1954 Kom-Pak Sportsman – Are Hotel Prices Getting You Down?

If you are planning to go classic boating this summer or maybe travel to one of the many antique & classic boat shows around the country, but hotel prices are getting you down – we may have the solution.

This rare 1954 Kom-Pak Sportsman Travel Trailer will be on the auction block later this month at the big Mecum Auction in Kissimmee, Florida. And it even gets better – This classic boater’s hotel on wheels will be offered at auction complete with a restored 1954 Ford Courier Sedan Delivery. All ready to load up the wife & kids and hit the road for the lake!

Here’s a brief description of the trailer from the Mecum Auction site, for the complete description of Mecum Lot T212 / T212.1 click here.

Manufactured in Medford, OR in the early 50’s there is believed to be only 16 of these trailers ever built and reportedly only 6 are left today. Designed in the same style as the 53/54 Fords, the most unique feature is the fully functional, removable 16′ fishing boat which doubles as the trailers roof when not in use! Although these trailers were reproduced for a short time this is an authentic, real Kom-Pak travel trailer from the 1950’s.

Here are a few more examples of original Kom-Pak travel trailers to help put you in the mood. (Images courtesy of Remarkable Cars. com)

Just like the good old days, camping at the lake, fire up the stove, put a few cold ones in the cooler and tune in to some classic Perry Como tunes on the radio… and don’t forget to stay away from that spicy food before hitting the sack in the trailer…

Then in the morning, you just unload the boat, hook up the trusty outboard and in no time your out on the lake with the family…

These images are courtesy of Nick’s Teardrop Trailer Page, you can click here to see more shots of the classic Kom-Pak trailer on the inside and the canvas top that you can use when the boat is removed.

    Then in the early 1960’s a company named Trailorboat Manufacturing from San Rafael, California introduced a line of trailers similar to the Kom-Pak trailers. To learn more about this classic trailer / boat combination you can visit Trailorboat Trailers by clicking here. There’s some interesting photos and history of the marque on this cool site. (Images courtesy of Trailorboat Trailers) and no that’s not a typo…

So there you have it, a Readers Digest summary of classic Kom-Pak and Trailorboat combination travel trailers so when you show up at the Mecum Auction in Florida, you know a little more about what you are bidding on.

One last thought… Now that we are on the subject of classic trailer’s, and if you have a few more minutes, check out one more cool web site dedicated to vintage trailers at Bowlus Trailers by clicking here, cruise around the site it’s very cool. I noticed this vintage 1935 Bowlus Road Chief trailer and I wondered if you could turn it upside down and use it like a Kom-Pak trailer, but I guess that would be like turning an antique Chris-Craft Barrel Back into a travel trailer… Just a bad idea – Sorry.

Texx

/22 Comments/by
22 replies
  1. anonymus
    anonymus says:

    I thought someone had cut off the front end of my Dad’s ford wagon because it had broken down once too often on the way to the River and kept the back because that is where all four of us kids slept during the ride. A time before seatbelts. Some say the good old days are good because they are gone.

  3. WoodyGal
    WoodyGal says:

    Thanks Texx,

    Very cool article! I love these old travel trailers, especially the Bowlus from the 1930’s, pre-Airstream. They are numbered & people keep track of their history, just like our boats. I’m gonna have to find out more about Death Valley Mac, whip artist!

  4. paulfharrison1
    paulfharrison1 says:

    I saw a Bowlus sitting rather dejectedly beside the road on my way from the Sandpoint. ID. show a couple of years ago. Apparently it had been for sale for years. Always liked them, and many other older trailers as well. The units featured today are neat as hell, but obviously not the most functional things around. Seems to be a lot of cross-over interest between old boat/trailer/car guys.

    Matt -those Spartans kick it. Would love one as a guest cabin or suite at the lake. The converted Spartan/car hauler is for sale for $125k, in case anyone is interested.

  5. Patrick
    Patrick says:

    Wow,

    Now I not only want more woodyboats but I want a camper too. I’m afraid I may now need a local support group??

    • Rick
      Rick says:

      Forget it Patrick, the support group will just turn into another club. As a matter of fact a group of like minded individuals getting together for meetings I believe is the definition of a club. Now you’ve got dues to pay, when that money could have been better spent on another boat, trailer, tequila or whatever. Just keep repeating to yourself..”It’s not a disease, it’s not a disease.” Over and over again. Margaritas help.

      • Patrick
        Patrick says:

        Good Point, Rick. It is happy hour so I will take your advice with drink and continue repeating It’s not a disease, it’s not a disease, it’s not a disease………………………………

  6. Mike M
    Mike M says:

    Every time I look at those pictures I can’t help but think of all the “stuff” that ends up in the bottom of the boat after a day of fishing, hanging over someones head while they try to sleep in that thing….fish guts, dry worms, rusty hooks, empty beer cans….

    • FRANCHINI
      FRANCHINI says:

      And how impressed would your signifigant other be when you are out fishing for the day and it starts raining! I picture fishing with my Grandpa who is famous for “one more cast” while the sleeping bags, food, clothes, and everything else in the trailer get soaked.

      • Rick
        Rick says:

        I may be wrong but I believe there is a solid top on the camper portion and that the boat just sits on top of that. If so worms and guts will stay on the outside and sleeping bags will stay dry. That said it still looks like a snug fit inside with limited headroom. Good for newlyweds bad for everyone else who might have a spouse whose not really sold on camping.

        • Texx
          Texx says:

          At the Nick’s Teardrop Trailer site it kind of shows a retractable canvas cover that’s supported by a series of metal ribs designed to keep out the rain, slugs, etc – like a covered wagon…

          Does anyone remember the smell of a wet canvas tent during a camping trip in the days before nylon and Gortex? WoooHoo!

  7. jerry
    jerry says:

    Hi The green one was mine. I have owned 6 of them myself so I don’t think 6 existing is correct . I have seen about 20.

    • Texx
      Texx says:

      Thanks for the update Jerry. The reference to the six remaining was the description on the Mecum site prior to the 2011 Kissimmee Auction, so we appreciate your clarification.

      The classic Kom-Pak travel trailers are very cool and we love that retro look.

  8. Bonnie Ember
    Bonnie Ember says:

    In the process of buying one. Also have a 1952 Airstream Flying Cloud that we gutted, and turned into a new Millennium 13 Panel Camper.

    Both are going to be for sale shortly.

    Happy Valentines Day everyone.

  10. Griffin
    Griffin says:

    Hello,

    I have what is registered as a 1967 Trailorboat. It is 14ft long, a flatbottom outboard and looks to be a race boat. I can’t find any information on this boat and would love some info as I am restoring it. Anyone have any idea how rare it is? It is is great shape for it’s age but the little info that I have found is that it may not be a 1967. If you have any priceless info to help my restore please email me at gyopp@hotmail.com. Thank You!

  11. Muriel
    Muriel says:

    Greetings from California! I’m bored to tears at work so I decided to browse your site on my iphone during lunch break. I enjoy the knowledge you provide here and can’t wait to take
    a look when I get home. I’m shocked at how fast your blog loaded on my mobile .. I’m not even
    using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyhow, good blog!

  12. Matt
    Matt says:

    Yes Jerry is right, There is more of them out there then people think I own one myself. It was in pretty bad shape it didn’t even have boat. I was lucky enough to find one at a boat shop. The thing about that was the boat turned out to be a re-pop a guy in the 90s was re-popping the hole boat and trailer at one time I saw a ad on the net for them and who can how many he sold. I bought the boat and put it on it fit ok ..Thanks of Matt in Auburn CA

  13. Matt
    Matt says:

    So what , I can’t spell I’m a product of the Placer County Unified School District its not my fault I’m stupid. Thanks

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