Short history of caravanning (for 4×4 camper)

The first inhabitants of “campers”

When someone lives in a camper, we admire him, but we do not think he has a long-term future in a house on wheels. 

In 1880, the first trailer was built in Great Britain, actually it was a camping car with a length of over 5 meters. It was the work of the Bristol Carriage Company as a proposition of a new form of recreation. Today we know that it worked!

There is one more man who contributed much to the development of caravanning. He lived at the same time as the Bristol Carriage Company worked on its project, but overseas in the United States. He was a real working man – he worked in the mine, he worked in trade and took care of the villagers’ appearance, he was a miner, trader and hairdresser, but also a traveler. It is the famous John “Jack” Anthony Porcell, who lived in a trailer built by him. Together with his trailer he visited all the western states.

source of graphics: https://www.camprest.com

Great constructors and designers

However, before the pickup camper was made, it took a long time. After the success of the Bristol Carriage Company and the extraordinary achievement of “Jack” in 1912 the first professional caravan was created in the British Isles. A team of engineers was working on the project, captain was Bill Riley. Do you know how it was towed? There were no hooks at the time, leather straps had to be enough.

People have always done well, they could do something with nothing, surprise and create unusual things. Thanks to our own creativity, today we can travel with a luxurious mobile capsule on a pickup truck. But let’s go back to the early 20th century.

In the United States, the “Jack” vehicle was not forgotten. Ford T devoted himself to the production of professional caravans, or rather typical houses on wheels, which had windows, doors and full equipment. Some were real works of art, there were very controversial projects, like a chapel-shaped superstructure.

Caravanning has two capitals – the USA and Great Britain. We will not distinguish one, because we believe that both countries should be honored. For us, they were an inspiration and we are convinced that they were an inspiration also for other designers of caravans and campers.

Caravanning revolution

Someone installed the engine in camping trailers,and ithis is how a camper was created. Modern vehicles of this type are real mobile villas in which you can see the hand of a creative artist. They may be big as a two-room flat, sometimes even larger. If you want a Jacuzzi will be installed in your camper, and in the kitchen, according to the latest trends, an island with tall hokers. There will be also a place for a bedroom with a large bed and a room for children with a game console. However, not everyone, prefers such large spaces. The mobile villa has its limitations. Steep ramps, fast highway driving, desert sands, muddy forest roads and narrow streets are not for it.
That’s why the pickup camper was created. First, the caravan got the engine and then we dismantled it. Small surface, featherweight, modern interior, fully equipped and managed so that you can even live in it. There is water, electricity and heating, bed, stove and shower. And all you need to do is to assemble mobile capsule on a pickup truck and just move on searching of adventures on the most demanding roads.
British Bristol Carriage Company and the creative Jack from the USA. Today, we can be proud that we have not lost their work, and have perfected vehicles designed and built by them. It turns out that the roots of the pickup camper date back to very distant times and perhaps areas we do not know!

Do you have any questions? Write to us and our team of specialists will answer your questions.