Kenskill

1946 to mid-70s

Kenskill Manufacturing Company – Burbank California

The origin of this company was back in 1946 in Burbank, California with ‘KenSkill Kustom Kamper’. Bill Kennedy made about 200 ‘teardrop’ trailers by hand during the Summers of 1946 and 1947…… This ‘modern teardrop trailer’ design is the footprint for almost every modern 10 ft. teardrop manufactured today!….. These teardrop trailers were sold in 1946 – 1947 – 1948 and then the company closed doors. Jim Brunskill was the ‘money man’ and went on to form a second company – ‘Kenskill Trailers’…… It is interesting to note that ‘KenSkill’ is a combination of the names of these two men……. It is also interesting that while Jim Brunskill went on to be inducted into the RV Heritage Museum ‘Hall of Fame’……… Bill Kennedy became another forgotten footnote in the vintage history books!

Kenskill trailers were manufactured from 1946 to some time in the late 60’s or early 70’s. The earliest picture I have seen is a 9ft 1948 trailer made to stand up in. For some time period, Kenskill also made teardrop trailers. The logo on the teardrop is different from the stand-up trailers but is identical to that on the company buildings. Magazine ads from the mid 50’s on do not include anything on teardrop trailers.
In 1946 Kenskill made 18 trailers, by 1959 Kenskill celebrated 15,000 trailers.

Jim Brunskill was founder and President of the company and Jerry Weiss was Executive VP. Mr. Weiss also owned the River Queen Resort in Bullhead City AZ.

In 1965 Kenskill was sold to Redman Industries. Brunskill & Weiss went on to form Executive Industries which made motorhomes.

History

Originally located at 126 W. Alameda, Burbank, CA, Kenskill Corp moved to 11321 Goss Street, Sun Valley, Califorina.
Kenskill. formed in 1955, had one of the larger “clubs” after Wally Byam’s Airstream clubs. Kenskill Caravans had many members and they traveled to sites throughout the Western US. At one time there were over 200 member with 90% being Kenskill owners. Other brands were allowed at the start of the club. Club members had a habit of wearing the same kind of clothes during a caravan, some were on the ugly side of things. Remember this was the era of his and her bowling shirts.

Years built

1946 to the mid 70’s

Models

The oldest model pictured is a 1948 nine foot model but they also made teardrop trailers for a few years. Some of the teardrops have been restored and are still being used.
Going by restored models, the most popular teardrop (maybe the only model) was the Kenskill Kamper.
By 1955 Kenskill was making 17-19-22 and 27 foot models. In 1956 some models also included an optional version called The Toilet, apparently indoor facilities were added to these models. The standard model was advertised as sleeping 5-6 but The Toilet model slept only 3.
In 1960 the “X” model was introduced to add sleeping space; it was called the “duplex” in later years. (See picture section).

Vintage Kenskill Trailer Models

Year	Model	Length	Width	Height	Weight	Hitch Weight
1948	Sports Rover	10’8	6’8″	7′ ext
1957	16′ Standard	16′
1957	16′ w/Toilet	16′
1957	19′ Twin	19′
1957	21′	21′
1957	23 1/2′	23.5′
1957	30′	30′
1960	15 1/2′	15.5′			2000
1960	17 1/2′	17.5′
1960	19 1/2′	19.5′
1960	21′	21′
1960	23′	23′
1960	26′	26′
1960	30′	30′
1962	15 1/2	15’6″
1962	17 1/2	17’6″
1962	19 1/2	19’6″
1962	21	21′
1962	23	23′
1962	25	25′
1962	32	32′
1966	17 1/2	17.5′	8′		3380	380
1966	18 1/2	18.5′	8′		3900	350
1966	19 1/2	19.5′	8′		3980	440
1966	22	22′	8′		4280	465
1966	24	24′	8′		4340	470
1966	26	26′	8′		4820	500
1966	29	29′	8′		5300	620
1966	34	34′	8′		6320	690
1971	K-170 S.SC	17′	8′	6’6″ int	2750	380
1971	K-175 T.SC	17.5′	8′	6’6″ int	2800	380
1971	K-190 T.SC	19′	8′	6’6″ int	2930	350
1971	200	20′	8′	6’6″ int	3600	400
1971	220	22′	8′	6’6″ int	3750	420
1971	240	24′	8′	6’6″ int	4360	580

Standard Features

According to some restoration professionals, Kenskills were among the best built of trailers from the Canned Ham era

Prices

1955: Model 15 (12ft) $895, Model 17 (14.2ft body) $1495. Model 19 (16.6 ft) $1995, Model 22(19.6) $2295, Model 27 (19.9) $2995
1956 Prices jumped Model 176 (15ft body) $1657, 186 (16.6) $2095, 206 (18ft) $2395, 236 (18 ft) $2395, 276 (25 ft) $3345, 316 (29 ft) $3695

Other Information

Although not as famous at the trailer used by Lucy & Desi, there was a Kenskill featured in an “early nuclear attack” Movie, Panic In The Year Zero, directed by and starring Ray Milland. It was initially released as “End Of The World” but is still available on Amazon as “Panic In The Year Zero.” Not a super movie but it does have an edge that most atomic exploitation movies did not.

A Kenskill is also featured in another movie “This Woman Is Dangerous “ 1952, Joan Crawford, Dennis Morgan & David Brian (Warner Bros) Wikipedia article http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/This_Woman_Is_Dangerous
The Kenskill is prominent in film goofs listed at http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0045232/goofs