11 Crazy Weird RV Facts
Recreational Vehicles (RVs) have been a staple in American travel for over a century now. Recently, RV living has become more popular with digital nomads. This doesn’t come as a surprise. RV life is insanely awesome, and convenient.
We know the pros and cons of RV living, and the best spots to camp. But what facts have we missed about the mighty RV? Here are 11 facts you probably didn’t know:
#1 There’s an RV that doubles as a boat
The Sealander is an RV that only weighs about 1200 pounds. Even better, tow it into the water, and you have yourself a boat! I wouldn’t take it into the ocean, but it would be perfect on a chill lake or bay.
It sleeps two people, and you can get a gas or electric engine for it. You can pick one of these up for over $29 000.
#2 The term “RV” was coined in the 1960s
Before we had the phrase “Recreational Vehicles”, RVs were called campers or trailers. Nowadays, you call it your rig if you’re cool.
#3 The first motorized commercial camper was the 1910 Pierce Arrow Touring Landau
This was a 66-horsepower camper with a complete sink, and it cost over $8000. That’s around $230 000 in today’s money!
#4 You can camp for free
You can camp in a lot of public land for free. This is called Dispersed Camping. You just need to know the right spots to park your rig.
#5 The first motorhome prototype was the Conklin Gypsy Van
The prototype for the modern motorhome was revealed in 1915. It was a modified bus, turned into a double-decker motorhome. This 25-foot, 8-ton beast was fully furnished, had a generator, and could accommodate up to eleven people. According to the Smithsonian magazine, the Gypsy Van also had a roof garden.
#6 One million people live in an RV full time
Over a million Americans are full-time RVers. In fact, we are a part of that million. We did it for almost a year, and it was amazing.
#7 60 percent of all RVs are made in Elkhart, Indiana
Elkhart, a town in Indiana, has been the RV capital of the world since the 1940s. Elkhart is home to the RV hall of fame and two massive annual RV shows. If you’re an RV freak, you need to visit Indiana!
#8 The first Airstream was the 1936 clipper
The Airstream is probably the coolest RV ever made. The 1936 Airstream Clipper was named after the first transatlantic seaplane. It slept up to four people, carried its own water supply, and had electric lights.
The airstream Clipper cost about $1200 when it was first released. Of the almost 400 travel trailer builders back then, Airstream was the only one to survive the Depression.
#9 In some states, it’s legal to ride in a trailer
10 states allow you to ride in the back of towed vehicles, including 5th wheels and travel trailers. I think that's a terrible idea. I mean, have you ever seen an RV in a wreck? It’s never pretty!
*If you’re a thrill-seeker, you can visit these states for a trailer ride – Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, Mississippi, Arizona, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Tennessee, and West Virginia.
#10 The cheapest new travel trailer is the Oregon Trail’R Do-Drop
This trailer costs about $7000, and it can accommodate two people. It’s a bit cozy, and you can upgrade to a simple kitchen. It weighs approximately 700 pounds, so you can practically tow it with your moped.
#11 The most expensive RV is the EleMMent Palazzo
If you’ve got an extra $3 million laying around, you may want to pick up the Marchi Mobile EleMMent Palazzo. This thing looks like a UFO and a yacht had a baby.
As always, we look forward to sharing more of our adventures with you.
Check out our YouTube video for more:
