At 7:55am on the morning of August 11th, 2014, I passed a small, vintage “canned ham” style camper trailer on my way to work. She was sitting in a field, little forlorn “For Sale” sign posted, alone save for a John Deere riding mower… just waiting for me to drive by.
By 9:00am, I had the title in hand and she was mine!
1969 RoadRunner
Vintage camper trailer
This wasn’t an impulse buy; I’d been dreaming of restoring / renovating a vintage travel trailer for years. I wasn’t finicky about the model, but I did have a few requirements that made the pickings slim: I was looking for a 1960’s, or earlier, camper trailer in original condition (i.e., not gutted), that was structurally sound, with working plumbing, appliances, propane, and electric. At a price I could afford.
I’d had experience with how quickly these old trailers move in my area; they come up for sale only rarely, and when priced right, they are a popular choice to begin a new life as a “hunter’s special”. I called the seller right away, and once he arrived, I made a deal to purchase within five minutes of looking her over. Considering others were already showing up to see the camper, and the seller’s phone was a near continuous ringing in his pocket, I knew she’d be gone within an hour. I had to act quickly if I wanted her.
I looked long enough to ascertain a few pertinents: No visible, massive water damage -check! Original appliances present and working -check! Windows and door unbroken,working, and appear to be all original -check! Structure and floor appear sound -check! Axle is in good shape and tires have good tread -check! Is there a clear title? There is? She’s mine!
The seller assured me that “everything works great” with the electrical system, appliances, and propane, and that has turned out to be somewhat true. “All her lights work” actually translated to all interior lights working, and three or four of her running lights working sporadically; my husband ended up repairing most of the electrical connections to the running lights before we had “works great” electric. The propane connections and appliances do indeed all work, though, (at least on the limited basis that I’ve tested them so far) and the seller made sure he included two propane tanks with updated valves so I wouldn’t have difficulty getting them filled. He was a nice old guy. He was asking $1000.00, I offered $800 cash, he settled for $900.00, and I drove away with a 1969 L&M RoadRunner Fine Travel Trailer. She’s 7′ 10″ tall, and 8′ wide, making her almost a perfect little square can. She’s 11′ long with a 4′ tongue, an easily towed, lightweight single axle with a clear title and, amazingly, all of her original paperwork and manuals!
Paperwork for 1969 RoadRunner
RoadRunner travel trailers were built by L & M Trailer Manufacturing Company in Ephraim, Utah in the 1960’s. The designation RoadRunner was not a model name, all of their trailers were called RoadRunners. It was a very small company; I read it started with just a single rancher building campers in Utah. The company was purchased by DiGiorgio Leisure Products of Kalispell, MT in the early 70’s. And that’s really all I’ve been able to find out about RoadRunners.
Fine Travel Trailers
L & M Trailer Mfg Co
If the sticker is correct, my RoadRunner was originally sold by a dealer known as “Modern Trailer Sales, Inc”
In a perfect world, I would have found a vintage trailer with that most coveted of assets – turquoise appliances…Mmmm 🙂 …. The RoadRunner’s Holiday Trav’ler appliances are a rich, golden orange, apparently called ‘Sunset’, and by God, I’ll take them. Could have been worse, they could have been the ubiquitous vintage shades of dark avocado, or (worse!) woodtone brown -my least favorite vintage shades. Her dinette cushions are a bordello inspired red vinyl with flamboyant gold embroidery, but those will be getting a facelift, so meh -not a problem.
Holiday Trav’ler original, vintage appliances. The manual lists all of the colors the appliances were available in; my appliances appear to be in the shade they called “Sunset”.
Interior of `69 RoadRunner as purchased
Original Coleman Cool-Ray Gas Lite -Works! Her original propane Hydro Flame furnace still works as well.
Winnebago vintage Porta-Potti included!
One of the first things I did when I got her home was to remove the Walmart special ’90’s wall clock and pull the curtains, which may have actually been original, and were definitely vintage, but which did not endear themselves to me with their plaid, homey cabin feel. I washed those curtains, folded and tied them up in a pretty bow and sold them at my vintage / antique shoppe. I have definite ideas for my vintage travel trailer interior, and none of them involve plaid, brown, or the cabin look. (Not that there is a thing wrong with those colors or that look, they are just not for me. 🙂 )
I have learned a lot during the renovation process of this trailer, which my husband and I have done entirely on our own. I had hoped to drag him into my newest project as infrequently as possible (which is why I wanted a trailer with sound structure, electric, et cetera -those things are beyond my personal fix-er-up capabilities), but as it’s turned out, he was sucked in to the RoadRunner vortex -she’s irresistible, apparently! If it involved automotive exterior painting, welding, plumbing, electrical repair, building anything from steel, or anything to do with the tongue, hitch, couplers,wheel bearings, and propane connections -my husband handled it. If it involved sanding, stripping paint, masking, designing color schemes, polishing, interior painting, ripping out, rebuilding, paneling, sealing, re-sealing, screening, installing, upholstering, repairing holes, building anything from wood, researching and decorating -I handled it. 🙂
’69 RoadRunner
Things I learned:
- How to operate a table saw and a jig-saw, as well as various other assorted power tools.
- How to upholster cushions and create curtains when you can’t sew.
- A whole host of things about vintage trailers
- You can accomplish an amazing renovation on comparably little money if you do all the work yourselves. (Our total financial outlay on the trailer, parts, and materials is now at just over $2,100, and there is very little left to purchase… we will come in well below $3000 on this great camper!)
- There is a YouTube video to teach you absolutely anything in the world that you need to learn how to do. Within reason.
- I had no mechanical or construction type skills -but I learned… and then created!
- I’m incredibly lucky, as my husband has mad skills (of the type I couldn’t have learned on YouTube) that enabled us to not have to outsource any of the work done on the trailer.
- All vintage travel trailers have a name.
- Figuring out what your vintage travel trailer’s name is doesn’t happen in one day.
I considered many names, including Erma, Olive, and Mabel.
I contemplated what her name was for days… 🙂
Also? For every three things you fix, you discover one more thing that needs attention.
Let the fun begin 🙂
L & M RoadRunner Travel Trailer
Original Bargman vintage “tiered wedding cake” lights on the back!
My first day working on the trailer can best be described as vacillation. I went back and forth between things to be done, unable to settle long enough to accomplish much. The problem was, I’d identified so many items I wanted to tackle that I couldn’t focus on getting any one thing done. My brain was stuffed full with all of the things that I wanted to do to this trailer.
There is obvious work to be done here…
Countertops are going to need some love…
These cushions.
Really need to be a different color 🙂
The next day I created a spreadsheet. (What can I say, I just think better on paper, I guess) …I let everything that was clogging up my brain pour out all over Excel, then organized it in a to-do list that made sense to me. For instance, I’d probably want to strip old paint before polishing aluminum, heh. Simple, but made a world of difference because it gave me one thing at a time to focus on, and I could add things to the list as I discovered them, thus I could quit worrying that I would forget something if I didn’t try to address every single issue the moment I noticed it.
That list has grown exponentially.
On the plus side, around 90% of the list is now complete! I’ll post the list here, at the end of this blog -just in case you have a wild desire to renovate a travel trailer yourself, and would like to know what to expect. 🙂 The list, however, is not comprehensive. Occasionally, when I’d notice some new repair that was necessary, I would actually be able to get to it that day, thus it never made it onto the to-do list.
I gifted myself with air conditioning and tunes while I worked. 🙂
We’ve come a long way, and finished nearly everything on the list below, but the details on each, as well as before and after photos, will come in subsequent blog entries. 🙂
The to-do list, a.k.a. -my random little notes…
| TO DO LIST |
| Repair holes in aluminum body -fiberglass patch kit |
| spray foam insulation in repaired areas |
| Remove truck box |
| remove propane tanks |
| screw down front bottom aluminum strip |
| Polish aluminum front bottom strip |
| install new battery box |
| install new battery |
| upholster cushions / create cushion covers |
| hammer down protruding edges on little windows |
| Strip paint remnants from back section |
| Remove back window |
| Polish aluminum |
| replace and seal back window |
| re-screen all windows |
| remove and reseal left side windows |
| Auto paint -prime, paint, and clear coat exterior after masking / sanding |
| paint propane tanks |
| install a 2nd propane hose |
| paint battery box |
| reinstall all parts after painting |
| front door bottom window frame bottom tightened and screen replaced |
| measure for and order vintage awning & ropes / poles to fit existing awning channel |
| order custom license plate |
| repair hole in trailer underbottom -aluminum rivet |
| reinstall propane tanks |
| check all the propane connections |
| Build a new back steel bumper |
| install leveling jacks and tow hitch |
| build a spare tire holder |
| paint new bumper and jacks white |
| rivet the front window awning where it’s loose |
| install new doorknob |
| polish all interior / exterior window chrome trim |
| running lights repaired and re-sealed , installed |
| wire tubing on front connections |
| rear tail lights need special screws installed |
| extra reflectors on patched areas in back? |
| Repack wheel bearings |
| paint inner wheels white |
| order baby moon hubcaps and install |
| porta potty out and soaking in a bleach water mix / scrub out |
| build an exterior water drain |
| remove half of the top bunkbed |
| electric wires checked, repaired |
| install new batten insulation where water damaged paneling and moldy insulation removed |
| underlayment down under storage areas -rebuild back corner floor areas |
| new wall panelling sheets installed in back |
| glue / repair the loose laminate on bunk |
| silicon / wood glue repair remaining moisture damage splits near windows |
| lightly sand panelling to be painted |
| paint interior storage areas under dinette |
| build and install dais for porta potti |
| remove hooks, mirrors, etc from interior |
| cargo hold scrubbed out and replace broken key latch |
| install shelving |
| paint interior |
| inside door -chalkboard paint |
| pull water tank, clean area with bleach, install new water tank or repair tank leak |
| Clean area under kitchen sink and stove thoroughly |
| Clean sink, icebox, stove, |
| clean inside of all cupboards |
| install flooring |
| paint the port potti |
| relaminate or paint kitchen counter |
| repair the sink faucet pump |
| porta potty back in |
| create and hang curtains |
| paint bathroom door -install new knobs, fix door to hang right |
| polish all interior chrome |
| bathroom light |
| find a spare tire, paint wheel white, install hubcap |
My old 1963 GMC (Phil) is pretty stoked to have a pretty little camper to pull.
Ostrobogulous cackleberries 
i just found one just like yours. Would love to compare photos. Mine is mostly 100% original except for the closet.
Hi Chuck,
I just posted a second entry, which has more photos of our renovation progress on the camper. I also have photos of her in my Flickr album -I believe there is a link to the Flickr album here on this blog. Do you have photos of your RoadRunner posted anywhere? I’d be interested in seeing it!
Thanks so much. …you could help me with a couple questions. Mine looks identical to yours on the inside. My original floor vinyl looks just like yours and my Avocado upholstery has same pattern as your red. I do not have a dinette table and there appears to have never been a base. Could you tell me the size of your dinette table top? I want to have one made. Also, how did you remove the upholstered dinette padded back? Does it pop off? Thanks for any help…. I love the way your removed the paint on the back roof area…. I will be doing the same.
Hi Chuck, I will have to measure the dinette table and let you know; I’ve never had a need to measure it, so am unsure of the dimensions.
The padded dinette back cushion in my RoadRunner was screwed on from the outside of the frame. So literally, when the trailer was built, that backrest was screwed on to the wood framing, from the outside of the framing, before the aluminum skin was added. We pulled it off with a pry bar (it probably helped that that was the area I had to rebuild anyway, due to a back window leak -the wood backing on the dinette backrest was soft from water damage. Anyway, after removing it, there was one frame board that we were not going to have to replace, as it remained undamaged by water -however, it had one of the large screws sticking out of it, that had been screwed into the cushion backrest. There was no way to pull it out or unscrew it from the outside, without removing the aluminum skin, which we weren’t going to do. My husband ended up cutting the protruding sharp screw bit off with a metal cutting power tool….
Hi again, Chuck. I measured the table in my RoadRunner. It’s the original table, and has a heavy metal ring screwed into the floor for the table stand. The table is 27 & 3/4 ” tall, 41 & 1/4″ long, and 3 ft wide. The longer side fills the distance between the two side benches. Hope that helps!
Hello, I just bought a roadrunner but I don’t know what year it is. I cannot get the furnace to work is there any way you can copy the manual and send it to me. Also how did you polish the aluminum?
Hi, for the aluminum sections, I removed all old paint with aircraft stripper, than hand polished with Mothers Mag & Aluminum Polish, and also with Snap-On Metal Polish strips (purchased from a Snap-On Dealer).
I’ll try to pull the furnace manual out this week if I get a chance!
I have a 63 14ft. Have been restoring her for a year now. This past summer pop all windows and door off. Sand it
down and painted her. New seals on window and door. Looks great.. now for the in side. Hope to be done for this summer. Irene
Great job on your renovation. I recently purchased a 1969 Roadrunner trailer in Utah and I am starting to restore/refurbish it. I haven’t seen your finished pictures but I am interested in seeing how the interior looks. Also you mentioned that you used Snap-on Metal Polish. Where did you buy it? I checked Homedepot but they don’t seem to carry it.
I’m about halfway through the interior now -I need to get the blog caught up to the current status of renovation 🙂 The Snap-on polish is available through Snap-on dealers (or possibly can be ordered online from Snap-On?) My husband is an automotive & body technician, so he buys it when the Snap-On guy visits his workplace…
I too have a RoadRunner. 1963 double axle……its from MT. mist all markings are gone. I barely have a name on it……but i live her. I been saving her and getting regstrations if ownership.
I found a good old ’70 RoadRunner in our small town in KS and was so glad to get her. We bartered and went back and forth for some time and we ended up trading him a old pickup with a blown motor and we got the trailer some new tires, packed bearings and all new water lines, and we gave him 650.00. I feel OK with that as it is a 16′ with a bathroom and all original. The ceiling has no damage and the floors are sound. It is dead of winter but I am anxious to get started on her. I have ordered all new upholstery, new foam as hers were all rotted, new curtains (I already have vintage barkcloth) and I found some RoadRunner replacement stickers online. So restoration here we come. I love your blog and will be checking back often. I am needing some advice on how to get enamel paint off the exterior as it was rolled on and is awful.
Congratulations on your RoadRunner! We used Aircraft paint stripper / remover to get rid of all the paint remnants from the areas we were leaving as polished aluminum. Available at Home Depot, Ace Hardware, et cetera -worked great!
If you have questions about L&M Trailer and the RoadRunner, feel free to contact me. I know much about L&M Trailer and founder, Harry Mosher. I first met Harry in the early 1970s and know well his remarkable success story. Earlier, before moving to Utah, Harry was a conventional builder in California. He moved to the small Town of Ephraim because of an old, vacant cannery bldg and local officials anxious to help if it meant new jobs in that struggling rural county. He started out with ambition, const tools, lots of know-how, but hardly any financial resources. We got along well and I spent a lot time with him. Harry stayed on for a time as head of L&M after the sale to DiGiorgio (then a Fortune 500 Company) and was also on DiGiorgio’s Board. In 1972, they expanded operations in Ephraim, Utah, in order to move big-time into the emerging manufactured & modular home industry. After Harry parted ways with DiGiorgio, operations fizzled in Ephraim and soon the bldg was vacant again. The spark plug was missing.
I would love to know more about the RoadRunner! 🙂
Where can you find replacement parts? Roadrunners are not as common as the Shasta or Airstreams.
I’ve bought a 1970 15 foot Roadrunner travel trailer that i’m having fixed up. I need to know specifications on the weight so i can determine what i’ll need to tow it with.
Ours weighs about 3000 lbs.We use a half ton pickup to tow it. On Jun 11, 2016 7:19 PM, “Ostrobogulous cackleberries” wrote:
> SJA commented: “I’ve bought a 1970 15 foot Roadrunner travel trailer that > i’m having fixed up. I need to know specifications on the weight so i can > determine what i’ll need to tow it with.” >
Myrtle weighs less than 1500 lb, and I tow her with a Chevy Tahoe equipped with the Tow/Haul package.
Hello “LMR”. Wondering if you are still following this blog and if we could reach out to you for more information on L&M Trailer Mfg and it’s owners? Please let me know. My name is Annette.
Yes and yes. Larry
Occasionally following and yes happy to share L&M/Roadrunner info. Harry Mosher’s story kind of a micro local version of early entrepreneur industrialists (Henry Ford, etal). Not sure, but think Harry was named Utah small business man of the year ~ early 1970s.
“Equipped with a few tools, considerable know-how and a little capital, Harry Mosher and a friend moved into the dingy ground floor of the old cannery and built their first travel trailer.
They called it the Roadrunner.”
Deseret News
Snow College To Dedicate TEED Center
By Bruce Jennings, Correspondent
Published: Wednesday, April 17, 1991
Your blog was very helpful. I am considering the purchase of a 1970 Roag trailer. Can you tell me if this is a RoadRunner? I have been searching for a vintage trailer for about five years & don’t think I’ve come across one of these before. It has had some work done but there is still more to do. I am in a similar situation to the one you were in; I am a woman with no knowledge of how to go about this, but I have the desire & determination to do it! Always wanted to travel in a vintage trailer! Thanks for any help you can give me!!!!
Shirl H.
Hi Shirl,
I have never heard of a Roag trailer. I searched the Internet, and the only mention of a Roag I could find is a 1970 for sale (which I bet is the one you are looking at), and the pictures are definitely a RoadRunner. I have no idea why it’s being called a Roag… don’t know that there is such a thing 🙂 There is a Facebook group called Tin Can Tourists, and the folks in there are very helpful and knowledgable if you have restoration questions 🙂
Hi Shirl and bafflegabbler I have a 63 Roag . I think it is made by roadrunner, there was a roadrunner decal on it.. Have been working on it for 18mo. and almost done. Can’t wait to go camping… Irene A.
Hi Irene. I think you have a Roadrunner. I’ve done more research on ROAG, and it seems to be an acronym that was used on the title of some Roadrunner travel trailers 🙂
That’s a Road Runner….I have a 67 Road Runner…They are so cute!!!
Yep! 1969 RoadRunner 🙂
Thank you so much for posting this! i just bought a 1973 RoadRunner that I found for sale in Rural Montana. I didn’t know anything about them. It just said “1973 RAUL” on the title. All I had was the Ephiram sticker to identify it by. 🙂 Thank you for sharing. Mine still has the original lantern too.
Hey,I’m looking to buy 73 Roadrunner,15′.Do you know what the headroom is ?.also the tongue wt.Can’t find any info.Thanks
Hi Marianne, I’ve seen at least three different configurations of RoadRunners, so the headspace in mine wouldn’t necessarily be the same as the one you’re looking at, I wouldn’t think… mine has at least 6ft. No ideas what the tongue weight is though!
I can’t either. I’m looking for the exact same info.
I have a ’66 and it’s almost done. I need to know if anybody can find the screw in bearing dust covers? I am missing 1.
Hi Shirl, I just bought a 1970, 17′ “Roag” about two weeks ago. It is definitely a Road Runner. I’ve been polishing up the wood inside a little every day since I got her, I’m saving the wall with the most extensive water damage for last. I have nightmares of what is behind that wood, and I’m afraid that once I take off that wall, it will just go on and on until the entire trailer is gutted. I should have started on the outside like Irene did, but the outside is so UGLY!!! It’s been roller painted a hideous tan with a brown stripe. Ugh …
Thank you LMR, for the history lesson on the Road Runner, very interesting! I live about 100 miles from Ephraim, I’d love to see the old cannery if it’s still there.
And thank you, Bafflegabbler, for starting this wonderful blog! I read a little about you, and I too am always off on a road trip and like to take those mysterious roads that go off the main highways. And I sleep in my car! I’m looking forward to reading more of your blog, especially the transformation of Myrtle!
Bought a 1966 RoadRunner trailer on July 19, 2015 in Utah. I pulled it back to my home state of AZ. Have never owned a vintage trailer let alone done repair work on one. It’s all a new adventure and wanting to gain knowledge about my new challenge. Hopefully I will be able to get some helpful hints from this sight. Have water damage and trying to get repair quotes. Does anyone know a place in AZ that can help me with the restoration? Debbie
Great blog .. So much cool info here. I had a crazy impulse buy a month ago . I did not know a thing until I bought this lovely 68 road runner ” so that’s what they told me” !! Looks identical to yours 🙂 Aqua or teal inside & faded stripe thingy on the outside. Had it delivered not knowing what I was getting. They dropped it off , charged me to much so of course I asked no questions smiled & they left !! I’ve been sitting with it “not sure if it’s male or female yet” watching videos,reading all the info I can find. I think I’m ready to start ! My fiancé asks everyday if we can get rid of it now. Haha never ! We have become very attached & honestly I thought it may b a total piece of S*#~t but it’s not that bad ! It’s going to b a large investment but if it keeps me busy & not complaining he’s happy ! Looking forward on myrtles progress & getting stared on my baby !
Oops not identical but close 😜
We recently purchased a 1975 Roag trailer about 65 miles from it’s original home in Ephraim Utah. It still has original upholstery, flooring, turquoise fridge, etc. It has some damage from water, but has been repaired. We gave her a new coat of stain, urethane, some carpet squares, new curtains. But she looks pretty good inside. Outside needs a new paint job, which we will do soon. Glad to know there are others who love these little Utah Beauties.
Neat story, nice trailer. I have recently found a 1975 Road Runner. It’ small. The box is 9 1/2 feet long and 5′ 6″ wide. The lady I bought it from said it was a chuck wagon model. The kitchen is on the outside. My problem is I need some original style clearance lights. Anyone know where I can get them? Cecil (California)
This Labor Day my wife and I went to Utah to pick up a 1971 16ft RoadRunner rear entry door. Everything is original (except the toilet) and I’ve never been a fan of avocado green appliances but, the wood interior more than makes up for the appliances. The trip went very well and the trailer towed quite easily through all the states (even Colorado). The original title stated that the model was a ROAG (had fun in Iowa registering the trailer with this as the model). I’ve been looking for any info (specs, manuals or descriptions) about the equipment and trailer. Like everyone reading this blog I have some minor water damage that seems to have come by way of the windows and roof. I have already started replacing the window seals and one side of the roof line under the drip molding. Will start on the other side roof drip molding after the storms quit this week. One thing I have noticed is that the interior kitchen cabinets made of pressed particle board have taken brunt of all damage due to the window leak. Started building new cabinets to replace the ones I had to tear down (quite an easy layout and a solid floor). We have learned to appreciate this gem in a very short time and am glad that others have the same feelings.
Congratulations on your purchase! I have a 71 16 ft road runner (side entry) that had the avocado green appliances but the wood interior had been painted with a oil base paint which made it to difficult to just sand down and stain so I ended up repainting the interior, reupholstering the cushions and painting the appliances to match.
I experienced the same issues with leaks in the windows as well as both seams across the roof. I used quick roof extreme tape on both the top and underside of the seams and treated the Roof with Snow Roof Mobile coat. I haven’t had a single leak all season. Good luck with your renovation.
Thanks Terry for the info on the roof. I had been wondering about a good product to put up on the roof. I got lucky with getting info on the appliances….person I bought it from sent me all of the original handbooks and service manuals for the stove, heater, water heater refrigerator and windows. Even got the original packing envelope they came in. Now if I can only find the spec sheets for the trailer itself.
I made a mistake in the first blog…we have the rear side entry door model. I have seen this model in my research most of the time with the avocado appliances. Guess they are the ones that were popular in the day.
They should sell Snow Roof at most trailer supply stores. It’s a little more expensive then most but one gallon should allow you to put on one to two coats. It goes on blue but turn white so it won’t heat the inside.
I need a window crank for my ’68 Roadrunner. Does any body know where I can get one? I gave the trailer to a handy man to fix up and all I need now is the crank. ( $5,000. later.) I hope it is worth it. Sure looks nice.
Did you check vintagetrailersupply.com?
We have a 1970 roadrunner 14′ +3’tongue that we have used every year since 1990 in 1995 we restored it mostly to original.We live in Wisconsin and are thinking of selling it! If anyone wants to buy it.Can be reached at 608 604-0422.was very interesting reading the blog.
I would really like to see the end results please!!!!!!!!!!!
The last blog entry has a lot of photos of the completed trailer – titled “My Little Vintage Trailer, All the Bells & Whistles for Myrtle”.
I’m looking for a way to install AC in my 66′. We have everything about done and the heat of Arkansas is unbearable in the summer for small campers. Any Ideas?
I haven’t had the need for it, but if you Google search “installing AC in vintage trailers”, a lot of forums discussions come up of different ways to do it inconspicuously 🙂
Information about Harry Mosher, & Roadrunners in “Comments” to Deseret News Editorial “Rural Fast Track…in rural communities” 6/6/16.
!!! -“An amazing business creation then an unfortunate loss for rural Utah: A small home builder in CA was severely harassed there because wouldn’t submit to unions, So he moved his young family to Ephraim (Sanpete County). With just a few tools but outsized ambition, he founded L & M Trailer (Roadrunner) in the mid 1960s in a vacant cannery bldg. First years touch and go but timing was right and he had the critical qualities to make it work. Forward to early 1970s and he sold his thriving business to Di Giorgio Corp, a Fortune 500 company from southern CA. He remained L&M Pres & was appointed to Di Giorgio’s Board of Directors (amazing journey from small employer driven by unions from CA). Then with Di Giorgio backing, Roadrunner products expanded to include Carriage House products to pioneer in emerging manufactured home market. New Ephraim plant reported then to be largest MH facility in country. Predictably, unions now attracted to rural
Ephraim, but this time Harry won. Then, business politics moved in and Harry moved on. The business and and the new buildings were shuttered, and all this in about a dozen years cycle.”
I have a 13′ Roadrunner that I have been restoring over the past 3+ years. This has been a major rebuild but looking good now. I am interested in contacting other RR owners on their project. i live in Glenwood Springs, CO
I have been slowly restoring a 21′ RR the last 2 yrs. Finally had enough put back together to take it out for the first time and it pulled and set up quite nicely. I really enjoy the wood grains, color and patterns in the paneling. I did have to replace the kitchen cabinets and closet because of the damage from a roof leak being soaked up by the pressed board used originally. First thing I repaired of course was the roof and windows. The outside has proven to be able to repel any water that is trying to get in. I have really gotten to know more neighbors since starting this project. They come over to see what I’m doing and help with items that need 4 to 6 hands to complete. The single most comment has been ….”Where is the air conditioning?” When we tested it out for the first time we used a Vortex fan and all windows open in the high 80’s and the camper was very pleasant to stay in. It rained 2 days and then the heat (muggy), but as long as there was a breeze (fan) all was good. We were really surprised. Still have some interior items to touch up and then I have to start on the outside (paint and such) to make it look as good as it travels. We bought it in Utah and brought it through Colorado Springs (daughter lives in the Springs) to Davenport, IA.
Hi John,
Did you install the vortex in the original aluminum vent? Do you have any photos or blog tutorials? I would love to reuse my old vent and just add a fan rather that pay for an overpriced Fantastic Fan Vent.
Hi,
No, I didn’t install anything in the air vent -I just have a vintage Vornado Vortex table fan that I use in my camper 🙂
Hey Daniel………The Vortex fan is a stand alone model that I use to circulate air in the camper. The only other fan in the camper is the working one above the stove. Sorry
Great project & blog! Loved reading about the history of L&M and DiGiorgio. We bought a brand new camper and have to part ways with our ’72 RoadRunner (located near Golden, CO). Interested parties can contact 303-885-8133 for pics & info.
Would you share information on the size of the ball required for this vintage? I just acquired a 1967 model and I am preparing to drag it home. If you have any information on the bearing that would be a great help as well.
My RoadRunner came with a 2″ ball. I don’t know much about the bearings, though, my husband was in charge of that 🙂
Just purchased a 1972 RR. Never done this before, but my boyfriend is a carpenter so I think between the two of this and the wonderful folks on the net we can have a grand adventure!
I have a RoadRunner Vintage Type Trailer in my yard that I think I am . going to sell, but I cant figure out what year it is, can anyone tell me how to find a year.
The Vintage Camper Trailer site has an article with a section on where to try and find the VIN # which has the year built…
http://www.vintagecampertrailers.com/id–value-your-trailer.html
Are you still looking to sell. I am in Utah and looking for my first trailer. Want a small vintage that I can renovate. If you or anyone has one please let me know. Thanks
We are hoping to purchase a 1966 Roadrunner travel trailer from an old friend, she said it’s around 11 feet long, does anyone know what size wheel (and bolt pattern, 4 or 5) the trailer has. I want to purchase new tires/wheels to take when we pick it up.
Thanks
I have a 1965 Road Runner that looks identical to yours. I was curious if you know how much yours weighs? I don’t have any paperwork on mine.
Thanks
Hi! None of the paperwork that came with my RoadRunner indicates weight, but we estimate she is about 1200 lbs 🙂 Measurements are 7′ 10″ tall, 8′ wide, and 11′ long with a 4′ tongue.
have 1969 roadrunner camper ruff condition.vinage refer ice box sink dirt cheap make offer.
Do you still have the trailer? Where are you located. I am in Utah.
406 2613766
Hi, I just purchased a 1965 RoadRunner. Everything works except the refrigerator. Do you have an owners manual for the fridge? Thanks!
Hi! I do have the manual for mine, but my RoadRunner came with the original icebox – I get the impression from your comment that yours is a propane refrigerator? My icebox is really just a large insulated cooler -it has a shelf to hold dry ice or ice blocks, and a draining tube that leads under the camper when the ice melts…
Bafflegabbler – you have a manual for your RoadRunner? What?! I have been looking all over for something like this! I bought a 1970 model that also came with the insulated cooler type fridge. Mine is a 15′ model, and I think that includes the trailer tongue. The question I have been seeking an answer to for over a year is: How much does this thing weigh (roughly) – actual weight and tongue weight? My goal is to determine how big a vehicle I will need to pull it properly. Any insight anyone can share would be greatly appreciated!
Hi! The manual I was talking about is for the icebox 🙂 I don’t think any of the paperwork I have on my RoadRunner gives the weight, but we think she’s about 1100 – 1200 lbs. She’s 15′ including the tongue, and I pull her with a Tahoe 🙂
I spent an afternoon in Ephraim during the Scandinavian festival asking locals about L&M Trailer. A few locals directed me to the original manufacturing location at 167 E 800 S in Ephraim. The trailers were manufactured there until the mid 1970’s when they moved to a larger facility on the west side of town.
The original building is now “house of glass” but you can still see the larger bays that were used for building the trailers.
I stumbled upon your Blog About “Mrytle” this evening and as I read it hanging on every helpful restoration tid bit & fun travel and décor eye candy in the finished product, the evening turned to the morning…it’s now 2:15 am…. Anyway, I was handed the title to a 1968 Mobile Scout. Roughly the same shape, mostly silver with an old goldtone highlight from my Dad. It has never been stored outdoors without a roofed area. I have a feeling we will have as many grueling adventures in our restoration FUN! Thanks for your great Blog stemming Brilliance on the “Chair Seat” upholstery idea for the booth and the transfer paper hint! AMZAING STUFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (& I CAN Sew)
Thank you so much; I’m glad you enjoyed reading it! 🙂
Hello. My aunt has a similar one that I’m looking to buy however we don’t know the towing weight. I was wondering if you happen to know. We are having a hard time finding any info on the make.
Hi! I’ve never seen any specific numbers on the weights; our RoadRunner is 11ft long -14ft with the tongue- and my husband estimates it weighs around 1200 lbs dry weight -but that’s always been just a guess, we’ve never checked…
Reading through this blog and found out you live where I do!! Small world!! Trying to figure out the wiring for the truck hook up. bwgarretson@gmail if you see this. I have just bought a 72 roadrunner 😉
Hi Brook! I recommend joining our Roadrunner travel trailer group on Facebook -a LOT of information there, including uploads of original Roadrunner manuals and such!
https://m.facebook.com/groups/451753901855019
Hey there. We may have run into each other on the FB page. I just acquired a 69 or 70 RR. I will probably wait til spring to get started, but very anxious. Really cool camper you have there, and chance you’d trade appliances with me? LOL. Avocado green isn’t my color!
Well now, if you had turquoise appliances to trade, we’d have to talk! 😉
If anyone had turquoise to trade a lot of us would be signing up……..:-)
My father worked for Modern, so he may had sold the trailer. I remember going through the factory in Utah. We took one on vacation to Montana one year. I have photos and a video of new ones.
I would love to see the photos!
So would I. What do you mean by new ones?
So here is my family visiting Montana around 1965. My father sold Roadrunner travel trailers in Colorado and New Mexico. He worked for Modern Trailer Sales. I’ll find my videos.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/rlRVHALRrLqc0zNs1
That’s a wonderful photo!
Mr. Border, we have a group on Facebook devoted to Roadrunner travel trailers -they would love it if you joined the group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/451753901855019/
Excited to see more pictures, if you have them Steve! That is an awesome photo!!
Is your Facebook group for vintage Road Runner travel trailers still viable?
Yes. It’s called Roadrunner Travel Trailers if you search Facebook 🙂
Yes it is.
Modern Trailer Sales, did sell new Roadrunner Travel Trailers. Home office and main Sales was in Pueblo, CO. I knew of sales lots in Montrose, Colorado, Albuquerque and Gallup, NM, Mesa and Flagstaff, AZ. There may have been more I just don’t remember. Over the years my father ran the Montrose, Albuquerque and Mesa lots.
Hi. I have an old RoadRunner which has pink appliances that seem to work and have paperwork dating 1964. There is no VIN on my camper but a 7 digit number on the back bumper which I hope is a serial number. This little beauty which we call “Pinky” has a toilet and wonderful scrolls on the back.I am trying to find a year to get a title. Since most campers were not titled in the 60’s, I have to get a state VIN and am having trouble with the year. If anyone can guide me in the right direction on where to find the info in the camper or the company who made it or perhaps even a picture of something that looks like her, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Hi Cyndi!Check out our Facebook group -Roadrunner Travel Trailers. Lots of Roadrunner owners and we have document files of several uploaded manuals and documents!https://www.facebook.com/groups/451753901855019/
Hello, I just purchased a 1971 Road Runner 16ft.I paid way to much for it. the outside is in good shape. I need the trailer manual and appliance manuals. If someone can tell me where to get them. Trailer needs some TLC, Thanks for any info.
Hi Jean!
Check out our Facebook group -Roadrunner Travel Trailers. Lots of Roadrunner owners and we have document files of several uploaded manuals and documents!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/451753901855019/
Reply to Jean Chapman ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Join Roadrunner Revival and Roadrunner facebook groups. We have a library started up with a lot of info on the camper, Good people
Hi, thanks for the reply. I only do email. So if you could send me the address for the manuals. I do appreciate it
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Hi Jean……Couldn’t find an email address however, here is the web address ROADRUNNERRIVIVAL.COM…….Jonathan D. Sherman is the owner of the page. He has the library and I’ve put a lot of info into the database.
Thank you, I will contact him.
Very informative article. Thanks a lot for sharing.
I’m not sure if this site is active….but I wanted to chime in with info about the L and M Trailer Manufacturing Company. The company was started by my uncle, William E. Lott, and his business partner, Harry W. Mosher. The ‘L” is for Lott and the “M” stands for Mosher. Both Lott and Mosher came to Ephraim from California to start the company in 1960. I have a few newspaper clippings if there is any interest.
We have a group on Facebook for owners of vintage Roadrunner trailers and members would love to see the newspaper clippings!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/451753901855019/?ref=share
I have sent a request to join. I’ll post the clippings when I am admitted. 🙂
Thank you!
So the sticker that indicates Modern Trailer Sales, that is correct. My Dad managed locations in Montrose, CO, Albuquerque and in Mesa, Arizona. That was so cool to see. You can see some or the videos I post from the Montrose lot on the Facebook page.
Hey Tina, have you joined our Facebook Group? We would all love to hear more about your Uncle and L&M Trailers!! https://www.facebook.com/groups/451753901855019/?ref=share
I also have the same trailer and have tried in vain to determine the wait when manufactured. Do you know what yours weighs? Please email me at deancricker@gmail. Com. Thanks!
Hi Dean,
I’ve never weighed mine, but there may be info on manufactured weight at http://www.roadrunnerrevival.com/p/rr-history.html?m=1
I need to know about the undermount water tanks. Please help.
My roadrunner had no undermount water tanks, but check this website for information on models that may have! http://www.roadrunnerrevival.com/p/rr-history.html?m=1
I am trying to find original owners manual- or copy- with weight, tongue weight and specs electrical wiring diagrams, etc for my 71 Road Runner. Can you help with a source?
Hi Dean,
We have various manuals and specs uploaded to the “Files” tab on the Roadrunner Facebook group you could check! https://www.facebook.com/groups/451753901855019/?ref=share