The RV Turns 100: A Centennial to Celebrate

Better RVing.com Staffer, Ben Weimer's family camping in early 1900's.

Now 100 years old, the RV has redefined both travel and the camping experience. “There’s little comparison to what RVing was like in the pioneer years to what it is today,” says Snow Chamberlain, the Events Coordinator at Lazydays for 25 years. “The technology that has advanced this industry, even in the last five years, is phenomenal.”

As far back as the early twentieth century, people who felt the call of the open road camped in private rail cars that were pulled along train routes on parallel tracks. According to RV historian David Woodworth, “The first motorized campers were built in 1910 and provided the freedom for people to go where they wanted, when they wanted.”

Known as auto campers, these motor-driven vehicles were the forerunner of today’s RVs. While they offered minimal comforts compared to modern campers and coaches, they provided the freedom to travel anywhere, get a good night’s rest and enjoy home cooking.

1930 Curtis Aerocar, Photo from collections of Al Hesselbart and the RV/MH Hall of Fame and Museum.

Even with few paved roads and even fewer gas stations, RVs grew in popularity and it wasn’t long before campers gathered to share time and stories with each other. RV Rallies descended from the camping clubs formed in the 1920s by the Tin Can Tourists. These campers braved the elements to drive across the country and would heat tin cans of food on gasoline stoves.

The desire for a more comfortable way of camping inspired inventors to develop and design new ways of making the RV life easier. “Just thinking of all the changes is mind boggling,” says Snow. “Most things that required a lot of work, like emptying water tanks, can be done with the push of a button now. And then you consider the electronics, like cameras, that allow you to make safe lane changes; it’s just amazing.”

1935 Airstream, Photo from collections of Al Hesselbart and the RV/MH Hall of Fame and Museum.

From indoor plumbing and the advent of slides to heated water and comfortable captain’s chairs, the evolution of the RV has provided the ability to travel in style and is a true cause for celebration. To encourage more camping lifestyle participation, the state of Florida has declared June to be RV and Camping month.

The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) and the RV/Manufactured Housing Hall of Fame in Elkhart, Ind., are also celebrating the centennial. The RVIA is developing an array of celebration and promotion ideas for dealers, campgrounds, and clubs, while the Hall of Fame museum offers a trip down a road back in time with their collection of RVs from the early twentieth century.

1960 Corvair Ultravan, Photograph from the collections of Al Hesselbart and the RV/MH Hall of Fame and Museum.

“Celebrating our centennial will create excitement and pride throughout our made-in-America industry and provide an opportunity for manufacturers, dealers, suppliers and campground owners to unite under one banner,” says RVIA president, Richard Coon.

“For 100 years, we’ve been helping Americans explore their scenic treasures and heritage more comfortably, affordably and enjoyably. That’s something to celebrate as a nation.”