National Tour Highlights America's RV Travels Past and Present

Mar 16th, 2004

RESTON, Va. - Now, more than ever, Americans are eager to reconnect with our heritage, which includes our long history and love of travel and exploration. The National RV History Tour celebrates the evolution of an American mode of travel that traces its roots back to the turn of the last century: the recreation vehicle. This "rolling museum" tour, which is sponsored by the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA), takes to the road to tour 28 cities this spring. See a fully restored 1916 antique recreational vehicle in front of the Arthur Outlaw Convention Center, beginning Monday, April 9, 2004 and meet its owner, Tour historian, David Woodworth.

David Woodworth of Tehachapi, Calif., is the owner of the largest known collection of antique RVs, camping equipment, photography and literature. Woodworth began his collection more than 25 years ago, and is widely acknowledged as an authority in the field. Woodworth has been a consultant to the Smithsonian Institution and the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C.

According to Roger White, historian at the Smithsonian Institution and author of Home on the Road: The Motor Home in America, early "house cars" like Woodworth's provided a novel way to combine the furnishings, equipment and comforts of home with the invigorating pleasures of the outdoors.

This philosophy is illustrated in the 2004 Tour's featured antique vehicle, a 1916 Telescoping RV. According to Woodworth, this fully restored antique is one of the earliest RVs ever produced. The 16-foot Telescoping RV sits atop a Ford Model T and transforms into a studio-apartment-on-wheels, complete with bedroom, pantry, clothes chest and stove (that mounts on the engine).

The Telescoping RV's modern counterpart for the Tour, and also serving as Woodworth's transportation and lodging, is a 2004 Winnebago Vectra, a 34-foot motorhome manufactured by Winnebago Industries of Forest City, Iowa. Among the highlights of the Vectra, which is built on a Freightliner chassis, is a living room and master bedroom that slide out to double in size, simply by pushing a button. This feature offers graphic evidence of the technological advancements that have been incorporated into RV manufacturing.

Among the Winnebago's many other amenities are: modern kitchen with microwave/convection oven, three-burner gas range with oven, and four-door refrigerator/freezer; master bedroom with queen-sized bed; full bathroom; complete home theater system including surround sound stereo, two flatscreen TVs and DVD/VCR; and computer hook-ups. It even has a "basement," an under-floor storage area that, in places, opens to the entire width of the coach; and a rear-view monitoring system for convenience and safety when backing up and parking. And, of course, a kitchen sink.

"The National RV History Tour is equal parts education and celebration," says Woodworth. "Most people may not know that RVing started back in the early 1900s. Nearly everything – the vehicles, the technology, even the industry itself – has changed dramatically in the past 100 years or so. But the reason so many people hit the road in RVs is the same today as it was back then: People love their freedom."