Camper Vans - A Brief History

Hiring a camper van for a secondary has become an increasingly popular choice for those seeking new adventures. The lure of the open road and freedom to roam wherever you please is definitely an appealing thought for many. Knowing only a little about the real history of the camper van can give you that sense of belonging whilst out on the road.

A traditional camper van features a folding roof that shows up to supply room for the sleeping quarters. One of many favorite makes of camper vans has been that of VW. The VW camper van on the basis of the VW Beetle, made its first appearance at the 1949 Geneva Motor Show and the basic design has held the test of time. The vans do around 25 miles to the gallon and offer plenty of internal space.

The VW camper is a strong favorite with the surfing community. It has remained a favorite choice for the young at heart for many years and has turned into a symbol of free spirit for many Gas hob. Often seen with a new paint job featuring large flowers, these vans have long secured their iconic status and a devote history.

Another of the iconic camper vans were those created by Wally Byam of the Airstream company. Airstream started off in 1936 with a truck called "the Clipper ".Using aircraft technology to reduce wind resistance and provide optimal strength to weight ratio, the Airstream has turned into a true American icon.

The very first Airstream branded motorhome called "the Classic" made its debut in 1979. The company continues to innovate and produce camper vans even today and features a 10,000 strong international membership of the Wally Byam Caravan Club. Over 1000 rallies are held every year by the club.

Camper vans have evolved into what we call motorhomes. Since the name suggests, the objective is to create a "mobile home from home ".Motorhomes can be found in all shapes and sizes and are usually classed by the distance between the leading axle to the rear axle. This measurement is named the "wheelbase length" and is termed as short, medium and long.

When hiring as well as purchasing a motorhome you should try and arrange a test drive first so you can decide which style best fits your needs. Our preference is by using medium wheelbase vans while they tend to provide the best compromise between size and comfort. Whatever van you decide on it's sure to be an adventure.