The 1960s were witness to America’s invasion by the Beatles, Nehru jackets and rounded fiberglass campers. Today a new generation of recreation vehicle users are flocking to the small, lightweight “glass eggs” because they are easy on gas, a breeze to tow with an SUV and cool to own.
Assembled in much the same way as in the 60s, the two halves of the molded fiberglass RV are joined together like a boat hull, creating a seamless construction that eliminates any chance of water penetration while maintaining a strong, long-lasting, lightweight body.
Retirees Beverlee Niskamen and Duke Armendariz of San Antonio, are members of the Molded Fiberglass RV Gatherings group in Texas.
They have owned two molded fiberglass trailers. “Our first fiberglass was a 2007 17-foot Casita Spirit Deluxe,” said Niskamen, “and although we really enjoyed it, we wanted something with a little more room because we were spending up to five months traveling.”
Two years ago, before heading north on their second 10,000-mile round trip to Alaska, they purchased a 2011 19-foot Escape 19. “It is perfect,” said Niskamen. “The large windows in the front and back give us unobstructed views and the trailer towed behind like a dream.”
In Molded Fiberglass Trailers, Part 2 — ‘Casita is a tight little pod’ Judy Holmes of Tyler, Texas, talks about the ease of maintaining her 2012 17-foot Casita Deluxe travel trailer.
In Molded Fiberglass Trailers, Part 3 — ‘Lightweight enough to tow with a minivan’ Tom and Martha Jo Trostel of Arlington, Texas, talk about their 1980 Bigfoot travel trailer.
Molded Fiberglass Trailers, Part 4 — ‘Manufacturers, online resources’ features current fabricators of these rigs.
Photos: (Top) Beverlee Niskamen and Duke Armendariz of San Antonio, Texas. (Bottom) Beverlee inside their 2011 19-foot Escape 19. (Julianne G. Crane)
