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Did You Now The First-RV RV Was (Literally) Horse-Powered?

While RVs have been around forever, they’ve sure changed a lot. But, you might not believe that the first-ever RV was actually powered by horses. Here’s what you need to know.
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Recreational vehicles, or RVs for short, have become a popular way for people to travel and explore the great outdoors while still enjoying the comforts of home. But have you ever wondered where it all started? Who created the very first RV? The answer might surprise you. The first RV was actually created in the UK by the Wagon Works Company and was called the Horse Drawn Wanderer. Here's a closer look at this legendary RV.

The Horse Drawn Wanderer

In 1884, the Wagon Works Company designed and built the Horse Drawn Wanderer as a breakthrough in mobile comfort. It featured a spacious living area with a bed, a kitchenette with a stove, sink, and storage, and even a toilet. It was powered by horses and had a top speed of around 8 miles per hour. We’ve come a long way, haven’t we? The Horse Drawn Wanderer was a significant advancement in travel technology at the time, and it quickly gained popularity among the wealthy, who used it as a luxurious means of travel and leisure. While it may sound like a luxury now, it was a pretty flashy mode of transportation back then.

A Look at the Horse Drawn Wanderer's Features

The Horse Drawn Wanderer was a marvel of its time, featuring many advanced features that made travel more comfortable and enjoyable. Here are some of the key features of this historic RV:

Spacious Living Area: The living area of the Horse Drawn Wanderer was quite spacious for the time, with enough room for a bed and other furniture. This allowed travellers to rest and relax in comfort while on the road. As you can imagine, it was pretty innovative to folks at the time.

Kitchenette: The Horse Drawn Wanderer's kitchenette was equipped with a stove, sink, and storage space. This allowed travellers to cook their meals and store food while on the road, which was a significant improvement over previous travel arrangements. Though, it was the uber-rich who were buying these, so we’re not sure how much cooking they were really doing in there.

Toilet: The Horse Drawn Wanderer also featured a toilet, which was the essence of luxury at the time. Can you imagine how cool that was?

Horse-Powered: The Horse Drawn Wanderer was powered by horses, which allowed it to travel over rough terrain and navigate through narrow roads. The horses were also a symbol of status, as only the wealthy could afford to travel in this manner. While caring for horses while also caring for your RV may sound like a chore, it was pretty leisurely back then.

The Legacy of the Horse Drawn Wanderer

The Horse Drawn Wanderer set the stage for the modern RVs we know and love today. It was a breakthrough in mobile comfort and convenience, and it helped pave the way for future advancements in travel technology. While the Horse Drawn Wanderer is no longer in use today, its legacy lives on, and it will forever be remembered as the first-ever RV.

This story is brought to you by Great West Media Content Studio. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of the editorial staff.

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