1965 Ford F-250 with 1976 Mitchell Camper for Sale

A 1965 Ford F-250 truck fitted with a 1976 Mitchell & Sons camper is being offered for sale as a fully refurbished pair. The seller, based in Tucson, Arizona, restored both the truck and the slide-in camper unit.

According to the listing on Bring a Trailer, the Ford is a Custom Camper Special model. It wears its factory-style Caribbean Turquoise and Wimbledon White two-tone paint. The current owner purchased the truck in 2014 and the Mitchell camper in 2018, undertaking substantial work on both.

Truck Specifications and Refurbishment

The truck's Styleside body was removed from the frame for repainting. Power comes from a 352 cubic inch V8 engine, which was machined and rebuilt in 2014. The engine now features an Edelbrock intake manifold, a Holley four-barrel carburetor, and electronic ignition.

The 3-speed Cruise-O-Matic automatic transmission and the limited-slip Dana 60 rear axle with 4.10:1 gearing were reportedly overhauled around the same time. A transmission cooler has been added. The truck rides on 16-inch steel wheels with Michelin LTX tires and retains its original four-wheel drum brakes, now fitted with a dual-reservoir master cylinder.

Inside the cab, the bench seat has been refurbished and the interior retrimmed in turquoise and cream vinyl. It features three-point seat belts, a center console, an AM/FM radio, and refreshed heater and wiring. The odometer shows 78,000 miles, with approximately 6,000 added by the current owner. The oil-pressure gauge is currently inoperative.

Camper Features and History

The slide-in camper is a Mitchell & Sons "Fishing Hut Delux" model built in 1976. The seller performed structural and electrical repairs on the unit. It also received new insulation, flooring, upholstery, seals, gaskets, and additional storage.

The camper is equipped for basic travel with a two-burner propane stove, a sink with running water, a Hydro Flame heater, a Coleman cooler, overhead lighting, a ventilation fan, and wooden cabinetry. A 12-volt electrical system powers the fixtures, and a portable toilet is stored beneath the sink. The opposing bench seats convert into a queen-size sleeping area for two.

The sale includes service records, photographs of the refurbishment, spare parts, the owner’s manual, a refinished tailgate, and a clean Arizona title.

The Mitchell & Sons Company Legacy

The source report provides a history of the camper's manufacturer. Mitchell & Sons operated from 1958 until the 1980 model year, becoming what was described as the largest RV builder in Colorado. At its early 1970s peak, the Commerce City factory was building seven campers a day and employed over 200 people.

The company was founded by Harry B. Mitchell Sr., a carpenter, and his sons Harry B. “Mick” Mitchell and Charles R. “Bud” Mitchell. Bud, called the "Camper King of Colorado," designed the first camper in 1957. The business grew rapidly, selling factory-direct to customers across the country and organizing a popular caravan club called The Big Horn Caravan.

By the early 1970s, the Mitchell lineup was extensive. The catalog included multiple slide-in truck campers, travel trailers, and a mini motorhome called the "Funmobile."

The recreational vehicle market collapsed during the 1979 Energy Crisis. Mitchell & Sons shifted to manufacturing modular buildings, later moving into decking kits. The family company, now in its fourth generation, still operates from the same Colorado address but no longer builds campers. The source notes the family's claim that Mitchell RVs can still be seen across Colorado and were even shipped to Europe.