Newbie with vintage 1972 Bon Voyage

Greetings. Just this week I bought a 72 Bon Voyage off of CraigsList. I was not looking for a vintage camper, just one I could afford that was in good condition. After looking at this a little I have come to the conclusion that this unit is almost factory original. The factory fridge has been switched out with an electric unit and the water heater is missing.

Here is my dilemma, I want to clean this up and paint it inside and out and make a few "custom" changes for my family but now I'm wondering if I would be taking away any of it's value by doing that. I'm not really looking to sell it any time soon but I just don't know. What are your thoughts?

AplusMM said:

Greetings. Just this week I bought a 72 Bon Voyage off of CraigsList. I was not looking for a vintage camper, just one I could afford that was in good condition. After looking at this a little I have come to the conclusion that this unit is almost factory original. The factory fridge has been switched out with an electric unit and the water heater is missing.

Here is my dilemma, I want to clean this up and paint it inside and out and make a few "custom" changes for my family but now I'm wondering if I would be taking away any of it's value by doing that. I'm not really looking to sell it any time soon but I just don't know. What are your thoughts?

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Welcome to the forum. Any improvements you make would most likely increase the value, should you happen to want to sell it. From the pictures, it looks in really good shape for a 39 year old trailer. If you look at the modifications on the home page, it may give you a few ideas and tips. Feel free to ask any questions. There are a lot of experienced owners on forum so somebody is bound to know the answer. The only unique thing is the lift system. All the appliances, ect. are pretty generic to the RV world. Have fun with your trailer. The best way to learn about it is to just go out and play with it. I learn something new all the time. Again, welcome aboard!

Welcome to the forum

Couldn't have said it any better than RCREYES. We all have done something to our HiLo trailers to truly make them ours. Your unit looks in great shape. Have fun along the way. We are here to help you. You could try going without the water heater. We always shower at the campgrround. The key is to wear flipflops in the shower. Just have a large pot to boil water for washups and dishes. A new water heater wouls cost about $400.00 plus tax. Check out the maintenance section. One plus for the older trailers is they last for years with TLC. Sam

Thanks for the input! I think I am going to do some small modifications along the way hopefully without taking away from it's value.

I read somewhere that there is bracing already welded in above the rear window for a window A/C unit. Does anybody know if this is true or not and have any details about it?

Also, I should have introduced myself a little better, I'm Eric - I own and operate A+ Mobile Maintenance, an on-site RV & camper repair service in the St Louis area. After retiring from the US Air Force a year and a half ago I started this business and fell into the RV work due to a need for it. I have learned a lot in the last year and a half about campers and how they work but I'm always learning something new and willing to hear what other people have to say about things. Just today I was looking at how a guy took the guts from a window A/C unit and put them in the shell of a roof A/C unit to make a smaller, quieter, lighter roof top unit. Very interesting to me!

I'm going to be asking plenty of questions but I also would be glad to answer some if anybody needs my help.

First welcome,i'm Fhilo. I saw your Hi-Lo for sale in Jacksonville craigslist, nice .You can see my 78-Bon Voyage in my album.I too am torn whether to keep her original or not ,not for resale but for others to see.Like the guys said a little customizing wont hurt.Im thinking about customizing the table,maybe poly some pine & the top to the closet that opens,the rest im leaving alone,all depends what suits your needs.As far as the air .Yes there is a special framed area above the rear window , i've got the exact measurements somewhere,let me look and ill post them so you'll know the exact size,not sure if the measurements are the same for yours as mine ill check.Also i'm not sure how to post pix other than in my album,but if you send me your email address,i have a brochure that shows the steel frame work on the hi-lo,its impressive.One more thing i have pix of a 69 Bon Voyage that the guy installed inside,in one of the lower floor cabinets in the rear,it vents outside,never seen that before,owner said it works great.Just let me know,Happy Trails ,Fhilo

PM with my email address sent, thank you! I would be interested in mounting the AC on the floor but I'm concerned about venting outside. Likewise, I'm concerned about cutting a hole above the back window even if it is framed in so I guess I'll just have to figure out which I'm able to live with easier. I've thought about painting the paneling to brighten it up inside but then I'm not sure. I've also thought about putting a modern crank open vent over the bathroom in place of the powered vent that's there now... again, I'm just not sure. I will be putting a MaxxAir vent cover over my one crank open vent very soon unless I put a roof AC up there instead. Too many decisions to make and not enough money to make them! I also need to figure out a forth bed so each of us will have a bed - my kids don't share beds at their age (not cool dad).

Also a Newbie with Questions

I have just purchased a 1968 15 ft Hi-Lo that we have lovingly named Woodstock. The serial numbers and model numbers are not at all readible. We have the manual for the unit, but the avocado green gas oven says it is a Traveler and the avocado green refrigeratior is a Coleman. I ams looking for operating manuals for the appliance and perhaps someone who sells appliances for these older models? We paid $800 for the unit and there are no leaks and things seem to be in working order. I'd love to know if that is an okay price. I'm a cabinet maker, so I will probably revamp the inside at some point in time. I've included a few pictures below. Thanks.

New hi lo owner

Welcome to the forum. Great pictures. Looks to be in real nice shape. Can't wait to see what modifications you do. $800.00 is a good price for a trailer that doesn't leak and the inside is in good condition. We have several forum members with trailers that are around 1969.

cjestes said:

I have just purchased a 1968 15 ft Hi-Lo that we have lovingly named Woodstock. The serial numbers and model numbers are not at all readible. We have the manual for the unit, but the avocado green gas oven says it is a Traveler and the avocado green refrigeratior is a Coleman. I ams looking for operating manuals for the appliance and perhaps someone who sells appliances for these older models? We paid $800 for the unit and there are no leaks and things seem to be in working order. I'd love to know if that is an okay price. I'm a cabinet maker, so I will probably revamp the inside at some point in time. I've included a few pictures below. Thanks.

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$800 is a steal! You may be able to find serial and model numbers behind the appliances. Look and then do a google search. I'm sure you will be able to find what you are looking for.

Our plan is to make sure she is sound by taking it out on a few local trips. As soon as we get everything working to where we are comfortable, we'll start camping locally. We probably won't do the cabinet upgrades until this winter so we can enjoy it this summer.

Thanks for letting us know we did okay on the price. I'll take a look behind the appliances to see what we can find. Do you know of someone that sells appliances for these units that is reliable? I'm in KC, MO, but would be okay with an internet purchase with a recommendation from someone in this group.

cjestes said:

Thanks for letting us know we did okay on the price. I'll take a look behind the appliances to see what we can find. Do you know of someone that sells appliances for these units that is reliable? I'm in KC, MO, but would be okay with an internet purchase with a recommendation from someone in this group.

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The appliances are pretty generic to the RV world. You shouldn't have any problem finding what you need through any RV place or like at Camping World. Enjoy!