Streamlining: Stylish Trailer Storage

If you need extra room, but can't commit to a major remodel, consider parking a trailer in your yard. Oakland residents Zach Moser and Erica Gomes didn't have adequate space in their 2-bedroom, 900-square-foot Oakland bungalow to accommodate Zach's photography studio. So they drove lonely country roads and attended farm equipment auctions in California's Central Valley until they found this 1976 Airstream Caravanner for $2,500.

Want to find one of your own? It's not as hard, or as costly, as you might think.

First, don't look in the obvious places or you could pay a premium. Zach and Erica's unconventional tactics paid off fourfold (a similar one online is listed for $10,000). The couple scanned rural listings on Craigslist, and they weren't afraid to knock on doors when they found trailers abandoned on overgrown lots.

Second, choose a trailer with a clean body. Repairing dented aluminum can be costly and labor intensive. If you choose to remove the interiors, the parts can be sold to collectors and, like Zach, you can tailor the space to fit your specific purpose.

Third, carefully measure your yard space. Vintage Airstream trailers range in size from 16 feet to upwards of 32 feet. It's important to get it right the first time.

Now parked in their side yard, Zach and Erica's airstream is currently undergoing a full interior transformation. Stay tuned for the results!

Jennifer Volland | Comments () |

RV Ratings

classy...

michellemoser

Love the blog. Strange to read about someone I know....subjects and author alike. Will you do a follow-up when the renovation is complete? Can't wait to see the finished product. I think you've got a lot of people thinking about Airstreams.

mickmayhew

I thought this was my neighbors house. He is an architect and has an airstream on the side of house that he uses as his office. Everybody wants one! I'm sure this piece will inspire someone else to actually do it.

Kelly

This is a great idea...we are always searching for a vintage Airstream. My real find, that I regret to this day, was the lone 35' Spartan Imperial Palace sitting idle on Hwy 95 near Sandpoint, ID. For $2500 it was the perfect waterfront retreat, if you happened to have a vacant piece of land. And, I have always wanted to be Queen of a palace.

Too bad it's long gone, but I am always on the lookout.

gsperk13

Wow, what a great idea! I was just searching Craigslist for one of those, but didn't think about going rural in my search.

I do want to see the inside of Zach's studio, though.

aarongomes

Hmmm...what is inside that gem???

I bet it is nicely organized.

larryvolland

Jennifer, very cool artical; makes alot of sense at a great savings, and if they decide to move they can take the studio whith them and or sell it.

Mike Giannone

great idea. you may be driving by our house soon to see the same sitting out front. of course it will be for all of joeys odds and ends, not mine.

Anne Marie

A very cool and creative idea! This sure is less expensive than moving or building a house ;) Does the city care if they park a trailer on their property? What do Zach and Erica's neighbors think?

miranda

I have trailer envy & at $2500 -I'm inspired to do some hunting.