Locating parts, accessories for vintage RVs made easy thanks to Internet

RVs have been around in one form or another since the early 1900s. Most of those on the road today boast TV, computer work stations, refrigerators and all the other conveniences of home.

There are some diehards who love older RVs. You can still see 20, 30 and even 40-year-old recreational vehicles on the road. They are driven by proud owners who dedicate time and money to keep classic RVs on the road. Vintage recreation vehicles draw crowds and questions, no matter where they go.



An ancient Dodge RV.

But parts and accessories for old buggies can be difficult to find. Often they must be  manufactured by handy repairmen or purchased from supply houses that specialize in older recreation vehicles.

Covered wagons were the very first RVs. Starting in about 1745 they played a significant part in settling North America. The earliest motor homes were built in 1910 on car or truck bodies. By the 1920s the RV was well established and a  number of companies began manufacturing them. During the 1950s, in addition to travel trailers or trailer coaches, manufacturers began building self-contained motor homes.



Vintage GMC bus conversion.

Owners of vintage RVs often experience roadblocks finding parts and accessories because models may have ceased production or a manufacturer has gone out of business. Old RV parts were built from metal, not plastic. Even if you own a modern RV you may want to find sturdier parts that are no longer offered on the newer motor homes, but they were once used on older models. This is when a good motor home junkyard comes in handy.

There are numerous RV boneyards in the United States. At them you can locate parts and accessories dating back 30 and more years old ago. The junkyards are well known to vintage RV owners and repair shops.

This 1940s  military bus is now an RV.

Hard to find components can still be found at www.bizrate.com, eBay.com or at brick and mortar places such as PPL RV Parts and Accessories Superstore of Houston, TX. One web site,
www.goodoldrvs.com, even sells older "project" RVs ready for restoration. Here you can choose from such brands as Travco, Grastron, Sierra Trailer and Itasca.

There are hundreds of vintage RV web sites. Many are set up as clearing houses for parts, accessories and even manuals. Just type your preferences into a search browser such as Google.com or Yahoo.com, and  the names and locations of classic RV associations, parts houses and other pertinent data fills your screen.

Timeless Travel Trailers near Denver, CO will even restore your ancient RV. Operating out of a 13,000 square-foot manufacturing facility, about 25 craftspeople and technicians bring back to life vintage Airstreams, Silver Streaks, Streamlines, Spartans, Avions and other trailers. Visit www.timelesstraveltrailers.com