flooring and kitchen counter and what to do with that "fake wood grain"?

We started looking for a Trillium one year ago. While I have seen some 1300's, this is the only 5500 that we have seen. I live in Alberta and found both units in south eastern British Columbia.<img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3e2af4f9b4815Trillium pictures0001.jpg/> <img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3e2af519e1495Trillium pictures0002.jpg/>
<img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3e2af5a32b4f9trillium5500.jpg/>

[Legacy Posts]

Thanks for posting more about the Trills! Is there anywhere on the net where the floorplan is available?

For addressing the pressboard - I think there are three primary realistic options:

1 - paint (pretty common - stick to light colors to brighten and 'open' up the interior. After all - if you can't BE big, you should at least FEEL big, no?

2 - contact paper - Little harder, gives opportunities for nice patterns and pictures however. Heck - left over wrapping paper and some contact cement would do (maybe glossed over with some polyurethane).

3 - rip it out and replace it. That's what I chose for my '72 Boler. I pulled out all but one small piece of pressboard and replaced it with 1/2 or 3/4" plywood. Table, all the doors, the reciever strip for the table, the underseat storage covers - all replaced with plywood. I had some decent grade sanded stuff left over from when I built a console for the van. That took care of all the doors and storage covers. Bought a piece of 3/4" for the table, reciever strip and table leg though. Stained and polyurethaned them - now they're in the camper. BIG improvement over the pressboard stuff (I prefer to call it "sawdust with pictures of wood on the outside")

Before I fixed the closet with the fiberglass sheeting - I considered the option of encasing it in stained 1/8" plywood. The fiberglass would supply the structural strength - and the wood the looks. Chances are it would end up a lot lighter than all wood construction, but with all the looks. :)

mkw

[Legacy Posts]

I have a 5500,same colours as your shot, I like the woodgrain. Check your water system and let me know if you have a grey tank and a black tank, I didn't, and overfilled the black first time out, I spent 80 bucks and had one made at a plastics company, took about 4 hours to re-plumb and install -worth every penny.
The 5500 weighs in at 2450 lbs. curb dry, tongue weight is about 110 lbs.

[Legacy Posts]

The bunk at the front is not the only 13' floorplan. Some came with a front dinette and rare ones with a front bathroom. Some had a full bench but no bunk.

The furnace, 3 way fridge, overhead cabinets, spare tire holder, windows over stove and in door, were all options.

Our 75 was one of the more fully equipped ones with a furnace, 3way fridge, spare tire holder, door window and overhead cupboards.
Nancy