By Matt Bettman, Owner, All Good Equipment Company I have this knife. It was my Dad's, and he won it for swimming across the lake at summer camp in the 1940s. By today's standards, it's a crappy knife. Still, it was enough for an adolescent kid to use and keep for their entire life, passing it on to his son a generation later. I love this knife because it's handy and because of the significance imparted to it through its decades of use. Maybe you have something in your life that you've used and loved for long enough that your relationship with. The object transcends everyday utility and has achieved a level of sentimentality. In my mind, fond memories lead to longevity. We need more of that in the products we consume and ultimately discard. I founded the All Good Equipment Company a short time ago. I've been interested in small, efficient spaces and cozy ones for as long as I can remember. I built the first prototype in my garage, which was an outlet for creativity and working on things I'm passionate about. I'm an Industrial Designer by trade, so you can bet this product will differ from other trailer products. DURABILITY: Our trailers are built to last for generations. We use the highest quality components and materials. The construction is solid but light. Also, our trailers are straightforward. We stick to the basics to ensure the design remains timeless, regardless of changing trends and relentless technological advances. SENTIMENT: To achieve some level of sentiment, I figure a product must be enjoyable. Our trailer is designed to have an intuitive, practical function coupled with timeless aesthetics. The trailer is meant to support your adventure rather than consume your attention. The goal was to make something versatile and easy to live with, whether out in the wild or parked in your driveway.
0 Comments
Four Wheel Campers was launched in Colorado in 1972. At the time, vans had limitations, so a hard-sided camper that could fit on a Scout, Blazer, or Bronco was designed and built. The next evolution was to reduce weight via a pop-up camper and develop them to fit in and on standard-sized pickup trucks. In October 2016, Four Wheel Campers began the fifth and latest ownership chapter. Since our 1972 beginnings, the company has been renewed with fresh energy and ideas every ten years or so. Coupled with key people who have been with the company for up to 17 years, we think this latest change has the platform to further enhance the company and its products. The pop-up design reduces weight and wind resistance. The aluminum frame reduces weight, increases durability, and eliminates water damage to wood. Since the beginning, this decision has resulted in a camper that can withstand a gauntlet of off-roading abuse, decade after decade. This has translated to happy campers and high resale values! Since 1989 Four Wheel Campers has been in Woodland, CA, where it remains today. (Visit their impressive facility and showroom.) Back then, “Overlanding” referred to what was happening in Australia. By the mid-2000s, the Four Wheel Campers product was a natural fit as an Overlanding lifestyle began gaining traction in the United States. The Overlanding market and community became our first specific, definable market. Over the years, we have been fortunate to be closely involved with this dynamic group of people. As they have explored increasingly challenging terrain, their journeys have nudged us to continually improve. Come camp with us at CampNation Expo and see these two models up close:
Zephyr was founded in a garage nearly 30 years ago to give the street rod industry the best metal finishing products. Early on, they learned that there was a considerable demand for superior metal polish due to the phenomenal growth of the Heavy Duty truck industry. Although several products were available, none provided the "mirror shine" that truckers were looking for. Pro 40 "Perfection" Metal Polish was created to fill this demand, giving truckers the beautiful mirror shine and simplicity of application they had been looking for. The outstanding quality of Pro 40 "Perfection" Metal Polish served as the foundation for Zephyr's initial word-of-mouth growth. Later when they established their own line of buffing wheels and metal polishing compound bars and accessories. Based purely on each trucker's devotion to these high-performing items, they continue to grow by word of mouth from one trucker to the next. Today, they have developed into the gold standard for polishing products in the heavy-duty transportation sector as their client base and dealer network continue to expand. In addition to the Heavy Duty vehicle sector, Zephyr is currently the most well-known and reputable brand name in the RV, marine, automotive, vintage trailer, and other businesses. Their clients are like relatives. They appreciate each and every one of them very much. They've never forgotten that they owe it to all of their devoted customers and dealers to not just offer the greatest metal finishing. Check out their exhibitor booth at the CampNation Expo!
Recreational vehicles and camper trailers have become a popular choice for those seeking adventure, flexibility, and the comfort of home on the road. However, many older RVs can be outdated, cramped, and lacking in modern amenities. That’s why many owners choose to renovate their campers to create a space that better suits their needs and preferences. From upgrading the functionality to personalizing the space, renovating an RV can bring a whole new level of comfort and enjoyment to life on the road. Whether you prefer a motorized RV, large towable, or vintage trailer, there’s no doubt that the industry as a whole has seen an uprise in renovated campers. There are many reasons why this has quickly grown into a popular trend. Click the Read More link (below) to see my top five reasons.
ModVans started as a group of friends who bought a used 26' Class C RV. They discovered they loved camping in the RV, but the class C was too big for weekend trips, and it was scary to drive in the snow or on dirt roads. The search began for a more modern camper van solution. The Ford Transit was the ModVans choice for an RV platform. Traditional RV manufacturers were stuck on Promaster and Sprinter vans and had no interest in building a Camper Van with a Popup top that is easy to drive and park. Being engineers and scientists, they decided to build their own. The ModVan prototype launched a business around the concept of a modern camper van. ModVans is a new Recreational Vehicle Manufacturer based in Ventura, California. They have a vision is to build a line of high-quality, high-design RVs for modern lifestyles and budgets and offer them for sale direct to the consumer. Their chassis are built by Ford at the Kansas City Assembly Plant. The ModVans CV1 is assembled in Ventura, CA, by an employee-owned, environmentally aware corporation that pays living wages and offers full benefits. How to See the CV1 Modvans is based in Ventura, CA. If you'd like to see their vans you can attend the CampNation Expo or Schedule a demo directly with ModVans. Where Does ModVans Camp? Because their van will fit into almost any campground parking space, you can generally camp in your CV1 anywhere you would normally camp, plus you can camp in RV-specific campgrounds and campsites that include "hookups" for power, water and/or sewage. Some of their favorite places to camp include:
Maybe you already have an RV restoration side hussle or business you'd like to grow?
Learn the ins and outs from a business owner with a thriving west coast vintage trailer restoration business. Whether you are building vans, Airstreams, overlanders rigs or business billboards like the Cremo Vintage Barbershop-the business principals are the same.
Two NEW Boot Camp Workshops
Denny Stone – Bio
Denny is the owner and chief designer at So Cal Vintage Trailer. With a style that merges mid-mod with tech and a bit of old school, Denny and the So Cal team has have been designing and building some of the country’s most sophisticated vintage trailers for nearly 15 years. So Cal Vintage has been featured in the Washington Post, New York Business Daily Insider, Vintage Camper Trailers Magazine and on numerous industry podcasts.
Denny grew up in a family of builders and designers, studied art and business, and spent a long career in business development and marketing. With a life-long love of modern furniture and architecture, Denny and the So Cal team of experienced craftsmen have built a business and brand that helps clients find, design and build their vintage trailer dream. One of Denny's goals for client projects is to create a look and feel that could have come out of a New York or Milan design studio in the ’50s or ’60s embedded with stealthy tech, materials, safety, and efficiency upgrades to support modern lifestyles and sensibilities.
Denny will be presenting these Boot Camp Workshops at the CampNation Expo August 11 and 12, 2023. In 2012 we started producing events for camping enthusiasts. Catering to the vintage trailering community with themed rallies like Trailerfest and Glamperfest. With up to 300 vintage trailers at each outing, live bands, and family fun, these get-togethers always sell out. We are still hosting several rallies each year on the west coast. www.trailerfestrally.com
In 2015 the interest in vintage trailers was growing. There was a demand for an event to teach people how to correctly restore their trailers. We developed the Boot Camp Learning Experience. Boot Camp was a weekend of workshops are presented by professionals willing to share their craft. Each year Boot Camp sold out but due to the format, the workshops were only available to 150 participants a year. Boot Camp had to expand to be accessible to more people. CampNation EXPO was conceived. We camp in a van, vintage trailers, and a Capri cab-over camper. Many of our friends also have several camping options, from roughing it in tents to 4x4 overlanders and luxury diesel pushers. It became evident that the nation of campers spans various “ways to get there.” We even noticed van and RV restorers attending Boot Camp since many of the same principles apply. Camping is the common thread that these outdoor enthusiasts have in common. Sharing information about the gear and best practices of RVing, and camping is what being a member of CampNation is all about, no matter how you roll. |
Camping Expo USA® is an experience for camping and road trip travel enthusiasts to camp and connect with hundreds of fellow outdoor lovers.
Archives
June 2023
Categories
All
SPONSORS AND EXHIBITORS
|