When did slide outs first show up?
1979 ish?
Forum Discussion
Frederick W. Follett (Patented in 1921) was busy working on an “expansible body for automobiles and other vehicles,” a state-of-the-art touring car hybrid which employed two lateral slides and a vertical slide thus allowing the vehicle interior to be converted into sleeping quarters when camping. A dresser, wardrobe and other storage compartments - to house the requisite clothing, food and cooking utensils - were provided at the rear of the vehicle along with a hot and cold water tank, toilet, kerosene stove, ice box and, remarkably, a hinged bathtub that could be lowered when needed thus making this a true camping vehicle in every sense. In car entertainment was provided by a phonograph and a small library which you could enjoy inside the vehicle or, alternatively, you could deploy the two roof awnings either side of the vehicle and sit outside.
Concept......
'Extensicar', patented in 1924 by John and Mary Purdey of Wolverhampton, UK. A rack-and-pinion mechanism operated by a handle at the rear of the caravan wound out extensions on both sides of the body. (Caravan was a towed trailer)
D H Morgan built a caravan in 1937 for the actor Claude Dampier which boasted four slide-outs, two each side to the front and the rear of the wheel arches.
Claude Dampier (1939/1940?) commissioned a motorhome from Carlight that boasted such features as hot-and-cold running water, mains electrics, radio, a battery fed by a trickle charger and dual gas/electric lighting. The body sports a 'west wing' slide-out and may have had the equivalent on the other side.
Unfortunately the depression and then WWII halted productions on those that went from concept to production.
Slideouts made a come back in 1990 when Newmar patented their power slideouts used in their MHs & FWs
Concept......
'Extensicar', patented in 1924 by John and Mary Purdey of Wolverhampton, UK. A rack-and-pinion mechanism operated by a handle at the rear of the caravan wound out extensions on both sides of the body. (Caravan was a towed trailer)
D H Morgan built a caravan in 1937 for the actor Claude Dampier which boasted four slide-outs, two each side to the front and the rear of the wheel arches.
Claude Dampier (1939/1940?) commissioned a motorhome from Carlight that boasted such features as hot-and-cold running water, mains electrics, radio, a battery fed by a trickle charger and dual gas/electric lighting. The body sports a 'west wing' slide-out and may have had the equivalent on the other side.
Unfortunately the depression and then WWII halted productions on those that went from concept to production.
Slideouts made a come back in 1990 when Newmar patented their power slideouts used in their MHs & FWs
