1933, Glacier National Park - Public Domain Photo People are discovering that it is cool to pull a vintage trailer with their classic car. Even folks without a vintage car want the old classic trailers. It is fun to restore the old trailers and take camping trips in them. The Vintage trailer hobbyists are getting together to make up caravans to explore for a weekend or even a week. Some are calling themselves "vintage vanners."

The origin of the travel trailer can be traced back to the traveling gypsies who traveled in Europe using horse drawn trailers. The first trailers built to sell were made by the Bristol Carriage Company in 1880. It was 18 feet long and was called wanderer by the new owner.

In the Untied States the travel trailer was first introduced in the 1920s and those who used them were called "Tin Can Tourists." The trailers were improved and in the 1930s and 40s they became know as a house trailer. People actually were able to live comfortably in these trailers.

American Classics: Old School - Classic Travel Trailers The old vintage travel trailers were usually made from 3 types of materials. Wood (plywood), aluminum and fiberglass. Each antique trailer collector has their own preference on which material they like best.

It would be fun to travel around the United States in one these old campers and see the sights. Your trailer would generate a lot of conversation and you can show off your nostalgic rig. There are actually clubs that you can join featuring these vintage trailers where you can share you love of these with others.

These campers prices are very low and can be a good investment for your vacation. It could be a family project to fix one up and then use it for a fun road trip. This could also be a profitable expedition if a diary and photos are kept of your adventures and then a book produced afterwards. This could equal an educational adventure for the whole family.

On this page you will find used camper trailers for sale. Plus books and more on vintage trailer trailers.

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Looking for a vintage trailer or camper? If so this is the right place to be. These classic trailers are becoming more popular by the day. This photo shows an old camper that is probably a little to much antique for most tastes. It was taken in 1933 at Glacier National Park. It is hard to tell from this picture if the windows are open to the air or not. This was living in style back then.

Vintage Vanners is the name of a group of folks who restore these classic trailers and take them on the road together. They go in a large group and may go camping and exploring around the country for a week or more. You may not belong to this club and just love these old trailers because of how they look and want to join the Tin Can Tourists of yesterday.

The photo above shows a 1960 Shasta camper that was part of a Tin Can Tourists rally in 2011. This one is really nice and kept in great shape. Notice the wings on the back. The whole style says retro.

It would be fun to move out to the country in one of these and just live on a small budget. You could bring in an income from the land and from the Internet. There is still cheap property if you know where to look. Eastern Oregon used to be cheap and places around here in Wisconsin isn’t to bad in price.

The photo above is of a 1951 truck pulling a 2001 reproduction trailer. It is interesting that people love these old campers so much that they have a hard time finding the real thing so they get a reproduction instead.

The advantage to a reproduction is that the RV would be new and probably have more living comforts. However is would not be the real thing and you might not be able to join the Vanners or Tin Can Tourists. You would have to check out the rules first.

Susan Dietel
Web Programmer
Email: susansdesign@yahoo.com