1932 Rear Porch Trailer - Tin Can Tourists

We have been unable to find any kind of identification (name, numbers, etc.) on the trailer, thus we have named it a “Rear Porch Trailer”, hoping that our continuing search will provide us with it’s origin and name. The title reads 1932 model homemade. Having no numbers or identification seems to be in keeping with the fact that the trailer looks custom made. A possible location of manufacture is Buffalo, New York. The trailer was for the owner of the Martin Dairy Company in Welland, Ontario, Canada. The Martins were not diary farmers, but rather manufactured dairy products. They were apparently quite wealthy and had several homes, chauffeur, etc. The trailer was used for the normal periodic recreation, and was used in parades and on special occasions since it has a large rear platform for the local dignitaries to stand. When the Martins passed away they willed the trailer to their chauffer who had it for a short time. He sold it to a Welland, Ontario couple, Loren and Evelyn McKenney who used it briefly and then placed it in storage in 1973 where remained until we purchased it in 2001.

Because of the materials and workmanship, several architectural experts have indicated that this trailer might have been built prior to 1932, but not titled until then. It is quite unusual and an excellent example of custom coachwork that occurred on automobiles during the period, particularly in cars where custom bodies (i.e., Brunn, Fleetwood, LeBaron) were very popular among the wealthy.

The Trailer measures a total of 20 feet in length, not including the tongue and the antique trunk. The rear platform of porch measures four feet in length; the interior is 16 feet long, six feet high and eight feet wide.

The exterior of the trailer is metal and was originally painted black. Several coats of paint were added to the outside over the years. It was stripped down to the bare metal and repainted the original black. The porch and the curved wood porch ceiling are stained to match the interior of the trailer.

The entire trailer interior is original. It is all mahogany and gumwood and has a curved wooden ceiling and wood parquet floor. It has never been painted over, which is popular to do in the 1950’s. There are seven windows, three per side and one front window. They all roll down like car windows with ornate art deco crank handles. A four-inch piece of blue stained glass runs across the top of each window.

The trailer boasts elegant features such as a built-in china cabinet with a glass door, beveled mirrors, electric permanent mount fans, divider curtain, dining table with drop down sides and chairs (no benches or booth style table). It has an abundance of storage space in custom-built drawers and closets. It sleeps six in two large couches that fold out into upper bunks and two double beds. It has both 12-volt and 110-volt lighting. It has no cooking or lavatory facilities and has a small, ornate coal stove for heat.

The owners, Diane Flis-Schneider and Chuck Schneider reside in Lapeer, Michigan. They are members of the Tin Can Tourists, a vintage travel trailer and motor home club, which began in 1919. The trailer has been featured on the Discovery Channels’ popular show, RV Crazy, and in the books Ready to Roll and Classic Cottages both by author Doug Keister

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