The History of the Recreational Vehicle (RV)

When was the RV invented? There’s not a definite answer to that question, as there is no official definition of what constitutes a recreational vehicle. The term encompasses many different types of vehicles from travel trailers to motorhomes. The true history of RVs can be traced back farther than motorized cars.
Have you been bitten by the RV bug? Before you start looking at RVs for sale to begin your own adventure, enjoy this history of RV travel.
Covered Wagons: The Pioneers of Recreational Vehicles
The inspiration for the modern RV began with covered wagons. These were first used in Europe by gypsies and other groups of people who constantly moved from place to place. Covered wagons have been pulled by various animals over the years from horses to oxen. In the pioneer days of the western expansion in the United States in the 1800s, families would pack all of their worldly belongings and head off to find a new piece of land to make their home. They would travel for weeks and even months down wagon roads such as the Oregon Trail, camping as they went.
Motorized RVs Date Back to the First Automobiles
It didn’t take long after the invention of cars for people to start turning them into RVs. Camping features were some of the first additions made to automobiles. The first official recreational vehicle was invented in 1910, the Touring Landau by Pierce-Arrow. The back seat folded out into a bed and a chamber pot toilet and sink folded down from the back of the front seat. This was the first attempt at turning a car into a camper.
Travel Trailers Weren’t Far Behind
The next step in the evolution of RVs was the invention of the travel trailer. In the 1920s the vast majority of RVs were towable trailers. One of the most famous manufacturers of travel trailers, Airstream, was founded in 1929 when Wally Byam attached a tear drop-shaped structure on a model T chassis. His goal was to build a camping vehicle that was light enough to be towed by the average car and that his wife would be willing to go camping in. His prototype eventually evolved into the “silver bullet” body style you still see on the road today.
Tin Can Tourists: America’s First RV Enthusiasts
RVs have evolved and gained popularity over the years. But the first group of RV enthusiasts formed in 1919, known as the “Tin Can Tourists.” The name comes from an old trick of the trade that consisted of welding tin cans to the radiators of RVs to warm up food. Now there are many different groups of RV enthusiasts who share a common interest as well as tips and tales from the road.
Current Makes and Models of RVs for Sale
These days you can find countless makes and models of RVs at dealerships across America. Out of Doors Mart in Colfax, NC, one of the top RV dealers on the east coast, carries a wide inventory of Airstream, Rockwood, and Salem travel trailers as well as motorhomes and campers of all classes and styles.
Ready to join the ranks of the Tin Can Tourists? Browse RVs for sale or call (336) 993-4518 to inquire about current inventory.