Anyone heard of « Heritage » trailer? Seeking to renovate

[Dream-me]

Hi, i am Dream-Me because it has been my dream to have a little place to escape to in nature. I live in a really big city and it is hard for me. So I found this HOA community of seasonal campsite that sells the land with septic, water and electricity (latter not included in HOA) and it comes with a vintage « Heritage » camper. I measured it with my feet so it is under 8ft wide and about 30 ft (I am a size 8 in shoes). The previous owner put vinyl siding with exterior insulation as per the photos and he insulated the inside and put sheet rock but did not finish the job. He was in his 80s and passed away unfortunately. The camper had 3 bunk beds (that he removed cause his kids were grown up) and one bedroom, bathtub in the bathroom. He removed the kitchen. Tried a search on the internet about Heritage and found a company in Indiana but absolutely nothing about a model or photos of a similar camper. They bought the site in 1978 and bought that camper brand new back then so it is pretty vintage!
1. Does anyone know anything about Heritage campers?
2. How much work do you think I have to put in? Laminate floors (he installed new plywood on the floor), walls (compound and paint), installing kitchen and buying appliances.
3. Is it worth reinstalling the 3 bunks (building them from scratch i guess)
4. I want to install a tiny stove in it and want to avoid using propane because I have electric onsite. Is that a good idea or not? How do I know if the HOA will allow a tiny stove, they allow porch stoves?
5. Does anyone have any advice on whether it is doable or I am completely nuts to even try to renovate it? The late owner was a contractor so I am assuming he knew what he was doing and could maintain the mechanicals ok. It was never moved since 1978. The septic and water is taken care of by the HOA.
5. When I retire I want to be on the road, I am assuming such a big trailer is not adaptable to the road and I would probably need a commercial truck to move it, correct?
Thank you for your advice in advance. I feel like I am crazy to venture into this adventure on my own!! ⛱

 

[Rob&Deryl]

At this point I would not worry about restoring it to original configuration. Do you need 3 bunk beds?

read the agreement in order to know what you are allowed. We can’t know.

Why not propane stove? You likely have propane heat.

you need to know the details of your electric service to know if you do an electric stove. Not likely in that it will need a 50a 240v circuit and is likely that the trailer has a smaller service or, at most the whole trailer only has a 50a service.

 

[TheBar]

With the added conventional framing and roof you likely can't move it. It is a Frankenstein assembly so there might not be much resale value. An HOA won't care about the the stove but will complain if your finished exterior doesn't suit them. I hope you have general contractor skills or you will be over your head and in debt from day 1.

 

[Dream-me]

At this point I would not worry about restoring it to original configuration. Do you need 3 bunk beds?

read the agreement in order to know what you are allowed. We can’t know.

Why not propane stove? You likely have propane heat.

you need to know the details of your electric service to know if you do an electric stove. Not likely in that it will need a 50a 240v circuit and is likely that the trailer has a smaller service or, at most the whole trailer only has a 50a service.

Thank you very much! Your response makes me very happy

You are saying the actual electric service will not be enough to power a normal electric burner?

I feel propane you have to fill it up, it is essential when you are off grid but when you are hooked up and not going anywhere, I would rather use electric.

I checked the laws of the condominium and it does not say anywhere that you can’t have a mini stove indoors… I heard mini stoves are a hassle too because you have to store wood and also risk of carbon monoxide poisoning (need a detector) and you need ventilation and then you need to clean the glue once in a while. The cubic mini is the stove I see that is the most popular.

Regarding the bunks, I want to have guests over and I have two teenagers who say they will never come cause they are too cool and city kids! Maybe there are better sleeping solutions than bunk beds but not sure how much space they take.

I guess I don’t have to worry about weight since I won’t be moving it anywhere, that is the good part!

 

[Dream-me]

With the added conventional framing and roof you likely can't move it. It is a Frankenstein assembly so there might not be much resale value. An HOA won't care about the the stove but will complain if your finished exterior doesn't suit them. I hope you have general contractor skills or you will be over your head and in debt from day 1.

Hi TheBar,

Thank you for your honest response. I guess you can’t move these structures. So not much value. They told me the value is in the land but it is HOA condominium so not sure it has much resale value and it is in a seasonal property.

Yet, any seasonal cabin or regular cabin around New York City that is falling to pieces is 4 times the price of what I am paying. And I can’t afford that type of money for a seasonal retreat. After Covid, anything in the suburbs and rural around New York increases like crazy. This land is located one hour and a half from New York City.

And I have been looking for a place for 3 years already! Sometimes, not everything has to be done with the intention of making a profit. Or maybe I am dream-me about it…

As far as my contractor skills, I have basic knowledge and experience. Not hiring someone to do it that is for sure. And I think the gentleman left his tools in the shed that comes with it.

Do you know if this heritage is a trailer or a fifth wheel? I could not find any info on it anywhere online!

 

[TheBar]

You can tell by the hitch in the 1st picture it is a trailer not a fifth wheel. I don't mean to discourage you, just warn you there will be a lot of added cost and a ton of work. If you and the HOA like the end result that is all that matters.

 

[Dream-me]

TheBar,

Thank you for clarifying it is a trailer! I do not need to replace the exterior. Just install a kitchen paint walls and install laminate floors. Is that a lot of work? And money? I don’t realize. The HOA won’t check the interior work.

 

[Dream-me]

You can tell by the hitch in the 1st picture it is a trailer not a fifth wheel. I don't mean to discourage you, just warn you there will be a lot of added cost and a ton of work. If you and the HOA like the end result that is all that matters.

Also, can you clarify what a Frankenstein trailer is? I know Frankenstein is a monster. So I am not sure what you mean by that. Thanks

 

[Ex-Calif]

5. When I retire I want to be on the road, I am assuming such a big trailer is not adaptable to the road and I would probably need a commercial truck to move it, correct?
Thank you for your advice in advance. I feel like I am crazy to venture into this adventure on my own!! ⛱

When do you retire?

I think you are working at 2 purposes here. A "fixed" place to get away to and a place that is travelable.

The unit you are showing is functionally not "movable" in the sense of a traveling RV in my opinion. It is more like a mobile home/semi-permanent install.

That is exacerbated by the additions and alterations the PO made (hence the Frankenstein comment).

There was a guy next to me in the RV place I stayed in. He had something like a "Park Model" with a fold down back porch. His must have been like 10 X 24 or something and it was definitely towable as he hooked it up and moved out recently.

You might consider buying the thing with the idea of having the home itself crushed up and hauled away and replaced with something newer and portable. I bet the cost difference vs. renovating and finishing it are not that much.

 

[Dream-me]

When do you retire?

I think you are working at 2 purposes here. A "fixed" place to get away to and a place that is travelable.

The unit you are showing is functionally not "movable" in the sense of a traveling RV in my opinion. It is more like a mobile home/semi-permanent install.

That is exacerbated by the additions and alterations the PO made (hence the Frankenstein comment).

There was a guy next to me in the RV place I stayed in. He had something like a "Park Model" with a fold down back porch. His must have been like 10 X 24 or something and it was definitely towable as he hooked it up and moved out recently.

You might consider buying the thing with the idea of having the home itself crushed up and hauled away and replaced with something newer and portable. I bet the cost difference vs. renovating and finishing it are not that much.

Hi Ex-Calif,

You are right, I am maybe confused about the purpose of this acquisition. And thank you for your insight!

I will retire when my two teenagers leave my apartment! That is in the next five years.

And you are right that the trailer looks more like a park model and a tiny home than a moveable home.
Thank you for clarifying the Frankenstein comment: I googled the meaning and it says “something you create and that bends up ruining you”, yikes!

What I think I may do is just basic renovations in this trailer/camp model just so that I can spend some weekends and holidays and vacations there as it is a safe place to go in times of Covid (one hour and a half drive), a nature escape from the city, cheaper than traveling by plane and renting a hotel in the end.

And then when I am ready to retire, I might get rid of it like you said and get a class C or something even smaller. Or maybe even sell the land and the trailer with it, I may not need a base?

So thankful for this forum.

 

[Ex-Calif]

What I think I may do is just basic renovations in this trailer/camp model just so that I can spend some weekends and holidays and vacations there as it is a safe place to go in times of Covid (one hour and a half drive), a nature escape from the city, cheaper than traveling by plane and renting a hotel in the end.

And then when I am ready to retire, I might get rid of it like you said and get a class C or something even smaller. Or maybe even sell the land and the trailer with it, I may not need a base?

So thankful for this forum.

Having a base in retirement is not at all a bad thing.

You could get away with minimal renovations as a get away place for now and then change it out or upgrade it when you retire. If the HOA allows travel trailers or 5W that could be a good option in retirement.

Or just add on buying a smaller TT, Class C or whatever for traveling.

I thought I would not need a home base when I retired mid-last year and was building an "RV Home" on my 5 acres here. I switched gears and am now installing a 40 foot double wide MH as a permanent US base.

 

[Dream-me]

Having a base in retirement is not at all a bad thing.

You could get away with minimal renovations as a get away place for now and then change it out or upgrade it when you retire. If the HOA allows travel trailers or 5W that could be a good option in retirement.

Or just add on buying a smaller TT, Class C or whatever for traveling.

I thought I would not need a home base when I retired mid-last year and was building an "RV Home" on my 5 acres here. I switched gears and am now installing a 40 foot double wide MH as a permanent US base.

Hi again Ex-Calif,

Thanks for your response and your sound advice. And congratulations for your retirement!

We shall see what will be in 5 years. I don’t know what an MH is? I am very new to the RV world. Is that a mobile home?

So you are saying you installed a mobile home on your 5 acres and are using your travel trailer to tour the country while having a proper base in a fixed place. I bet you don’t have to pay HOA in your land and the taxes are low.

In this HOA, the yearly fees are fairly high but the place has a lake, two pools, a pond, a stream, some hiking trail, so it is a nice getaway and they have 24hr gated security and patrol, garbage removal, septic care, and free water as well as year round showers (cause no water in the winter for RVs and laundry room and activities). So almost like a campsite but with access in the winter if need be. So it might be expensive to have as a land base if I will be travelling, not sure….but for now, I can see myself enjoying the nature and amenities.

And I love the fact there is a deck built in, a shed and a picnic table. I also wanted to lay some pavers for a path, plant some perennials and fruit trees. And yes, the HOA allows 5W and TT!

Wishing you a beautiful and sunny day!

 

[Dream-me]

Having a base in retirement is not at all a bad thing.

You could get away with minimal renovations as a get away place for now and then change it out or upgrade it when you retire. If the HOA allows travel trailers or 5W that could be a good option in retirement.

Or just add on buying a smaller TT, Class C or whatever for traveling.

I thought I would not need a home base when I retired mid-last year and was building an "RV Home" on my 5 acres here. I switched gears and am now installing a 40 foot double wide MH as a permanent US base.

PS - and I know that most people consider that HOAs have so many rules and the fees are so high that they don’t want to bother. Some even say HOAs are communist lol!!!

As a beginner, I don’t see myself buying a plot of land, which would be larger for the same price and just starting everything from scratch - I know nothing about gray water, black water, solar power, mechanicals, water tanks, snow removal (that is also included in the HOA) and it slows heavily here in the east coast; etc etc.

 

[Ex-Calif]

Yes - MH is mobile home or generally classed as "manufactured" home.

One of the main reasons I did the property development was lifelong living subject to apartment, condo and HOA rules not to mention the fees.

It always drove me nuts to pay some random strangers to tell me how to live just because we lived near each other.

My property is agricultural and outside the city limits. I only have county rules to live by and there aren't many of them - LOL...

 

[Dream-me]

Yes - MH is mobile home or generally classed as "manufactured" home.

One of the main reasons I did the property development was lifelong living subject to apartment, condo and HOA rules not to mention the fees.

It always drove me nuts to pay some random strangers to tell me how to live just because we lived near each other.

My property is agricultural and outside the city limits. I only have county rules to live by and there aren't many of them - LOL...

So happy for you Ex-Calif! At last you are mostly free!

Thank you for sharing your experience. I wish you much happiness with your new life and health to enjoy it!

 

[Kirk]

1. Does anyone know anything about Heritage campers?

I did quite a bit of study and research and I am very sure that the emblem on the front of your trailer is from Carriage RV which went out of business in 2012 and also that the one that you have may be a bit older than 1978. I did find a picture of a 1978 from the rear and note the similarity of tail lights to the one on the front of yours.

The only Heritage that I can find today is Heritage Glen by Forest River, a company that came into existence in 1996.

I very much agree with the others that what you have is a trailer that has been fastened into a fixed structure and that will never be a travel trailer again. You need to also check to see what the construction codes are in the county the property is in and if you need construction permits and inspections. This sounds like it will be quite a learning process.

You are saying the actual electric service will not be enough to power a normal electric burner?

Electric heat uses a lot of electricity. Quite likely yours is still supplied by the RV power cord and if that is the case you will be limited to a maximum of 30a for everything. A single electric heater on high will usually draw about 12a by it's self. A microwave will require about 8a or so. An electric cook stove can draw as much as 30a and usually needs 240V which you probably do not have. You need to have someone who knows basic electricity principles help you do any electrical work for reasons of safety.

 

[Mark_K5LXP]

If indeed this thing is planted on a fixed foundation then it would be useful to know how the utilities are handled. Is it being powered by the trailer pigtail or has someone put an electrical service panel on it? Added any upgraded circuits, e.g. 220? Does it still have waste tanks or have they been directly plumbed to sewer/septic? All original framing, exterior and roof or anything covered/replaced? Provided the structure hasn't been compromised, any interior updates are straightforward and the extent and cost of renovations are limited only by the thickness of your wallet. Seeing as how it's technically a trailer and likely has a title of some sort it would be my guess it's beyond the scope of local building codes but that would be something to find out for sure. Past that, you can do as much or as little as you want to it. Not like you have to preserve or ensure it's "stock", make it whatever you like. Seems like you're into it now, might as well make it into whatever suits you.

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

 

[Dream-me]

Hello Mark,

Thank you for your response. You think along the same lines. I am praying it is only a cosmetic finishing up type of job.
The water is permanently hooked up and septic also for years so no gray water or anything like that.
The electric I don’t know but here is a picture of the meter. Each site has a separate meter and I would have to pay the utility so not sure it is 110V like regular apartments in the city or 30amps or 50amps or more.
The late owner was a professional contractor and installed a shingle roof.
The home is not permanently attached because it has to be mobile so that we don’t pay housing taxes, just taxes for the land and HOA so it is still on wheels.
And I don’t plan on altering plumbing or electric so don’t think permitting will be needed. I just have to figure out what type of burner and fridge I can put in there and how to handle heating in the winter if I want to go up there to ski, there is a ski place 15 minutes driving distance.
Thanks again for your encouragements!

 

[TheBar]

Also, can you clarify what a Frankenstein trailer is? I know Frankenstein is a monster. So I am not sure what you mean by that. Thanks

"Frankenstein" also means unrelated various parts put together to make something. Hard to tell if the end result will have that many parts left that were made by Heritage.

 

[Dream-me]

"Frankenstein" also means unrelated various parts put together to make something. Hard to tell if the end result will have that many parts left that were made by Heritage.

Thanks for clarifying The Bar! I scratched my head to figure out the Frankenstein reference. I hope I don’t end up with a monster!!!