RVs in the 1970s
In the 1970s, recreational vehicles (RVs) became a significant aspect of the American vacation landscape, driven by the mobility they offered and the expansion of superhighways. This era saw the rise of the van, inspired by the Volkswagen bus, which became particularly popular among the hippie movement. These vans, often adorned in vibrant, psychedelic colors, represented a spirit of freedom and community among young Americans seeking to travel together and promote ideals of peace and love. As RVs gained popularity, they prompted the establishment of numerous campgrounds along highways, making motor home travel more accessible to a wider audience.
However, the decade was also marked by challenges, particularly from the fuel crises of the 1970s, which drastically impacted the RV industry. The sudden rise in fuel prices and shortages led to a significant decline in production, forcing many manufacturers to adapt by creating smaller and more efficient models. Despite the initial boom, the RV market did not fully recover until the mid-1980s, leaving a lasting legacy on American travel culture. The 1970s thus encapsulated a transformative period for RVs, blending adventure, lifestyle changes, and economic challenges.
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Subject Terms
RVs in the 1970s
Recreational vehicles, or motor homes, that are motorized or towable, combine transportation with temporary living quarters, and are generally used for vacation travel
During the 1970’s, RVs evolved from do-it-yourself converted vans and buses to manufactured vehicles that came complete with every modern convenience that a vacationing family needed. Rising gas prices, however, limited their use for some consumers.
One of the most popular RV models to come out of the 1970’s was the van. It was more than likely copied from the Volkswagen bus. The van had a boxy shape and was roomy inside. Vans and converted buses became popular with hippies, a generation of rebellious young Americans who purchased these low-cost vehicles to travel in caravans and promote their message of peace, love, and togetherness. These vans and buses were often painted in psychedelic colors, reminiscent of images created by the use of drugs such as LSD. The hippie movement was short-lived, but the hippie van became a lasting part of American culture.
By the early 1970’s, RVs had become a major part of the American vacation industry. With their mobility and easy access to scenic areas, motor homes were perfect for getaways. The development of superhighways gave motorists the opportunity to travel greater distances in ease and comfort. In order to accommodate these travelers, campgrounds began to appear along highway routes. Rental sales increased, making motor home travel more affordable for the average American. As motor homes grew bigger in size and quantity, however, naturalists voiced their concerns about the effect that these vehicles were having on the environment. National park roads became so congested with RV traffic that the National Park Service limited automobiles in high-use areas, such as Yosemite, California.
Motor home living also became popular with Americans who wanted to get away from their hectic lifestyles. Some of these people traveled across the nation in cabin trucks, which were literally a cabin on wheels, made with wood shingles and fashioned in Victorian style. These truck owners were often artists, silversmiths, or jewelry makers who lived between the hippie culture and mainsteam America, selling their wares. Retirees also discovered the benefits of motor home living. RVs could be parked semipermanently at a campground and used as a vacation home or be made into a permanent residence, allowing the retirees to spend their time “on the road.”
Impact
Prior to 1970, interest in RVs had increased to such a degree that manufacturers and retailers were certain that the upward trend would continue. No one, however, foresaw the toll that the fuel crises of the 1970’s would take on the industry. The gas shortages of 1973-1974 and 1979 created long lines at the pump and soaring prices. The production of motor homes fell from 65,300 vehicles in 1973 to 26,700 vehicles in 1974. Many manufacturers went out of business, and those who survived did so by redesigning their products. Vehicles became smaller and lighter in weight and more aerodynamic in design.
Despite the fact that by 1975 fuel had once again become plentiful, the shortages of the 1970’s had a deep, long-lasting effect on the RV industry. Sales did not rebound again until the mid-1980’s.
Bibliography
White, Roger B. Home on the Road: The Motor Home in America. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press, 2000.
Wood, Donald F. RVs and Campers, 1900-2000: An Illustrated History. Hudson, Wis.: Iconografix, 2002.