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- Gilkie Tent Trailer, circa 1927 - Campers who wanted to get close to nature -- but not too close -- loved fold-out tent trailers. These two-wheelers folded down for easy towing by day and then mushroomed into miniature homes at night. Story has it that Warren and Ray Gilkison designed and built their first tent trailer in their father's machine shop for a family camping trip.
- circa 1927
- Collections - Artifact
Gilkie Tent Trailer, circa 1927
Campers who wanted to get close to nature -- but not too close -- loved fold-out tent trailers. These two-wheelers folded down for easy towing by day and then mushroomed into miniature homes at night. Story has it that Warren and Ray Gilkison designed and built their first tent trailer in their father's machine shop for a family camping trip.
- "Gilkie Camp Trailer-- Your Vacation Home," circa 1932 - The Gilkie trailer, according to this promotional brochure, freed travelers from their worries. Families could travel -- and stop -- wherever they pleased without fretting about the quality or availability of hotels. The trailer's compact folded design made for easy driving too. Its low profile reduced wind resistance and didn't block the rear window.
- circa 1932
- Collections - Artifact
"Gilkie Camp Trailer-- Your Vacation Home," circa 1932
The Gilkie trailer, according to this promotional brochure, freed travelers from their worries. Families could travel -- and stop -- wherever they pleased without fretting about the quality or availability of hotels. The trailer's compact folded design made for easy driving too. Its low profile reduced wind resistance and didn't block the rear window.
- Recreational Vehicles - Auto manufacturers embraced the market potential of campers and motorhomes in the 1960s, creating their own versions. This 1968 Chevrolet recreational vehicle catalog provided potential buyers with needed information and a variety of available choices.
- January 13, 2016
- Collections - Set
Recreational Vehicles
Auto manufacturers embraced the market potential of campers and motorhomes in the 1960s, creating their own versions. This 1968 Chevrolet recreational vehicle catalog provided potential buyers with needed information and a variety of available choices.
- Fruehauf Trailer Co. Postal Card, "One Trailer's Earnings Have Started Many a Fleet," 1931-1941 - Founded in Detroit in 1918, the Fruehauf Trailer Company built and sold fifth-wheel semi-trailers that became the prototype for the big freight-hauling trailers seen on American highways today. At its peak, Fruehauf had 16 plants and more than 80 distributors, and it manufactured trailers for civilian and military uses. The company ceased independent operations in 1997.
- 1931-1941
- Collections - Artifact
Fruehauf Trailer Co. Postal Card, "One Trailer's Earnings Have Started Many a Fleet," 1931-1941
Founded in Detroit in 1918, the Fruehauf Trailer Company built and sold fifth-wheel semi-trailers that became the prototype for the big freight-hauling trailers seen on American highways today. At its peak, Fruehauf had 16 plants and more than 80 distributors, and it manufactured trailers for civilian and military uses. The company ceased independent operations in 1997.
- Toy Trailer, 1935-1941 - During the Great Depression, camping trailers became a nationwide sensation. They promised family togetherness in a stylish, fully equipped unit that could be conveniently detached from the car. This toy trailer's miniature paper curtains represent the home comforts -- such as awnings, storage space, and compact kitchens -- and privacy that life-size units brought to road trips.
- 1935-1941
- Collections - Artifact
Toy Trailer, 1935-1941
During the Great Depression, camping trailers became a nationwide sensation. They promised family togetherness in a stylish, fully equipped unit that could be conveniently detached from the car. This toy trailer's miniature paper curtains represent the home comforts -- such as awnings, storage space, and compact kitchens -- and privacy that life-size units brought to road trips.
- Fruehauf Trailer Co. Advertising Blotter, "Fruehauf Stainless Steel Trailers," 1931-1941 - Founded in Detroit in 1918, the Fruehauf Trailer Company built and sold fifth-wheel semi-trailers that became the prototype for the big freight-hauling trailers seen on American highways today. At its peak, Fruehauf had 16 plants and more than 80 distributors, and it manufactured trailers for civilian and military uses. The company ceased independent operations in 1997.
- 1931-1941
- Collections - Artifact
Fruehauf Trailer Co. Advertising Blotter, "Fruehauf Stainless Steel Trailers," 1931-1941
Founded in Detroit in 1918, the Fruehauf Trailer Company built and sold fifth-wheel semi-trailers that became the prototype for the big freight-hauling trailers seen on American highways today. At its peak, Fruehauf had 16 plants and more than 80 distributors, and it manufactured trailers for civilian and military uses. The company ceased independent operations in 1997.
- Toy Trailer, 1940-1950 -
- 1940-1950
- Collections - Artifact
Toy Trailer, 1940-1950
- Toy Trailer, 1950-1960 -
- 1950-1960
- Collections - Artifact
Toy Trailer, 1950-1960
- "Trailer Travel," November 1950 - <em>Trailer Travel</em> magazine provided readers with articles about the recreational vehicle lifestyle, industry news, and classified and trailer park advertisements. These issues also provided a range of ads promoting a company's newest model of trailer.
- November 01, 1950
- Collections - Artifact
"Trailer Travel," November 1950
Trailer Travel magazine provided readers with articles about the recreational vehicle lifestyle, industry news, and classified and trailer park advertisements. These issues also provided a range of ads promoting a company's newest model of trailer.
- 1914 Fruehauf Truck Trailer - In 1914 Detroit blacksmith August Fruehauf devised a simple single axle trailer for lumber dealer Frederic Sibley. Hooked to a modified Ford Model T, it carried Sibley's boat on vacation trips. Sibley then had Fruehauf modify the trailer for hauling lumber. This "semi-trailer," as Fruehauf called it, is the ancestor of trailers carrying freight all over American roads today.
- 1914
- Collections - Artifact
1914 Fruehauf Truck Trailer
In 1914 Detroit blacksmith August Fruehauf devised a simple single axle trailer for lumber dealer Frederic Sibley. Hooked to a modified Ford Model T, it carried Sibley's boat on vacation trips. Sibley then had Fruehauf modify the trailer for hauling lumber. This "semi-trailer," as Fruehauf called it, is the ancestor of trailers carrying freight all over American roads today.