I just love seeing Apache camper makeovers. I have featured a few, and every time I see them, I love them more. Vintage Apache campers are cool anyway, but there is so much you can do with those hard walls. Every remodel I’ve seen has been completely unique. I’ve got another one to share with you today, and this one comes from a reader named Robyn. Robyn and her husband bought their camper off eBay for $1000 after a few cocktails one Friday night. They woke up the next morning a little scared, because the camper was in Michigan and they were in Dallas, TX. 😛
Robyn’s husband loaded up the truck and drove 40 hours round trip to pick up their new PUP. It was in rough shape, but had good bones, so they knew they had a project on their hands.
They started off by painting the whole interior with Rustoleum spray paint in Antique White. Robyn and her husband braced much of the cabinetry before they painted it and added beadboard to the fronts of the benches. Once the interior was painted, they added a peel and stick plank vinyl, which they purchased off Amazon, to give the floor a whole new look.
They also added beadboard and support beams (painted with high gloss white paint) to the ceiling of the camper to give it a more finished look. It also helped to hide the wiring from their new LED recessed lighting. Robyn and her husband added a hanging light over the dinette and wired everything to a fancy new switch. Now they can control all their lighting from one switch. They also replaced the ceiling vent fan with one that is much quieter.
Then they bought sheets of Formica at Home Depot for around $60 each to recover the countertops and dining table. They used a high heat spray paint to restore the silver finish to the stove and added a new faucet to the sink. The cabinetry got new brushed nickel hardware to match the faucet and stove.
Robyn purchased all of her fabrics at JoAnn Fabrics. She sewed all the curtains and cushion covers herself. Don’t they look great? When it came time to install the curtains, Robyn was able to buy new carrier clips on Amazon. This allowed her to use the original curtain track system, which works really well, and eliminated the need for curtain rods.
With the interior complete, Robyn and her husband focused their attention on the outside of the camper. There was quite a bit of repair work to be done, so they used Apache’s extensive support network to figure out how to repair their ABS panels. Then they used a royal blue Rustoleum auto paint and a paint roller to give the camper a bit of color. They repainted all the white areas of the camper (again with Rustoleum auto paint) so they would pop against the new blue. Then they replaced all the exterior hatches, marker lights, and turn signal lights, retaining the original lenses for authenticity where they could. Looks like a brand new camper, doesn’t it?
I am so amazed at all Robyn and her husband were able to accomplish… and would you believe that they only spent about $800 on the remodel? I love it! They named her little camper Alice because Robyn says she takes them to Wonderland every time they go out. They have already taken Alice out for Thanksgiving and Christmas, and she has held up really well. Robyn loves all the attention they get in this unique little trailer. Great work, Robyn! Thank you so much for sharing Alice with us. I hope you get to take many trips to Wonderland in her. 😉
Happy Camping!
Happy Camping!
Absolutely gorgeous! Love everything you did to it! Always wanted one but got detoured on a 33 ft camper years ago, Sold it and went to a pop up, sold it kids grew up and now redoing a little Eagle 8…..maybe our next move will be an Apache! Have fun in this beauty!
I came so close to using the fabric Robyn used for curtains as our cushion fabric with an indigo blue as an alternating fabric. What fun to see how great that fabric looks in a remodel. Great job Robyn. I love the colors.
Can she tell us where on Amazon she got the curtain clips?
I’m not entirely certain, Jeff, as she didn’t include a link. Maybe Robyn will chime in here. 😉
I too have been searching for something that would work for new curtains . This info would be invaluable.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002UC6U9G/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Thank you so much ! You can’t know how thrilled I am!
This is absolutely beautiful! We have a Trailmanor popup- also hard sided and I’m worried about painting the walls and ceiling because I didn’t know how it would hold up with the friction of going up and down or how paint would adhere to the vinyl type walls. Do you have the same concerns or any feedback on how this will hold up long term?
The walls on the Apache are ABS plastic, so painting them is not an issue.
Where or what did use for the support beams?
Nice remodel! A great story! Thank you, Popup Princess for posting these each week! I look forward to Sunday afternoon to see the latest remodel! These are amazing! Nice job Robyn!
We just got a 78 Ramada, we want to do the bead board ceiling too. Our ceiling has some water damage. I would love to see more on how you did yours, do you have more pics? Would appreciate any help. Your camper is beyond Gorgeous!
We, too, are interested in how the ceiling was done with details. We have a Coleman Taos that needs ceiling repair due to water damage. We will have to repair the roof first but the interior is our next project. Thanks for any and all info you can share on this option. It looks great!
This is stunning!
Wow!! Great makeover! I would love to know how she affixed the beadboard to the ceiling? I am in the process of a makeover and this would be amazing to do!
All I can say is WOW!! I wish I had the courage to attempt a remodel. Amazing job!!
Yes, this just makes me want one of my own which I am currently looking into buying one. Same as Tracy, I would love to know how the beadboard was affixed to the ceiling? I am thinking Gorilla glue maybe? I am sure I will be back after my purchase asking more questions~
Amazing job!
We’ve had a lot of interest in the beadboard ceiling. Here is some additional information: we used regular beadboard from Home Depot, and it definitely adds some weight. Honestly, I’m not 100% sure on long term effects on the lift system but it looks so good, I don’t care! Lol. I cut the pieces to fit between the metal supports. On the side walls, they will tuck in between the old ceiling and the metal of the wall. Power grabber or some other construction adhesive works great but you’ll want something to hold them up while it dries. I used pool cues. I then took pieces of wooden trim and screwed them into the metal supports. This served two purposes: it hid the edges of the beadboard and provided additional support to hold them up. Hope this helps.
Where did you get your faucet? Is it removeable? Our kitchen folds down.
WOW, really beautiful! I just found one on CL here in Texas, but I’m not quite in a place to attempt it. 🙂
This beadboard ceiling looks amazing and I have been heavily researching doing it. Does the extra weight of the beadboard make any issues for raising the top? We have a ’94 Coleman Avalon and that’s the only thing that makes me nervous.
Robyn has an Apache camper, so the lift system is different than that of the Colemans. What type of roof do you have, Josh?
The makeover is absolutely gorgeous! A+!!!
Is this the flooring that you bought from Amazon?
I just bought a 1994 Coleman Destiny Cedar and would love to replace the flooring (and paint the cabinets). Thank you for your help!
Your Apache is fabulous. Can you tell me how you attached the ceiling? We have a plasticy type ceiling in our 1972 Apache and I would love to cover it but not sure how you did it. I love love love your camper!!!
Just saw the ceiling comment above…still love your camper!! 🙂
I have a 75 Apache and am redoing the ceiling. While I have the road cover off I was going to redo the lighting too. Sean, can you tell me what lighting you used for the recessed lights? Is it bright enough or do you wish you had added more?
Beautiful re-do by the way. I love that you painted the interior walls, I have yet to find anyone else that has tried that and I have been wanting to do it myself.
Thanks!
I’m curious if the pendant light is a 12 volt light? We are renovating a trailer and I have three light fixtures (all 12 volt) that I can’t find cute replacement fixtures for. I’m wanting an updated look and all I can find is the same type of fixtures that are already there. Home Depot and Lowes only carry the 110 type fixtures. I haven’t had much luck online either. Thank you!
Hello, Robyn! Great job on the makeover!! I was wondering…what year and model Apache did you purchase? I just love the size and layout of this one. Thank you!
I think we just puchased this camper at an auction