Remember the 70's? Ya Gotta See This

[Bob Miller]

This is a link that Francesca posted earlier about a different topic, but it's a huge lesson on where we came from. An extensive article about the state of RV'ing in 1972. Especially check the Q&A part. It starts on page 150, but it's just as interesting in the earlier pages. Check the prices.....

Popular Mechanics - Google Books

[Gilda]

Bob,
Thanks so much for bringing back great memories about Popular Mechanics. I believe this magazine also ran a series of articles on how to build teardrops. Where did you get this copy?

[Bob Miller]

That was a link that Francesca used a few weeks back to name an RV from the time period. Did you see the estimated MPG's for towing with a full size car, or the way to compute towing capacity????

[Mike Magee]

They certainly didn't give enough credit to the wind resistance factor back then.

It is a fun bit of nostalgia to read.

[blodn1]

I love that fifth wheel towed by a car with the mount on the roof.

In the 60's and 70's, I don't think anyone with a car worried about gas mileage, unless you were a teenage driver on a fixed income.

[fusedlight]

Pop Mechanics and it's fellow Popular {insert name here} are some of my favorite finds at antique shops. Reading them it's fun to see how everything changes...and nothing changes.

[Bob Miller]

Perhaps you are thinking of Mechanics Illustrated?

[David Tilston]

Or Popular Science. My favorite as a kid.

On page 172, there are a selection of fibreglass trailers. Including a Boler, an Amerigo, and the Apeco Small World. Some of the best pictures of the Apeco I have seen. I just wish they has some interior shots.

[Dennis Clinton]

Oh, the memories! I want to picnic on top of my van! I was looking at the ads too. I have shopped at 'airborne sales' in Culver City.

[Mike Watters]

Times change in other ways too. The illustration at the top of page 160 shows a guy in a "Pick up camper" beckoning to a woman in a short skirt standing under a lamp post. This sorta lends itself to misinterpretation.

I also like the bit about how much various cars can tow stating "a compact can tow 5000 pounds". This is largely because our definition of a "compact" has changed since then. I remember my family having a "compact" from 1972. It had a little tiny 3.7 liter 6 cylinder engine.

[MC1]

Bob, an interesting link for sure. A blast from the past! LOL

I really like the fold down bug room on the back of the glass trailer. A great idea IMO.

My buddy also towed a popup back then with his 1970 Z28 Camaro. Looks like they were popular TV's back then.