Laminate siding, plastics, vinyl and fiberglass are all common materials used in RV construction today. Newer technologies like carbon fiber promise to make RVs stronger and much lighter in the future. RV manufacturing has come a long way in the last 50 years but you may be surprised to learn that some of these materials were being used over 50 years ago.
Wandering around the “must see” RV/Motorhome Hall of Fame in Indiana this past summer, I came across this 1955 Ranger crank-up tent trailer.
Fewer than 200 of these RVs were built in 1955 by Hille Engineering of Anaheim, California.
This RV was donated by Robert Howe of College Park, Georgia who also modified this unit with upper bunks that fold out when the roof is raised. RVers are always making modifications to their units - even back then.
This RV was innovative for its day because it was the first brand to use fiberglass in making trailer bodies. Another innovation was a bed that slid out of the rear of the trailer making the Ranger the first RV to use the term “slide-out” to describe this unique feature.The crank-up idea was popular in many pop-up style trailers and is still in use today. The fuel efficiency achieved in the low towing profile and light weight will continue to command RV market share well into the future as RVers become more concerned about economy.
Like many families our first RV was a pop-up trailer. Some of our best family memories center around that first RV because it opened a whole new world to us and our kids.
Some of the old ideas are still around for a good reason - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing
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