I walk down a quiet residential street and there, taking up almost the entire block, is a HUGE recreational vehicle or RV. This one I think is called a fifth wheel because it must be pulled by another vehicle. In an RV park setting, it would fit right in, but here among brick homes on a narrow street, it is overwhelming. It overshadows everything around because of its enormous size. I really am glad I never have to maneuver one of those on the highway — or in a town, for that matter. I have camped with friends in a tent in the RV section of a state park because of the water and electricity hookups. I have looked on all those giant RVs with envy when it started to rain, and we had to pack up everything in a rainstorm and leave. There is a certain “joie de vivre” or “joy of life” with the ability to pick up and move at a moment’s notice to any place that strikes your fancy. I know a couple who own a home, but travel in their RV at least half the year. They have parked near a beach in Mexico and watched the leaves turn colors in New England. They like it so much, they are now making arrangements to sell their house and be fulltimers on the road. It is a vagabond lifestyle full of promise and brimming with adventure. Let’s learn more about RVs.
History
According to the Feb. 18, 2019 article “The History of RVs” at historycooperative.org, during the 1800s, gypsies would use covered wagons throughout Europe. This innovative technique allowed them to live out of their wagons while being constantly on the move. It is believed these covered gypsy wagons are what sparked the creation of some of the very first RV campers in the United States.
According to Leah’s article “A Complete RV History” at rvshare.com, an edition of Motor Magazine dated 1909 shows a car pulling a trailer. Trailers had beds, small kitchens and hot and cold running water. Before long, simple wooden structures were constructed on the chassis of a car, and the first motor homes were made. In 1910, the very first motor home ever made was built from a 3-ton Packard truck. It could sleep 11 people and was 28 feet long and had an icebox, toilet, salon and was 6 and a half feet wide. The motor home was used up to 1924.
According to Terence Young’s Sept. 4, 2018 article “A Brief History of the RV” at smithsonianmag.com, on Aug. 21, 1915, the Conklin family departed Huntington, New York on a cross-country camping trip in a vehicle called the “Gypsy Van.” Visually arresting and cleverly designed, the 25-foot, 8-ton conveyance had been custom-built by Roland Conklin’s Gas-Electric Motor Bus Co. to provide a maximum of comfort while roughing it on the road to San Francisco.
For the next two months, the Conklins and the Gypsy Van were observed and admired by thousands along their westward route, ultimately becoming the subjects of nationwide coverage in the media of the day. Luxuriously equipped with an electrical generator and incandescent lighting, a full kitchen, Pullman-style sleeping berths, a folding table and desk, a concealed bookcase, a phonograph, convertible sofas with throw pillows, a variety of small appliances and even a “roof garden,” this transport was a marvel of technology and chutzpah.
According to Leah’s article “A Complete RV History” at rvshare.com, in 1927, Leonard S. Whittier built a custom RV on the chassis of a Brockway model “H” bus chassis. It had wicker chairs, bookcases, a refrigerator and sink as well as electric stove. It even had a septic tank.
According to the article “1928 Ford House Car” at blueovaltrucks.com, during the Great Depression, many people couldn’t afford to live in their homes. Cars were being converted into house cars allowing their owners to travel from city to city looking for work. This 1928 Ford Model A House Car is one of two house cars built by Ford that’s known to exist.
According to the article “Curtiss Manufacturer Information” at tincantourists.com, the fifth-wheeler floats between the world of the trailer caravan and that of the motorhome, not quite fitting into either. Whichever side of the divide you choose to classify this unusual outfit, however, it certainly deserves its place in the broader history of caravans. The makers were the Curtiss Aerocar Land Yacht Co., certainly related in some way to the Curtiss aircraft manufacturers whose founder Glenn Curtiss was a rival of the Wright brothers in the early days of aviation. The Aerocar was made for New York financier Hugh McDonald to take him on his daily journey from Long Island to Wall Street. Providing the automotive power was a 1932 Graham Blue Streak coupé with 8-cylinder 4022cc engine developing 90 bhp and giving the car a solo top speed of 85 mph. The Blue Streak introduced skirted front wings to the American market and was immortalized in model form by “Tootsie Toys” — a Tootsie Blue Streak was the treasured possession of many a small boy across the USA in the 1930s.
The fifth-wheeler land yacht is constructed on aircraft principles with a frame of light metal tubing braced by wire cables. Up front McDonald had his mobile office with a desk and wicker chairs. At the rear was a galley and a lavatory. No doubt the crew included a chauffeur as well as an attendant in the caravan, so that the Wall Street man could be provided with breakfast or light refreshments during his commuting journey.
That “bridge” at the front of the caravan over the hitch — which incidentally employed a tire to act as a shock absorber — was fitted out with the kind of instrumentation one would find on a flight deck. There was a compass, an altimeter, speedometer and a barometer, in addition to swiveling spotlights.
Once called the “airplane without wings,” the Airstream Clipper was a dream come true for those looking for a new adventure in the 1930s. The travel trailer’s notorious bullet shape was a futuristic design at the time, but many are still fascinated by its durability and fashion. It’s a model full of rich history, and it appealed to those who were fascinated by the luxurious, aviation-inspired design.
Coming out of the Great Depression, Wally Byam began selling do-it-yourself plans for building travel trailers. Eventually, he opened a factory in Culver City, California where he produced ready-built wood and Masonite trailers. Everything would change on January 17, 1936 when Wally introduced the all-aluminum, riveted travel trailer known as the Airstream Clipper.
The Clipper was known for its many amenities and its choice of floor plans. Some of the amenities included a stainless-steel kitchen galley and wood cabinetry, bottled liquid propane gas, radio, cocktail bar, restroom and space to sleep several people. The interior walls were wood, and there was a wide array of wood types available such as white pine, basswood, mahogany and magnolia.
Although floor plans varied, the layout of each Clipper was well-thought out in terms of space and the windows were meticulously placed so the driver could see through the trailer. A storage compartment, accessible from the exterior, offered space for tools and baggage. The travel trailer had a side entry door on the curbside, which allowed for several different choices for furniture arrangement and layout. The Airstream Clipper is an iconic model in travel trailer history because of the high standards of quality and customization to which it was built.
The Clipper’s materials and design were inspired by aircraft technology at the time. The exterior was made of Duraluminum skin and rivets, and the trailer was well-insulated with a kapok blanket, all commonly used in airplanes. Advertised as “truthfully and honestly streamlined with its curves determined by the laws of physics in wind tunnel tests,” the Clipper’s streamlined shape helped the tow vehicle maintain good gas mileage, even at high speeds.
The Clipper was a splurge in terms of price, as Airstream wanted to give customers the very best. Marketed towards those who wanted the highest-end product, the price ranged from $1,465 to $5,200. The Clipper’s most well-known customers were political leaders and Hollywood celebrities. Other smaller travel trailer models were also introduced in the 1930s, but the Clipper’s durability stood the test of time.
According to Leah’s article “A Complete RV History” at rvshare.com, in 1937, the teardrop became popular and could sleep two, and in 1938 Italian explorer Attilio Gatti had two “jungle yachts” made for his trips to Africa. The jungle yachts had a dining car, bar, two bedrooms and lighting as well as a telephone. The same company built a 50-foot fifth wheel that was a semi-trailer and included an observation deck, wine cellar and all the latest conveniences. It was sold to an Indian maharaja.
During World War II, RV growth halted as trailers were needed for other uses. After the war was over, manufacturers again began to create innovative house cars that changed the future of RVing almost instantly.
Howard Hughes, the legendary movie producer, had eight RVs built that served as mobile dressing rooms. They had mahogany interiors, bathrooms, a refrigerator, stove and air conditioners.
In 1942, the US military purchased thousands of the “Palace Expando,” a revolutionary trailer that had a shower and bath and expanded on both sides. Newly enlisted men and their families were housed in these trailers.
In 1946, a fascinating motor home was built on the chassis of a Chevrolet. According to historic resources, the owner of the RV couldn’t go on vacation without being stopped by curious people.
In addition, the Shore land Tandem Town and Country was a 30-foot trailer with electric fixtures and three rooms. In 1948, Flexible Bus Co. began manufacturing custom coaches.
RVs expanded in size and length with luxury interior décor and modern conveniences such as plumbing and bathrooms as well as kitchens. The 50’s were the decade of bloom for the RV, and by the end of the decade, mobile homes and travel trailers were ingrained in the camper lifestyle. Terraced, upstairs/downstairs models with separate private bedrooms were not uncommon in response to the interest created.
The Executive Flagship built in 1952 was 65 feet long and weighed 18 tons. It had 10 wheels and was equipped with two bathrooms, wall-to-wall carpeting, a 21-inch TV and a portable pool and diving board, retailing at $75,000.
An ingenious two-story design was made in 1955 and had two upstairs bedrooms, a master bedroom downstairs and other conveniences found in modern RV’s. It could sleep 8 people.
In 1958, the first pop-up truck camper was made, and five years later, production began of this unit.
According to the article “Shasta Travel Trailers” at tincantourists.com, Shasta travel trailers were recreational vehicles originally built between 1941 and 2004. Founded by industry pioneer Robert Gray, the firm was originally situated in a small factory in Los Angeles, California to provide housing for members of the U.S. armed forces. With the growth in sales over the following 30 years, the “home” factory in L.A. moved to three steadily larger facilities in Southern California, in addition to six other factories established across the country to better serve the regional markets. At the time of its purchase by the W.R. Grace Co. in 1972, Shasta was the largest seller of recreational vehicles in the United States, also including motorhomes in its inventory. Coachmen Industries Inc. bought the firm from Grace in 1976. The high quality and low price of Shastas made them a favorite with campers all over the United States.
According to Leah’s article “A Complete RV History” at rvshare.com, the Travco motor home was built on a Dodge chassis. It sold for $9,000 and enjoyed the bulk of the budding motor home market. The motor home was revolutionary in shape and construct, utilizing fiberglass and eliminating dry rot. It had a fully equipped kitchen, and the interior was well-made and practical. A dinette, refrigerator, double sink, floor coverings and large closet is featured. When Dodge stopped manufacturing its chassis, Travco went under.
Founded in 1958, Winnebago began as a company designing furniture for travel trailers. According to the Sept. 27 article “The 1966 Winnebago Lifetime Premier – the first of its kind” at stresslesscamping.com, in some ways, the Winnebago Lifetime Premier ignited an entire industry. When it was introduced in 1966, Winnebago’s F-series motor homes were truly revolutionary. They cost about half what others were charging, in part thanks to the company’s patented “Thermo Panel” construction where an inside wall, a foam core and an outside wall were all glued together in a pinch roller system.
This and an efficient production made this vehicle much easier to sell to the masses at a time when the American worker was experiencing enough wage stability to have some money for recreational spending. And sell they did, turning Winnebago from a small and innovative trailer manufacturer into the powerhouse of RV production that it is today.
The Winnebago was built on a Ford P-350 chassis sporting a fat 4.9L inline six-cylinder engine and a three-speed automatic transmission. Surprisingly, this engine was sufficient, as Winnebago’s ads at the time claimed the vehicle weighed only 5,500 pounds. Of course, all that mass was brought to a halt by four drum brakes with a single master cylinder. Three sizes were available, a 17-, a 19- and a 21-foot.
According to Wikipedia, the Volkswagen Westfalia camper was a conversion of Volkswagen Type 2 and then Volkswagen Type 2 (T3) sold from the early 1950s to 2003. Volkswagen subcontracted the modifications to the company Westfalia-Werke in Rheda-Wiedenbrück. Westfalia campers were available from Volkswagen dealers worldwide and were also delivered via the Tourist Delivery Program — whereby a customer would pick up their new van in Germany, drive it in Europe, then VW would ship it to the customer's home. Many Volkswagen campers were purchased by American servicemen and sent home in the 1950s and 1960s.
Standard equipment included various foldout seat arrangements for sleeping, birch plywood interior panels, laminated plywood cabinetry for storage, ice box or cold-box, sink on some models, water storage and pump, electrical hookups, curtains, screened jalousie or Venetian blind windows and a laminated folding table.
Optional equipment included attached "pop up" tops with canvas/screen sides, awnings and side tents, a portable chemical toilet, a camping stove, various camping equipment, child sleeping cot in driver cab, storage box which matches interior panels, rear swing table, small map table mounted on dash, automatic transmission (beginning in the 1970s) and dealer-installed air conditioning (from 1954).
Most Expensive Luxury Motorhomes
Below are some of the most expensive luxury motorhomes according to the article “The Top 10 Most Expensive Luxury Motorhomes” at luxatic.com.
Entegra Coach Cornerstone 45 DLQ – $464,000
With a cab-forward design, integrated SmartWheel steering, Mobileye touchscreen technology and the sound bar and entertainment system inside, the Entegra Coach Cornerstone 45 DLQ will mesmerize its occupants no matter where they go. The interior features a cedar wood-lined walk-in closet, countertops of quartz crystal, porcelain flooring with an integrated heating system and a nice shower, making this motor home one to be desired. But be careful what you wish for, because it costs no less than $464,000.
UNICAT Amerigo International –$500,000
At a first glance, the UNICAT Amerigo International might not tell you anything about luxury and comfort because on the exterior it looks like a tough truck able to handle the most rough terrain out there with a little bit of room inside for its occupants to take a break from the adventure.
But if you stop to take a look inside, you’ll be amazed by what it can offer. It’s the ultimate family expedition vehicle with beds, a desk space, a kitchen and a watermaker for water filtering and decontamination. Add to that a gas tank that holds enough fuel for 2,000 miles, solar panels for additional energy and you’ll understand why this truck will be your best friend no matter the situation. The price tag for this vehicle rises to $500,000.
Newmar King Aire – $738,745
Designed to be one of the best in its branch and with a name to fit that role, the Newmar King Aire seems to be doing quite alright. Equipped with a 600 HP Cummins ISX turbo engine on a custom-built Spartan K3 chassis and featuring a signature Full-Paint Masterpiece Finish to protect the exterior from the elements, this RV takes safety, comfort and control very seriously.
The interior features a kitchen equipped with chrome finished appliances, hardwood cabinetry, a dual sink, a dinette ensemble and washer and dryer — all of them on a polished porcelain tile floor. Besides that, the master bedroom with LED lighting, a Sleep Number mattress, sufficient storage space and an entertainment center will make your trip more than comfortable. With all these amenities on board, the $738,645 seems justified, don’t you think?
Country Coach Prevost – $1 million
Created to raise traveling to the level of great art, the Country Coach Prevost combines a wonderful aerodynamic aesthetic with a great deal of amenities and luxury to offer on the best travel experiences around the world.
With plenty of rooms, each decorated with elegant furnishings, including cedar wood, porcelain and quartz, along with top-notch appliances, this RV sounds like a perfect home. And the perfection shows into the price as well, since it’s a whooping $1 million.
Foretravel IH-45 Luxury Motor Coach – $1.3 million
The main feature of the Foretravel IH-45 Luxury Motor Coach is that each model comes with a custom design both on the inside and on the exterior, fitting the taste and style of any future owner. The RV comes with a custom-built chassis similar to those used in aviation, distributing vibration through the sub-floor, floor, walls and roof to ensure the most quiet ride possible to its passengers.
For the construction of the cabin and walls, steel was chosen over aluminium, making the structure tougher and more robust. Some of the features of the RV include a 20,000 kW generator, the best RV battery on the market, air disc brakes on all wheels, Hydronic heating system, along with other optional features to be added should future owners want them. The price of this motorhome is $1.3 million.
Prevost H3-45 VIP – $1.6 million
With a slogan that shouts “tallest, roomiest, proudest,” this motorhome model raises all expectations to a higher level. The higher cabin floor of the Prevost H3-45 VIP offers better views, while at the same time providing more storage space on the lower side of the RV.
The interior is sleek and modern and comes with a wooden floor, sofas, chairs, small desk, kitchen and bedroom that make it one of the most comfortable and best looking RVs out there. The price also shows that, soaring up to $1.6 million.
Featherlite Vantare Platinum Plus – $2.5 million
The Featherlite Vantare Platinum Plus is a gem on wheels made from a Prevost bus shell and equipped with some of the most luxurious materials in existence such as rare Inca marble, copper, pearlized Italian leather, sapele Pommele from Africa, Swarovski crystals, onyx, Schonbek Crystam and many more.
The amenities don’t score less than that either. A stainless-steel dishwasher, Sub-Zero refrigerator, plasma TV, built-in treadmill and driving helm with an Avic N-2 GPS system with real-time traffic and weather alerts. If that isn’t enough, count on a garage slide-out for your sports car. But make sure you prepare for the price you’d need to pay, since it’s a good $2.5 million.
Marchi Mobile EleMMent Palazzo –
$3 million
Bringing together elements from motorsport, aviation and yachting into a high-performance carbon-fiber exterior with great functionality and a wonderful view, the Marchi Mobile EleMMent Palazzo is the most impressive and — at the same time — most expensive motorhome you could buy right now.
With a wall thickness of over 60 mm and a Sky lounge offering a full panoramic view, you can take this RV anywhere, from off-road expeditions to amazing, picturesque corners of the Earth. The top deck can be accessed via a stairwell. The interior has a 4-meter couch area, with bar, wine cabinet and ice maker access, along with a large TV screen and kitchenette nearby. If that isn’t enough, adjacent to the master bedroom, there’s a spa area for light therapy, a rainfall shower and furniture with large storage capacity.
Given all these unbelievable features, the Marchi Mobile EleMMent Palazzo is a motorhome that goes beyond imagination and a price that reaches a sky-high $3 million.
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