Customer Reviews

Trailer Travel: A Visual History of Mobile America

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book brings together a wonderful collection of visual images of travel trailers from the late 1920s through the 1950s. The images come from vintage photographs, publicity brochures, and other publications. A majority of the materials come from the collections of the University of Southern California, the Auto Club of Southern California, and Vintage Vacations (a California travel trailer restoration company). The quality of the image reproduction is excellent making this book a genuine feast for the eyes.
Although subtitled "A Visual History Of Mobile America," the majority of pictures are from California with the rest of the country only sketchily represented if at all. Florida is the only other state to have more than one or two pictures included.
The book has eight chapters. Each begins with one page of text consisting of three paragraphs. The rest of the chapters are illustrations with captions and quotes. The first chapter "Motor Camping" has some of the earliest photos and portrays the beginnings of the travel trailer craze. The second chapter "Selling The dream" contains a collection of illustrations from brochures and advertisements. "Wish You Were Here," the third chapter, is a collection of postcards both humorous and illustrative. The fourth chapter "Trailer Shows" contains pictures from various California trailer shows. Pictures of the latest trailer designs are often enhanced by including attractive female models. "Take A Look Inside" is the next chapter which portrays the interior furnishings of travel trailers. Again attractive female models often enhance the photos. "I've Got This Idea" is a chapter that captures some of the more inventive and original travel trailer designs. A whole chapter is devoted to "Trailer Logos." It was in this chapter that I found the only reference to my 1948 trailer made in Alma, Michigan.
The book ends with a chapter on "Teardrops," compact trailers with outdoor kitchens built into a back hatch. A one page bibliography provides both current and historic books and articles for further reading. A joyful coffee table book, light on text, but very rich on illustrations, that is eye candy for the trailer park crowd.

I am so happy that there is finally a book about this part of American pop culture that has been largely ignored! I had no idea that so many amazing pictures have survived all these years. The graphics are wonderful and I love all of the logos. Great book.

Colorful, instructive and full of eye candy. It's about time someone published a book for those of us who love vintage travel trailers and just plain Americana. This book will live on the very top of my coffee table library.

UNLIKE THE OTHER REVIEWERS I FOUND THIS BOOK DISAPPOINTING AT BEST.THE BOOK CONSISTS MERELY OF OLD BROCHURES,PHOTOS AND POSTCARDS WITHOUT ANY EFFORT TO ADD INFORMATION ABOUT THE TRAILERS PICTURED. NO DATA ABOUT THE TRAILERS THEMSELVES IS ATTEMPTED.THE BOOK ALSO INCLUDES EARLY MOBILE HOMES AS WELL AS TRAVEL TRAILERS WHICH BELIES THE TITLE.I HAVE SEVERAL OTHER BOOKS ABOUT TRAVEL TRAILERS AND TRAILER CAMPING WHICH ARE FAR SUPERIOR TO THIS ONE.THE AUTHORS APPEAR TO HAVE TAKEN A BUNCH OF OLD STUFF FROM A SHOEBOX AND PUT IT IN BOOK FORM WITH OUT ANY FURTHER EFFORT AT A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY.THE OLD PICTURES ARE INTERESTING BUT MUCH MORE WAS NEEDED TO MAKE THIS BOOK A WORTHY READ.NOT ON MY RECOMMEND LIST.

It really is a great little book. The endless pictures are the selling point as I could (and have) look at them again & again!

If you like trailers, or 50's Americana Camp this is a great book.

Great pictures. What we were looking for. We have grand children that are all into camping and I think it's important that they can see the various stages that travel trailers have come from over the years. I myself love the old photos and the history behind as what manufacturers have survived through the years. We plan to keep this book in our new travel trailer as a conversation and educational piece. If you want a lot of text and boring writen content, this book isn't for you.

Steve in Ohio

I love vintage trailers, and this book is packed with them.. Great imagery, loads of neat information. I recommend for any with interest in vintage trailer travel.

THis is the ideal book for those of you who really are into the many styles and makes of the traveling trailer throughout the years past. I highly recommend this if your interests include RVs or camping with nature. The purchase of this book will lead you back in time with tons of illustrations, history, and explanations galore. I highly recommend this for your RV collecting archives.