Suburbs On Wheels: A History of American Trailer Parks

[@davidbrown8303]

Back then you had a family it didn't matter what you lived in as long as you had each other. Now that my parents are dead I realize that a lot more and would love to do it all over again.

[@Ann65.]

David Brown True David!

[@aimee-lynndonovan6077]

Family is everything if you love each other.

[@privateprivate1865]

@@aimee-lynndonovan6077 i didn't care if i was homeless with my siblings and parents living in a vehicle, as long as we were together i was happy. I did suck when the roof leaked on my bed though..but i was grateful still. ❤️🌞

[@kevinmencer3782]

Family is everything and home is what you make it.

[@privateprivate1865]

@@kevinmencer3782 yep

[@lukepate8749]

Love this!!! I live in a 24ft Keystone Sprinter in a small RV park here in Texas.Had to sell mom and dad's 3 bedroom house,she passed in 2017.I bought the RV for $6000 cash and a van.Lot rent is $330 a month.Free electric and water.No more $4000 a year property taxes.Im happy.Thank you for this video.God bless!!!😃🙏✌️

[@Mtx360]

I'm leaving to in Cardinal by forest river

[@bertvosburg558]

Sounds like a great plan! How much does One need? Food, water, shelter, clothing and I'll add Love and purpose. At 66 I'm not totally retired but could today and not run out of money before I die. I have 25 head of beef cattle and live on 126 acres, with one border collie and about.. ten cats I think. It's a lot of work, but I do love it although I do day dream about downsizing and slow down down but won't, well not any time soon I hope!

[@underthetornado]

Ha!! I grew up poor. No college education but a jill of all trades. My first trailer came to me by accident. It was a 59 Aristocrat. I could tow it with my 1970 Plymouth Sattelight. It had everything one needed to live. Kitchen, bathroom, bed, table a veiw. Even a skylight! Ac, heater. Perfect! I could plug in anywhere and rv parks were 150.00 a month, water and electric included. I got smart!!!.

[@rosab6259]

A beautiful story of how some Americans lived. Their mobile homes were tiny, and without much comfort but they seemed to be happy people. We really don't need a lot to be happy.

[@michaelfleming40]

I think the tiny home movement is a 21st century version of the mobile home movement of the 20th century. Housing that doesn't cost a fortune AND without a decades long relationship with a mortgage. 😊 ❤

[@HotDogLaws]

the important difference is people seem to have caught on to the importance of owning the land, most mobile homes are on leased land and a lot of people have ended up stuck with increasing space rent and not enough money to move their home

[@tedwalker1370]

People are talking about tiny houses now days and trailers have been the tiny houses for years.

[@CarrieGerenScogginsOfficial]

Like the older trailer parks, and there are many of the older 10 foot wide mobile homes still in parks in Florida. The retirement trailer parks look great, and are well kept, just most do not want a 55 and over rule. I have had family that owned a mobile home in an age 55 and older only mobile home park down in Florida, and it was so well kept. The yearly fee it high though. I lived in a mobile home park in Murfreesboro, TN for around 5-6 yrs, and remodeled an old mobile home making it very comfortable. During that time I kept the park clean, my daughter and I picked up trash dumped out, and started planting flowers, landscaped the yard, and while repainting, adding a building, changed out doors, put new glass in windows, painted shutters, worked on the underpinning, then looked around... And to my surprise, I saw the neighbors started working on their mobile homes, I saw that they were out building on new decks, and painting their trailers. It was a park where we owned the mobile home, paid a 200 dollar lot rent. I had made such a noticeable change in that mobile home, that others saw that they could do the same with theirs. It really is about what they are taught. The rough looking mobile home parks do not keep up their under pinning [leaving them really COLD during the winter months,] and leave trash around. It helps if they have a privacy fence between them, a part of a back yard not seen from the road, and keep the front pristine. Good landscaping, privacy fences, nice decks or porches, enclosed screen in porches attached make one really nice as well. It is the "new middle class," as now most adults are divorced, and living alone, it is 'all one needs,' and all a single person can usually afford.

[@dianewilson5516]

There's a mobile home park here in Fresno California, called "The Trails End Mobile Home Park", a short time back they had a bad fire in there, and it burned up at least 2 mobile homes, and at least one person died. The state of California took over, as it was in such disrepair. Then the city of Fresno California took over. Now the city of Fresno wants to sell this park to a land speculator and there are mostly seniors and other low income people living there. They wanted to buy the trailer park themselves, and govern themselves. If you agree, please call the city of Fresno and tell them so. Someone needs to care. If Fresno sells to the land speculator, these people will be homeless

[@dapdne4916]

Considering the economy as it is today, it is correct to keep housing for low income seniors, and families. The City of Fresno has to recognize the housing disaster that exist at present in California.

[@theboyisnotright6312]

These A Hs "speculators" are destroying home and land values. I hope the people living there are victorious in buying the park. But rest assured the scum paid off enough assembly people to get his/her scuzzy little hands on it. I'm renting now, but my plan at this point is get some land and drop a well and convert a school bus into a home. The people in power hate if you can escape paying their ridiculous prices.

[@katiesioux7757]

I lived in a trailer park at rose crabs and Vermont in gardenia ca

[@timenglert8998]

This video is ten years old and a lot has changed. Vintage travel trailers are now very stylish and desirable and there's a lot of small business restoring them. My parents and baby me lived in a trailer in Los Angeles right after WWII when there was a tremendous housing shortage because of the influx of war workers and dust bowl refugees. Now people are building their own tiny homes on trailer chassis, including myself, as a means of more affordable housing and a lifestyle not so devoted to massive amounts of stuff which needs a huge house to hold it all. Great video.

[@wendymathews1030]

This was so interesting! I own a mobile home, and I dearly love it. I live in a 55+ park that is beautifully maintained with each home on a large lot. There is a strong sense of pride, and neighbors look out for and help each other. It is amazing to me that, in spite of how well built and beautiful the new mobile homes are, there is still a stigma attached to them; some people still call them trailers. I have just as much pride in my mobile home as anyone who owns a stick built home. I guess that’s just the way it is, and will probably never change.

[@aimee-lynndonovan6077]

Mobile homes are alright. My mother lived in a high quality one in Northern Maine, for about 40 yrs, good land, til she finally moved to an apt. You do what you gotta do. Cheaper, freedom, open air. I liked it. I never lived there. The high cost of rent makes them a good choice if you can also afford the heating cost.

[@ccjohncc1]

I rented a room in one for a year with an old friend. I liked it OK. For a few months it was like camping in a way. The rain hitting the roof is deadly louder and kind of exciting during downpours which I've always loved. I live in a big old house on Virginia's Eastern Shore now in my 60's and when ever their is a rain storm I love to go sit in the front sun room. After a year in that trailer I was ready to get my own place and wanted a quieter apartment. One of the reasons I moved is that it was a very old trailer I think built in early 60's and was only a 15 footer so if we were both home it would feel to crowded often.

[@rickhelbig630]

My mobile home turned 23 this past February. We will have been here for 20 years this August. It's a 3 bed 2 bath with shower stall vinyl sidi ng and shingled roof.

[@wendymathews1030]

@@rickhelbig630 It sounds nice! That's awesome that you've lived there so long!

[@kathleenkalinowski4805]

My daughter bought a single wide when she split up with her partner. It's 2/1. She completely renovated it to her taste. She was able to pay it off in ten years without being hyper frugal and to also buy a cabin with five acres which she and her husband rent out on Airbnb while she and her husband and son continue to live in the trailer. She loves it because she can afford to travel very frequently and they are not pressured to work long hours.

[@Iris_Collins]

Going to be a lot more people living in trailers, considering the current economical situation.

[@nomadclan3604]

It's been that way for a while now. The west coast, WA, OR and California are really bad. My husband travels for work with our RV and trying to get space at a lot of parks is hard because they're so full of permanents.

[@avalondreaming1433]

Yeah, they've been reinvented as "Tiny homes".

[@jordangordan8980]

Just purchased a 1981 single wide for my first home!

[@avalondreaming1433]

@@jordangordan8980 Congratulations, but never forget you deserve more. Let this be a stepping stone.

[@debraadkins-brown399]

My parents had lived in the post war "projects", a child's playhouse, and a chicken coop before buying a trailer. It was heaven compared to their previous accommodations. I was born and other than 3 years during HS when we owned a house always lived in a trailer until after college when I was married. In Alaska during the 70s trailers were the only homes available IF you could find one. We were living in a trailer when our son was born and he hates being reminded that we were "trailer trash". My opinion has always been that it's not where you live that matters but how you live where you live that matters.

[@maggiemae7539]

Tell that to Julian, Ricky and Bubbles!

[@wendycrawford1792]

I’ve always thought that trailers are really cool, especially the vintage ones!

[@jeffyjohn5673]

I love the classic trailers, the teardrop, or potted ham look, even the sleek silver. They were more homey and were built to last. If i had my dithers and could leave I would. In my city, the property taxes for homes are killing me.

[@robertlofgren3030]

jeffy john, i could not live in one of those silver trailers, but i have looked at beautiful big double wide mobile homes in Florida. You would die if you saw how beautiful and big they are today. The downside of living in a mobile home park is the high park rent these greedy landlords are charging. Even though the parks are beautiful, all the amenities they have to offer, the park rent is way to high. Someone on social security if you were single would have to make about $2500.00 a month to afford the park rent today. And than add your utility bills ect.

[@silasbrooks2697]

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[@yehudabraxton9968]

@Silas Brooks instablaster ;)

[@silasbrooks2697]

@Yehuda Braxton Thanks so much for your reply. I found the site thru google and im in the hacking process atm. Looks like it's gonna take quite some time so I will get back to you later when my account password hopefully is recovered.

[@silasbrooks2697]

@Yehuda Braxton it worked and I actually got access to my account again. Im so happy! Thanks so much you really help me out !

[@ant-1382]

In 1967 my Dad bought a 14 ft. travel trailer for a family of 6. No toilet ( use the outhouse ) no electric hook up, just battery power for the lights. An ice box, no fridge. Water was pumped from the holding tank with a hand pump. Hot water - put a large pot on the burner. No oven. All the beds were fold out, couches and tables during the day. Certainly no A/C. After a year he upgraded to a 16.5 foot trailer, which he customized with a battery bank, and could charge the batteries while driving. it did have a fridge 12 volt, or propane., We traveled all over western Canada with this thing. In a convoy with some family friends. I was just 7 years old it really was an adventure.

[@indianne9781]

Back in the 70’s my aunt, uncle and cousin lived in a trailer. I thought that was the coolest thing ever!!

[@fringestream990]

I still own a 100 year home up in the snowy Northeast, but now I rent it out and live in a trailer that I own in Florida with dirt cheap lot rent. I don't care, I enjoy how small and comfortable it is. They make them very modern nowadays, and some people just gut them and rebuild to their own personal liking. The only downside is repairs can be very costly.

[@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823]

Lot fees are extremely high in many areas. They're jammed in there like a parking lot to make as much cash as possible. And because you'll never get your initial investment back, the interest is very high on them, too. I'd live in my car, I think.

[@janieg8287]

Wonder how that dirt cheap lot rent is working out for you in 2022.

[@JohninTucson]

My family and I stayed here a few years ago while on a road trip through south-eastern Arizona one Summer. We rented 3 of these vintage trailers ( I stayed in the largest 'Mansion' trailer which was amazingly cool with all of the woodwork inside !) and we watched 'The long long trailer' video on the old B&W television and we enjoyed a major thunderstorm on one of the 3 days that we stayed there while my water pump was being replaced on my car (They didn't have any Cadillac parts in stock in Bisbee and had to truck it in) and it was a wonderful place to stay...I'd do it again in a heartbeat. Treat yourselves and stay here if you are ever in the Bisbee area of Arizona for a few days ! I think the park is called 'The shady rest' if I am remembering it correctly...

[@shellyscholz1256]

I would love to visit Bisbee. My family visited recently and I loved the videos they posted!

[@twistoffate4791]

Me too... I would love to visit this park in Bisbee AZ and stay in one of the vintage trailers for at least a few days.

[@CraftyZanTub]

I spent the 90s living in an RV. That's a travel trailer permanently parked. I shared the park with my parents and close neighbors, and we'd all celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas and other holidays together.

[@rustykatt3870]

Now, that's living 😊.

[@CraftyZanTub]

@@rustykatt3870 If I had running water and electricity, it would have been.

[@stevealaska73]

I sure did enjoy this vid. Thank you for uploading it. I'd love to sit down with just about every person in it and talk more about it with them. I love to learn about the history of our lost country. Oh to be a part of a community again.

[@watermelon5131]

I heard that friend. I grew up in rural Virginia and we had a community, it was real nice. Those days seem long gone to me now and it makes me awful sad.

[@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823]

Read The Lost Continent by Bill Bryson, then go look at small towns.

[@maryaliceoconnor1914]

My grandmother and my aunt lived in a trailer park in the 60's till she died in the late 80's. The trailer was nice. We were always excited to visit her because all 5 of us kids thought it was so cool. Had a nice outside area with a small garden. Good memories.

[@patriciajump9511]

Very interesting! This video taught me much I never knew. Yes, the industry did split into a housing focused organization and a recreational vehicle association in the early 1950's. In this video the development of America's recreational vehicle campgrounds after the split is touched on but not elaborated on as its own industry. My family owns a campground in Williamsburg, VA that began in 1954 when a tourist asked to park in my father-in-law's field. Grandpa ran a cord out a window of his house for the traveler to have electricity, and the business was born. We are a deluxe award winning park today that is run by my sons who are third generation owners.

[@stephanietorres7170]

This is a great history of mobile homes!! I just purchased a 1959 mayflower and love It! Mobile home parks are the original gated communities! Yes there can be issues, however, you find that in ANY neighborhood and there are more decent folks than problems. I LOVE my new home!!

[@Cookefan59]

After having lived in various houses and neighborhoods and apartments, the choice of a 55+ Mobile home community was a no brainer. I have double wide 1800 feet 2 complete bathrooms and three nice sized bedrooms all to myself and I have extensively renovated it from one end to the other on a budget less than 100K including the purchase 3 years ago. I did a lot of the work myself. Now, as housing has gone south, the value of this place is actually increasing. Its unbelievable. My neighbors and myself are all mature adults, there are no brats running around, no loud music, every one is very respectful of one another. You usually don’t get old being a fool. I love it here. Everybody maintains a great amount of dignity and takes pride in keeping up their property. The lease of the land is very reasonable and if you want to spend 20-30K, you can have your home moved to a permanent location. All in all this is much more reasonable than paying over $2,000 a month for an apartment that would be smaller, stacked up like a sardine can, noisy neighbors, crazy children running around and no potential return. Im so happy I was able to approach this decision with a level head and a checked ego.

[@johnceglick8714]

Big in the 1950s and early 60s , but sr still around a bit 2day.

[@slarson8044]

Really liked this video. Very interesting history about the beginning of mobile homes. Didn't know that people lived in these right after WWII but it makes sense since there was such a housing shortage.

[@stevetorres76]

Not so much trailers but mobile homes and prefab homes could be the cure to the housing crisis. Only thing is though the people who buy them should be also allowed to own the land that it is on. Not lot or space rental. They should be able to outright own the space it is on. Hoa fees maybe but not rent. It’s like buying a house but still having to pay rent on the land the house is built on.

[@Lynn-uf4ip]

That's a problem with condos too. How can you build up any equity in a house if you don't own the land too?

[@TheSWalks]

This film was so informative and positive. I grew up in a small mobile home near the South Louisiana oilfields and didn't give it much thought as most of the families we knew also lived in mobile homes. I'm now 60, have owned both mobile homes and large houses, and I've come to understand that, because my dad grew up in extreme poverty, he was terrified of the long-term financial commitment which would've come with buying a home. There were several opportunities for us to "move up to a house" and each time he backed out. It makes me sad that he was so scared, but his caution also taught me the importance of carefully weighing all options when making a life-altering decision; of doing what's best for your family. My husband and I started life in a small mobile home, currently own a large house, but could happily return to mobile home living. We've even considered buying a trailer park as a small investment. Thank you for the time and research put into this film.

[@victorcontreras9138]

Great video! I really loved that Big Band swing'n music too. Good to see a guy from my home town of H.B. Calif. Such fond memories...

[@djkenny1202]

I like mobile homes, especially cuter older ones well kept with formica counters in the kitchen, the teeny bedrooms are definitely Tight. I don’t always like the locations, too far from services. It’s interesting how so many are so enamored with Tiny Homes after all the stigma over MobileHomes.

[@servicarrider]

I have met some wonderful people in trailer courts. They really are there for one another and they rightfully so take pride in that. I had a friend that collected and restored the old trailers like the Spartans. The brightwork in those trailers were equal to that on very expensive boats. They are absolutely beautiful. Step inside and it is like living in a work of art.

[@dianewilson5516]

I've lived in an 1963 Airstream travel trailer and felt I had more privacy in that than I now do in a apartment complex.

[@jimibeckert]

That trailer park is cool, the old timey one. Easy to fix too And cheap to buy. Good idea

[@shellyscholz1256]

My grandparents lived in a mobile home park that was beautiful! When my grandfather died my grandmother ended up living with my aunt and uncle. I 1998 I went to that park on the thirtieth anniversary of my grandfather’s death. I got just beyond the entrance and had to turn around quickly because there was a huge fight going on and the park looked horrible. It wouldn’t have been that way had zoning refused to let them upgrade the park. The town didn’t want that scourge on their reputation when thirty years earlier they were extremely proud of the park. Prejudice enacted in zoning laws. Completely unconstitutional and just a horrible attitude toward people who chose to live in a close knit area.

[@enidsalvo9689]

I live in the inner city, Brooklyn,NY.. Personally, I think alot of the Trailer Parks and it's residents, are COOL.The people seem happy, so God Bless them....🙋

[@fk4515]

My parents bought a mobile home a year or two before I was born, the only trailer park was a few miles south of where they lived but over the county line so Mom & Dad were Cook County Illinois residents when I was born. I remember some interest or maybe stigmatism when we moved back to Lake county from the trailer. Shortly after i got out of college I was waiting to get in the Air Force and ended up working at a travel trailer dealer who had been in that location for 40+ years they had a "motor court" or trailer park that had since been closed that folks used to be able to park a trailer in it to stay. I was told many wartime workers had lived there to work in the defense plants and occasionally college students. We still had buildings on site that were the laundry and restroom/shower house. I bought an lived in a trailer/mobile home during part of my Air Force career and dad lived in a trailer again when he retired. I now work for Winnebago industries who started building trailers in 1958. Been living in or working on trailers for most of my life!

[@FedupLucyGoosey]

My Granny lived in a lovely 1950's trailer...I had the best time there.

[@juliewoods6534]

I read some of the comments. I did not see it so I must mention it. The Long, Long Trailer was one of the funniest movies I have ever seen. I wonder what people who actually lived in and pulled a trailer that size from place to place thought of it.

[@DanKirchner5150]

Never camped or thought about trailers/rv's etc until shit hit the fan on every level about 7 years ago ,leaving me no choice but find something to shelter me or live outside .So i found a $200 72 dodge / camper type ,i simply met the guy where it was parked in an alley ,paid him and came back later parked behind it and "moved in" lol. I dind't know it was illegal to live on a public street until i got a ticket and then pushed it it 30 feet next to the guy's house i got it from,and i did handyman repairs in exchange for letting me stay there with an extension cord for lights etc for almost 6 months until metro knocked on my window and gave me until the tow truck arrived to get all my personal stuff out or lose it [my stuff] lol ,still in a hoopty rv ,no complaints lol!

[@dhyde9207]

At 5:45, in case there are those who are interested, the gentleman refers to fishing "on the Au Sable" which is a river east of Grayling, Michigan. Brings back memories.

[@metalfoxssmallenginerepair3181]

Happy I watched this. I’ve lived in my trailer for close to 7 years now in a small park. “Travel trailer” from the mid 70s. Everyone helps each other here. They really touched the topics that I was thinking of. Video was perfect.

[@mitchellbarnow1709]

Mobile home parks have been in the news this week because private equity firms have been buying them up and increasing the rent that you pay for the land that your home occupies, plus increasing every fee possible! The attitude is, if you don’t like it you can spend $10,000 or so and move your house!

[@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823]

It isn't very smart to put yourself at the mercy of anyone else. .at the very least, own the land.

[@rhuephus]

those old parks are being bought up to build high-rise condos, especially those in the south (FL, TX, CA)

[@P_RO_]

@@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823 It's not always that simple. In many places zoning laws now keep you from putting a trailer in, effectively forcing you into an existing park. It's such that in many areas you can't even park an unoccupied travel-trailer in your yard. The cost of a house has gotten so high that for many (most?) Americans it's unaffordable, and so are apartment rents in good areas. Your choices become either living in a dilapidated house in a drug-infested neighborhood or buying a trailer.

[@bettypalmer4049]

I grew up in 1949-1951 in a 27" trailer in North Long Beach, CA. At one point there was 3 adults and 3 kid ,ages 4-9-11yrs old. Back then the bathroom and showers were in the middle of the park. My Grandparents slept in the bedroom, a mattress was put down in the living room for my Mom,4yr old brother and I (age 9), my older brother slept on the couch. Grandma also had a piano across the front of the living room. It was tight living, but we made it work! We didn't know we were poor! But we were happy!! Sometime Gypsy's would move in their truck campers (back of truck covered like a covered wagon), and we would have to watch out for our toys or anything outside. Things would disappear. Then they would move out in a day or two.

[@TheEriccurtis]

I moved my family and belongings in a conversion van in 2000 to Draper Utah and bought a trailer in a park that had regular mobile homes like mine and travel trailer and motor home spots for travelers , I loved it, got to know everyone quickly and everyone was hospitable and friendly, folks took walks around the park in the evening and everyone said hello and would stop and talk, they had a big community room with pool tables and video games, on the 4th of July everyone got together and blew off fireworks in the street, it was cool and I’ve never seen or lived in a regular neighborhood that was so tight knit.

[@juliewoods6534]

I am 60 something. I remember when I was a kid going with my dad to collect the rent on the trailers in my grandpa's trailer park. The figure 6 dollars sticks in my head as payment. None of the trailers had bathrooms. He built a community bathhouse for the tenants. I don't remember much about it. It was somewhere near the corner of Clinton and McCarty Drs. in Houston TX. It is no longer there. I really enjoyed the video. There is a place near Ennis, TX where you can rent vintage Airstream Trailers for the weekend. They have spaces to rent but only allow Airstreams.

[@zoysiaguy3757]

I came for the history lesson... I stayed for the shuffle board action.

[@freakinfrugal5268]

Very enjoyable video. Seems like they were very nice communities. I wouldn't mind living in one, but would definitely prefer the modern outfits with bathroms!

[@christinaoconnor1523]

Very interesting doc. I now have a greater appreciation for the lifestyle of trailer living knowing about its origins here in America.

[@brianwray4320]

I live in an area that makes Mobile Homes and helps employ lots of people! My father delivered Mobile Homes in the 1960's and we lived in Trailer Park! My first home was a Mobile Home and I loved it!

[@jackiedorman5201]

We have a trailor, l love my trailer. We have a cabin on the lake. We have 10 acres of land. We're still the same no matter which place we're at. I'm very blessed.

[@yvettekelley2155]

This was an excellent video I enjoyed all the old footage and photographs. I just purchased a double wide mobile home in Las Vegas very well maintained grounds but the lot rent is definitely not $15 a month more like almost $1,000. New subscriber here

[@janetjacoby9507]

As a kid we lived in a trailer park and we loved it. People were friendly almost like family. Lots of pot licks and kids to play with. Miss those days

[@gregburns5638]

I was fortunate enough to live in "Ryder Park", Connecticut's first trailer park, established in Milford around 1931. There were around 250+ mobile homes and campers there, most with retired senior citizens or young families. Everyone was friendly and kept their lots and trailers immaculate. Unfortunately, shortly after I moved in, the elderly owner, Ella, died. And her 6 grandkids got, um, greedy. In Connecticut, there's a "move it or lose it" law, that only allows a mobile home owner $4,000 in retribution. UM...REALLY?!!! So basically, folks who bought overpriced trailers in the 1980's were gonna be screwed?!!! NOT FAIR!!! Even though I had since moved out, I fought long and hard for and with members of that wonderful community. The Connecticut legislature voted to raise the retribution up to $8,000, but that was still NOT ENOUGH!!! And, eventually, "Ryder Park" became a "Walmart", and I am sad... 😢

[@theboyisnotright6312]

That's what happens. The laws are written by and for the wealthy and greedy

[@strengthlove3182]

I bought my first trailer at 39 years old last year :) ive always rented houses or apartments..trailers are more affordable and the community is tight nit

[@3656761]

This was great...thanks for posting it.

[@hairylarry6167]

Back in 1981, after coming out of living in my car, I rented a very old camper? It was shaped like a butter dish cover. It was ugly green with a rusty silver roof. It was 35 feet long. You stood over the toilet to take a shower. The kitchen was a "Turn around" size kitchen. The bedroom was a bed. It was a roof over my head and I lived in it for 4 months. Got a nicer place across the street. Oh the memories. I used a 1965 Ford Falcon grill for a tv antenna. It worked.

[@BrittMFH]

Today you CAN own your own lot, as well as the mobile home. Much better financially.

[@Oc4ever12]

That's the way to go, own the trailer and the lot!

[@LFL-qp1fg]

As long as it is not run like an H.O.A.

[@marthagomez7335]

The city won’t let you live on your land in your trailer. The zoning nazis!!! They will fine you!!!

[@notmyhome]

That was really interesting, thank you.

[@1862henry]

Cool documentary! A slice of America people don't normally see everyday! Gives deeper insight into the life of a trailer park and how close the people in these places were to each other. That sense of community in these trailer parks is something definitely missing in our society today. Normally, these places get mocked because of "class hierarchy". I thought we gave up on that after the Revolutionary War after we took down king george III and started our constitutional republic! People who traveled in those trailers and were hobos on the trains back in the 30s and 40s probably worked to build this great country of ours! Heck the fur traders and the Jesuit black robes did a good job working with Native Americans in Michigan and the rest of the United States. Just look at Gavin Mcinness' hoserphobia video. You'll get what i mean.

[@bethwishitwereviolet5938]

Thank you so much. This was fascinating and heartwarming to watch.

[@ddbrink663]

i must be crazy. i prefer not to have a mortgage,car note,credit cards,or pay obnoxious apt rent. our trailer is cozy and plenty good enough for us

[@ezmoney5087]

Anybody remember the movie the long long trailer starring Lucille Ball and Dezi Arnez

[@mackiemccauley4647]

Well I for one really enjoyed this video seeing a closer look into this segment of our society.

[@MaryManion]

We live in an older RV..Lost our home, no regrets.. Nice video, thank you..

[@rustykatt3870]

Sorry to hear that Mary. How did you lose your home?

[@janetjacoby9507]

My favorite childhood memories are of living in a trailer park!!!

[@sped6954]

My folks moved us into a mobile home in about 1978 or 79. It was a single, I want to say either a 10×60 but more likely a 12×60, and it was ok. It was originally a three bedroom, two along the side and one at the very back. The previous owner knocked down the wall dividing the two bedrooms to make one larger one. We think it was probably because on their own, the two rooms would have been tiny. My parents got that bedroom, but I have no idea how they managed to get their bed, dressers and cedar chest to fit in there. My little brother and I got the room at the end. We had bunk beds and two dressers, and there was enough room in there to play with our Hot Wheels track sets (I had Thundershift 500, the one with the red Ford Torino and yellow Monte Carlo. I liked Monte Carlos more, but the Torino had a hood scoop, so yeah... Torino for the win! Anyway, Dad bought ours outright, with cash, and rented a one acre lot to put it on, and that was that. The landing for the mobile home was roughly centered in the lot, so there was an appreciable amount of yard to play in. Not long after we moved in, maybe six months or so, Dad located an addition somewhere. It had to be broken down into smaller pieces for transport, but within a week, it was suitably attached and secured to our home; it was leveled off at the correct height, the roof was on and papered. It was pretty obvious from the outside, but inside, it looked like it belonged there. It was positioned more toward the rear, which allowed for an enclosed and screened front porch. He also built an open landing to make up the difference between the end of the porch and a few feet past the front door, which had the added benefit of hiding and therefore not being able to use that little folding step under the front door. From there, my brother and I ended up in that bedroom that used to be two, so that Dad could convert that back room into a laundry room.

[@dan797]

When I was a little kid growing up in Maine, we had a trailer and we would go camping almost every other weekend to places like New Hampshire. We park on the side of the road next to a rushing river, cooking hamburgers, and hotdogs and making pancakes and toast in the morning with fresh orange juice. It was so much fun until the no seams showed up.

[@johnblair2939]

good video, although I'm a bit surprised that it made no reference to Wally Byam, designer and builder of the most recognizable caravan/ trailer's in America....the silver Airstream.

[@robertortiz-wilson1588]

Wonderful documentary on an underrated piece of Americana!

[@lefler39]

It appears the Tiny House movement could learn alot from this film

[@crypter27]

so true

[@rickhelbig630]

I couldn't handle a tiny house. I need space.

[@theCosmicQueen]

the only reason people were looked down on at first was, it was traveling people like the 1920's etc who might be scammers and thieves who never stayed around long enough to be held accountable or part of the neighborhood. That was a long time ago and it has changed , the newer ones are like a house on a permanent foundation. Respectable people do live in them , who maybe used to live in a house or apartment nearby. They are NOT trailers. But now it's Nomads, who are the ones that actually travel around. Snowbirds who go south for the winter, full time campers, traveling nurses, etc.

[@pamkennedy2882]

They still have parks like this all over Florida. I lived in one on Anna Maria Island, rented for 3 years.

[@puggylove7835]

Thank you. Very interesting.

[@blueskymut]

What a great video! Very enjoyable

[@MultiTimelady]

I remember living in a trailor park for a couple of years after the house caught fire When I was a little girl. The park it self wasn't great but the trailor we lived in was tight, but it was warm in the winter. We were able to play outside and play with other kids and parents were very watchful. other than the smells that trailors had and the closeness and being so tight, It was like a normal place to live. If i had to I'd rather live in a trailor again. They are little easier to maintain. and can be comfortable.

[@jonmacdonald5345]

Donna Gastin By Smells do you mean all the Meth Labs???

[@rickhelbig630]

I live in a nice clean mobile home park. I don't feel like I'm trailer trash.

[@mikelclark9723]

And you're not people think that bigger is better but it's what you want and enjoy in life I love trailer homes I raised 4 children in MB SC in a 4 br trailer home we had a pool trampoline homemade grill and pit I loved it 😀

[@rosab6259]

I visited someone at her mobile home and it was so tidy, and beautiful inside. I understood then that no matter what size of home you have, it is you who make it a home...and the kind of home you want to have. A home is a home.

[@stephaniebooth6169]

I sold my stick built house, and will NEVER buy a house again, I love living in my FLEETWOOD PACE ARROW MOTORHOME. Best thing I ever did.

[@jonmacdonald5345]

Stephanie Booth What do you do when some 80 year old T Bones your House and Takes out your bedroom???

[@marycarson2923]

@@jonmacdonald5345 that's what insurance is for.

[@stephaniebooth6169]

@@jonmacdonald5345 I have more than enough Ins. To cover my motorhome and personal property and it will put me in a hotel

[@jonmacdonald5345]

Stephanie Booth Damn that question was over a year ago where you been prison??

[@KimberlyCeezU]

@@jonmacdonald5345 ...Now that comment made me 😂

[@mikelclark9723]

I miss living in a trailer home shit home is what you make it

[@SwampmasterZ]

I'm 61,lived in the airstream,like that in baton rouge Louisiana, with a pole dancer,when I was 16, for two years,$ 50 ,a week all utilities included,

[@eharris6347]

If the trailer is a rockin don't come a knockin

[@victorjaimemaganaramirez1572]

Que joya tan Hermoza de La Historia de ests estilo de vida y Rindo Honor Y admiración y gratitud por dar Las Bases organizada de formar esto Complejos De Vivienda Gracias de Nuevo Yo estoy Fascinado con esta película tan ilustrativa

[@michaelbryant2071]

Live in two singl trailers hat were put together on a concrete slab. I put Metal roof over both and, attached a carport. Love it.

[@ronchristoffel]

I always thought I would never live in a trailer park until I moved into one in order to help a close friend. That was four years ago. There are many positive reasons to choose living in one, you have a little bit of land for the kids to play, extremely low monthly cost compared to apartments/condos, easy to purchase a decent mobile home for around the price of a decent used car, sometimes mobile homes are given away free or for a minimal price, yes free most likely means it needs needs TLC. There are bad apples of course but I've found that's in the minority. Bad apples and idiots are at every socioeconomic level.

[@gogomountain]

Mobile homes are okay to live in. The problem is when you go to sell it. My dad and his wife had a double-wide in Hudson, Florida. After he died, she tried to sell it. She had the worst time. She got to the point where she was going to walk away. Just before that happened, the mobile home park helped her sell it and she got cents on the dollar compared to what they paid for it. I live in California now. I knew people who lived in a nearby mobile home park. It took them ~9 months to sell their mobile home after the father of the family got a job hundreds of miles away. The family had to split up until they were able to sell the mobile home.

[@tamarackmi9195]

now people want somewhere to park tiny houses

[@brent1041]

Yep tiny houses are then "new" mobile homes. Just a newer view on them.

[@robertlofgren3030]

snow bunny, Yes they are cute but way to dam small. I have seen brand new manufactured homes that are double wide and they are something you would die for they are so beautiful and big. The problem is the greedy landlords are asking very high park rent which is the killer.

[@tamarackmi9195]

I'm a minimalist but, a pole barn would b great with a tiny house! Especially for outdoors people! A green house has been used for large entertain with success! Who needs a big house?!

[@waswestkan]

IMO most tiny housers don't think things through when they construct their homes. For good reason cities require mobile homes be built to HUD standards, without that label that label the can't be parked on single family lot or even in a trailer park. The money spent a tiny house may be better spent on purchasing a quality smaller mobile home

[@davidbrown8303]

Robert Lofgren two words. Rent control.

[@velezdragon3574]

I live in one and im proud ! We paid 2000$ and were homeowners !

[@rebeccashomespun604]

Good video. I enjoyed seeing this.

[@tamarackmi9195]

no one should b homeless n america!

[@leslyehowell3390]

Great history. Seen your place through Google maps and some article I read. I was curious about vintage trailers.

[@abelpadilla7789]

Yes indeed I’m glad I got to experience tailed park with a sister of mine it was really nice of course it was new trailer but like all good things it must come to a end . As a Sanitation truck driver we got to keep eyes open people actually try to take what ever we got they will try to get u . Now only go in these places when all the bad element is asleep then having years experience for kids growing up or older folks that wave at u twice a week but yet we keep going.

[@mkptrsn]

Just like any community nowadays, some are awesome and some are trashy. I live in the SF Bay Area and my cousin just bought a very nice single-wide in a park near the beach for over $300,000 AND pays close to $1000/mo to rent the spot. Awesome community and definitely no trash, too $$$$$.

[@denisefarmer366]

A single wide for the price if a small house?? Talk about sticker shock! Property tax is the only savings in that scenario. I am utterly stunned at the prices.🤯

[@rickhelbig630]

Good Grief! I only paid around $24K for mine in Indiana and $325 which was an increase from $260.

[@rickhelbig630]

My mortgage was 370.50 insurance was $84. now it's paid off 3 years ago

[@destineydevereux4722]

My great aunt and uncle bought a trailer from Pete Callander ( horrible person) and had it moved to Trailer Estates in Bradenton Florida in 56 and built a big screen room onto it,, I believe they owned their own lot for around $800,, they both passed away in 68 but they were very happy there, involved with social events, potluck dinners, church etc everyone loved them 🌴💋

[@jdyrj777]

When i was Rv livingn ina trailor park i farted in my own trailor and the neighbors dog started barking and they laughing. It all made me laugh too.

[@kevinmencer3782]

I wish there was an ACTUAL museum of trailers and trailer parks. Just trailers from different eras, cutaway models and displays, and the evolution from car towed campers to the modern single wide.

[@weasel884]

I own a 2001 patriot and I like it. Better than having a apartment and it’s cheaper!

[@LIE11Bldg7]

Sounds like the makings of a country and western song

[@NotSoCrazyNinja]

Have to comment on the name change. Reminds me of a skit by George Carlin. Started out being called trailers. Then mobile homes. Then manufactured homes. What next? Transportable factory-made housing? They're all trailers. They will forever be trailers until you remove the wheels and mount them on a foundation, in which point manufactured housing is more suitable of a name. For those curious, the skit is watch?v=vuEQixrBKCc

[@wadebarnett2542]

I'd say most manufactured homes never move. They may not be fastened into the ground, but they've been where they sit for maybe 70 years.

[@NotSoCrazyNinja]

@@wadebarnett2542 They move, just typically from the factory to where they sit for the rest of their usable life. Moving a singlewide where I live is easily $5,000. When you can go out and buy a used mobile home for $2,000 already set up, few people want to move theirs. That being said, there is a demand because mobile home movers continue to stay in business.

[@lisaindahouse1304]

It's getting popular again because of the housing shortage :) About to sell one I remodeled 👍

[@robertlofgren3030]

I have seen videos of brand new manufactured homes (mobile homes) and you would die if you saw them inside and how big. You would think you were in a movie stars home. They have come along way with mobile homes. The unfortunate part is the greedy landlords are asking outrageous park rents today. Total ripoff! However their are some mobile home parks that are totally run down. It's sad. Because there is nothing wrong with mobile home living providing your mobile home is well kept and so is the park.

[@mrdanforth3744]

You need to look into the reason lot rent is so expensive. In many areas mobile home parks pay double property tax and get NO services such as water, sewer, garbage pickup etc. all these things need to be paid for extra. Plus everything these days is so expensive, repairs, keeping the grass cut, painting etc. It is likely that most of the lot rent goes right out in expenses.

[@fairfaxcat1312]

I used to know an old guy who said that people who live in a trailer are no count.

[@waswestkan]

Some of the restriction o in some of the current "upper class" parks unreasonable. Require the lot renter to keep up the yard but prohibiting the renter from setting a garden shed to keep the equipment and supplies in. Prohibiting TV antenna of any sort. God forbid anyone try to reduce their power bill by having a clothes line, some one just might see clothing fluttering in breeze.

[@juliejensen7370]

Great old clip!