Kenskill

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

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

Pictures

1947 Kenskill Teardrop Trailer

 

The oldest available Kenskill photo, 1948 9 foot
1948 ad for Kenskill Sports Rover
Ad for the 1960 X-model, later called the Duplex and a work in progress 1960 Kenskill 15.5 ft
Here is the same 15.5 ft Kenskill after it has been re-skinned by Larry Hill of Retro Restorations in Albuquerque, NM in Aug 2007
See more of the re-skinning process at http://tinyurl.com/2mxbay
This is the updated interior of the 15.5 Kenskill and it has a very popular curtain pattern:-D. (See down the page). Martini Lounge pattern of Boomerang Beat by Robert Kaufman fabrics, www.fabricdepot.com.
New Floor Tiles
1967 Kenskill 18ft
1969 19 ft. Owners Susan & Art Moore
Restored by Craig & Jill McCormick email: craig@azcraig.us
See more pictures of this restoration at http://www.azcraig.us/Kenskill_Restoration.html
Ad for 1962 Kenskills (no more louvered front windows.) One of these was used in “Panic In The Year Zero” movie pictured above.

1966 Kenskill 17 1/2 ft trailer
Jerry and Carolyn Tucker
Tualatin, Oregon

1958 KENSKILL STEVE&PEGGY LOY CLOVIS CA

 

Some owners

The new Kenskill group on Yahoo http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/kenskill_karavan/

Chipper and Kelly Bell
1956 Kenskill 16.4 Ventura CA.

Dennis Broderick
1960 Kenskill 15.5ft Lawndale, CA
dmb@duffyscavern.org

Guy and Marti Stallknecht
1967 Kenskill 18 ft.
Chandler, AZ

Keith Tucker
1950 Kenskill 10 1/2 ft
Sport Rover Model 9
Carson, CA
(Keith, can you contact Dennis above? I would like to see your trailer)

Erick and Tracie Swanson
1968 Kenskill 19 ft.
Spokane, WA
tracieswanson@hotmail.com

Sean Herzig
1958 Kencraft 14ft.
Goleta,Ca.
seanherzig@yahoo.com

Ray Kern 1960 Kenskill 1550 Grand Prairie, TX nrekr@sbcglobal.net

Roly Nelson 1964 Kenskill, 13ft (w/eyebrow) Wildomar, CA Rolynel@aol.com

Ed and Les 1963 Kenskill 16ft. Simi Valley, CA

Mick and Mary Gaworecki 1966 Kenskill 19ft. Nashville, TN LiLRedmg@aol.com

Roy and Rebecca Pemberton 3811 cr 1508 Jacksonville,TX 1965 Kenskill, 18 ft. Texaswelder2hot@aol.com

Michael and Carmen Akers 1964 Kenskill 20-S Sacramento, CA michaelakers@rocketmail.com

Garrett and Abigail Davis 1965 Kenskill 23 Knoxville, TN Abrodrick95@gmail.com Would love to connect with some other owners! Send me an email!

Kenskill Owner’s Database Wee K and the results data-clipart.jpg

http://www.engine-decals.com Two colors of Kenskill decals available, also do special orders.

Kenskill model list here.

Yahoo Kenskill Karavan group