Do you remember your first RV? You must! We know you do—it was your first baby! Now tell us: Was it a motorized RV or a towable?
Your first RV was more than just a vehicle; it was the key to endless adventures. Whether it was a cozy pop-up camper or a luxurious motorhome, it probably came with its own quirks and personality.
Maybe you remember the thrill of packing it up for the first time, stocking the cabinets with snacks and supplies, and plotting out your inaugural trip. Or perhaps your first memory is of the RV’s challenges—learning to back it into a campsite or figuring out how to work the water pump. Either way, those moments are now part of your story.
For some, a first RV was a budget-friendly fixer-upper, bought with dreams of weekend getaways and summer road trips. It might have had a few dents and needed some TLC, but that only made it more special.
For others, their first RV was brand-new, with that fresh-off-the-lot smell and shiny features that felt like pure luxury.
And let’s not forget the sentimental value—many first RVs carried families through milestones like kids’ first camping trips, couples’ anniversaries, or retirement celebrations.
But even if your first RV wasn’t perfect, it probably taught you a lot. Maybe you learned the ins and outs of RV maintenance, how to cook a full meal on a tiny stove, or how to make a small space feel like home. Those early lessons likely shaped the RVer you are today and paved the way for the adventures to come.
After you vote, please leave a comment and tell us what your first RV was. We can’t wait to hear. Thanks!
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RVDT2871
Other – first two were truck campers. Now, a towable.
Tent
1st RV ..a 1961 volkswagen camper bus…the best !!!…traveled cross the country with all my worldly possessions …can’t budge this large house.. LOL !!
I started with truck campers, 4 of them !!
Our first RV was a “mini motorhome”, which would be a small Class C in today’s terminology. Purchased about 50 years ago. Build on a Dodge cutaway van chassis. We traveled many miles in the Trojan, which was made in Massachusetts. They are no longer in business.
We did everything backwards. Started in a slightly used diesel pusher, and now that the kids are grown and its just us, and based on our typical camping style, we are looking to buy a smaller travel trailer.
Scary thought thinking someone would buy a new one the first time around. I’ve said many times before that I would never buy a new one. I learned that reading the horror stories in RV Travel.
First towable was a Danish design that Coleman actually copied. We went all over Gerrmany, Austria, Switzerland in it. Also, took it back to the factory in Denmark to purchase the external tent that attached to it’s side, doubling the usable space. The Danes were surprized to see us, as Americans owning their camper.
Young, foolish and poor.
We ground tent camped for years before having two towable popup campers. 11 years with our first small travel trailer, and we have a new, slightly smaller, travel trailer this year. This will be our 37th camping season, we plan to keep our new Escape TT for years.
You should have included a “Camper, slide in” as to first RV. that is what I had anyway.
Our first RV (after tent camping) was a mildly used early 1970’s 20′ Forester travel trailer. Had to pressurize the 20 gal metal water tank with a schrader valve on the air-lock exterior fill cap. No AC. Served us newlywed “kids” very well. 🥰
I clicked motorized because our first rv was a homemade converted van that my father had done. It was smaller than the class B rv’s on the road today but we really enjoyed it. We had to downsize and traded it for tent camping until we bought a used popup. We now have our final trailer, a 23ft Forest River.
Different strokes for different folks. I have never seen the sense of paying for a drive train that sits parked as much as our trailers do – or worse paying for a 2nd power train in the form of a toad to get around while the motorcoach is stationary.
The first RV I bought was a towable. A brand new 1978 13′ Scamp. Bought it with my reenlistment bonus, my first reenlistment in the US Navy, the bonus was good then for Boiler Technicians. I had 72 days of leave on the books, towed it 13,500 mi with my ’74 Fiat 124 wagon, did a big circle from LA CA , Christmas in MN…we were working off my wife’s island fever from being stationed in HI. Actually my first RV my Dad and I built in his ’62 Corvair Greenbrier. Another whole story there…
My first RV was a used 1983 20-foot “micro-mini” Toyota Dolphin, which I bought in 1986. I sold it about 5 years later. My next RV was a 1992 31-foot Bounder, which I bought new. I lived in it until 2000, when I traded it on a new 36-foot 2000 HitchHiker with 3 slides. I’m now living in what probably will be my last RV – a 26-foot 2001 Lazy Daze that I bought in 2006. After having lived in an RV since 1992, I can’t imagine going back to a house.
Dodge Vans….1969-81-84…They are moving with engines but your site didn’t specify, motorhome or other. Moved up? to a trailer to see if we liked it. No bathroom, but we were sold and bought a new Terry 19 LN. Best Trailer ever!
Your ads have now moved to really screw-up everything. Before I didn’t mind because I understand the $$$ issue. They were out of the way. Sure messing up my spelling etc.
Hopefully you can put them where they belong..
First two were truck campers then to towables and we’re still towing.
Around 1948 while in high school at an Army surplus store I bought two shelter halves that buttoned together to make a pup tent. Then, after my two years of military service my wife and I used that tent.
In 1964 we bought a new VW panel truck, 1250 cc opposed 4 cylinders. Purchased from Otto Zipper VW in Beverly Hills. They sent it to a company who converted into a clever Camper. The back seat articulated out and level with the elevated rear floor over the engine to make a nifty double bed. After we had twins, then another son, we got an Apache tent trailer that could sleep eight.
Thank you for the question, RV Travel. Our first RV purchase came after joining my in-laws in their 5th wheel numerous times and was a 43-foot diesel pusher. It was drivable because DW did not trust my driving enough to allow our first to be a towable RV. It was so large in part because we planned to live in it while our retirement house was built after selling our house in metro-DC and moving to my parents’ farm in East Tennessee. We ended up living in the RV for 8 months while we both worked out the last few months of our jobs before retiring. Have a great day and safe travels.