U-Haul is synonymous with moving trucks. When you need a van, truck, trailer, or moving boxes, you visit your nearest U-Haul dealer. But did you know that U-Haul produced campers in the 1980s? Today, we’re looking at the U-Haul CT-13, a fiberglass trailer similar to the old Burros. Renovators have turned these old units into amazing updated U-Haul campers. Let’s dive in!
What Is U-Haul?
U-Haul began in 1945 after World War II when founders L.S. “Sam” Shoen and his wife, Anna Mary Carty Shoen, recognized the need for nationwide do-it-yourself moving equipment. Sam was discharged from the navy and couldn’t find a utility trailer to haul their possessions from Los Angeles to Portland, Oregon. As a result, U-Haul was born to serve other families experiencing the same predicament.
Although U-Haul didn’t enjoy immediate success, by the end of 1949, the company offered services for people to rent a trailer one way from city to city throughout most of the U.S. In 2020, U-Haul celebrated its 75th year in business. Over the decades, this small business has grown to include a fleet of 176,000 trucks, 127,000 trailers, and 41,000 towing devices.

Does U-Haul Manufacture Campers?
While U-Haul does offer trucks, trailers, U-box containers, and boxes and other packaging supplies, the company doesn’t make campers. The trucks and trailers usually take about 7-8 weeks to build. U-Haul has its own manufacturing division that designs, produces, and releases every piece of equipment. While there are U-Haul trucks that have been converted into campers, U-Haul doesn’t manufacture them for that purpose.
However, for two years in the mid-80s, U-Haul did dive into the RV market. It produced two fiberglass campers. The CT-13 is hard to find, but the VT-16 is even harder. U-Haul didn’t manufacture very many of either model. Let’s look more closely at the CT-13 camper.
What Is the U-Haul CT-13 Camper?
Fiberglass campers are designed to be lightweight and require less maintenance than traditional campers. Companies like Scamp, Casita, Escape, and Oliver manufacture these egg-shaped, retro-looking smaller campers.
In the 1980s, U-Haul decided to dip its toe in the RV industry and create its own version of these molded fiberglass trailers. The design team was inspired by the then-popular Burro camper, and the result was a similar-looking fiberglass trailer. The CT-13 and VT-16 were the two models produced by U-Haul in 1984 and 1985.
Rec-Vee World, a U-Haul subsidiary, Dayton Trailer Manufacturing Company, and Youngstown Trailer Manufacturing produced these fiberglass campers during those two short years. Of the two, the CT-13 was the most popular.
The 10-foot shell sat on a 13-foot frame and featured the famous orange U-Haul graphics. Up front was a bench-sitting area that converted into a bunk bed. In the middle was a sink, ice box, and propane stove. And in the rear was a larger bench area with a dinette that converted into a larger sleeping space.
Check Out These Retro U-Haul Camper Models
U-Haul isn’t sure about the number of CT-13 campers built in the mid-80s, but they estimate about 2,000 models. You can still find these rare trailers today. Let’s take a look at three updated but still retro U-Haul camper models!
Tennessee Wanderer
The Tennessee Wanderer bought a 1985 CT-13 U-Haul camper in 2019 and renovated it. She has an air conditioning unit and a portable toilet. She also configured the bunk space in the front to be a special place for her cat. In the kitchen, she has the original ice box, propane stove, and sink with a pumper. In the rear, she leaves the dinette as a stationary bed and uses the underneath for storage.
Upgrades the Tennessee Wanderer made to her CT-13 U-Haul camper include adding bluetooth speakers, a carbon monoxide detector, and a radio. She also has USB ports, a solar controller, a 12-volt plug, and a 50-watt solar panel. Most of the exterior is original, including the orange U-Haul wrap-around decal.

Our Gold Road
Our Gold Road bought a CT-13 U-Haul camper as their first trailer. They love how easy it is to tow at 13 feet and around 1,000 pounds. Unlike the Tennessee Wanderer, they kept the convertible dinette and used it during the day. At night, they change to space to a sleeping area. The front bench seat provides extra seating for two people. At night, they convert that space to a bunk where their daughter sleeps.
The kitchen is mostly original with the stove, ice box, storage, and sink. Since there wasn’t an air conditioning unit on the original CT-13, Our Gold Road installed a window unit underneath the front bench seat.
U-Haul Camper Fun
U-Haul Camper Fun is another family that camps in the CT-13. They leave the bunks set up since they have two children. So the front bench seat remains a lower bunk at all times. They installed curtains along the lower bunk so the daughter could have privacy at night. They store a porta potty underneath the lower bunk.
U-Haul Camper Fun installed a new countertop, new stove and hood, new sink, and new faucet in the kitchen. They also installed a dorm fridge in place of the ice box. Like the Teneessee Wanderer, U-Haul Camper Fun leaves the dinette converted into a full bed. They choose to eat outside. They put up a curtain for privacy in the rear bedroom. Finally, they replaced the orignial fan with a fantastic fan for better humidity control in Georgia.

How Much Does It Cost To Renovate A U-Haul Camper?
The cost to complete any renovation varies because the cost of supplies and labor is different in every state. Some people use the highest-quality materials while others just do what needs to be done. So a renovation could cost $1,000 or $10,000 depending on the type of materials you’re using and how much damage is needing repair.
What Trailers Are Similar To the Retro U-Haul Campers?
If you like the look of these retro U-Haul campers but don’t want to spend time researching the CT-13, there are companies that manufacture similar styles. Scamp, Armadillo, Happier Camper, Casita, Escape, and Bigfoot RV are some of the top-selling brands in the fiberglass camper industry.
They offer lightweight options for people who don’t want to invest in a truck. And they have the overall retro aesthetic that many people are looking for. You can find models with wet baths, bunk beds, and twin beds as well as options for traditional layouts. Scamp and Escape even offer fifth-wheel fiberglass camper models.
HOT TIP
Be sure to read 5 Tiny Teardrop Trailers if you’re looking to adventure in something similar in size to these U-Haul campers!
A Blast From the Past: U-Haul’s CT-13 Camper
U-Haul’s CT-13 camper was a one-of-a-kind product. With just two years in production, these U-Haul campers are hard to find now. But if you’re looking for a fun renovation project and appreciate the retro fiberglass design, perhaps the CT-13 is worth scouring the internet for.
What would you do with an old U-Haul camper?
If You Want the Latest Travel News, Join Our Mailing List
Don’t rely on biased RV industry news sources to keep you informed. Stick with Nomadic News. We publish articles and breaking stories that matter to you every weekday.