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Our Apache Camper Makeover is Finally Finished!

How we remodeled our vintage Apache camper, saving all the good, and updating all the bad. All for less than the cost of a single vacation!

Last year at about this time in the spring, I started getting the itch to redo something bigger than just a piece of furniture or a room. I set my sights on a vintage camper.

I wanted to do a Shasta or Airstream, but soon realized that those are in short supply and high demand. If you’ve ever studied economics, or simply been to a garage sale, you know that low supply + high demand = high prices (and vice versa).

But just when I began to despair of unfulfilled inspiration, we found this little Apache Mesa from 1976. It’s a hard-sided pop up, which fit most of our needs, and it just needed a good cosmetic overhaul on the inside. The inspiration was back on!

Apache Camper Restoration

I wanted to keep all the character of this sweet little vintage Apache, but update all the gross parts into goodness. Here’s how I did it.

1976 Apache Camper Makeover

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New Curtains & Bedding

Everything in this camper was functional, but a little dilapidated. Here’s a reminder of where we started.

Original interior of a 1976 Apache camper with brown upholstery

First I changed out the curtains, which was a super-satisfying makeover project in itself. You can see that post here, and more of the original before pictures here.

The bright curtains brought much-needed sunlight and color to this little space.

Blue curtains line the interior of an Apache camper

Then I had to decide what to do about the beds. Although the upholstery was, well, let’s just call it “vintage,” the cushions underneath were in perfect, clean, condition.

Rather than spending a lot of money reupholstering the beds, I just covered each of them with a large mover’s blanket. They’re cheap and durable, and I got mine at Harbor Freight for a whopping $4 each.

Blue bedding in Apache Camper

Floor Covering Upgrade

The yellow and brown linoleum was in great shape (just ugly!) so I didn’t want to get into a huge project of tearing it out, which would mean gutting the whole camper.

Brown and yellow patterned linoleum flooring in Apache camper
Before: brown linoleum flooring… meh.

After researching a few options, I decided to use an outdoor carpet to cover the floor. They’re super cheap (under $20 at Home Depot) and easy to to cut with just scissors or a utility knife..

For a template, I laid down several newspapers, taped them together, and then cut the edges into the outline of the floor. Then I laid the giant newspaper template on the carpet, traced it with chalk, and cut out the shape I needed.

Gray outdoor carpet as flooring in Apache camper

When I put it in the camper, I had to trim some of the edges just a bit, but now it’s the perfect fit. And it’s removable and easy to clean!

Seat Cushion Makeover

Next on my list was to re-upholster the dinette cushions and do something about the ugly orange band of plastic that ran around the top of the camper. However, those tasks got swallowed up by a summer full of fun and camping.

My little project turned into our new family pastime, and I couldn’t be happier about that. Before closing up the camper for the winter, I found time to re-upholster the cushions.

Camper dining space with blue cushions

To cover the cushions, I used polyester fabric shower curtains. They’re stain resistant, washable, and very strong. After watching the way my kids climbed all over them with grubby feet and marshmallow-y hands, I knew washability would be important!

Bonus: I was able to engineer the design so that the holes at the top of the shower curtain (for the curtain rings) became button holes, and I made the covers removable.

Shower curtain as seat cover with buttons in the holes for curtain rings

Seat Cushion Cover Un-tutorial

I wish I had thought to write a more detailed description of how I made these removable seat covers. I was just in such a hurry to get them done!

Basically, I used the foam cushions to create my own pattern. I wrapped the curtain around the cushion, sewed down one side, and sewed a flap on one end, using the button holes on the shower curtain as the edge.

Then I sewed buttons on the bottom piece of fabric to match the button holes. Now I can unbutton the flap and slip the covers off for washing.

A Clever Solution to a Design Dilemma

Finally, it came time to winterize the camper, and it bothered me that I hadn’t done anything yet about that orange plastic border around the top of the camper interior! Sometimes even I have to admit that I just can’t do it all, so we packed her up for the winter and I had to get over it.

Orange border around the top of an Apache camper

But last weekend the weather warmed up enough to open her up again, and I was ready with the answer to the orange plastic. Rather than try to rip it out, of which I had no idea what the repercussions would be, I realized I could cover it with shelf paper.

I found this adorable blue trellis pattern shelf paper at Marshalls, and knew it would be perfect for the job. I also found several similar fun colors and patterns of adhesive shelf paper online.

Much like wallpapering a wall in a house, I decided to apply the paper in small sections. I knew that if I cut off a 4 inch by 8 foot long section of adhesive paper, I was just going to end up in a tangled mess.

I mean, I’ve never even been able to use a foot of duct tape without it getting stuck to itself, and me, in several places!

Here’s the process (similar to applying removable wallpaper):

1. Clean the surface well. I just used a microfiber cloth and water.

2. Measure and cut one section of paper. It doesn’t need to be perfect, but it does need to be at least as big as the surface you’re sticking it to. (Use the grid on the back to help you get a straight line.)

Cutting adhesive shelf paper using grid as a guide

3. Before removing the backing, hold it up to make sure it looks right.

holding up a strip of blue paper to measure against the border of our camper

4. Remove the protective backing.

Peeling backing off a strip of adhesive shelf paper

5. Carefully line up the patterns, overlapping where needed.

6. Gently press the paper onto the plastic, and make sure the edges remain straight and even.

Applying adhesive shelf paper as wallpaper border in a vintage camper

7. If you get off-course, you can carefully pull up the paper and start again.

8. Smooth the paper out, working from the inside to the outside. Press the paper into the edges for a clean line.

Smoothing shelf paper into the edges of a border

9. Cut the edges off with a sharp utility knife.

Trimming excess from border with utility knife

10. Repeat until your arms want to fall off from holding them over your head.

Apache Camper Makeover Reveal

Finally, she’s finished. I must say, the end result is quite satisfying. You don’t need to have a pretty space to go camping in, but for me, it just made the whole thing more fun.

Apache camper interior with blue curtains and cushions

Perhaps some day I’ll work up to a bigger remodel on an old Shasta or something, but this one has been a great learning experience and a fun challenge.

Unfortunately, we’ve been bitten by the camping bug now, and have decided to upgrade to a bigger camper that doesn’t pop up. So, my sweet little old Apache is for sale. If you like her, feel free to make me an offer sold!

Update: After we sold the Apache, we bought a new (used) camper, which I also completely made over. And I did it for $100! Here’s where to get all the info on our new camper transformation.

Forrest

Wednesday 15th of September 2021

Wow! I just picked up a well-loved 73 Apache Mesa for my next project. I'm totally going for the indoor/outdoor carpet instead of my planned-on stick-on tile. I'll be using this for inspiration!

Meredith

Thursday 16th of September 2021

That's awesome! I hope you enjoy yours as much as we did ours!

Hope

Friday 4th of January 2019

I'm trying to talk my hubby into a vintage Apache Roamer. He's worried that they leak. I was wondering if you had any problems with that?

Meredith

Monday 7th of January 2019

Yes, sadly ours was a bit of a leaker. It only leaked when it rained really hard and when it was popped up. It was nice and tight when folded down and stored. I know there are lots of ways to fix the leaks, but I never got around to it because it rains so rarely here in the desert (and dries out so quickly) that it never really caused any problems. If you want a totally maintenance free popup, this may not be the one. But come to think of it, I'm not sure there's any such thing as a maintenance free popup?

Christina

Sunday 28th of August 2016

Thanks for the great post! My husband and I are working on a 75 Ramada right now. Do you happen to remember how you recovered the mattresses? I'm struggling to find an option that is affordable and would appreciate any advice that you have! Thanks

Meredith

Tuesday 30th of August 2016

Hi Christina! I have to admit, I totally cheaped out on the mattresses. I simply covered them with mover's blankets from Harbor Freight. They are the right size to just barely fit around the mattress and tuck in under the edges. So I didn't really make a cover for them, I just kept the blankets tucked around them. Hope that helps!

Gail C.

Thursday 25th of August 2016

You really did a great job on the camper! You are Sooooo Smart! I like the idea of using shower curtains to redo the sitting area. Speaking of that Kohls.com is having a sale currently. I goggled "Kohl's promo codes" and ended up at retailmenot.com .... got 30% off and free shipping - no minimum with my Kohl's card and the promo codes. I picked up some shower curtains that regularly were $24.99 but are now $10.00 (less 30% with promo code). You may want to check it out? I, myself, have been known to use fabric shower curtains as regular curtains (and people never know unless I tell them ... lol). Again .... I love the redecorating you did in the camper (all great ideas) .... beautiful!

Kristin Intile

Monday 2nd of May 2016

Hello! I am also rehabbing an Apache camper and came across your post. Mine came with no cushions at all and I was going to make my own. Your cushion cover idea is awesome and I was wondering if you had some more specific instructions for making it somewhere. I am not a very experienced sewer so it's not easy for me to just "wing it". Anyway, thanks so much for the tips and inspiration!

Kiki

Meredith

Thursday 5th of May 2016

Hi Kristin! I'm sorry I don't have more detailed instructions for you. Basically, you will need to measure the length and width of each seat and seat-back. (They're slightly different on each side.) Then you'll get foam (at hobby or fabric stores) and cut it to those measurements. Then you have to figure out the measurements, including the depth of the foam and basically build a box out of fabric. I know that probably doesn't help. Maybe try searching for "make your own seat cushions"? I'm sure someone more experienced than me can explain it better. Good luck!

ABOUT MEREDITH


Creating a color-filled life. Conquering my little world one DIY project at a time. With lots of coffee and chocolate. Albuquerque NM. Pinterest ~ Instagram ~ Facebook