I’m Oxean Eddie Rey, a publisher, artist, community advocate, and longtime fan of vintage design. As publisher of LGBTQ San Diego County News, storytelling has been a big part of my professional life, while my work as an artist has given me an appreciation for design, color, creativity, and the process of making things.

I’ve always been drawn to and the cars and architecture of the 1950s through the early 1970s. I was born and raised in Winnemucca, Nevada, and Reno—both home to Hot August Nights, helped build my appreciation for classic cars. Later while going to college in Reno, I moved into Arlington Towers, a 1965 luxury condo tower. Living in the penthouse- my unit, and others on my floor were considered the most luxurious midcentury residences in Nevada. I was the owner of Cafe 301 (formerly Mann’s Restaurant)—a midcentury diner and the second oldest continuously operating restaurant in the city, only after the Gold ‘n Silver. Later I helped renovate an abandoned but stunning art-deco building that once housed a City of Reno, Fire Station— which I and others converted into 11 at The Firehouse- featuring nine residential apartments, a hair salon, and my restaurant- The Firehouse Grill & Deli. Together these experiences influence and expand my fascination of vintage cars to mid-century modern design, futurism, and the Space Age. I also grew an appreciation for vintage camping and recreational travel trailers, furniture, appliances, home-decor, and everything in between.

Campers became an especially interesting love of mine— because they capture something bigger than transportation. They're about what people imagined leisure, travel and freedom could look like. I desperately wanted a 68 Bambi Airstream, but I settled for a 68 Jayco Pop-Up. Now living in San Diego, I sold that and bought a 1981 Jayco, which I took on both overnight and week long adventures.

In 2024 my life collapsed around me. While working, I was shot in the eye with a gel/polymer pellet. In the aftermath, I ended up with PTSD, and completely disassociated from reality. After a planned move and camping trip that August, I left my job, and never returned to the room I had rented. Three weeks later I found myself homeless and “camping” in my car. I sold the Jayco shortly after that final camping trip— for two reasons. One was so that I could pay for alternative mental health treatment, the other— a pop-up could never pass as a stealth camper on a city street, or public beach. And that is how I ended up with this project.

While looking for a teardrop, I came across Trailorboat #132. From the minute I saw her- I knew she would be mine. Few things capture my imagination quite like the Trailorboat. It's clever. It's slightly ridiculous. And it’s absolutely beautiful. It represents exactly the kind of design I love: optimistic, functional, playful and completely unafraid to be different.

Within minutes of connecting with Daryl and Kathy Nunsta, something inside of me stirred. And for the first time in a long time, I felt present, excited, and as if destiny was calling. She fit everything I wanted. A rare camper, a 60s design, a project that I could easily work on myself, with a minimal budget, a lightweight trailer, and something I could temporarily call home if things every took a turn for the worse again.

As I researched the manufacturer— Trailorboat Engineering Company, I didn't simply see an old camper that needed restoration. I saw a surviving piece of an era and an opportunity to learn and share its story, and to preserve its character while creating a camper I can actually use and enjoy. In that process, one of my many doctors — Dr. Young, encouraged me to find a way to stay positive, keep my mind busy, and continue to focus on healing. From that VintageTrailorboat.com was born- to document the restoration AND modernization of #132, while also providing a place I could give back to others. I chose this. A place for other history geeks like me. A place for Trailorboat owners and enthusiasts to connect, share resources, and preserve information about the few Trailorboats that remain.

And so began the restoration of #132, this website, and in what will be a full circle life moment— a much needed return to the campground. This time, as someone who is optimistic, functional, playful and completely unafraid to be different. See what I did there?

-Oxean Eddie Rey