Tonka Winnebago Camper Restoration - Abandoned Tonka Restored

Restoration videos don't get any cooler than this! This Toy Restoration video is of a 1973 Tonka Winnebago Camper, model #3885. At almost 23-inches long, this Mighty Tonka beast is one of the largest trucks that Tonka Toys ever made! It was pretty rough when I bought it, but after some sandblasting, cleaning, polishing, and powder coating... the perfect restoration is complete and this camper is ready to head back out on a road trip!
Check Out Some Of The Supplies And Equipment I use!
Blast Cabinet: amzn.to/2Zi0BQk
Blasting Nozzle: amzn.to/2Hpm5Vo
Dremel Rotary Tool: amzn.to/31WnRFc
Dremel Versa Scrub: amzn.to/33SHZK9
Powder Coat System: amzn.to/2ZrsYQ6
Powder Coat Oven: amzn.to/33Th94H
Parts Washer: amzn.to/320mrJP
Parts Washing Brush: amzn.to/2L591Wc
#tonkarestoration #toyrestoration #restoration how to diy abandoned

[@Speeddemon3]

Holy, sanding off the tape was genius!

[@johnarmenta2199]

I read this comment because, of course, it was the first one. I had no idea what you meant . . . . until I SAW IT! I know this is a family show so I'll keep it clean: That was FLIPPIN' BRILLIANT!!!

[@2degucitas]

@Black Buick You don't need primer or clear coat with powder coat.

[@SweetPea1970]

I was thinking it was GENIUS too!

[@Evergreen64]

Good restore. I had one of these when I was a kid.

[@danaeiler4563]

Um ya, need more insight on the whole tape thing. What kind of tape? How did you get that chrisp sharp line? Details man!!

[@thomasplouffe1363]

dude this was my FAV TRUCK EVER! when i was four i got a giant crate of tonka trucks at a flea market for free, it was because i would not stop playing with them and i reminded the seller of his own son as a boy, i loved that truck for the sole reason of putting action figures in the drivers seat and all around the inside (and making them crash while one sat on the toilet) i played with that truck so much

[@natas619]

Fond memories of this motorhome. We used to be small enough to ride them down the hill at the end of the block. 🙂

[@BakersBiscuit]

I still have my Winnebago, minus the top. Came here to watch this. One day I'll restore it. Great vid. Thanks.

[@harrysavage2933]

Did a beautiful job i had lots of old Tonka toys in my younger age I still remember him I still collect all toys thank you and God bless you for showing me these old times

[@MikeEPerez]

This thing was already vintage when my dad brought it home from an auction c. 1990. I loved it so much, and it went perfectly with all my other Tonka trucks. It even came with the original dolls! Then my dumb 10-year-old brain thought it would be a good idea to give it a paint job. My beautiful Winnebago ended up 💩brown, as that was the only can of spray paint I could find lying around. 😑Anyway, it's awesome to see you give new life to this one. Looks great!

[@sambuck9257]

Seriously. Thank you for the sanding tape tip. Would never have thought of that.

[@TRGRESTORATIONS]

Thanks! Glad to help

[@dianebreyer5316]

I grew up in the 1970s and this was one of my favorite toys! Saw it in the Sears Xmas catalog & “asked Santa” for it. The Winnebago came with figures: man, woman & dog. I’d put my Dawn dolls & Josie & the Pussycats dolls in it, go out back in my yard, and play for hours. Thanks for the video! ❤

[@wanderingsheeps]

I like the way you converted a combustion engine RV to a full electric one that does not need the grille.

[@packardexelence]

I could of painted a grille in!!, So could of he!! Mask ALL but grille area, spray chrome silver;---DRY, extra skinny tape for grille bars; spray flat black; DRY,- GENTLY peal off skinny tape; PRESTO!! chrome grill!!!!!!!!!

[@kirksway1]

Nice!

[@Stokes140]

💯

[@forfoxsake7972]

@@packardexelence *could have. Thanks.

[@johnsiders7819]

Was wondering if he could have used the dazzle tape cut to fit would have made a good grill

[@plixplop]

Sanding the tape down for a stencil is the most clever thing I've seen all week.

[@TRGRESTORATIONS]

Thank you! 🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼

[@deronhanson5454]

I think that is so great to see someone restoring these toys that I used to play with as a child

[@TRGRESTORATIONS]

+Deron Hanson Thanks! My 10 year old claimed it and it’s already full of Barbies 🤣

[@deronhanson5454]

look at it this way-could be worse-my older brother confiscated mine, painted it camo,put G I Joes in it & two bottle rockets on it-never saw it after that

[@DanaTheInsane]

I toured the Minnesota factory in 1973 when they built these. I actually saw a production line of them!

[@Smurphenstein]

Were they painted or powder coated?

[@DanaTheInsane]

@@Smurphenstein I was eight. They were painted. I don't think I ever saw a powder coated toy as a kid.

[@haveanicedave1551]

When I was in Cub Scouts, we toured a factory in Los Angeles that made Ford Mavericks and Pintos.

[@RavenMacy]

You can tell they were from the 70s , those colours 😕

[@kirdot2011]

@@DanaTheInsane did you ever wish the interrior was hand painted much more realistically?

[@GeekFilter]

This is the first time I’ve actually owned something you’re restoring! I remember putting my Six Million Dollar Man figure inside of this and jumping it over a cliff next to my Evil Knievel spring powered motorcycle! Needless to say it didn’t quite make it to the other side 😉

[@TRGRESTORATIONS]

Thanks for watching! 🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼

[@arwenbrimhall3737]

I would have loved to have that one. When I was a kid trucks were for boys. My brothers had all the yellow ones.

[@Fur_ball]

@@arwenbrimhall3737 it was the only toy I begged for when I was little. Got one for Christmas and still have it.

[@karle7663]

I put my planet of the apes figures in mine. Take then on field trips. Fun times.

[@dankingma6344]

My sister got one for Christmas one year in the 70s. We played with it for hours. It came with a man and women and a dog great memories.

[@TRGRESTORATIONS]

Yes!! They were named Winn, Winnie, and Spot. A play on the name Winnebago.

[@RescueRestore]

Looks great, you did a very good job!

[@TRGRESTORATIONS]

+Rescue & Restore Thanks Bro! 😎

[@mikesilva3868]

​@@TRGRESTORATIONS😊

[@stepscoun48]

I am enjoying your craftmanship on restoring these old Tonka trucks, cars, and campers. Thanks, for sharing.

[@TRGRESTORATIONS]

Glad you like them!

[@Bob-M]

The decal from eBay was fine, it was you who messed it up. Decals are to be wet applied to the surface by placing the soaked decal, while still on the backing on the model, and then you slide the decal into place.

[@mikerevill7448]

hence the term "waterslide decals" ...that was cringeworthy....but the restorations are amazing!!

[@Paladin_of_Justice]

You can't improvise the grille. Due to lack of airflow it will over heat and crack a cylinder head. Any 9 year old will tell you that. I'm 50 now and played with that same model of toy. My dad bought it for me for cleaning his tools off and sweeping out his shop for a month when I was 9 years old. I loved that toy.....went on many camping trips around the house inside and out (depending on weather). The toys I worked for I took great care of. My Dad taught me well to earn what you get and to take care of it. I teach my kids the same . Thanks for taking me back to a great time in my life !

[@TRGRESTORATIONS]

Let's pretend I converted it to an electric motor. No cooling system required 😉 Thanks for watching!

[@Paladin_of_Justice]

@@TRGRESTORATIONS I thought you'd say relocated radiator with electric fan and side or bottom cowl scoops..... Great video , phenomenal skills.

[@ds2271]

Great restoration I got that tonka camper for Christmas in 1975 or 1976. Good luck finding the people that came with it

[@gregoryboyd-house9273]

Amazing restoration bro. This one brought back good memories from my childhood as I recieved this very one for Christmas in the 70's. Unfortunately it was left behind when we moved. Thanks for great trip back. Look forward to more vids.👊✌

[@squeakD]

The best Tonka model ever made IMO! This model was extremely popular. It’s hard to find one in great shape because kids actually played with them.

[@johnchaffey7112]

Hi I have one of these Winnebago RV's in pretty good condition full of mostly old Matchbox Cars from the 70's, Mostly made in Britain. I live in Bingara, NSW, Australia. 2404. Phone [phone].Make an Offer please.

[@TRGRESTORATIONS]

They were big enough and flat enough to ride on lol so a lot of them didn't survive

[@sparkomatic803]

So in the original ad, Win is outside playing with Scamp, while Winnie is working in the kitchen. Pretty much describes my memories of family camping. Nice restoration, BTM.

[@donaldhollums3278]

I had one of these when I was a small boy. Thanks for the kindly reminder!

[@dkmace1]

Your restoration made it far superior than what it was new!

[@joannamorley9474]

My grandparents use to have one, when i was little. I use to ride on it. Such happy memories.

[@frndofbear]

The interior cabinet had a door on it at one time. I know because I owned this back in 1973 and dropped a doll onto the open door and it came off. I'm kind of glad to see I wasn't the only one to do it. Mine was in much better shape on the outside than this one. Great restoration to one of my most beloved toys from childhood!

[@TRGRESTORATIONS]

Thanks! The cabinet had a door and the bathroom had a pocket door that slid into the wall. It's pretty rare to find one of these with both of those doors intact.

[@science9415]

Amazing work! My sister and i had one of these when we were kids. We used to sit on it and ride it into stuff!

[@Kevarfutz]

We grew up with this Camper toy and I had always wanted to redo it so this video is amazing! Good job!!

[@TRGRESTORATIONS]

Thanks for watching! 🤘🏼🤘🏼

[@onewagonho]

You rock! You made my evening. I have one of these sitting up on a shelf in my living room. I wanted it so badly as a child and my parents got one for me. I remember waking up on Christmas morning and finding it under the tree. I laid on it and rode up and down our hallway. You did an EXCELLENT job of restoring it! It was so cool to see how it comes apart. Thanks for choosing that to restore!

[@jeffreyr865]

That’s awesome, my friend who lived next door growing up had that camper and I played with it all the time.

[@johnmoore5840]

God. I had one as a kid. Beautiful job. Brought back memories.

[@kebers]

I had one of these when I was a toddler. I remember sitting on it and riding it around. I loved how the top opened.

[@roku5071]

I have pictures of my oldest riding on mine when he was a baby. He even learned how walk with it

[@Qui-GonJohn]

Magnificent restoration. Top notch craftsmanship.

[@TRGRESTORATIONS]

thanks for watching!! 👍🏻👍🏻

[@dubworldvwadventures]

This was my favorite toy as a kid. Thanks for the memories. Wish I still had mine.

[@donparker8246]

That turned out fantastic. . I agree. Sanding of the tape was brilliant. 😳😁👍

[@socalsand86]

Beautiful job! I have that same toy in pretty good shape. As a kid we had that real motorhome in about 1975. That one was the 27’ with the rear double couches.

[@david78212]

I had one of those... my dad had the real thing. It’s amazing what they gave you for buying something. He used it as a hunting rig, we didn’t use for anything else.

[@randystone6781]

Fantastic job! I still have this toy in original, mint condition, from my childhood. Great memories.

[@georgeochoa3089]

Great Work! Great Toys! Wish they still produced American made metal...

[@TRGRESTORATIONS]

Me too!

[@philipclayberg4928]

I used to have Tonka toys in the 1970s. I also saw the real Winnebagos. It feels like a completely different world compared to back then. I guess that's part of the price of growing old (I'm 52, going on 53). The body ages, but the memories sometimes make 40-50 years ago seem like yesterday or last week.

[@alexflint7228]

My mom used to own one of these when she was little. I actually saw the real thing at a car show once. It was awesome.

[@ourstoryyourstory]

Wow! Sanding off the heat resistant tape for the second color was pure genius! Outstanding restoration!

[@TRGRESTORATIONS]

+It's Not a Restoration thanks! 😎

[@cdavid5524]

Right!!!

[@theropesofrenovation]

I was wondering how you were going to do that!

[@only257]

It's Not a Restoration it was cool😜

[@andrecollins69]

Well the title says restoration

[@superboats2]

Funny for me to watch this when I used to own and drive the REAL thing. Nice work in the restoration.

[@kaleu6]

I had this camper when I was a kid. I'd love to find another one. Well done!

[@neiliabaxter3721]

Sand blasting is so cool and I love the high gloss of baked on powder coating.

[@TRGRESTORATIONS]

+Neilia Baxter thanks! Definitely my favorite parts too!

[@JD-te9tj]

I've never seen anyone stencil like that,good thinking. I've got to try it,thanks!!!

[@Godspine]

TONKA should sponsor this dude, for restoring alot of their classic toys.

[@TRGRESTORATIONS]

lol I wish!

[@pamalapeterson5352]

Love to watch the restoration of toys ... Soothing, some how?!

[@TRGRESTORATIONS]

Thanks for watching!

[@la_old_salt2241]

Had one of these as a kid, thanks for the memories.

[@caroltanzi29]

That was quite a job. All those pieces. You deserved a vacation, yourself, after that restoration. Really an outstanding job!

[@curraheewolf]

Genius in reference to the tape and decal part! Thinking outside the box! Five stars! *****

[@johnzeller1338]

Awesome job! Next time try adding a touch of dish soap to the water when doing decals. It may work. I know it works when it comes to decaling cars and trucks. The soap gives you some time to move it around before the glue sets up. Just a thought!

[@StressLessCamping]

Still have mine in pretty good shape. Took it on trips as a kid and then reimagined those trips after the fact. That Winnebago was probably my favorite toy.

[@TRGRESTORATIONS]

Thanks for watching!

[@izzymaedavidson1974]

Man these vintage tonka vehicle restoration videos are addicting

[@TRGRESTORATIONS]

Glad you like them!

[@Dorelaxen]

Just need a tiny Bill Pullman and a tiny John Candy and you're all set.

[@WrenB111]

Oh man, I had this exact one. I watched with my daughter and explained this the stuff we played with. Stamped steel toys. Good for another 40 years. I have watched all your videos. I hope you get a ton more subscribers. You deserve it . You provide awesome content, and great subject matter. Thank you for keeping these old toys alive.

[@TRGRESTORATIONS]

+Aaron B thanks for watching! Glad your daughter was interested. FYI, my daughter claimed this one and it is currently full of Barbies 🤣

[@Rider-zr7ix]

Great job! My Dad had one of these it is a 1973 D-28 Winnebago Indian made in Forest City, Iowa. 460 Dodge truck motor in it and we pulled a 18' trailer behind it that was full of tools. It got 4.5 miles per gal. or 5 with a good tail wind. The thing was great though, ah the good old days. lol

[@TRGRESTORATIONS]

Lol yikes, hope they had big fuel tanks!

[@iamcarbonandotherbits.8039]

Congratulations on the stencil techniques thinking way out of the box, Well done. From a retired marble and grainer.

[@mattsabourin6674]

ive got one of these! got it at an antique shop. it’s pretty much in the same condition as this one was.i would love to get it restored some day

[@thevillageidiot1655]

The rc conversions of this on KZbin are awesome

[@steven2212]

This was my favorite toy as a kid. Thanks

[@luciusvorenus9445]

Had one of these growing up. Fantastic job.

[@Hoonozit]

As a kid I loved this truck. My neighbor had one, I tried and tried for a trade but no. He loved it too. My Evil Knievil guy fit right in there.

[@larryshamlin2369]

Mr. Evil would have ended up tearing that thing up trying to jump over it,LOL 🤔😀😁😂

[@thefirststopher]

I played with one of these as a child in the mid 70s. Thanks for the video.

[@TRGRESTORATIONS]

Thanks for watching!!

[@eamoncrawford]

Everyone else has the coolest toys! This guy uses them to restore... ...toys!

[@richardkinkead7823]

Awesome work. I actually had this toy as a kid.

[@uberquellen]

I had one as a kid. I played with it so much. What a great toy it was.

[@TRGRESTORATIONS]

Would have loved one of these as a kid!

[@Vincent-396]

Beautiful job. Now, I want one.

[@TRGRESTORATIONS]

Go for it!

[@69reubs]

One of my all time favorite Christmas presents from the 70’s. Great memories. Thanks for sharing!

[@juggenbugger]

Nice to see a resto that hasnt been buried in the garden first

[@josevazquez4125]

It looks soo awesome, love how it looks brand new fresh from K-mart or Woolworth's

[@davidcooke8825]

Wow! Great job. I love that trick to get the writing on the side walls of the tires.

[@britishsecretagent0078]

I had one of these when i was once a kid. Got it new as a xmas present. Sold it at a yard sale we had before moving. Sadly no toys remain with me to this day from my youth.

[@TRGRESTORATIONS]

Yeah same here, luckily they are still around so we can buy them back!

[@elfowl6873]

Nice restoration!!!

[@TRGRESTORATIONS]

Thanks!

[@bwolcott100]

Had one of those when I was a kid! I played with it for hours!

[@deepwater2652]

Masterfully done!

[@maxineward2792]

I LOVE THIS. THIS IS EXACTLY LIKE OUR FIRST RV. COLOR AND ALL. THE INSIDE IS EVEN THE SAME. WISH WE STILL HAD IT INSTEAD OF OUR 2002 WE NOW HAVE. WISH I COULD GET A TOY JUST LIKE THIS.

[@bernhardwall6876]

That reminds me of the toy Winnebagos my brother and I had as kids. Ours didn't have that sliding roof-canopy, but they had a back door that you could open and close.

[@davidbrehmer2596]

These Winnebagos originally came with an action figure family. That would be a fun restoration to watch.

[@jahelo27]

I like the original green color as well awesome video

[@TRGRESTORATIONS]

Thanks for watching!

[@2711scooby]

I have learned so much from you regarding Tonka and metal toys etc thank you stephen

[@TRGRESTORATIONS]

So glad!

[@comradewolf4901]

Damn, I want one of these so I could turn it into an actual life-like miniature. I love the details inside the camper!

[@jasonreed9429]

VERY COOL!, always wanted that toy when i was a kid, never got it, cool to see one look like new now!

[@timgloeckner9260]

Great job 👏 I had one when I was a young man..😊😊😊

[@rf396]

Yes, as a matter of fact I AM impressed! Nicely done

[@StefanDembowski]

WOW, your method of making the stencil was very cool... Nice work!

[@smashitupkcco9073]

Very clever to sand the tape off. 👏

[@smashitupkcco9073]

@Black Buick for the most part. You'd have to look pretty close

[@jdriley24]

My grandparents had one of these at their house for the grandkids to play with!

[@mikehart298]

Incredible work, wow

[@DlanCars]

good job

[@TRGRESTORATIONS]

+Dlan's Toys thanks! 😎

[@jonny555ive]

Perfect restro 👍👍 Keep'em comin brother.

[@perineill1295]

Nice restoration. We had this same camper at one time.

[@clydeshelton3298]

We still have one of these from our childhood. We would ride on top of it and send it down the slide.

[@jimmyjimjims7483]

I had one of these when I was a kid, absolutely loved it. I tried actually riding it, it's that big lol

[@Cravz69]

Jimmy JimJims Me too, and wound up ruining the wheels. If I only knew then how some of these toys would evolve in value!

[@elizabethmims8197]

Fantastic restoration !

[@marcathens2951]

Another Excellent job ! Love all your videos. They dont " build em " like those anymore either !

[@melodysimonson1510]

Great job! Looks really good.

[@andrewfisher1051]

Wow, I am surprised one of those made it in such good shape, but that bottom pan was looking pretty rough. Great job on making it look new.

[@TRGRESTORATIONS]

Thanks! These were actually big enough to ride when we were kids, so a lot of them didn't survive lol

[@michaelgayandproud6466]

Awsome restoration good job I love your hard work and talent thanks for sharing

[@TRGRESTORATIONS]

Thank you very much!

[@michaelgayandproud6466]

@@TRGRESTORATIONS your welcome

[@DEAFBOY80]

Great Job @TRG RESTORATION