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Post by cobber on Feb 22, 2008 8:59:06 GMT 10
Advertisements for "Trail – a – Home" caravans in Keith Winser's “Australian Caravan and Touring” magazine, the first one from 1954 the second from 1957 and the third from 1959. The 1959 article states "All are of marine ply" but the photo of the bottom 'van looks very much like the larger model of the 'van in the 1957 add that claims to have an "aluminium outer skin". They are listed in the Directory of the 1948 Year Book of The Australian Monthly Motor Manual.... when they actually started we don't know....... yet Cobber.
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Post by Geoff & Jude on Feb 22, 2008 13:09:07 GMT 10
hi all i noticed in cobbers post that trail-a-home were originally made in kedron, qld and wondered if there was a connection to modern kedron vans, so i searched trail-a-home and kedron caravans and found that kedron began as trail-a-home. note the neon sign and the logo (?) on the vans. the history can be seen at www.kedroncaravans.com/about/the company later became kedron caravans, one of australias modern icons for caravan excellence. www.kedroncaravans.comlook under contacts and you'll find this as their sales yards. JAN McNEILL - Sales
DISPLAY: 529 Gympie Road, Kedron Q. 4031 Phone: (07) 3350 3333 Fax: (07) 3359 7674the same address as in cobbers photos, how good is that?. so there is another vintage van manufacturer that can be added to the list of those that still exists as a modern manufacturer. (isn't google clever) geoff 'n jude Editorial note - September 2017:
The photo shown in this post is now accompanied on the Kedron Caravan website by the text: 'The Gall family from Kedron Caravans have been in the caravan industry for over 54 years, first establishing at Kedron, Brisbane in 1962 & stand as Australia’s Longest Established Caravan Centre.'
The Gall Boys adventure website states further: 'The Gall Boys are an Australian adventure family, pioneering documented caravan adventure travel throughout some of the most rugged, remote & beautiful destinations that the country has to offer, first filming for the series in 1997, and since then produced 10 titles...Barry Gall first commenced Australia's longest established caravan centre, Kedron Caravans in 1962, & since then, sons David, Peter, Ashley & Glen Gall all joined the business...'
We now know that Trail-A-Home were operating in Kedron as early as 1938, and continued there after the end of World War II. It appears that the Gall family my have taken over the Trail-A-Home property at some point in the 1960's and did not have any formal connection with Trail-a-Home beyond that - see the discussion on this matter further down this thread.
Don Ricardo
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Post by cobber on Jun 8, 2008 19:01:34 GMT 10
Good thing I didn't find this Add. for Trail-a-Home first Geoff.... we may have missed out on that information you gleaned from the address on the later Adds. This Add. From 1951 shows a different address.
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Post by Don Ricardo on Aug 6, 2008 19:38:31 GMT 10
1960's Trail-A-Home advertised on Ebay, July 2008: Description provided by seller: "What a magic van. A rare find This aluminium 12 ft caravan, made by TRAIL A HOME in Chermside, Brisbane is in amazing, excellent, original condition One owner... belonged to an elderly couple who have had this van since new and given it very special attention. Was cleaned every week, whether used or not. The interior is in excellent original condition. There is not a mark on cupboard doors...paint as new Original Ravia gas stove...in immaculate, as new condition Original gas fridge...immaculate Original vinyl upholstery....excellent condition Brand new water tank under back lounge The lounge at back of van folds down into a double bed Dining table at front also folds down into double bed Plenty of storage... storage under front lounge as well New exterior lights Fully screened...including screened door Lino is in excellent condition...gray squares with the odd yellow triangle Brand new tyres 650kg tare Original annexe in good condition... includes poles, ropes and pegs...Made by G Pickers & Co P/L, in Brisbane Chassis has been totally repainted in silver frost .Kilrust paint used Always been garaged, absolutely no leaks Registered till 21/11/08 All that needs doing is a polish to aluminium to make it sparkle...we have started on top left hand side of van (see photo 2)... not much effort needed to come up shiny This amazing van would look ideal behind a classic car or hot rod"Love the 60's decor, which the seller seems to indicate is original. Don Ricardo
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Post by Don Ricardo on Nov 11, 2008 7:43:29 GMT 10
Specifications for 1956 Trail-A-Home as per Keith Winser's Australian Caravan and Touring Manual for 1956 (p 84):
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Post by dosse on Nov 11, 2008 16:07:08 GMT 10
G'day Don Ricardo The Trail-a-Home van was the one we had and sold on ebay it has gone to a young couple from Ipswich QLD. They may come on a run with our group one day. dosse.
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Post by ronmcgr on Aug 17, 2009 12:49:52 GMT 10
I did a "Google earth" look at 537 Gympie Road Kedron. It is actually the 4x4 sales yard that sell mainly second hand Land Rovers. Behind them are three very old sheds. I would imagine, that was where the Trail a Homes were made. Kedron Caravans build their caravans in Brendale now, just up the road from me. Kedron Caravans sales yard is below them. Cheers, Ron
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Post by Don Ricardo on May 1, 2011 23:07:49 GMT 10
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Post by Daggsey on Sept 27, 2011 15:39:52 GMT 10
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bekstar76
New Member
Still looking for that perfect little van :-)
Posts: 48
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Post by bekstar76 on Jun 8, 2014 20:05:37 GMT 10
Hey, I found this thread after a google search on a caravan I recently bought. Under several layers of paint I can faintly see "Bantam" but other than that there are no other markings. If is only 8ft long and very similar to Kelskombi in shape. It appears to be some sort of bond wood or marine ply with an aluminium like laminate covering. The articles listed above refer mostly to 10ft-16ft so maybe mine is a home made job?? Anyways I'd love some further info and in particular the layout of the interior if anyone has it? Cheers Bek
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Post by Don Ricardo on Jun 9, 2014 0:03:49 GMT 10
Hi Bekstar76, Great to hear a bit more about the van you've purchased, and congratulations on your sleuthing skills. None of us seemed to have twigged when you mentioned Bantam in a previous post! However, I'm 99.9% sure that if you can see 'Bantam' on the van you've got yourself a Trail-a-Home Bantam. I can't think of any other manufacturer that used the Bantam name for one of its models. The Bantam model started in the early 50's (maybe even the late 40's) at 10 ft, then went to 9 ft, and by the late 50's/early 60's were 8 ft long. Kelskombi's Bantam is (was - I think it's been sold since?) 8 ft, so is the same size as yours. Does your Bantam have wood-framed or aluminium windows, and does it have bondwood of aluminium cladding? The answers to those questions will help to date it for you. If you can post some pics, I am sure we'll all be interested to see your van, and may be able to figure out some more about its build date, etc. I note that you were having trouble with your internet connection being stodgy (love the description!). If you're still having trouble, you can email your photos to me and I'll post them for you. I know that email still requires the internet, but you may have more success with email than uploading photos. If you click on my forum name in blue in the left hand panel, you'll see my email address. Don Ricardo
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bekstar76
New Member
Still looking for that perfect little van :-)
Posts: 48
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Post by bekstar76 on Jun 9, 2014 16:15:02 GMT 10
Hello! I am really excited about that information you gave me :-) Yes it is bondwood with Aluminium cladding and yes it has aluminium windows. I was of the impression it was late 50's early 60's so this is great news. As I mentioned, sadly, not much of the original van is still intact with the interior gutted and the chassis replaced but at least its origin is now known. How funny that I bought it from near Caloundra which is not far from where it was built so many years ago. But I bet it has some stories to tell! If you don't mind sharing your email I will send through some photos as I don't think I can go under the guise of my stodgy internet but rather a lack of experience in Photobucket as the reason for not posting photos :-( Thank you so much for the info. Bek
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bekstar76
New Member
Still looking for that perfect little van :-)
Posts: 48
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Post by bekstar76 on Jun 9, 2014 18:58:04 GMT 10
Oh and to add to my previous post, I am really keen to find an annexe!! Do you know who makes them to fit such a small van? It does have the turn nobs and tracks so there was one that fitted it once upon a time :-)
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Post by Don Ricardo on Jun 9, 2014 21:16:35 GMT 10
Hi Bekstar76,
I've sent you a PM (Personal Message) via the forum with my email address. I'll look forward to hearing from you.
Don Ricardo
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bekstar76
New Member
Still looking for that perfect little van :-)
Posts: 48
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Post by bekstar76 on Jun 13, 2014 15:49:57 GMT 10
Hi Don Ricardo,
Great, thank you! I also sent you through some images, I hope they came through ok.
I am looking forward to hearing more about this little van which I have just started cleaning up :-)
Cheers
Bek
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Post by Don Ricardo on Jun 13, 2014 20:22:47 GMT 10
Hi Bekstar76, I've received your email and posted the photos on the thread you started in the 'Members Photo Album' section here. It's a great little van, and looks like it might have a pretty interesting history. I am looking forward to seeing it being brought back to life as you and your daughter lavish some love on it. Don Ricardo Additional information - September 2017: Photos of Bekstar76's Trail-a-Home Bantam referred to above: Bantam logo: In 1960 the Bantam model was offered clad either in bondwood or aluminium - this is obviously one of the aluminium vans.
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bekstar76
New Member
Still looking for that perfect little van :-)
Posts: 48
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Post by bekstar76 on Jun 13, 2014 21:41:01 GMT 10
Thank you Don Ricardo :-)
Other than this thread, sadly there is no other info out there about this little van so I'm a wee little stumped on how to go about its transformation. So little of its original features remain so it's never going to come under the heading of "original vintage van". Do I take that as an opportunity to treat it as a blank canvas and jazz it up with a whole new look or should I take the long road of scouring gumtree, eBay, garage sales and deceased estates hoping something "bantam" shows up???
Never mind my gibberish drool, I'm just thinking out aloud :-)
Thanks again for your help!
Cheers, Bek
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bekstar76
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Still looking for that perfect little van :-)
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Post by bekstar76 on Jun 16, 2014 13:55:00 GMT 10
I just rang Jan from Kedron and she claimed she'd never heard of bantam or Trail-a-home and that they'd only been making caravans for 16 years. Maybe I got her at a bad time but I was really hoping for some leads on my little vans history :-(
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Post by Roehm3108 on Jun 16, 2014 17:16:15 GMT 10
Bek, I did this search when I found the two-door Trail-a-home a few years ago, now owned by neilncheryl and came to the same dead-end. It's very doubtful if there was any connection between Trail-a-home and Kedron Caravans as far as building caravans go. Perhaps the location similarity is a co-incidence.
Ray
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Post by Geoff & Jude on Jun 16, 2014 17:36:54 GMT 10
hi beckstar and ray if you look at what has already been established and proven, the gall family (kedron caravans) have been in the industry for over 52 years and their website positively shows that they were trading as trail-a-home caravans when they first established their caravan relationships in 1961. although it doesn't mention anything about manufacturing at that time, it does suggest that the person you spoke to had no sense of the history of kedron caravans. there's a photo showing the trail-a-home relationship on the kedron home page here: www.kedroncaravans.com/maybe if you followed the lead of the gall family you might get more sense of the relationship between the two company names. there's a contact address (email) for the gall brothers here: www.thegallboys.com/geoff 'n jude
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neilncheryl
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Make God laugh, tell Him your plans.
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Post by neilncheryl on Jun 16, 2014 17:51:10 GMT 10
I know some of the Gall boys and have spoken to Barry Gall about Trail-a-Home caravans. He doesn't remember them and certainly has had no involvement in their manufacture. There were two caravan yards on that corner at Gympie Road and it was after Kedron Caravans started manufacturing that they took both caravan sites and formed one yard.
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Post by Geoff & Jude on Jun 16, 2014 18:11:48 GMT 10
hi neil
that's a little weird because the photos in dhl and their website definitely show that a relationship did exist between the two.
somewhere out there there's someone who must be able to bring the two together but it may remain one of the great mysteries of life.
geoff 'n jude
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Post by Roehm3108 on Jun 16, 2014 21:00:35 GMT 10
Dunno if Timmy Bunn's dad is still alive or not Neil, but wonder whether (if he is still alive) he could throw some light on it??? Timmy still lives in Childers, so you might be able to phone him and have a chat about it. For those reading this and wondering who Timmy is, his dad owned the Trail-a-home which Neil now has. I was in Childers last October, Neil, and the first person I ran into was Timmy!!! Guess what his first question was? Ray
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neilncheryl
Full Member
Make God laugh, tell Him your plans.
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Post by neilncheryl on Jun 16, 2014 21:14:45 GMT 10
Hi Geoff n Jude. The sign may have been from the previous yard owner as the date on the photo is the same date that the Galls moved to Brisbane. Perhaps they took a photo of the yard they were about to (or just) purchased? Barry did seem to re call being told of a caravan manufacturing yard in behind them but didn't remember them being there when he bought the yard.
Yes Ray, it would be good to chat with Timmy but I don't have his number. You are welcome to pass my details onto him. Should be making a start on the van end of this year so watch for photos then. (Spinner should be finished and ready to tow it by then). The leadlight windows are away being repaired at the moment so the wheels are slowly turning (finishing the Crestline first). Cheers, Neil
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bekstar76
New Member
Still looking for that perfect little van :-)
Posts: 48
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Post by bekstar76 on Jun 17, 2014 9:07:43 GMT 10
Thanks everyone for your posts. I guess I was just hoping for a lead as to how to rebuild my bantam. I'd like to get it's interior as close to original layout as possible. It would be nice to know it's history too if course! I'll try the Gall Brothers, thanks for the link. Cheers Bek
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