An American Journey Continues
Is it any wonder why RVs first captured the hearts of Americans? In the great land of opportunity, early auto campers and trailers were allowing the adventurous to travel farther, more comfortably and at their own pace. No longer confined to the railway routes, there were out-of-the-way places to be discovered. Car parks, the first campgrounds, sprung up across the country to provide travelers with safe places to stop, rest and converse with fellow travelers.
As more and more motorized travelers took to the growing roadways, they formed groups for camaraderie. One of the first was the Tin Can Tourists, which flourished in the 1920s and ‘30s. How they got their name is not known, but one popular thought is that they carried with them mostly tinned food that wouldn’t spoil on the road. Another theory is that the name came from the practice at that time of tying tin cans to the trailers just above the road level. When a tire would go flat, which happened several times a day, the cans would start clinking on the roadway to alert the driver to the problem.
Today’s RVers still join groups to share like experiences. There are a wealth of RV clubs to chose from – those for families, singles, full-timers, the military, owners of certain RV brands – you name it, there’s probably a club for it.
Even if you don’t join a club, you will find RV parks and campgrounds filled with many of the friendliest, more-than-helpful folks around. Experienced or neophyte RVer, pull into a campground and you’ll meet the neighbors. RVers are more than happy to help those less experienced get set up and hooked up for the night. They’ll offer friendly advice and invite you over for evening conversation. RVers also aren’t shy about asking their neighbors about a new or different vehicle, maybe even asking for a tour. It’s an exchange of information and experiences. That’s why RV parks are often referred to as the last small towns in America.
Yesterday, today and tomorrow, it is the call of the open road and the ability of RVers to answer that call at a moment’s notice that have made RVs a staple in America’s pursuit of quality leisure activities.