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Editor's Note: This is part of a series at KSL.com featuring some of Utah's coolest cars. If you own a customized vehicle — from sports cars to semi trucks — email fjolley@ksl.com with a photo of the vehicle and a brief description for consideration.SALT LAKE CITY — If you want to get attention at a car show, bring a camp trailer; it seems to be working for Marv Brumett.
Brumett used to own a ‘57 and ’56 Chevrolet and other popular cars, but after restoring an old Aristocrat Land Commander for his father, he grew nostalgic for an earlier time when life and camping were simpler.
While looking for a Land Commander for himself, he drove past an Aristocrat Lo-Liner parked in front of a house in Kaysville. He knocked on the door, and after a while, he convinced the owner to sell it to him. The owner’s family was getting too big for the little camper, and Brumett said he paid him enough to replace the Lo-Liner with a bigger, modern camper for his family.
Brumett said the Lo-Liner is sought after because of its unique, low-slung design. With optional steel wheels, it will fit under a 7-foot garage ceiling. After working on it the whole summer of 2015, while it may still look vintage on the outside, it now has air conditioning, a TV, a stereo, a microwave, and an updated electrical system to handle it all. His wife, Debbie Brumett, did the reupholstering and he did all the rest (except repacking the wheel bearings— the only thing he said he paid someone to do.)
Brumett also painted it, and now it matches the 1965 Chevrolet C20 pickup he uses to pull it. The truck got the same treatment as the trailer: new engine, radiator and upholstery. All of the work (except the springs) was done by Brumett. The new springs lower the truck a little so it matches the ride of the trailer.
Brumett has a large fifth-wheel trailer, but said there’s a difference between RVing and camping. He’s a part of the Northern Utah Tow Boyz, a group that promotes vintage campers, and more importantly, camps together. He said he’s seen others restore a camper only to get bored with using it. His group organizes get-togethers and goes to rallies and campouts together.
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When Tanner Payne first purchased his 1989 right-hand drive Mini Turbo in September 2015, he had no idea the amount of work he would shortly be putting into the car.If you’d like to take a look at the Lo-Liner and 30 more vintage campers, you can see them at the club’s show on Saturday at Crystal Hot Springs Waterpark and Campground in Honeyville. The public can tour the campers from 12-4 p.m.
The Northern Utah Tow Boyz said they are looking for like-minded campers. If you're interested, you can contact them on the group Facebook page.
Brian Champagne has reported on cars for more than nine years. He holds a master's degree in communications from the University of the Pacific and teaches at Utah State University. Contact him at iaabfl@yahoo.com.
