On Sunday, I made what is definitely now the biggest drunk purchase of my life. I sent a man 381 miles away a bunch of cash for a trailer that needs repairs. I’m now the owner of a U-Haul CT13 Get-A-Way Camper, one of the coolest campers ever built from an unexpected company. This trailer is one of those rare instances where it gets more wild the more you look into it.
Back in the 1970s and 1980s, Americans hit campgrounds in a new kind of camping trailer. The fiberglass camper promised lower maintenance, light weight, and a distinctive style. Americans were downsizing in this era thanks to a fuel crisis, tightening vehicle emissions, and a recession. A lot of people no longer owned vehicles that could tow a huge camper, paving the way for fiberglass trailers to become a favorite for campers. Meanwhile, U-Haul – the do-it-yourself rental giant – saw an opportunity.
At the time, U-Haul was going through one of its weirder periods in history. Back in the 1980s, you could rent almost anything from U-Haul.
That’s not an embellishment. You could walk into a U-Haul dealer and come out with an ATV, a Jet Ski, a VHS player, a tractor, and so much more.
And yes, most of those items would have that familiar logo and orange hue.
For campers, U-Haul offered a choice of motorhomes or two towables. The motorhomes were standard stuff right out of the factory, such as a Winnebago. But the company would do something completely different for the towables. Instead of just renting someone else’s camper, U-Haul decided to design the best fiberglass trailers of the era. The most popular of the two is the CT13 Get-A-Way Camper like the one you see here today:
The U-Haul Camper Story
If you go diving through the internet you’ll find a lot of rumors, best guesses, and assumptions about how U-Haul built its campers. For example, a popular rumor is that the smaller of U-Haul’s campers, the CT13, was built using old Burro camper molds. Some say it’s a Scamp with U-Haul stickers on it. Indeed, it does look like a Burro and I suppose you might see some Scamp in there, too. Here’s a Burro, for reference:
Last year, I decided to get to the bottom of the decades-old rumors and I asked U-Haul how its campers were built. U-Haul’s Media Relations team were surprised at my quest, but as luck would have it there was still someone working for U-Haul that had a hand in bringing the campers to market. Sadly, my copy of the conversation has been lost, but I did save notes.
They told me that U-Haul’s design process involved buying some of the most popular fiberglass trailers on the market, then hauling them into U-Haul’s facility. Those trailers were a Burro, a Scamp, and other then-popular brands. The engineers were then told to examine each trailer for its strengths and weaknesses. They would then take those strengths and bake them into a single trailer backed by one of U-Haul’s beefy frames.
Contrary to the rumor, U-Haul CT13s weren’t built using Burro molds, but U-Haul’s own unique molds. But the end result looks like a Burro because the design is inspired by one.
These trailers were manufactured by U-Haul subsidiary Rec-Vee World, as well as Dayton Trailer Manufacturing Company in Ohio, Youngstown Trailer Manufacturing in Ohio, and potentially a couple of more companies. They were produced for just a short two years between 1984 and 1985. Despite U-Haul’s size and the number of manufacturers contracted to build them, both the CT13 and its larger VT16 sibling are exceedingly rare.
How rare? Sadly, while U-Haul did have records of production numbers, the gentleman that I spoke with couldn’t find them. He spent weeks digging through the archives and it seems that the records have been lost. The best guess comes from U-Haul CEO Joe Shoen. He says that there are fewer than 2,000 CT13s in the wild. And the VT16 just barely exists with fewer than 80 units made. How many of them are left in functional condition is also unknown.
U-Haul did get some use out of its small fleet of campers. They were rented out from 1984 to 1992. Normally, a U-Haul trailer’s life ends when the company is done renting them. U-Haul destroys most of its trailers once their service lives are over. However, the CT13 and VT16 trailers were an exception to the rule. The company etched “Not” in front of “Property Of U-Haul” on the trailers’ tongues then sold them to the public. [Editor’s Note: This is objectively hilarious. – JT]
My U-Haul CT13
So, what do you get when you buy one of these campers 37 years after they were produced? Something that remains one of the neatest campers that you’ll find on the market. I got this one from the very tippy top of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula for $5,000. It was the cheapest CT13 that I could find for sale by a wide margin.
Let’s start with the exterior.
U-Haul’s CT13 campers feature a 10-foot-long fiberglass shell with an inner liner and sitting on a 13-foot frame. That frame features a mix of square and round steel tubes. On mine you’ll notice some rust. Thankfully, this frame has mostly surface rust, with the only bad area being right behind the right wheel. So I’ve learned on fiberglass camper forums, this is a common issue. That part of the frame is right behind the wheel and right in the way of salt and road debris.
Out back, there’s a hefty aluminum bumper. Underneath, there are supposed to be stabilizer jacks. I’ve found a number of U-Haul CT13s to be missing these jacks and sure enough, mine is missing them, too.
Moving around to the front, you’ll notice the same tongue that is still on use with U-Haul trailers today. The coupler has U-Haul’s neat screw-on lock and the tongue has that nice carrying handle.
A little further back is a structure that’s supposed to hold the trailer’s propane tank. This thing is surprisingly rusty considering how little rust there is elsewhere. My trailer did not come with much of a story. The previous owner said that he used it like a hard-sided tent. He had never bothered to put a battery in the battery box or plug the trailer in to shore power. He didn’t even try to hook up the trailer’s lights to his car (and more on that later). Indeed, he treated it as if it were a 1,250-pound tent.
The owner before him lived out in Pennsylvania and he is said to have used the trailer the same way. Apparently, the previous previous owner also used it as an ice shack on frozen lakes. Who does that with such a rare trailer? And judging from the growth of mold and other crap on the trailer’s interior, it has probably spent years just sitting around abandoned outside.
Either way, because of neglect, U-Haul’s neat propane holder is trashed. This thing was designed to make propane tanks easy for renters. All they had to do was slide the tank in or out, then use the hand crank to secure it. And on the bottom of this rusty monstrosity should be a jack to hold the tongue up when the trailer is parked.
Originally, this trailer was covered in orange graphics that let everyone know that you were towing and sleeping in a trailer made by U-Haul. These graphics fade over time and owners eventually remove them. Diehard U-Haul camper fans then replace the graphics with fresh ones to keep the rad look alive. Here’s what the trailer is supposed to look like:
The pictures that you’re looking at here are actually after its first wash in probably many years. This trailer looked so grubby when I picked it up that I thought that I had made a horrible drunken mistake. But it looks pretty ok after I took it to a basic wash bay. I bet some time with real proper cleaning will probably bring out some of the gel coat’s shine, too.
Some of what’s left to clean up includes sealant that a previous owner sloppily used on the windows. U-Haul camper windows are known for their leaks, and people will either replace the windows with ones from a Scamp or put sealant on them. This sealant is incredibly unsightly and I’m pretty sure that I’ll redo it, but for now the trailer is watertight, even after I blasted it with a power washer for 20 minutes.
Before we move to the interior, check out the hinges holding on the door.
If these look familiar, it’s because you’ve probably worked in a restaurant. Those hinges are the same ones used on commercial refrigerator doors! The outside door is also supposed to have a U-Haul badge, but mine is gone.
Moving inside, the trailer is stock and almost entirely present.
Up front is a bench that converts into a bunk bed. The bunk’s poles are missing, as is the second cushion. In back is a bench and table that convert into a big bed. All of the cushions and the table are present, but the ice-fishing guy annoyingly decided to drill a hole right where the table’s leg goes.
And the floor–a mix of fiberglass and wood–is solid. Underneath the trailer is a U-Haul production sticker, so this is probably the original floor. Sadly, I’ll have to close up that stupid hole so I can use the table.
In the middle is a kitchen unit.
You get a sink that feeds from a small fresh water tank or from city water. Next to it is a propane stove. Of course, everything in this trailer is embossed with U-Haul’s logos, which is something that I find absolutely fascinating. Even the propane furnace has a friendly U-Haul on it.
There are two more rather odd appliances. Down below the stove looks like what a refrigerator, but it’s not. Instead, it’s an ice box. And up above, what looks like an air conditioner isn’t.
It’s a swamp cooler that blows air over pumped-in water. These devices are pretty neat, as they could allow the trailer to camp off-grid without quickly draining the battery. Oh, and that battery gets charged by a solar panel, which I’m betting no longer works.
Oh, and did I say that there’s an ashtray in here? Of course there is!
And in case you were wondering, the U-Haul VT16 Vacation Traveler is pretty similar to the CT13. The biggest differences are the addition of three feet of length and the addition of a bathroom. U-Haul thought that you’d use the CT13 for a weekend trip and the VT16 for something longer.
Here’s a picture, for reference.
The Camper’s Future
So, what are my plans with this camper? My fiancée and I plan to do a mix of modifying and preserving it. We will cut off the rusty propane and jack holder and replace it with a conventional jack. We’ll test the trailer’s equipment and if everything checks out, we’ll also mount a more conventional propane holder up front.
The trailer does have some fiberglass damage due to the bottom door hinge not being secured correctly. I won’t tackle this myself. Instead, I’ll let one of the many fiberglass restorers in my area do that.
The trailer’s exterior lights don’t work. The wiring is all there, but it looks like someone tried to do a custom job. They failed, and now the lights don’t work at all. I’m not touching that mess of spaghetti, and fixing the lights are on the top of my list. I hate having to ratchet-strap down temporary lights.
Thankfully, the trailer’s original light lenses–things so rare and coveted that U-Haul fans have taken to making their own–are intact and not foggy! [Editor’s Note: I’ve already checked, and these lights seem to be unique to these trailers, not borrowed from any car. I like them a lot! They’re sort of like curved versions of the square Yugo 50/50 amber/red taillights.– JT]
The frame is fine, but not pretty. At some point I’ll get under there and pretty it up. Oh, and I can’t forget, but this trailer is going to get all of its original graphics back. U-Haul trailers have such a fantastic owner community that the graphics are actually in production.
Inside, Sheryl will first work her cleaning magic.
Then, she’ll add some color to the olive drab. Maybe we’ll put some hot pink curtains and cushions in there or stick to U-Haul’s corporate colors with orange. Sometime down the line I want to update the appliances, specifically the swamp cooler and the ice box. We are for sure are replacing the carpet with something much more exciting and comfortable.
As for tow vehicles, my 2005 Volkswagen Touareg VR6 towed the camper 381 miles home from Michigan without problem. The trailer tracks straight and handles bumps as it should. However, don’t let the egg shape fool you because it’s a major drag in high winds just like any other trailer.
Now, I know what some of you are thinking, “don’t you already have like 19 vehicles?” Yes, I do, and one of them is getting sold to make space for this. That car is my duplicate Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen TDI. I haven’t touched this car since buying another with a manual transmission, and I have no plans to. So, someone else will get to enjoy 40+ mpg wagon goodness.
Since this trailer is in decent enough condition as-is, we hope to take it on its first camping trip the moment the door hinges and light wiring are fixed. We have a wedding coming in the very near future so I can’t say when all of this will happen, but it will! I’ve been dreaming about owning one of these since 2017, and I can’t wait to roll up to a campground with it.
You may have been drunk when you bought it, but I know you well enough to know you would have bought this sober too.
If you need any carpentry help fixing that floor (which I assume is wood), let me know.
You had me at “I drunk bought a camper”.
This seems really neat. The hole in the floor sucks but the rest is awesome. I hope Fixing the electrical and propane works out, those are game changers for me. The swamp cooler is fascinating.
One night, you will be awakened by a strange sound and go outside to find Torch fondling those rare taillights.
Love reading your stuff Mercedes. Another great article. Thanks!
I remember movie night when a friend’s family would rent a u-haul vcr plus several tapes. The selection shown in the ad has Krull! What could be more ’80’s
Should have dropped it off in Rochester Hills. David could work on the frame and maybe wiring. JK looking forward to the restoration and camping articles in the future.
Congrats on finding your dream trailer! I am very happy you are now here and not at that other site which must never be named… I really enjoy your camper content and know you’ve been eyeing one for quite awhile.
Also, as one who is constantly tinkering with a brand new 2022 to get it NOT to leak I’m jealous that you found a great condition fiberglass one that (presumably) doesn’t!
This is cool!!!! Can the Carry tow it?
I also would like that TDI. Autopian bidding war?
I think Bradley Brownell did a refurb on a similar trailer over at the old place. Pretty detailed look at repairs and rewiring. No idea what he ended up doing with his, but I’ve no doubt yours will see some epic adventures!
Getting rid of an automatic Jetta Wagon you say? I’m listening.
Maybe it’s a New England thing but I don’t remember ever seeing a Foxbody sedan with the thick padded top the car in the U-Haul TV commercial has, even when tintop Fox LTDs were common as dirt.
Those taillights look like they could *almost* interchange with the (heavily borrowed by the RV industry, somehow more in the ’90s than in their own day) ’73-87 GM Fleetside pickup/Blazer/Suburban ones.
Next time you go to David Tracy’s other home (junk yard) pick up a a GM taillight. Take it home. Compare. Always noticed the GM look of the tail lights on these. Have also modded many different tail lights back in the 1970-80s era for Van owners. If you need one a good plastics shop can also form you one from lucite plastic. (Not certain of the name here) Basically unbreakable, can apply color tint on inside. Works fantastic.
I have been thinking about restoring a fiberglass camper. More likely an old Casita, just because I want something a little larger. I’m curious how yours turns out. Best of luck with the resto.
Orange graphics and pink curtains would be… an interesting combination. Maybe orange curtains.
Unless. Could you get the U-haul graphics made in pink?
How about a U-Haul/Dunkin’ Donuts design Mashup? “America Runs on U-Haul …”
“The trailer does have some fiberglass damage due to the bottom door hinge not being secured correctly. I won’t tackle this myself. Instead, I’ll let one of the many fiberglass restorers in my area do that.”
Damage behind the hinge?
That isn’t so bad for a DIY repair, since the hinge plate hides what you did. If exposed, then you need to worry about colormatch the gelcoat so it doesn’t stand out that much.
Still, might give it a try yourself. If you hate the look, then have the pros go over it
Drunk buys are heavier on the heart than the usual impulse buying.
There’s the morning after shame and questioning that comes with a drunk buy that barely exists in the regular world of consumerism.
Somehow the drunk bought item gains a higher significance.
You suddenly have to prove to yourself and others that this was not just me being dumb, I actually want this.
It never goes into the trash like all the other forgotten garbage. Because you bought it in a heartfelt inebriated state and because all of the emotions and bullheaded self explaining that follows.
A little bit of ego can go a long way to help complete a plan or project.
A drunk buy fuels the flames.
Perfect selection. That trailer is gonna look great when you two are done. And for years to come.
Never forget that feeling you had about it the next morning.
Before you leave on your next trip it would be wise to check out the tires. Trailer tires usually rot out before they wear out. Sounds like this has been siting a long time so I suspect those tires are ancient. Get regular trailer tires, don’t substitute car tires. There are significant differences between them. I would also heed the warning from the previous poster to service the wheel bearings and seals. You also want a couple sets of extra bearings and seals and a container of wheel bearing grease to keep in the unit. Don’t forget a jack and necessary wrenches and other implements of destruction, not to mention a good spare tire. Check the bearings at every stop. If they are getting hot it means you have a problem. If a bearing seizes you can end up losing a wheel and smoking the stub axle, which is going to be difficult to repair on the road.
This comes from a retired powersports service guy who saw a lot of trips ruined by the failure points above. Remember the “7 P’s”; Prior Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance.
Kudos for making the mundane interesting in this story. I was glad to see you come over from the dark side.
Came here to post this exactly. Not only check the tires, but replace them a.s.a.p. Just by reading your story you know they are too old. If a trailer tire goes, it usually goes out with a bang, with high chances of damaging the surrounding wheel area, not to mention the fact that you have an uncontrollable trailer behind you.
But it’s a lot of fun to watch these things tumble, barrel roll on the interstate at 70 mph. Been there, saw this more than once. Tough lesson but regret can be almost a forgotten emotion when you do shit right the first time and don’t half ass your way thru life/vehicle ownership. Good luck Mercedes, don’t wait for bad shit to happen, prevent it.
Hot damn and such a nice camper! Everyone goes for too much when all you need is what you need!
@Mercedes, I am getting old, but for this part:
“All of the cushions and the table are present, but the ice-fishing guy annoyingly decided to drill a hole right where the table’s leg goes.”
I can’t see in the photo where where the ice-fishing guy drilled a hole. Am I missing something, or was it not supposed to be included? I can screenshot the photo, but I loaded it on several browsers and it’s not obvious. I spent ten minutes inspecting scrapes on a fiberglass compartment of some sort – nothing looks like an RV table leg hole.
This is not a big deal, it’s clearly something I’ve managed to focus on for reasons that make absolutely no sense to the rest of the world. I was just wondering if I couldn’t see the hole the ice-fishing guy made.
Back in the Jurassic era of video rental, our supermarket rented tapes and those portable VHS suitcases.
Your new (to you) trailer looks like it’s pretty solid. Every repair you mentioned is relatively easy to fix, including the wiring. Considering how long it’s been since anything was actually energized, I’d definitely have an electrician tackle that project. Farming out the fiberglass work is probably a good idea too since it can be a real mess as a DIY project.
You’ll end up with a much better camper than anything you can buy new these days, even with the blood and treasure you’ll invest in getting it back up to par.
Are you sure you’re not David Tracy’s long lost sister? This is the best story ever! Your plans are spot on and putting this gem back on the road is awesome!
I’m not sure if David would be interested in this, fibreglass doesn’t rust.
😉
Great purchase and a great story, Mercedes! You truly do belong here.
5k is a steal weirdly enough in this market, nice find!
Having no idea what the old Uhaul camper market is like, I wouldn’t have thought a sane person would pay more than like $1500 for these. I guess they are more popular than I thought
Nice ones are well into five figure territory now, and this one looks like it can be put back into that condition easily enough with a bit of elbow grease
Much like Torch and Tracy, you have the unique ability to turn things I’m not at all interested in into something I’m interested in.
Bravo.
Of course, now I’m wondering if I can tow an old U-haul trailer with a Stelvio Veloce and not create a ripple of extreme weirdness that causes a black hole to swallow the earth and compress it into a space the size of a walnut. Probably not, but, it’s a possibility.
FWIW U-haul had a pretty good underwear rental program back in the day. Their dialysis machines were a pretty good deal too.
Please, tell me you’re kidding.
Please.
Lie to me if you have to, but tell me you’re kidding.
OK, but can I call you Shirley?
Surely!
Yeah their fried chicken also ruled…miss that.