Tour an amazing, two-story trailer. Two bedrooms upstairs!

UPDATE: May, 2022: Shirley and her trailer are doing fine.
Shirley Wallace' lived in this two-story Spartan Manor trailer from age three until she went off to college 16 years later in 1969. Her father, Merrill Williams, was a finishing carpenter. His job took him all over California. When he moved, the trailer and his family came along. . . He bought the aluminum, 40-foot trailer new in 1953. It was adequate for the family at first, but then Shirley and her sister grew too big to sleep on the couch in the living room. So in 1957 Merrill added a second story with two bedrooms for the girls. At only 13 feet five inches high, the trailer would pass easily under freeway bridges. . . Sign up for our RVtravel.com newsletter: rvtravel.com/subscribe .
If you enjoyed this video, would you please share it on your Facebook or Twitter pages? Just paste in this url along with a comment: • Tour an amazing, two-s...
Learn more about RVing by signing up for the free RVtravel.com email newsletter. Now in our 20th year of serving RVers. www.rvtravel.com/subscribe
Cool vintage travel trailer stuff at Amazon:
amzn.to/2giVzhy
RELATED VIDEOS:
Man lived in this 1947 trailer for 66 years!
• Man lived in this 1947...
Winnebago's amazing flying motorhomes
• Winnebago's amazing fl...
VW Beetle tows fifth wheel travel trailer
• VW Beetle tows fifth w...

[@benvasilinda9729]

Her dad is the reason we celebrate Fathers Day.

[@Ntyler01mil]

A 3-bedroom, two-story travel trailer is simply amazing. Even more amazing that her father built on the second story himself.

[@shandelebroyles1099]

It's not a travel trailer. It's a mobile home. Camper's are travel trailers.

[@DavidSmith-fr1uz]

A genuine example of true craftsmanship. More importantly is the commitment by her father to keep the family together instead of him being away for an extended period of time for his work.

[@MrAzrancher]

DAD was pretty talented it appears. This must have been awesome in the 60's.

[@hardythomas2217]

MrAzrancher m

[@kylee1738]

MrAzrancher that was probably a really modern trailer at the time

[@moniquesalazar7778]

MrAzrancher super talented

[@kenyettaready]

He was pretty handsome too

[@Crackerjacks420]

he new nobody else was gonna do it for him. These kids today dont relize that yet. they get everything handed to them and want everything for free and dont think they need to work for it .

[@ruthsheller2911]

What a great dad! He kept everyone together and took care of them! Love it! He even made a way for his wife to have an organ! Wow! What happy memories she must have!

[@popiscoolnow]

Ruth Sheller much better guy than me.i would have got her a harmonica.

[@staceyezell9685]

Ruth Sheller I cried at this tru definition of a great dad and family

[@d.vaughn8990]

Rollo Larson too funny - you got me cry’in here!!

[@rubencohen2936]

The dad was way ahead of his time.

[@petemavus2948]

​@@popiscoolnow 😂 An honest man is a good man. 👍

[@AngelLuisTrinidad]

I really hope somebody restores it, and it ends up in some kind of museum. It's a treasure, please don't let it disappear.

[@cameronwright8634]

I second that.

[@angelrvbajacenter5047]

Wow amazing history thanks for sharing.

[@DennisMoore664]

@eclemensen Where? On the road again! Just can't wait to see it on the road again. Cruising the highways and byways of this old land, my friend, and I can't wait to see it on the road again. I'd love to be driving along the Interstate and pass by that beauty taking it slow in the right-hand lane. I'd slow down too just to get a better look.

[@kschleic9053]

@eclemensen publish an itinerary of where it will be, let Interested people come find it on their own road trip!

[@Dutronnium]

Yes. An interesting piece of Americana with that styling.

[@moosefactory133]

I know people some times poke fun at living in a trailer but I have to say, this is really cool. I admire all the hard work that went into this to make it a home.

[@albertreynoso2864]

+j1978 yes exactly many different ways OF BEING HAPPY

[@emvilecross6947]

good and decent people do not live in trailer parks you say?? that's just plan dumb.

[@TheBikemaster94]

Puckles100 apology accepted, thanks brughe

[@debbideanna8818]

Her father did an amazing job!

[@robingagan6288]

Danny DeVito trailer park boys is not reality. I've never watched it because I assume it makes fun of people in trailer parks

[@tracybrown4941]

This is really cool. Love the fact that she has kept it after all these years. She must have fond memories. What an awesome dad.

[@virginiawatson9598]

4640jds

[@Handlebarrz]

Unique one of a kind

[@JohnCRV]

This is amazing, not just the workmanship but the history behind it. Thanks for sharing, your Dad must have been a very skilled artist.

[@lauriedennis7256]

I grew up in a two story trailer. It was purchased this way. Had 2 bedrooms and a half bath upstairs a full bedroom downstairs and a full bathroom with a washing machine! This was in 1960 we were the envy of the trailer park.

[@alien69420]

Genius of a father. If she wouldn't of said what he built I would of guessed it was all original. Great job

[@DougCanney1]

This is a great testament to a man that only had his trade and his hands to support the family he loved. He made it so he could move where the work was located. And be comfortable for his family, so he could make a living. This is a long lost psychology in today’s morality. I enjoyed hearing this story and seeing the structural work of art.

[@RangKlos]

Heaps of respect to her father. What an adventurous soul.

[@syedadeelhassan8590]

Rang Klos agree i really want to see her dad pix he is awesom man

[@jerrybear3081]

would have been a humble upbringing

[@2degucitas]

ok look at 03:24 old pic of mom dad and baby

[@TheTaxburden]

The top floor seems roomy. This is cool now. Must've been amazing back in the 60s. Her dad did a great job!

[@camd.4923]

SHE IS SOOOO LUCKY ....HER STORY REAMS OF HAPPINESS... HER MOTHER/FATHER WERE GREAT PARENTS...THEY HAD JUST ENOUGH TO MAKE LIFE THE GREATEST..... BLESS THIS FAMILY.. THANK YOU FOR THIS VID......

[@Ruth-zs3rs]

I'm Not sure why this popped up on my list in 2019; But I am glad it did. Fascinating.

[@kawaiikawaiianimegirl4144]

Same

[@Jasondirt]

Me 2. Very cool story. I would actually like to her about her mom and dad more. Sounds like he would or could do anything to keep them all together

[@CrystalVanner]

*Mine also!*

[@SINternetEntertainment]

Ruth same here. Her dad could have been rich today with the trailers I have seen.

[@ironhell813]

It’s popped up on mine in 2024…

[@derekmmmm]

Merrill Williams. Innovator, craftsman and Dad. R.I.P. sir

[@MultiRabe]

Even in the condition she's in (exterior wise), that rig is a bonafide classic BEAUTY! Cheers

[@rah62]

...and the trailer's pretty nice too!

[@danzigmcnaniel5226]

I love that her dad was committed to keeping the look of the factory in which the trailer was built. Super talented

[@crxdelsolsir]

Proof workmanship back in the day was better than today. Aluminum outlasts any new materials today. Their joints, load bearing designs etc were spot on. The products were honest and didn't have planned obsolescence.

[@sumlittlepunk]

It really is like a land yacht. Beautiful workmanship. Her father was a clever man.

[@sinner7947]

I'm 25 and I want to live in this SO bad!!!!!

[@DainaSancho]

I live in a mediocre motorhome because I lost my home in Hurricane Ida & I've loved Spartan for at least a decade. I've seen photos of this one on Pinterest and have been dying to see the inside. Thank you so much for this! It's so amazing! Her dad improved it while maintaining the original look, no easy feat! What a treasure! 🏆 ❤

[@awalk56]

Love it. Shirley: Your Father had one of those brains that was always 'working'. Genius.

[@juergeneichermueller7953]

I know Shirley Wallace. She is a great person! I am glad to see your two-story Spartan featured here. Her Dad was a genius in how he re-built this 1953 Spartan. It is a one of a kind mobile home and well worth placing in a museum. Actually the first two-story or double-decker trailers showed up in about 1950. Spartan never built one so this is a rare double-decker. Other companies like Pacemaker and Stewart built double-deckers from about 1955 and well into the 1960s. The first pull-out appeared in about 1950 on the Rollohome mobile home. A couple of manufacutered experimented with pull-outs even earlier.

[@shirleywallace9975]

I want it to go to a museum some day.

[@MsRobinG]

Have you made arrangements? It would be a shame for your trailer not to go to a museum.

[@soniacortez4135]

Ms shirley Wallace, Oh my! Absolutely lovely and wonderful and man i would love to have something like this! Spectacular! I am in visalia too and work for a medical transport company and am all over the valley and have never seen anything as great and as show stoppin as this here! Thank you for sharing and may God bless you with more memories in this. I wonder tho, have your own children or grandchildren ever expressed interest in being the proud owners of this one day?! I wouldve been begging for the pinkslip from day one lol ! Bye now!

[@lorenzeman6544]

Your dad was one hell of a craftsmen looks great.

[@CrystalVanner]

*JUST AWESOME AND BEAUTIFUL! Please restore it and use it as an Airbnb or to travel in!* 👍🏾

[@CrystalDraco2005]

How cool to be able to take one's childhood home with them wherever they might go.

[@kb9847]

way ahead of the tiny house movement!! Awesome to be able to live in so many places, but never having to pack up and move houses. Great video!

[@captrodgers4273]

that travel trailer did alot of traveling in its time.....her dad was a great builder to make that addition look like it was built from the factory like that

[@rudytexas6825]

That's the kind of dads we had in those gone days , I always tried to be half the dad my dad was I would be a great dad hopefully I succeed.

[@truckertom3323]

An amazing work of Art,a true Craftsman. The lady looks like she had a good childhood living in the Trailer, very easy to pick up and move on,no need to worry about where you have to live at the next job site,park up and go to work,clear a little piece of ground and plant some vegetables. Good life.

[@LQOTW]

What an adventuresome life your childhood was! Thank you for sharing your awesome home with us, Ms. Wallace - I love how your dad modified the trailer.

[@LifeIsGay1]

How could anyone hate this? I mean if they only listen to her and her story they would of really enjoy it plus a little history.

[@SharonBaxter12]

WOW!! True Blue Americans!! When Fathers worked hard for their families and didn't mind being the " sole provider ". Like my own father!!

[@phatkatracing]

That's a pretty insensitive thing to say.

[@Chris_Troxler]

@@phatkatracing How?

[@phatkatracing]

@@Chris_Troxler "True Americans" "When fathers worked hard" and that "sole provider" shit. Fuck that. That's insulting as fuck. It's also ignorant as fuck.

[@Chris_Troxler]

@@phatkatracing I'm not trying start a flame war, or whatever it's called, but I still don't see how her statement is insensitive, insulting or ignorant. Just saying that something is offensive doesn't make it true. Please expand upon your reasoning. Again, not trying to argue, just trying to get a better understanding.

[@phatkatracing]

@@Chris_Troxler She's saying that fathers don't work today, and that multi-income households are in some way wrong. She posted rhetoric. Rhetoric about "the good 'ol days." The good 'ol days are bullshit.

[@ct4cf]

Daddy Williams was one hell of an innovator for his time. His work was neat and well thought out. His background as a finishing carpenter shows through in his work. Remembering the absence of prevalent color TV, cell phones, advanced polymers, carbon fiber and modern adhesives and sealants make his work all the more celebrated. Daddy Williams lives on through his work, his children and You Tube Shirley.

[@floridadronz1284]

I drove an OTR tractor/trailer for years that was 13'6" --I wouldn't bat an eye towing this trailer across country with my old McNally maps and avoiding low overheads. Her father was a smart man and talented craftsman.

[@lynnmoore2664]

How awesome her dad was way ahead of his time and in so many ways! Thanks for sharing the story and trailers. A real keepsake & historical treasure.

[@kimberlynelson4200]

There is nothing to be ashamed of when living in a mobile home. I grew up in one and I loved it. Lived in houses and apartments too. Now I’m 57 and my daughter and I live in a beautiful 3 bedroom, 2 full bath mobile home. My sister and brother-in-law live in a 4 bedroom, 2 full bath doublewide that is gorgeous. They’ve been in theirs less time than I have mine and have already paid it off. Hoping to be able to get mine paid off soon as well.

[@wordswritteninred7171]

Wow! You can see she must have had such a close and loving family. And she still cherishes it. Shows that money and material things do not equal love or happiness. Would love to hear stories of her life.

[@BeeKool__113]

Wow! Dad created a living masterpiece! So many memories! So much history! This place is spectacular! I absolutely adore this lovely home. ❤️

[@sunnyfayezz1843]

Your dad was pretty inventive and talented... I hope it ends up in a museum...

[@tompinion4138]

Super cool! It is very special to get to interview this woman who grew up in this trailer. She had a very talented father.

[@wallacesheckells9280]

Her Dad was a true craftsman to do this. He was truly ahead of his time. Treasure that thing Ms. Wallace!

[@JuNaSoSt]

What a dream! To have a home that you travelled in and enough space for your growing family. Her father was awesome! My stepdad can barely build a garden box.

[@soniacortez4135]

Lol aww poor lil stepdad! O:•}

[@blackorchidwx7626]

I love my 1947 Spartan Manor. I always see people taking pictures when I’m hauling it down the road. Built to last too.

[@catreader9733]

I lived in an 1950-ish house trailer from birth to age 7, without any extensions. I would joke in later years that I learned to walk early because I could just extend my arms to either side and touch furniture or walls for stability. But we actually found ample space for comfortable living. I remember quite a bit of playtime and events from my preschool years that occurred in that small space. My parents would later recall entertaining up to four other adults for an evening, often with dinner. We transferred from the trailer when my father constructed a small 2-bedroom apartment inside our commercial buiding; we found the new quarters spacious. I found it very novel that there were now corners to turn to go from end to end in the new home.

[@RVFreeDa]

Very interesting and what a great story! Nice lady too!

[@micjam1986]

perfectly said!!

[@thomasucc]

American social history at it's best

[@madambutterfly7513]

It looks like a two-story boat, very nice interior

[@whidbeyhiker4364]

Now we have this tiny house revolution going on, like it was something new. I love this, would love to own it.

[@vegasjill21]

I agree! This trailer looks very cool, I could live in something like that very easily. And, first things first, I would paint that exterior and it would look fabulous!!! I love that shape!!! :) I love hearing her fond memories of her childhood and living there.

[@2degucitas]

I want so bad to see it cleaned up on the outside. So dull looking.

[@lavenarussell6363]

vegasjill21 I

[@lavenarussell6363]

I love the fact that her Dad was so creative and fixed a really neat home for his family! I It reminds me of my Dad, we camped on a nearby lake a lot during my childhood. Over the years our "campers" grew from a two room tent to a converted school bus. We also expanded our watercraft from a two man rubber raft to a six passenger ski rig. We have many good memories and delightful stories about our lake homes and the people we met in those "good ole days". Lol gotta love the 60's and 70's

[@vegasjill21]

Lavena Russell Oh how cool to have a school bus!! Just like the Partridge Family!! lol It sure would be a lot more comfortable and roomy!! Yea,,it was fun being a teenager in the 70's. :) I have lots of great memories, too! Take care.

[@1973noxqses]

I work on mobile homes and I miss seeing the older ones. The ones with the cool 50s / 60s vibe. This one is truly unique and I hope it is preserved.

[@CarrieGerenScogginsOfficial]

I just now noticed that it has a "walk beside bed," on the second floor, because she does not describe it very well, I thought that the second floor was only loft beds. Your father did a great job with the walk beside bed, or lowering the floor to make a small walk way beside the beds. It is the same design as the 1953 Lighthouse Duplex 2 story mobile home, the Ventoura 1950's model mobile home, and the Heinz 2 story mobile homes. This one is really better than the others, as it gave it 3 bedrooms, and the design layout is perfect.

[@gitanoespana7694]

Wow your Dad sure did love you guys and showed it in a wonderful way. Thanks for the video. May your Dad RIP

[@curlyanneb1973]

Love it. Dad was an engineering, body man, carpenter, Plumbing, genius. I would love to redecoratethis

[@DawnStr8]

I could spend hours talking to her and asking dumb questions. Fascinating!

[@treehouseinparadise5563]

So glad Shirley got the old girl back. So rare to be able to do something like that. We lived in trailers too, for much of my child hood. Smaller and no facilities. Now I wish I had one of those trailers or even the railroad boxcar we lived in. Hope you get some use out of it again and can pass it on to a good caretaker. It's a gem. Especially that your dad built it up. Enjoy.

[@krystallightv.8727]

Wow! Santa Maria ca. My grandmother told me one that she had seen a two story trailer and she was amazed by it now I see why.💕

[@nitacruise9993]

Your dad was ahead of his time! Brilliant!! They must have stole his ideas for slide outs! I own 11 houses. Add choose to live in an RV. I really enjoy my RV. Whether you live in a house our trailer are Rv doesn't make the person!

[@catheyahannas3240]

They don't make them like that anymore, you have a diamond in the ruff! I hope that when you're done with it someone will love it like your talented Dad did. It's amazing that it survived all these years, it's a true gem.

[@JenuineAirbrushTan]

I keep returning to this video as an example of ingenuity and craftsmanship. Thank you for sharing your home and stories. ❤️✌🏼️

[@betsycollins601]

Nothing as creative as this is built today, at least not in a price range for the average person.

[@Fanzindel]

This wouldn't have been in the price range of a regular person at the time. The guy built it himself. Feel free to go out and build something yourself, everything is there!! 😊

[@juliorubi8126]

heinzel83

[@juliorubi8126]

heinzel83 ,. logo

[@2degucitas]

After the war airplane factories switched to building these. They had the equipment materials and labor. There was a large consumer pool of young marrieds waiting to buy. Very smart!!! I suppose a GI bill could pay it off .

[@rogercamp6071]

The Spartan trailers were built by the Spartan Aircraft Co.in Tulsa, Oklahoma in the late forties and early fifties,I knew a man who owned a smaller one in the early eighties,this one is super cool!!!

[@donnahelps4867]

Love these old trailers, they have so much character.

[@Sabrina-01]

She was so happy until you hear her loss . Your home is amazing. . I'm sorry for your loss

[@patrickantony]

If that thing was for sale I'd buy it in a minute! Wow that's amazing.

[@markoredano9141]

I hope she never sells it

[@Eduarditooo]

Amazing history!! Your home is not defined by the structure but by the love of that people around you!!

[@studiokohl1]

It is beautiful just how it is. I would totally live in it. Something about living in something from another era always appeals to me. If the old truck, from the picture of it being moved, came with it it would sure be a head Turner.

[@angelabroman18]

Such a Lovely story, genius father, and a good one to keep the family together. I would be willing to lose a limb for a trailer such as this!

[@chrispate4512]

Shirley's dad was a legend!

[@1533ramsay]

look at the size of the truck that pulled it. What a great story. That needs to go into a Museum.

[@2busysecretary]

I love when people are creative and go "outside the box"

[@user-xl4lr3jp5y]

❤❤❤❤❤ so absolutely beautiful I grew up in a 1953 Stewart two story trailer that my father had bought used when I kid.❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@AsTheWheelsTurn]

this is awesome. and to the people who are just ignorantly saying its too tall to move or too heavy.....first of all watch the damnd video, they moved it many times with what looked like a ordinary 3/4 or 1 ton truck. second, have you never heard of a semi truck or double decker tour bus? both are as tall or possibly a bit taller than this is so why is it that it would be "unwise" or dangerous to haul this thing around? If you are aware of what you are doing and plan your trip it would be fine. if you have never towed a trailer and you are lacking in common sense then yes it would be best for YOU not to be hauling something like this. It wouldnt be something you'd take out every weekend camping or something but I would not feel uncomfortable towing this from city to city seasonally or whatever. I love it!

[@shirleywallace9975]

Being all Aluminum frame keeps down the weight.

[@danielyounger9543]

AsTheWheelsTurn exactly if its 13'6 or less or will fit under overpasses on the interstate.

[@robingagan6288]

Can't you also put trailer on a flat bed transport trailer or something

[@robingagan6288]

AsTheWheelsTurn I would love to read comments sometime and not see one negative comment wouldn't you. There is always someone on the attack

[@darrylnichols9747]

AsTheWheelsTurn They move 2 story houses. This trailer would be simple by comparison. Also some 5th campers are almost as tall.

[@listenup872]

That was a nice story, thank you for sharing it.😉

[@ginadelsasso288]

Please keep it in california where it wont get rusted out and destroyed. Such an awesome story and build. Your dad was awesome! The bump out for your mom, addition for you girls. He really tried to do his best for you all.

[@missyallthat6207]

I was thinking how cool it is to still have your childhood home! Most people end selling when their parents pass but because she could move it she is able to keep it and pass it down to other generations

[@renatamitchell519]

I've never seen a two story trailer before 😊 it's cool. Her father was so smart.

[@plumbingstuffinoregon2471]

Spartan and Imperial built some bad ass looking trailers back then! I love that thing!

[@joshuacorbin4569]

*THAT HAS SINGLEHANDEDLY GOT TO BE THE COOLEST THING I'VE SEEN IN 2019*

[@Johnsmith-1224]

Fantastic story. It appears mom and dad were pretty interesting people.

[@littleblondemop]

Pretty cool story. Neat looking rv. Her dad had some skill to put all those add-ons.

[@FordFracture]

Now that was cool ! Good old American ingenuity Making something out of nothing . Glad to see it's still in the family

[@Franaflyby]

The coolest coziest hidden closet staircase Ive ever seen . Wow how lucky she was to have had a nice content happy family . Her Daddy must of had a whole lotta love for his family to do all that work . Im sure it wasn't easy.

[@StuartOliver83]

Wow that’s lovely and what a clever bloke the dad was👍🏻

[@johnfarnel]

That guy had to be insanely smart to be able to do that in the 50s/60s.

[@supermotovader]

This is an amazing piece of artwork. Who are the odd little trolls who would give this a thumbs down? They must be 12 year old little grocery store brats.

[@skigdividerx4991]

I'm back four years later. SO COOL!

[@ImmortalInflames]

My dad did something very recently. Growing up with my dad being a jack of all trades, master of none, i've always enjoyed seeing & hearing of a whole world of stories such as this! It's only when you start your own project do you realise just how much work is involved. I really hope this Two Story home gets well looked after and restored down the track when it's needed. It's a fine example of home motoring from the past that is still appreciated to this day!

[@christopherg9806]

That's really clever! Her dad was very skilled.

[@LWJCarroll]

Amazing to see what he did back then.....heaps of room...Rgds...Laurie

[@whatadollslife]

her Dad was very creative and provided a good life for his family

[@aa64912]

A practical work of art and craftsmanship. Bet people would pay to tour it.

[@VanlifewithAlan]

Lovely views in the introduction - a good example of RV life in America!

[@charlesdyer2376]

that lady should write a book about her life in that trailer.

[@rubencohen2936]

❤ This is a piece of Mid Century Modern History. I wish it was on display at the R.V. Hall Of Fame Museum in Elkhart, Indiana.

[@TheJaptin]

Could be 😉

[@kathybee3151]

She just lights up talking about the trailer. I hope she has and continues to make beautiful memories in it. ♥️

[@samjohnson9894]

That's fantastic. Thanks for the video and thanks for sharing.

[@krissander1]

wow her father was a genius

[@blackbeard6861]

Your dad is an amazing carpenter! That is the best camper I've ever seen

[@destinhook3826]

Her dad was a true craftsman, bless her heart for keeping it this long.