We planned for a night in Elkhart, Indiana so we could visit the Keystone factory where our RV was produced and the RV Hall of Fame Museum. The museum houses around 50 vintage RVs, the oldest dating back 100 years! A road winds thru the museum like you're walking thru history.
1913 "Earl" -The oldest travel trailer in the world was pulled with a Model T Ford.
The 1916 "telescope apartment" was an aftermarket camping accessory for Model T Ford trucks.
Made in San Francisco and originally sold for $100.
1955 Ranger Crank-up Tent Trailer
This was the first time fiberglass was used in the body of a trailer and
the first "slide-out", where the bed extends like a drawer out of the back.
I think this tent/trailer combo was actually pretty clever.
The 1937 Hunt Housecar
This was built by movie cinematographer and producer Roy Hunt.
The 1929 Covered Wagon Travel Trailer
The 1931 Mae West Housecar
The vehicle that Paramount Studios used to entice Mae West to work for them. It was not a camper,
but a lounge car in which she relaxed while a chauffeur took her from home to the film set during shooting.
1928 Pierce Arrow Fleet Housecar
Only 3 house cars were built by this company. I like the "fence" around the front of it.
1988 Star Streak II, a custom built motorhome
Another room held 5 brand new 2015 model RVs from different makers to walk thru. Of course the new models are sleek and loaded with features, but overall it's pretty shocking how little RVs have really changed over the years. I'll admit, I'm extremely impressed with the designs of the early RVs.
There was also a well-designed model display of an RV production line. Directly from here
we went to Keystone and walked thru the factory. This really was pretty spot on to how
it actually looks. The RVs wheels are on a dolly kind of thing that allows all of the
RVs to be pushed sideways down the line to each station.
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