15 Old School Campers that will take you Back in Time

[@zoommikerobinson3315]

We have a restored 1972 Vintage Hunter Trailer. My Nephew made a short video, posted on our channel, showing the unique features...a pop top roof. There aren't many Hunters remaining in use -- kind of cool. From your video, I always like the Teardrops.

[@zoommikerobinson3315]

Thank you.

[@timothyrobbins4182]

Be glad of the one that you have, at least you don't have to worry about smashing your head. It really hurts seeing how, there is a bunk that drops down on the lower end of the trailer and folds up when not in use! Bad floor plan ifyou ask me lol.

[@timothynewsome2527]

?1

[@hamadilawson4396]

I concur, ideally in a diesel electric hybrid.

[@bonniebowden189]

All these old campers remind me of growing up as a small child. My foster parents and the rest of the tribe basically lived in these styles campers and actually traveled in them We travel all over the place.

[@budmiller3988]

As a young man, I lived in a 1951 Chevy 3800 - 1 ton House Car with a trailer body built on the chassis. The front door to the trailer was the right side passenger door where the seat folded forward to allow entry into the back. The vehicle registration actually had HSCR on it. It had a full bed in the back, a dinette, a sink and stove, an ice box that took ice, and closet and that was it. No toilet or shower. I traveled throughout the Western states in it, stopping only long enough to work to make the money to continue living on the road. I loved the lifestyle but didn't realize at the time that I was one of the few people living out of my vehicle before the advent of the RV industry that had yet to be born. I eventually sold it cheap to a little old lady who loved it at first sight and wanted to hit the road herself. Such great memories!

[@paulsimmons5726]

The craftsmanship of some of these was first rate but your #1 was incredible.

[@davebahm]

We had an early 1970s (maybe late 60s?) Starcraft pop-up trailer (light brown metal body with tan canvas walls) when I was a kid. It slept up to eight, had a two burner gas stove, a small sink with a pump faucet and a small icebox. It did have a small furnace next to the door. Dad pulled the trailer with a 72 VW Bus with my mom, two sisters and me in tow, plus all of our luggage. We drove it from our home in Albuquerque to Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, Steamboat Springs, CO, and the Grand Canyon, among many other places in New Mexico. So many great memories were made. Dad said that after climbing a couple of 14ers in Colorado with that trailer, the VW Bus never ran quite the same.

[@deantrovinger4194]

We had a Cardinal for many years that we camped with our 6 kids with. It had a unique shape and turned lots of heads!

[@ArthurBrinkman-c5z]

Can't believe that Spartan didn't make the list. I had a 1957 (I think) Holliday Manor they also built a Holiday Mansion. Very cool aluminum coach. I also had a 1948 Flxible Clipper bus, it was originally owned and operated by the airport as a luggage carrier. It had already been converted to a RV prior to my purchase. I've been a full-time RVer for 25+ years now and have had several Motorhomes and trailers. I'm currently living in a 1988 Gulf Stream Hi Rise 36ft. It's a good solid coach and I've modified it a couple of times over the years. I also had a 76 Chevrolet Sierra 28ft. It was my 1st live in coach. I lived in it for 6 years before I purchased the Gulf Stream. I'll never go back to conventional housing again. Plus I'm in LA and lease locked at $565. per month. Includes water, trash, gardener and electric. I'm never leaving! Only thing I pay for is propane. I have a large separate tank that will last 3-4 months per fill. I don't need to move the coach.

[@kimhorton6109]

My Dad bought a Yellow/white Shasta when we were stationed in Roswell,NM in the early ‘50s. Three kids, mom and dad went all over the Southwest and off to Kansas a couple of times to visit family. Very fond memories.

[@davidoverstreet2875]

I lived in a 15 ft long X 6 ft wide early 1970s model Nomad for 4 years. It had a tiny enclosed bathroom, with a shower stall, enclosed, crammed in the corner. Small closet, cabinets, counter, sink, stove and small refrigerator. An L-shaped seating dining area. And a raised platform for a 6-foot mattress at the end. A new window air conditioner/heater was installed right after I moved in. Sweet. I loved it.

[@robertiams4198]

Wow, my grandfather would stop a couple days after summer break started and would say c'mon lets go camping. Where? I would ask, and he would say I don't know yet. Off we would go in his Chevy Caprice with the "Apache" camper attached. He would bring me home a couple of weeks before school started. Thanks for showing the "Apache" it sheltered us in twenty or so different states from 4th grade to the 7th grade.....

[@torbjornstalenhag814]

I once owned a Eccless Moonstone👌 Beautiful but hard to maintaine. Sold it!

[@beverlylange4514]

I LOVED THIS VIDEO!! WATCH IT AND YOU WILL KNOW WHY

[@karenvickers8165]

Oh for the good ole days!!!!! Love looking back.

[@tlouiseallen9302]

Had an old 60’s Shasta when I was seventeen , a 70’s class A Winnebago and a class C, I-can’t-recall-what-it-was , that my kids and I lived in years ago🙌🏼. Now I’m gonna renovate a 1990 Jamboree Rallye motor home And go full time. 💪🏼🖖🏼

[@wshazbot62]

My mom lived in a Shasta travel trailer in the late 1990’s, off grid. She loved it, I love the old style trailers. The very last one is my fav, love the gypsy style. That’s what it looks like to me 😊

[@karenvickers8165]

It was fun looking at the old campers, that was the good ole days. I wish I could go back!!!!!

[@bucknaykid5821]

What a fantastic video. The walk down memory lane and the recording of history itself is AWESOME. Thanks

[@annsowers4591]

Oh the memories. My parents started their married life in a travel trailer. Dad was in the Army and there was a travel trailer park right off the post for Military Families. Three kids later we lived in another one in Texas. I believe it was the Glider. I remember bunk beds on either side with a full living/kitchen area. We didn't have alot but had plenty to eat and a clean bed. I miss those days so much.

[@maxinerendulic7893]

My parents started with a Jayco pop up in late 60’s and progressed to a Jayco Swinger, I believe in 1975, which was awesome! Had 2 dinettes, bunkhouse in rear, bath & full kitchen, slept 7 very comfortably!Wish those were still made!

[@TheArkDoc]

I'm watching this video from the comfort of a pristine yellow and white 1961 Shasta Airflyte 19'

[@nemo227]

There is something very special about vintage RV's that have been preserved and/or restored to new or better than new condition. Our "old" 1996 Rexhall Aerbus is still in good condition and we try to keep it up to specification.

[@arnepianocanada]

I'm from BC in Canada, where the most "Britishy" of our accents can be found. Must say I *love* your accent! - a sound of America at its laid-back-friendly best.

[@arnepianocanada]

GM motorhome's genius design (yes) would stand proud even today, and really should be reintroduced.

[@donnamount151]

I have a 1962 , 13' Aloha...had my way about it, I would live in it...LOVE it sooo much !!!

[@jameslinn5139]

Wow thanks for this journey back in time. My grandparents had the largest of the number 2. Only on family vacations the 10 grandchildren had to sleep outside in a converted army mess tent bought at a military auction.

[@TexCynRVLife]

I'm currently renovating a'74 Silver Streak. The solid build & simplicity of the rig amazes me. Thanks for sharing the oldies. 👍

[@maricogan2903]

Feb. 2021. I want the pre-1960s Shasta trailer with the Aqua color trim out. I have coveted this camper since I was a child, traveling with my military family. We camped all over the U.S., then we shipped the VW camper to Guam with us. The only VW camper on the island. What a joy.

[@Sun_Wanong_WFR7169]

My mother, and lived in a Shasta 1963 from 1973 till 1979 in San Diego

[@MagaRickn]

Lots of memories on this Father's Day. My Dad loved camping and campers. We had a bunch, including one of the Apache hard side pop ups and a unit called a Camp-o-tel that mounted on top of the car. Good times!

[@anthonysweeneyii2509]

I would love to see some Fan trailers, I have a Fan Luxury Liner.

[@samuelclemons6821]

Your mystery RV is a Vixen21. It came in either gas or diesel. It was the brainchild of a former GM engineer whose name escapes me at the moment (Jim something, if I'm not mistaken) who wanted to create the most efficient RV practicable for couple with a couple of children or occasional guests. The gas version (pictured on the right above) had a raised fixed roof with about 6 1/2' of headroom at the highest point. It was powered by a Buick 3.8 V6 with a modified FWD automatic transaxle in the rear and could achieve an honest 22 MPG at 70 MPH. The diesel version (on the left above) was the real gem. It had a side-hinged pop-top which gave it nearly 7' of head room when raised )and great natural light). It was powered by a straight 6 BMW TDI linked to a 5-speed manual (with an extremely tall 1st gear which tended to eat clutches) and got an amazing 31 MPG at 70. Both version had a full queen-size bed in the rear,wet bath (shower) and galley. The third variant not shown was a dedicated limousine without the galley and shower. The low center of gravity and forward control made them handle more like sports cars that RVs. Well over half of all built are still on the road.

[@ernestpaul2484]

When I drove OTR back in the late 90's, early 00's I was on HWY. 30 going thru Mechanicsville Iowa heading west. As I was looking around I saw on the south side of the two lane several of these on the side and behind a building. I had some time so I found a place to stop and went back to the business and asked if I could look at the RV's. The guy there said sure and mentioned they had been there as long as he could remember. It was like a miniture junkyard with only these vehicles in it. The thing that surprised me, because I am a car guy, was that they had BMW logos and trim pieces. I would have loved to loaded up my empty flatbed with the ones that had the better conditioned bodies and a few for parts. I should have noted the address for future reference but didn't. I left and all these years later wondered what ever happen to them or their history as to why they were all there to begin with.

[@mindseyedesign]

🏆

[@jamesminear2336]

Great Job !! Just a few that I had not heard of and some that you didn’t cover like Silver Streak, Red Dale, Aristocrat, StarCraft, etc.

[@elizabethflowe6463]

I loved the caravan. It was reminds me of the old gypsy horse-drawn caravans. And the Shasta evoked memories of a family vacation that I took as a small child.

[@femalism1715]

WOW! What a blast from the past!

[@sarabegay6700]

Ah, the wonderful Scotty. My first trailer. Raised a husband a kid in that one. The last one I had on the road was a Spartan. The big one. Now I'm looking for just the right vintage model to become my "old lady" home to put on my granddaughters place. Really enjoy your videos. 👍

[@Rosie21222]

Wild bright colors!!!! My eyes hurt just looking at them!!!

[@julienielsen3746]

My parents had a couple Aljos in the 60s. Then a GMC motorhome that conked out on the way home on our first trip. Turned out because of the fuel shortage someone at the factory had put sawdust in the fuel tank. Dad didn't get the full price back. They gave him a GMC pickup for part of the price. Then we had a Revcon motorhome. Then Dad's dream RV. He had a 1963 Greyhound bus customized. Very plush inside. With a washer and dryer included.

[@bethbartlett5692]

Airstream, any model, any year, WANT ONE! *Really Timeless Units!*

[@BohemianBeatster]

Loved all 15 makes and models. Good times. I didn't see the one my parents had from a 1960's. Don't remember the make or model. They got it used in 1970 and for its time, it looked pretty modern, even space aged. Slept four with the pull downs.

[@gmcjetpilot]

I saw video on KZbin of a couple that was denied entry into a trailer park because there RV was too old, but it was a gorgeous classic Airstream in perfect condition. The trailer park just looked at the age.

[@BeachsideHank]

The idea was to keep the riff- raff out, but they never figured on the upscale oldies but goodies enthusiasts with much greater disposable income than their original target group. ☺

[@ernestpaul2484]

@@BeachsideHank Just like politicians that do not think things thru or understand the long term cause and effect of their decisions. So not only is that money lost on a spot, but also future potential profits from those with greater disposable income that follow the channel and are now aware of being discriminated against. The Internet can be an asset in building/maintaining your business or it can contribute to your premature demise greatly.

[@FrankiesFancy]

Wow. What a bunch of elitist snobs. Maybe I should get a new trailer and go to these exclusive places. I don't know what's worse...people who judge by their age or their bank book. But good to know that those with fixed up vintage trailers are seclusive snobs in case I see them in the woods somewhere. Jesus, wtf is wrong with people? Financially comfortable elitists complaining about other people being exclusive. Smh. It used to be nice in the old days when campers just camped together, met other campers and made friends. Now everyone has to shove their bank books into other peoples faces and judge others by that. Camping is dead. Got to go by yourself or with fam or friends. Can't go to meet other people anymore. Everyone is divided by $$ and financial class. Its a freaking shame. Pathetic.

[@jimjohns9595]

That is the time to show the vehicle to the park manager. I own a 42 year old GMC that still looks better than any Winnebago.

[@MrGatorboy727]

I'll take a classic camper over this new stuff they got

[@katherinewillie9776]

I still own my 59 Shasta. She still has her Cozy Cruiser plate nametags on her!!! All the teak wood is in beautiful condition. Though I've had to bring my stove oven into the cabin I built here in Trapper Creek Alaska 17 years ago. I've lived off grid here for 22 years now. I've only had internet access for 3 years now when I finally ordered cheap solar panels from harbor freight and it's so nice. I put down my septic tank system last summer by watching a KZbin Channel and it's working wonderful!!! No more outhouse for me anymore!!!!

[@shannonhunt7966]

My grandparents had number 12 in the mid 80's. They took it to the White mountain's of Arizona almost every summer while I was a kid.

[@erico6114]

Those ovens look better than the ones they're using today.

[@marcscordato4385]

As a child a has a matchbox edition of the GMC birch haven it was a special addition larger then the standard matchbox and it was set up as a race car carrier in my view its the most handsome motor home of all time .

[@ajwasp3642]

A red and white Newman Hass motorhome?

[@MrGatorboy727]

These vintage campers are real the wood the metal everything I want the starliner

[@mikehill1700]

My Dad built and maintained 3 trailer parks in Oregon. I remember most of these renting spaces in the parks and a few are still there.

[@grannieannie1371]

I didn't have a favourite till we got to the showwagon. How cool is that.

[@beverlylange4514]

1AM VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE AVIAN AND HAVE MUCH RESPECT FOR THESE OLD CLASICS AS WELL OF THESE OTHERS. THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES!!

[@peterlarsen7779]

The Apache did. Back in 1969 my maternal grandparents visited us during the Summer. We drove from Long Island and up-state New York to see Niagara Falls. We drove a '67 Riviera, and pulled what I'm sure was an Apache. Though as I recall, it was slightly differant. The one we slept in, DID have the telescopic roof, but had soft beds either end that folded out. From family photos, it appeared to be as high as the car when it was all ready for towing down the road.

[@pjb572]

The motorhome shown at 11:35 is a BMW powered Vixen with a rear mounted turbocharged diesel 6 cyl. That motor was only built for a short time and parts for it are very hard to find. I had one and it was unique but I had alot of trouble with it.

[@brianfalls5894]

Some mighty fine old trailers there but if I were to pick a favorite then I'd take the Airstream every time. I've always like the Airstream design.

[@HHowardHH]

I'd like the see the last one in the form of a motor home, that is stunning.

[@darrylecaldwell9008]

My buddy had an Avion C10 back before he passed away. Thanks for adding it to the list it brought back fond memories

[@karenvickers8165]

I like all campers, old and new!!!!!

[@CurtisDrew1]

When I was a boy in the mid 50's my Dad bought a 16' Shasta Camper Trailer to pull behind out 55 Buick Roadmaster Station Wagon for our family of 5's vacations. We took off, often times for 6 to 8 weeks, to explore the USA. Dad was Career Air Force and some summers his squadron would be sent TDY across the Country for 60 to 90 days. About half of his squadron owned camper trailers and we, all the dependants, would travel in a big caravan group and camp out near the temporary assignments Air Base. The Men went to work, the Moms maintained the Campsight and us Kids, all friends from school, would ride our bicycles all over the place. On some of our Summer Trips there were more than 10 camper trailers in the Caravan. Best Memories: We loved camping near Seattle and watching the Hydroplane Boat races on the lake near the Campsight. That WAS A COOL Summer. We aso did the Redwoods, Yosimity, Mount Rushmore, Jamestown, and a bunch of other places. What a way to grow up. I have had a Camper or Motorhome ever since. Still driving my 1989 Fleetwood Limited!

[@blw957]

My parents had a 17' Road Runner and my grand parents had 20' Aladdin. It was fun camping as a family.

[@messenger8139]

I think that the Vagabond is my pick. Although the GMC Motorhome is almost a tie. The thing that I like about the Vagabond is the 8 foot width and simple luxury with birch paneling.

[@loyalty271]

Love the number one,the inside is beautiful, I’m old fashion 💕

[@vivianbunch1963]

It was fun to see and hear about these trailers. My Mom worked for airstream making curtains and cushions👍

[@robinwebb2160]

Love the Glider and the winged Shasta.

[@jimsteele7108]

So much more character than the new trailers, in my opinion. I bet the quality was better too.

[@ericdesmeules8117]

better in every ways but oh so heavy

[@beverlylange4514]

REALLY Appreciate this video1 ! MAKES YOU WANT TO GO BACK AND RELIVE THOSE DAYS AND FIND A TRAILOR LIKE THIS TO OWN!!!

[@glutenfreejoe6099]

I remember in the 1970s seeing people camping in Shasta Trailers while we camped in our 1972 Skamper Pop Up Trailer in many campgrounds

[@peglegjim3124]

When my Beautiful Bride & I we’re in our mid 30’s, our boys were 8 & 10 years old. Well, we all loved camping & a campground about an hour from our home. Long story short, an older couple we’d known for a few seasons approached us, and asked if we wanted to but their trailer (they were in their 80’s). The initial walk They was stunning(!!!). It was in PERFECT condition (1950’s)! I confessed that we didn’t really have a lot of funds, & would have to make a plan to fit it into our budget! The old man said “No you don’t. You guys are wonderful. You can take over for $500.00 bucks, and the next 3 years are paid in advance. We were just stewards of this place , and now it’s your turn.” Because of their generosity, our boys know how to camp, from A to Z!! 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@erroleabrown4317]

The long bus at the start and the tin van with the half covered windows were my favourite l would love the long one it was a solid build

[@janmoline]

Add a vintage Hi-Low Trailer! Ours was purchased in 1963 in Johnstown, PA and we camped across the country to Ridgecrest, CA! 2 adults, 4 children! In the smallest model available! Lol

[@pxsmith]

I "grew up" in a Avion Trailer. Every weekend in the late 70's we would be out camping. I learned how to back a trailer with it.

[@mindseyedesign]

Hello pxsmith, thank you for watching!

[@mikhellen3267]

Glider and eckles ( no.1), my favorites

[@richardhudak685]

I had a 1955 vagabond N I wish I still owned it Lots of memories

[@raysnoderlyjr2950]

Eccles is my favorite. The finishes are special.

[@florafox3412]

We had a Scotty brings back a lot of memories

[@FidoHouse]

Beautiful restorations!

[@karenhaupt4321]

Thanks,they were great! I think the last was my favorite, very fancy! I would think that stove would be very heavy! I need to share now!

[@donloughrey1615]

Wow thanks. These are pretty cool. When I lived in Phoenix AZ in 1972 I owned a 1939 19 foot aluminum trailer with steel spoke wheels and an all Birch interior and s/s shower toilet combo room. I cannot remember the make. It looked kind of like the Ajo or canned ham but they didn't come out until years later. One bedroom kitchenette bath LR seating /sleeping area. Three of us lived in it for almost a year. Bought it for $400 sold for $450. I'd sure like to own it again.

[@karenvickers8165]

Here I go again watching this fun video !!!!!!!!!!

[@lindagoulder8934]

Way back in the day, someone came up with the concept for a very, very light camper which could be carried in a pack on your back and took five minutes to set up.. they called it a Baker. The Baker had everything, with lots of space, a huge camp kitchen, a fantastic warming system, a fantastic cooling system, a huge shower and an gigantic bathtub with a fantastic refrigeration system and tons of storage and by adding sections in;it could sleep up to ten people.:):)

[@ronmartin3755]

I have a restored 32 foot Spartan Manor. Beautiful trailer. I can't believe you didn't include this maker in your video! They were actually the best and most beautiful travel trailers ever made. And the Aero Flite Trailers were right up there with the Spartans.

[@melissabenson6749]

The Eccles is absolutely GORGEOUS, #2. Dodge Travco #3. Star liner , I love all of them, as I love nostalgia! Great video & informative!👍🏻

[@mindseyedesign]

Thanks for watching!

[@bellakaldera3305]

After I got out of the USAF in the late 70's I lived in a Serro Scotty for a few months, so that is my favorite here. However when I decided it was time to get a camper trailer, I built myself a teardrop to my own design, I call it the XE1.

[@rubyboleware9395]

6 starliner is very sweet.

[@Beanieweenieable]

My favorite has to be the Air stream bubble

[@kanavisgray3057]

I'm 23 and the first one the aero stream took me back I remember when I was probably 5 or 6 my dad had one

[@deborahchesser7375]

My cousin had a white and green GMC in the 70’s man that thing was plush !

[@d.peters6075]

That slide at 11:41 is Vixen Motor Home that was built in Grand Rapids MI in the mid to late 80s.

[@pamcolechadwell1302]

Number one was my favorite!

[@brucedoxey5815]

Love the Starliner!

[@MaryAmesMitchell]

The simple little Airstream Bubble works for me. My rig is a Class B and I wish it were layed out like the Bubble.

[@beckyjacobsen5867]

Starliner I like the way it looks.I like the inside of the #1

[@brucegambill6303]

Its funny how the old one 's have really taken off lately, people use to just give them away to get rid of them. In fact , I have 1980 Beaver class C motor home with only 80k miles on it that had sat for years , they couldn't get it running, so they just gave it to me to get out of their yard. Being a mechanic, I took the 400 small block Chev. motor out , gave it new rings and bearings, put on a good set of heads that were ported, good aluminum intake manifold , headers and dual flowmaster mufflers. Sold the old three speed trans, and purchased a 700R4 overdrive transmission for it . Now it has a pinch over 400 HP, and will cruise up practically any mountain pass 70mph+ with ease. Put a good sound system in it and a flat screen. Total investment less than $2k

[@paula.jackson5463]

Very Well Done, remember some from seeing them as a Child but did not go camping or RV'n when young!

[@rubyboleware9395]

1 snowmans wagon is the best.love the wood

[@LarryB-fr1zo]

In the 1950s my family traveled the western U.S. towing a a 14 ft Crown travel. We were a family of four and were very comfortable. It had sleeping for 4. We used campground bath and rarely ate in cafes. That trailer was easily towed by 1950, 1953 and 1954 Oldsmobile. The trailer frame still exists as a utility trailer.

[@jezzlynnnoparticularniche8019]

I used to have a 12 foot scotty. I do like those vegabonds

[@clarencesmith9580]

I have always been a fan of the APACHE pop-ups.

[@richardhudak685]

I HAD A 1055 VAGABOND WUSH I STILL OWNED IT LOTS OF MEMMORIES LOTS ❤❤❤❤❤

[@thejourney1369]

My parents’s first two travel trailers were Shastas. What fun memories of camping with them!

[@robertjones-zy7ym]

# 1 caravan Gypsy model is awesome

[@sharonsmith9478]

Love them all

[@StMyles]

This was really interesting. Thanks for sharing.

[@douglasthompson296]

The Eccles showman living wagon is a part of English history/tradition. There were many builders of showmens living trailers. They were more than gypsy caravans/vardos as most were owned/built for travelling fairground families who were from the travelling communities. Internet search for UK traveller living vans takes you into this world of opulant living caravans that often cost more than a traditional home did. I'm sure many USA folks can relate the life to the travelling carnivals or circus families/life. These days its mostly US 5th wheel homes on the traveller circuit. You be the judge on what you would prefer to travel/live in. Cheers everyone from covid lock down UK