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Thread: Trailer with built-in boat as roof

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    Jon
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    Trailer with built-in boat as roof

    I'm not certain why the trailer-plus-boat-in-one concept never really took off. There isn't even a small Western European country where these are commonplace. They were manufactured a couple of times by American companies in the '50s and '60s, and a small new company in Oregon produces them today.



    The general configuration is sleeping space for two, plus a small galley in the rear. Depending on the manufacturer, either the trailer has an independent roof, or the boat is the roof, and when it's removed, a canvas top is used in its place.

    The first of its breed was the Kom-Pak Sportsman, manufactured in the 1950s. These are rare, with only a handful of originals thought to be still existing today. When the boat is removed from the top of the trailer, a canvas top is rolled into place as the roof. Hotrodders like these, especially when the trailer is painted to match the tow vehicle. Some examples of Kom-Paks:












    Some original Kom-Pak sales literature:



    Then came the Trailorboat, manufactured from 1961-1963, by Trailorboat Engineering of San Rafael, California. Around 200-400 built, with maybe 1/2 or 1/4 of that number remaining, although some reproductions exist. A nice example:



    And the beautiful logo, complete with period-correct script font, vintage (?) spelling of trailer with an "o", and a star dotting the "i":




    Nice Trailorboat restoration video:



    Yes, there is a modern version, from the American Dream Trailer Company. It's retro-styled ('50s-style windows plus stunningly ugly mid-century modern upholstery), but includes tech creature comforts like a power inverter and a bluetooth stereo.


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    carloski (Oct 15, 2021), dubbby (Apr 25, 2020), KustomsbyKent (Mar 27, 2017), Seedtick (Mar 28, 2017), Sleykin (Feb 21, 2021), Toolmaker51 (Mar 22, 2017)

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    Well, using the boat or not, in comparison with camping trailers and facing covered motorhomes, bet leaks would be postponed a long time.

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    When will they go to work re-styling 3 wheeled motorcycles?
    Having an image to preserve, I'd like one but the Batmobile thing is pure turn-off.
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    Quote Originally Posted by Toolmaker51 View Post
    Well, using the boat or not, in comparison with camping trailers and facing covered motorhomes, bet leaks would be postponed a long time.
    Pardon, is that a bit of dry humor?

    (sorry, couldn't help myself)

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    Toolmaker51 (Sep 27, 2022)

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    Quote Originally Posted by dagrizz View Post
    Pardon, is that a bit of dry humor?

    (sorry, couldn't help myself)
    Yes.
    Many an outing has gone south with everyone awakening in wet underwear.



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