A Trailer History Lesson

By Tim Heintz

With all the people that ask about Trailer identification, many have noticed there are a lot that are identified as ‘Home-Made’ Trailers. You have to remember that even the best looking and well-built trailers from the 1920’s-1950’s were often ‘Home-Made’ or at least kit trailers with no official ‘brand name’. While commercially built trailers had to be completely built in a factory in less than a day. Most companies building as many as 6-15+ completed trailer per day. The average skilled handy man building his own trailer in the back yard could spend weeks or even months on his custom build! So yes, many of the home-made trailers of past were actually built much better and stylish than the factory-built trailers. Most of these home-made trailers were built by craftsman in the airplane, engineering, bridge construction, or other line of trade work so they knew what they were doing! However, even with the so called ‘kit’ or boxed trailers you would find a lot of customizing by the owner/builder/buyer. Also take in account that with literally 1000+ official trailer brands in the 1930’s alone, the statistics back then was that 66% of all trailers on the road during that time were Home-Made trailers and it was estimated in 1936 that the number of trailers on the roads were already 250,000+!

Here we have detailed photos of such a ‘boxed’ trailer that one could order from Pre-Fab Inc out of Los Angeles CA and this particular model (their largest with the smaller model more of a tear drop) costing just $395.00 plus tax/shipping in 1949. (Actually Tires and Tubes not included but the rims were)

This was a complete kit where most companies that offered boxed or kit trailers did not supply such parts as the main frame, or siding, or even upholstery/curtains…. but this one did offer everything. Even some of the first Airstreams were sold as boxed kits just like this, or you could just by the Airstream plans and supply your own parts! Not to mention even the yacht company Chris Craft offered a complete boxed trailer kit in 1955 but they only offered it for about a year.

9 comments

  1. Gotta love Tim Heinz! What would we do without people like him. Thanks Tim!

  2. Your trailer history lesson was very interesting. Thanks for sending. I did not realize the kit was available.

  3. As much as I would love to see my wife building a home built trailer in a beautiful dress and sandals, I’m never going to see it! I’m just going to have to be satisfied with my Boles! Great article!

  4. There is a Spartanette trailer (about 30 feet long) on Highway 195 in Arizona . It is North of the town of Parker by about 15 miles, on the West side of the road. It is in a trailer Park, but I have forgotten the name. It is definitely in poor repair, but could probably be repaired if a person was inspired. I did not know how to advertise this, so I thought I would post it here. I may be contacted at eyesguymodesto@gmail.com. I have no involvement with this trailer, other than seeing it.

  5. Get job on your article Tim. I love your history lessons about RVs.

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