2010 is the centennial year for recreational vehicles. According to RV historian Al Hesselbart in a New York Times article that showcases Ken and Petey Faber – an RVing couple that collects and restores vintage RVs –, 1910 was the starting point for the RV industry..
In many respects, the Fabers are typical R.V. owners. But not entirely typical: Mr. Faber, 74, is not only an enthusiastic owner and R.V. camper, he collects and restores vintage models. His collection, one of the largest in the United States, is especially in demand for shows and tours this year, as the R.V. industry celebrates its centennial.
“Camping has been around for centuries, but 1910 is when the first auto-related camping vehicles were built for commercial sale,” said Al Hesselbart, historian for the Recreation Vehicle/Motor Home Hall of Fame museum and library in Elkhart, Ind.
Those early R.V.’s included the Touring Landau, a chauffeur-driven house car from the prestigious American automaker Pierce-Arrow. Travel trailers were produced in California by Los Angeles Trailer Works and in Michigan by Auto-Kamp Trailers of Saginaw.
Mr. Faber’s oldest R.V.’s are a Covered Wagon from the early 1930s and a 1937 Hayes Motor Home trailer.
Read the full article in the New York Times.
