1947 Curtis Wright 22' Model 5 (Professionally Restored)

EXTERIOR

This trailer was built by Curtis Wright who manufactured airplanes and trailers in the 1940’s. It is built like an airplane with riveted construction for long life and durability. The exterior of this trailer is very original and in very nice shape. Everything has been professionally restored keeping everything as original as possible. The exterior has not been polished but could be polished to a mirror-like shine. It has a very cool body style which is very aerodynamic, making it easy to tow. It has the slit front and rear windows which are commonly referred to as “Alien Eyes”

Bumper and Frame. The frame of this trailer was fully restored. We replaced the aluminum outriggers on each side of the axle with new steel outriggers for more strength and more rigidity. All steel parts of the frame were treated with POR-15 then painted. It still has the original 1” tube bumpers in the front and rear.

Dents, Scratches and Damage. There are only very minor dents or flaws on this trailer. Overall is has a very nice, original, straight and sweet exterior.

Entry Door. Has the original aluminum entry door which was dis-assembled and rebuilt as needed. The door is nice and wide at 33”. We had new custom made stainless steel hinges built which are adjustable so that the door could be adjusted as need for the best fit. A new Bargman L-66 lock was fitted and installed in the door. New seals were installed on the door and new tinted polycarbonate replaced the original plexiglass window in the door. Door does have keys.

Step. The original step was built in between 2 of the frame outriggers. We totally rebuilt the step to the original design with 1” oak boards with ribbed rubber step pad.

Front hoist. We installed a brand new front sidewind hoist and built it into the tube frame to match the original design.

Hitch Coupler. It also has a new hitch coupler which we built into the tube frame to match the original design.

Roof Vents. Has the original roof vents and operators. The roof vents covers are stainless steel. Everything was re-furbished and new seals were added.

Exterior lights. Has all four of the original marker lights. These are very cool art deco style teardrop shaped lights with glass lenses and steel bezels. All of the steel bezels have been re-chromed, all the glasses are in good shape and all interior sockets were replaced. Tail lights are reproduction lights with stainless steel body and glass lenses. License plate light is also a reproduction with stainless steel body and license plate bracket and glass lenses.

Underbelly. Has the original aluminum underbelly, which has your typical oxidation. Does have one large aluminum patch and several smaller patches.

Windows. This is one of the earlier model Curtis Wrights which has windows all the way down both sides of the trailer. These are aluminum Aero-Lite brand windows with steel window jams. All the steel window jams and related parts have been treated with POR-15 then painted. Has new custom made stainless steel drip caps which match the original design. All windows have new seals. The front and rear alien eye windows have had tinted polycarbonate installed in lieu of the original plexiglass.



INTERIOR

The interior of this trailer was totally gutted out then all of the original components were restored and reinstalled. We did add a bathroom which it did not originally have. We designed and built the bathroom to look as it may have appeared in the late 1940s. Cabinet and Closet Doors. All original and totally restored. Cabinets are all aluminum with mahogany wood doors. The cabinet doors in the bathroom area are all aluminum with aluminum doors.

Catches. All original, restored and in good working condition.

Countertops. Has new aqua colored countertops with cool retro pattern. Edges of countertop have cool fluted chrome trim.

Floor. Original floor was totally removed and new plywood floor installed throughout. Has new multicolored gray floor tiles.

Table. Table was rebuilt with new plywood with the same aqua laminate and chrome trim that the countertops have.

Unit sleeps. Four persons.

Walls. All the interior walls are the original aluminum, they were prepped and repainted with gray Zolatone paint.

RUNNING GEAR

Has a new Dexter torsion axle.

Dry weight. Approx. 2000#

Hitch ball height. Approximately 16 inches.

Safety chains. Yes.

Hitch weight. Approx. 240#

Hitch ball size. 2 inch.

Hubcaps. Yes. Has stainless steel baby moon hubcaps.

Tire condition. Has newer 7:00–15 LT 10 ply bias tires mounted on rims with six lugs on 5 1/2 inch bolt circle. Rims also have stainless steel beauty rings.

FURNISHINGS

Bed mattress. Has a 49” x 80“ bed with 6” thick memory foam mattress.

Couch. No

Curtains. Yes, has cool retro design curtains.

Dinette cushions. Yes, has the original dinette seats which fold into a 40“ x 74“ bed. Cushions have been reupholstered with high-grade marine vinyl.



ELECTRICAL



All 110 V and 12 V electrical wiring has been replaced and additional 110 V and 12 V outlets have been added. A new Parallax power supply has been added, which has five 110 V automatic reset circuit breakers and ten 12 V fused circuits.



110 V lights. No.

12 volt lights. Yes. Has both rebuilt original lights and period correct reproduction lights.

Brakes. Yes, has electric brakes which are in working condition.

Converter. Yes. All lights were switched to 12 V so that the lights could be either used from a battery source or a 110 power source.

Plug for exterior lights. Has a newer seven way plug like most current RVs use.

RV battery. Currently no batteries but was set up for dual group 27 RV batteries

LP SYSTEM

Entire LP system was upgraded.

Automatic Changeover Regulator. Yes. This is set up so if one LP tank runs out of gas, it will automatically switch over to the full tank.

Furnace. Yes. Has the original Panel Ray brand furnace, which was totally restored and is in working condition. A new stainless steel flue and roof cap were added.

Gas bottles. Yes. Has 2-30 pound aluminum tanks.

Range. Yes, has the original Caloric brand two burner gas stove, which was refurbished and is in working condition.

Refrigerator. Yes. Has the original Marvel refrigerator which was restored and does cool well. Also has the original aluminum icebox.

Water heater. Yes. Has a newer Ariston brand 4 gallon electric water heater.

PLUMBING

All of the fresh water plumbing was replaced with Pex tubing.

Fresh water tank. Yes. Has a 25 gallon ABS tank.

Kitchen sink. Yes, has the original aluminum kitchen.

Lavatory. Yes, we added a new 13 inch round stainless steel lavatory with new faucet. Sewer holding tank. Yes. Approximately 5 gallons with new dump valve.

Shower. Yes, we added a walk-through shower with all aluminum base just like they had back in the day, no plastic!

Toilet. Yes. Has a Sealand brand RV toilet with foot flush.

Waste holding tank. Yes, approximately 25 gallons with new dump valve.

City water intake valve. Yes, with internal check valve.

Water pump. Yes has a newer Shur-flow brand 12 V pump.



SPECIAL

1947 Curtis Wright Model 5 trailer is a very rare and desirable trailer. This trailer has been in my personal collection for over 20 years. It was professionally restored by Vintage Campers in 2010 and has been taken to several vintage camper rallies and won awards. It has probably only been camped in maybe 15-20 times. I sort of hate to sell it but I have other projects to fund.

Air Conditioner. No, but was wired for one when it was restored so an air conditioner could easily be added.

Awning. Yes, has a Marti’s rope and pole awning.