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RobertRyan's avatar
RobertRyan
Explorer
Sep 10, 2019

When were Balconies first used in the US?

I have seen these on 5th wheelers in the US but not Travel Trailers. I would say these would have appeared in the late 1960's in Australia
  • These days you are more likely to have large wraps around windows in a dining area to view the outside. There was no AC to cool things back then.

    Fresh air and bugs are not as popular as they used to be. :)
  • drsteve wrote:
    Modern balconies are usually the rear door of a toy hauler.


    I always scratch my head when I see those set up at a campground with the perimeter railing and such. Whatever floats a persons boat, but I do not see the draw in setting that up to have about 64 sq ft of elevated patio, especially given the track record you read about on boards with those doors, where one is lucky to have them support the toys when used as a ramp, without an eventual failure.

    Last time out some folks were beside us with one sitting on it in the evening, 4 people in chairs along with 2 dogs. Looked like tight quarters to me, but they evidently enjoyed sitting there basically up each others rear end.
  • Modern balconies are usually the rear door of a toy hauler.
  • I've seen a few old photos of trailers with balconies. I think there was one in the trailer show scene of the movie "The Long Long Trailer". Never caught on here though. I don't even see too many of the drop down versions.
  • I've seen a few travel trailers from the 30's on up to present time with balconies in the US. Not real common but the balcony made the TT distinctive and more of a selling point than practical. I would rather have the floor space inside. I remember seeing one in the 70's that came with a hot tub on the rear balcony.