Shasta Campers: Yesterday and Today

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Hitting the road in a recreational vehicle or towing a camper behind one's vehicle is uniquely American. The first recreational vehicles rolled off the assembly lines just over one hundred years ago in 1910. The first RV, a Touring Landau, was a car with a back seat, which folded down into a bed, and a sink that was contained in the back of the front seats. A chamber pot toilet was also included, which at that time was considered a luxury. As technology continued to improve, more people began buying campers to tow behind their cars. Soon, campgrounds across the country began filling up with campers, particularly Shasta campers.

The Shasta Trailer Company was founded in 1941, beginning with building mobile homes for the military. In the 1950's the company began building portable camping trailers, and through the 1980's Shasta was the best-selling camper in the United States. In 1976, the Coachmen RV Group bought the Shasta name and it has since appeared on a number of motor homes across the country.

The original Shasta trailers were sometimes called "canned ham" trailers, because their small size and design reminded people of canned hams. However, that did little to curb their enthusiasm. Despite cramped quarters and few amenities, the trailers developed a loyal following. Families all over the country were proud to be towing their Shasta, complete with its silver wings, Z graphic design on the side and baby moon hubcaps. Eventually, people started to think bigger was better, and began buying more motor homes and fewer Shasta's.

At some point, however, everything old is new again, and Shasta trailers are no exception. Many people still own Shasta trailers from the 1950s, often towing them around behind classic cars from that same era. Many people still try to find a Shasta for sale, hoping to find used campers at reasonable prices.

Shasta has also brought back a modern version of the classic trailer, complete with updates for today's camping enthusiast. Keeping the classic wings, side Z design and hubcaps, today's Shasta offers optional 5-spoke aluminum rims and tires filled with nitrogen gas to increase tire life. Roadside assistance is also offered for one year.

Modern Shasta's are very lightweight, coming in at about 2,500 pounds. The interior provides campers with almost 6 ½ feet of headroom, electric ovens and microwaves. Refrigerators are conveniently sized, and kitchen sinks feature fold-down faucets. Entertainment options are also included, such as televisions, DVD players, stereos and iPod stations. Dinettes are retro-styled and allow for more room by sliding front to rear. They even fold out into queen-size beds, adding to their convenience.

Bathrooms have wet baths and water heaters, while the trailer has a heat pump for heating and cooling. Skylights with retractable shades and screens let campers control how much light comes in, and halogen lights are spread throughout the interior.

Along with cabinets with sliding doors, easy maintenance floors and lots of chrome, today's Shasta combines nostalgia with modern style. While they cost about $20,000 for basic models, people who want nostalgia and modern style consider it a bargain. Whether looking for used campers or a Shasta for sale, people love their canned hams.