“When you restore a trailer you naturally
want to share your pride”, admits René,
“So I learned about Trailer Rallies and
started to attend those immediately. For
our very first outing I invited a few of
my friends to the State Park just about
ten miles down the road from my house
on Hood Canal. I brought dinner, we had
some adult beverages and I showed off
my trailer. Later after they all went home I
propped my chair up facing the trailer and
just admired her with a tear in my eye. This
trailer was a labor of love and meant so
much to me. I love that I did her with my
own hands; she is a huge reflection of me.
I also love the size, the ease of towing and
how old she is. I wear a charm with a little
trailer on it that says “who rescued who”.
That pretty much sums it all up for me”.
After having since attended several
events, music festivals and rallies
including being part of the Tulip Festival
held in their small town recently, René’s
involvement with the world of vintage
trailering shows no signs of easing any
time soon. This year they will be the
new hosts of the 16th Annual Mt. Baker
Vintage Trailer Rally; the largest rally in
Washington State that showcases around
two hundred vintage trailers each year.
René also has her own store on Etsy
(DownRiverCo) where she makes and
sells various trailer goodies and recently
established a small business and hobby
of purchasing rescuing and restoring
vintage trailers called Down River
Vintage Trailer Restoration.
“We currently have twelve trailers
(including the Aloha) ranging anywhere
from thirteen to twenty-five feet, from
the years 1942 to 1969, in Masonite
to Aluminum for our trailer restoration
business. I never intended to ever go
to a single rally let alone organize one,
join Sisters on the Fly, or starting a whole
new business, but I wouldn’t trade it for
anything. It really is a lifestyle!” VTM
You can read more about René’s Aloha
restoration project at:
myaloharestoration.blogspot.com
vintagetrailermagazine | 23