1948 United Sports-Tour Travel Trailer
We purchased our 1948 United Sports Tour back in ____. It's not what we were looking for. We had sold our 1956 Benroy Teardrop trailer and it was time to find something larger. I bid on a Safari travel trailer on eBay and lost it in the last few seconds. I was crushed. We had gone to look at the trailer prior to bidding on it and it was as cute as it could be. A few days after the loss of the trailer, I was whining about it on one of the vintage trailer forums. Another member emailed me and said they had a trailer for sale. He sent a few pictures, and it was only about an hour and a half away, so we decided to head up and look at it.
The trailer was stored in an old carriage garage. The trailer looked MASSIVE inside the garage. Remember, we're moving up from a teardrop. It was gray, and plain and not real attractive outside. However, when the owner opened the door and we saw all the gorgeous birch in original condition we looked at each other and decided we had to own it. After some negotiation, the trailer was ours.
We returned with a friend who had a lot more experience towing than we did. We got the trailer out of the garage, and safely made it home, turning heads the whole way.
This has been our main trailer for all these years. We painted the exterior, gave it new curtains and cushions and the only modification we've made is to add a bed to the back. During the day it's a great seat/bench. At night we pull the extra boards out of the closet and it becomes a nice comfy bed for two. We now have cushions for this part too, but I keep forgetting to take pictures when it's all set up pretty. We also repainted the stove/oven, which was in serious need of attention, but it worked right from the start.
United Mfg. was located in Williamston, Michigan, opening just after World War II. (1945). The driving force was Wes Young. They built the plant on the corner of Corvin and West Grand River. At the peak of production United Manufacturing had about 100 employees and was a great place to work. Over the years, poor management, mostly in the late 1950's and 1960's caused the factory to close. The factory building was mysteriously burned down in 1962. The property is now owned by the City of Williamston where it houses the Williamston Police Dept, and other businesses.
Now that we have purchased the Avion, we're not sure what we're going to do with our sweet United. It's been a fabulous trailer to own. All the appliances work, all the windows work, and it's a breeze to tow. On one hand we already own it, so why get rid of it. On the other hand, it seems a shame to keep it when we'll be doing most of our camping from now on in the Avion. What do you think we should do?
The trailer was stored in an old carriage garage. The trailer looked MASSIVE inside the garage. Remember, we're moving up from a teardrop. It was gray, and plain and not real attractive outside. However, when the owner opened the door and we saw all the gorgeous birch in original condition we looked at each other and decided we had to own it. After some negotiation, the trailer was ours.
We returned with a friend who had a lot more experience towing than we did. We got the trailer out of the garage, and safely made it home, turning heads the whole way.
This has been our main trailer for all these years. We painted the exterior, gave it new curtains and cushions and the only modification we've made is to add a bed to the back. During the day it's a great seat/bench. At night we pull the extra boards out of the closet and it becomes a nice comfy bed for two. We now have cushions for this part too, but I keep forgetting to take pictures when it's all set up pretty. We also repainted the stove/oven, which was in serious need of attention, but it worked right from the start.
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| After a rainstorm. All the nice stuff is put away, and what's out is soaked! lol |
Now that we have purchased the Avion, we're not sure what we're going to do with our sweet United. It's been a fabulous trailer to own. All the appliances work, all the windows work, and it's a breeze to tow. On one hand we already own it, so why get rid of it. On the other hand, it seems a shame to keep it when we'll be doing most of our camping from now on in the Avion. What do you think we should do?
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AHK!!! This is killing me.
ReplyDeleteI am not sure my last post made it to you - but I LOVE the 1965 Winnie and this is not a far second!
Any chance you are considering selling (or sadly, have sold)?
Love what you have done!
d2powers, we are going to be selling our 1948 United on eBay within the next couple of weeks. We've decided to concentrate on getting the Avion all fixed up and the '48 is too nice to just sit. It should be camped in and enjoyed. So, watch eBay. It could be yours. : )
ReplyDeleteRhonda
I appreciated your comments about United Mfg. I also own one, a 1946, has been sitting under my neighbor's carport since the 1950s. Any inside pics you'd like to share would be appreciated. jmiller51@indy.rr.com
ReplyDeleteHi Rhonda, I found your blog when searching for 1948 United Mfg trailers. There is NOT a lot of info out there, so thanks for your posts! I assume you no longer have the trailer but I am wondering if you have any more photos you can share with me. My husband and I bought one that looks to be almost identical to yours and we want to make repairs but keep it authentic. Thanks in advance. Cindy, vikingsby7@msn.com
ReplyDeleteI just purchased a 1948 United this week, but do not have a door key. Any idea how to get one made? Afraid of locking myself out! Love this camper.. excited to see a couple more out there! I am located near Amarillo, TX---- Melissa
ReplyDeleteDoor locks and keys can be found easily online - we've gone through two new sets due to fumbling on our part. Try this link: https://vintagetrailersupply.com/canned-ham-door-latch-vts-215/
DeleteIt will need only slight adjustment to fit as it is just a bit smaller than the factory latch. Good luck!
This is weird... I just got an email alerting me to the Jones family post of Dec 9, 2017. Today is Dec 31, 2018!
ReplyDeleteAnyway, to answer the question, take the lock cylinder to a locksmith to have a new key made. The inside latch has to come of to access the outside latch to get the cylinder out. We had to do the same thing. Good luck!