RVing in the 30s 40s and 50s

by Tony
(Phoenix, Arizona)

RVing in the 30s 40s and 50s

RVing in the 30s 40s and 50s

Hi, my name is Tony and the reason I am writing to you is because my grandmother and grandfather used to be avid RVers. They started with a travel trailer that they bought back in the late 40s and up until two years ago were still RVing. They are both in their late 80s and can no longer travel due to health concerns.

My grandfather says that he used to go camping in a trailer with his parents back in the 30s. He has told me all kinds of stories about what RVing was like back then. These conversations have piqued my interest in the types of RVs that were available back in the old days of RVing. What information can you give me about the RVs back then? Sorry, I am in my mid-20s and don't really know where to find this information.

Editor's Note: There are some very entertaining free videos about vintage RVs located towards the bottom of this page, so keep reading and scrolling so you do not miss them.

ANSWER Hi Tony, first off, there is no need to apologize for being young and second of all the 30s, 40s and 50s are not really the old days of RVing. The really old days of RVing in the US would be the mid-1700s to about 1900 when people were camping in covered wagons. The covered Conestoga wagon

Rather than just telling you about that time, I have gathered some videos that will show you exactly what the RVs looked like. As they say, a picture is worth a 1000 words or in this case, a video is.

Below the video player, you will find some other resources to get even more information on early RVing.




Video Viewing Tips There are six videos in the player below, if you mouse over the player's screen you can choose which video you want to watch. If you hit play all 6 videos will play one after the other.




Over 1,500,000 successful roadside rescues—Good Sam RV Emergency Road Service

Now you kind of have an idea of the types of RVs that were available back in the 30s, 40s and 50s. For even more fun stuff on RVing read my video recommendations below:

Recommended Videos The Long, Long Trailer (see video preview of this movie further down the page) starring Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz is a 1950s movie similar to more recent Robin William's movie RV (Widescreen Edition).

Below is a preview of The Long Long Trailer starring Lucille Ball.


Here is a video about how RVs were advertised in the early days of RVing.


Recommended Reading: For even more detailed information on the growth of RVing You might want to take a look at these great books. Silver Palaces, Ready to Roll: A Celebration of the Classic American Travel Trailer, Trailer Travel: A Visual History of Mobile America and RVs & Campers: 1900-2000 (An Illustrated History).

Over 1,500,000 successful roadside rescues—Good Sam RV Emergency Road Service

I hope that you got all the information you wanted. If any of our visitors have more information for you they can add it to this page by clicking on the add a comment link located near the bottom of this page.

Happy RVing

RVing Al

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