Retro campers (that are actually new).
It’s hard to beat the classic looks of old-school campers. Sweet lines, huge, panoramic windows and interiors to die for make vintage camping rigs incredibly sought-after today. But there’s a catch: Vintage campers, no matter how well you restore them, will always be vintage campers.
Today’s throwback-styled campers combine those classic designs with modern features, with lighter and more durable materials, updated interiors and better handling on the road. Everyone wins.
Thinking about setting yourself apart from the rest of the camper crowd? Here are a few rigs to check out:
The Shasta Airflyte
Shasta RV lovers, rejoice. You can get your hands on a limited edition replica of the classic 1961 Shasta Airflyte in Matador Red, Seafoam Green and Butternut Yellow. Fewer than 2,000 units have been produced and Mount Comfort RV still has some. Get one before it’s too late!
The Gidget Teardrop
Folks, this is no ordinary teardrop camper. Check out that front slide that nearly doubles the cabin space. Plus there’s a full kitchen on the back, a solar panel, skylight and much more. So awesome. Head over to thegidget.com.au for more info.
The White Water Retro
The guys at Riverside RV in LaGrange, Indiana, have built a complete lineup of retro-style trailers including a teardrop, a hybrid model (it has a tent slide) and several single and double axle towables. You’ve got lots of options.
The Winnebago Brave
Fans of Class A motorhomes aren’t left out of the retro game. There’s hardly a more iconic name in road tripping than Winnebago, and the new Brave maintains that vintage feel perfectly. Classic styling on the outside, modern comfort inside. We want one. Or maybe two.
The CH Camper
Clocking in at just 10 feet long and and 1200 pounds, this vintage-style canned ham travel trailer can be pulled by almost any vehicle. It’s available with and without appliances, leaving you free to customize as you see fit.
Dub Box
I know what you’re thinking: Please tell me they didn’t cut up a VW bus! Stay calm, campers. No Westys or Vanagons were harmed in the making of this Dub Box. The Dub Box is completely fiberglass, making it lightweight and with plenty of vintage charm. Whether you are looking for a family travel rig or the coolest towable retail business around, the Dub Box is an option you should check out.
Teardrop
Looking for something compact? Teardrops are fantastic towables that still pack in tons of features. At first glance you may think this is a barebones camper, but there’s a kitchen, wet bath, convertible bed, air conditioning and tons more. How’d they do that? We’re not sure, but don’t count out a teardrop for any of your upcoming adventures, no matter whether you are camping locally or heading out on a cross-country adventure.
Happier Camper HC1
Love fiberglass egg-style campers? We do too, and we love the Happier Camper HC1. It has all the cool factor of traditional egg campers but is totally modular, allowing for you to stick kayaks, motorcycles and plenty of other gear inside. Pretty cool, right? These rigs are super light (1100 pounds dry weight), so you can easily pull it with small vehicles.
Airstream Bambi Sport 16′
An iconic Airstream is about as retro as it gets, right? When conjuring up thoughts of camping and travel, many of us imagine pulling one of these aluminum beauties around. Expect nothing less than luxe in a small package with the 16′ Sport — everything is designed and crafted perfectly. If you are traveling with two or three people, it doesn’t get much better than the Bambi.
Scamp/Casita/Fiberglass Egg Campers
Okay, we kind of lumped all of these together (with the exception of the Happier Camper HC1), because they are all sort of alike. Some folks love Scamps, others are hardcore Casita fans. If you are looking for something that’s easy to tow but still has plenty of comfort, a fiberglass egg camper is a great choice. On the outside, they haven’t changed much over the years, so even new ones retain much of the original retro charm.
Serro Scotty
If you’ve been to a vintage camper show or rally, you’ve more than likely drooled over a Scotty. Guess what? You can get your mitts on a brand new one and skip the long restoration project. You know you’d rather be camping, anyway.
If buying one isn’t your thing, Outdoorsy can hook you up with a great rental for your next adventure. Find the perfect rig at www.outdoorsy.com.
Got a favorite vintage camper you’d like to share? Tell us about it in the comments or on Facebook or Twitter.
Originally published at www.outdoorsy.com on September 2, 2015.
