When did TT's become "Campers"

[LVJJJ]

Having been on the planet over 7 decades, I must be falling behind. When I started RV'ing in the '80's, a "Camper" was a unit that slid into the bed of a pickup, a unit that was bumper hitch towed behind a vehicle was a "travel trailer", a unit that hitched to the middle of a pickup bed was a "fiver." So, I guess now everything you can camp in is a "camper?"

Just wondering.

[toedtoes]

We had a camper when I was growing up - as in truck camper.

Before that we had a trailer - as in travel trailer.

Later my dad made custom vans - as in class B.

Now I have a motorhome - as in class c.

I have heard trailer, camper, caravan, RV, motorhome used for all the different types. I tend to use the following now:
TC
TT
5er
C
A
B

I don't glamp and I don't RV. I camp. Even amongst tent campers, my setup is very minimal.

[2oldman]

rbpru wrote:
fifth wheel 5ver and pop-ups PUPs appear to be the current favourites.

5er, not 5ver.

[2oldman]

mike-s wrote:
Are you talking about caravans?

I don't know. What's that?

[rbpru]

I have always referred to my late 1960's 14ft. TT as a "camper". A trailer was one of those houses on wheels over at the trailer park that families lived in all the time. And, a 18 ft. Holliday Rambler was a monster at the state parks.

Times and nomenclature continue to change. Truck camper TC, travel trailer TT, fifth wheel 5ver and pop-ups PUPs appear to be the current favourites.

[mobeewan]

I've always thought Travel Trailer was a more modern name for a Camper or Camping Trailer.

[bogeygolfer]

I use it tongue-in-cheek mostly, after hearing a story from a good friend who just purchased a brand new Tiffin 45' bus: a nice lady in a parking lot walked by and said "oh, did you get a new camper?"

Priceless.

[mike-s]

Are you talking about caravans?

[gbopp]

I know people who call TT's Motor Homes. And, many will call a Million dollar Prevost a camper.

It doesn't matter to me if someone calls our 96 Southwind a helicopter or a dump truck. I know what it is and what it does. 🙂

[2oldman]

SidecarFlip wrote:
What RV'ers do today isn't camping, it's 'Glamping'.

or RVing.

[SidecarFlip]

Camping to me is sleeping on the ground, in a tent and cooking on an open fire.

What RV'ers do today isn't camping, it's 'Glamping'.

[mgirardo]

I consider anything that I camp in a camper, be it a tent, pop-up, TT or motorhome.

-Michael

[bobndot]

I agree its a generic term . Many people say camper to shorten truck camper.
They must have felt that saying 2 words or typing 2 words was taking too long and they were running out of time.

[LVJJJ]

I never figured I was camping unless I was in a tent and cooked my vittles over an open fire. I have no desire to camp anymore, too much work, too cold I now am an RV'er sleeping in a travel trailer, well off of the ground and using propane or electricity to fry my bacon.

I've started this thread as I have noticed over the past couple of years that the word "camper" has been more and more twisted to refer to all RV's. Being the absolute authority on this (LOL), just wanted to set everybody straight.

(I'm enjoying the responses, just don't take me too seriously, although, as long as the wife isn't around, I'm always right).

[coolmom42]

I've always thought "camper" is a generic term for any kind of RV.

[goducks10]

LVJJJ wrote:
Having been on the planet over 7 decades, I must be falling behind. When I started RV'ing in the '80's, a "Camper" was a unit that slid into the bed of a pickup, a unit that was bumper hitch towed behind a vehicle was a "travel trailer", a unit that hitched to the middle of a pickup bed was a "fiver." So, I guess now everything you can camp in is a "camper?"

Just wondering.

Only buyers get it mixed up. Every MFG lists the unit as it is.
If you go to any NFG web site, they don't list trailers, campers or toy haulers as "Campers" They list them for what they are.
I could never figure out why some people call everything a camper.