"Compact Jr" trailers - any good?

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I'm new here glad to find this group. I'm starting to look at small, fiberglass trailers to pull behind our Subaru Outback. I've just heard of an old "Compact Junior" trailer for sale for a screaming deal of $500. I believe it's fiberglass but can't find any on-line info. Anyone know about them? Any info from those in the know will be much appreciated!

Another question - if I don't get the trailer in question, I'll still be looking. I can spend up to about $1500, and don't mind a fixer-upper. It will be for weekend trips for 2 adults and 2 tiny kids. Any suggestions?

- Suzy in Montana

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:wave Hi Suzy. Surely someone who frequents this website will have a suggestion about finding an older, fixer-upper travel trailer.

I've never heard of a Compact Jr. Have you seen it yet? (I guessing not, from your description of your search.) Would be interesting to hear more about it, if you take a tour.

Anyway, glad you found us. Hope we can help!

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Thank you Mary. - Suzy

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:wave Suzy in Montana,
<img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3db38219c7134side-view.jpg/>

<img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3db3823585cdbfront.jpg/>

<img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3db3824c2e71eback-threequarter-view.jpg/>

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<img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3db38288a77fbback-door.jpg/>

<img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3db382a35ee3crefrig.jpg/>

<img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3db382bdc12eastove.jpg/>

<img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3db382d24c762table-bed.jpg/>

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<img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3db3831433299top-up.jpg/>

The above trailer is a 1971 year model.
I hope this helps.

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Thank you, Michael, for the photos. These are the only ones I've seen. I found a link on the net this weekend for one for sale in Eureka, CA. Is this it?. I called at 10:00 Sunday morning and spoke with a sleepy sounding woman (oops!) who said it had recently sold (asking price was $3,000.) I'd have liked to have asked more questions but she didn't seem eager to talk. I may call again to see what I can find out about theirs.

I went ahead and bought the Compact Junior for sale locally - for $600. Like the photos you posted, it's also a 1971. I wonder if 1971 is the only year, or one of just a few, that it was produced.
Your pictures are helpful - as ours came without the bug screen that fits the pop-up, so that's nice to see. Ours can use TLC, but it's generally in good condition. I will try to post some photos soon.

Thanks - Suzy

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:wave Suzy,

The one in that photo was for sale in my area a year or two ago. It sold for $4,000 so I think you got a great deal for $600. The bug screen around the top had been replaced on the one in the photo as well.

We'll have to add “Compact Jr.” to our list of Fiberglass RVs in the description. :cblob

Yes, please post photos and keep us posted as to your restorations. Did you read about Suz's in Texas? Man she has put me to shame with the job she has done on her trailer making it look new.

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The price is great, isn't it? It's sort of the rule that this particular trailer has to sell for $600, as it's been passed around among friends and everyone has sold/bought it for that price. It also looks like maybe rule #2 is to never clean it...but that's another topic!

I sort of wondered after I posted a few times, if it was really OK for me to be part of the group - since my new trailer isn't one of the gang. Thanks for considering us!

How do I find the details about Suz in Texas' restoration? I'm definitely looking for inspiration.

By the way - the trailer is a surprise to my husband. He's been wanting to get a camper for some time, but we're in the middle of adopting 2 babies, so the wife keeps putting a nix on his idea. He arrives home today to find it in the garage. I can't wait to see his reaction!

- Suzy in Montana

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I put a link on your other thread “How to clean and polish”.

I hope this helps.

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Got it. Thanks!

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Orginally posted by montanasuzy

I sort of wondered after I posted a few times, if it was really OK for me to be part of the group - since my new trailer isn't one of the gang. Thanks for considering us!

- Suzy in Montana

:wave Suzy,

Compact Jr. has been added to our list of names, enjoy.

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So don't keep us in suspense! How'd he handle it? Getting his camper I mean.:wave

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My sweetie is home and he LOVES what he found in the garage. He's so enthusiastic, in fact, that he's already talking about tearing this and that out and giving it a classic re-build. Please note that neither of us are motor heads - and I *never* thought I'd own a camper, so this is quite the stretch. We're trying to figure out where to take it this weekend. We live right near Yellowstone Park so we've got lots of great options.

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Orginally posted by montanasuzy

The price is great, isn't it? It's sort of the rule that this particular trailer has to sell for $600, as it's been passed around among friends and everyone has sold/bought it for that price. It also looks like maybe rule #2 is to never clean it...but that's another topic!

...

- Suzy in Montana

Friend Suzy,

I'm next, I'm next :jump

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Funny. We've made a number of new friends in the 48 hours that We've owned this thing!

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Can I be after Morgan, I once visited Whitefish, and I'm very friendly and Morgan lives a few blocks away. Can I, Can I?;)

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Orginally posted by montanasuzy

Funny. We've made a number of new friends in the 48 hours that We've owned this thing!

It was your post about the way the trailer has been handed from friend to friend for $600.

Darline is a fair weather friend, just trying to get in line for the Jr. ;)

I'm a friend through thick and thin (when things start to get thick, I thin out). :wave

Enjoy the Jr., montanasuzy, as I'm sure you will. What you're experiencing is envy. Not of the Jr, but of your prowess in finding such a bargain. :ola

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We're loving our new little camper. We took it south to Yellowstone Park and over to Cody, Wyoming for the weekend and it hauled great behind out Subaru Outback. What a treat to sleep in a bed and make pancakes, eggs and bacon in the morning - all while staying toasty warm. Well...in actuality...we were #*^ing freezing the first night (forgot to throw in the down comforter we'd planned to bring) but the thrift store in Cody had a couple of $4 comforters that saved us the next night. And we were amazed how much a Coleman propane lantern heated it up at night (and in the morning when we didn't need the light - but enjoyed the heat!) I think we're going to get used to this kind of camping!

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Hi Suzy
We use the stove to warm up our Trillium. Turning it on for about 5 minutes makes it toasty and warm.

This is a question for everyone. I read/heard a long time ago about putting a clay flower pot or a fire brick on the stove and letting it get hot. Turn the stove off and the brick/pot supplies radiant heat for a long time. Has anyone ever heard of doing this? My concern would be the pot especially exploading. Fire brick would be much safer but.....still not too sure. Comments????
Nancy