In the Dog House
By Dave Wallace

Because this particular 1963-model travel trailer proved to be too short for long family vacations, resale values remain relatively low, as vintage Airstreams go. Alan Spaulding, who operates a Pepperidge Farms franchise in New England, picked this one up for $2300 back in 1980. Friends and neighbors helped him convert it into a mobile business for his wife, Andrea.

Alan designed, built and installed the metal ends in the basement of his East Hampton, Conn., home. A total investment of $8000 was soon recouped by Andrea, whose tasty meals and unique setup (complete with tables, chairs, and signs that trace the history of the hot dog) are locally legendary. Andrea's been running Top Dog at a steady profit for nearly two decades, towing her trailer home at the end of each day.

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