Nothing says old-fashioned camping like a retro camper. Whether you’re a fan of the adorable canned ham variety or the kind that reminds you of a vintage silver toaster, retro camping trailers are a wonderful nod to the origins of RV camping. But there are a few models that put a modern spin on what it means to be a retro RV.
If you’re looking for an RV that stands out from the crowd, we’ve highlighted some of the best retro RV trailers with unique character that still provide added comfort on the road and at the campsite.
Key Takeaways
- Modern Retro RVs: Retro-style RVs blend nostalgic designs with modern comforts, offering unique character while maintaining convenience.
- Top Models: Popular options include the Gulf Stream Vintage Cruiser, Airstream, Riverside RV Retro & White Water, NuCamp TAB & Barefoot Camper, Happier Camper, and Shasta Airflyte, each featuring vintage aesthetics with updated amenities.
- Customization & Comfort: These RVs provide various layouts, lightweight towing options, and modern features like solar panels, wet baths, and modular interiors, catering to different camping preferences.
Top Retro RV Trailers at Camping World
Ask an RV salesperson for a tour of these iconic retro-style RV brands.
Gulf Stream Vintage Cruiser
The Gulf Stream Vintage Cruiser is the perfect blend of something old and something new. This 1950s-inspired travel trailer has all the retro flair you’d hope for, along with the latest technology to make your camping experience as comfortable as possible. The Vintage Cruiser is shaped like a canned ham and comes in fun exterior colors like teal and cream, crimson and cream, and the truly vintage “Woody Package.”
The vintage RV vibes translate on the inside, too, with a 50s-style dinette, checkered backsplash, retro curtain, and knotty pine paneling options. This lightweight retro-style RV has several floor plans and uses space efficiently for enough room and storage to fit your lifestyle.
Airstream
Airstream manufactures some of the most iconic retro camper trailers on the market. They’ve been around since the 1930s and are unmistakable on the highway.. While maintaining its “retro” look, Airstream is anything but outdated regarding interior amenities, exterior features, construction quality, and towing safety.
Their extensive lineup includes options in the travel trailer and motorhome segments. However, some of their most iconic retro camp trailer brands include Flying Cloud, Globetrotter, Trade Wind, and International.
While staying true to its retro look with a rounded aluminum alloy exterior, their RV floor plans include options for solo travelers, couples, and families. Features include the latest solar panels, flexible battery options, panoramic windows, and custom stylish furnishings.
Riverside RV Retro RV
Take a walk down memory lane with the Riverside RV Retro travel trailers and their sister brand, the White Water retro camper. From micro campers to bunkhouse travel trailers, the Riverside Retro travel trailer lineup can satisfy anyone’s need to travel like it’s 1952.
The Retro Riverside RV offers features and options like a black-and-white checkerboard floor resembling a 50’s diner, retro RV dinette cushions in aquamarine, red, or seafoam green, and a canned ham exterior. But while it looks like a blast from the past, the Riverside RV Retro camper has the modern RV camping amenities you need, like a full bath, kitchen, and outdoor cooking options.
Similarly, the Riverside White Water retro camper features a canned ham exterior in vintage light blue or red. Inside, you’ll find that vintage checkerboard floor, knotty wood paneling, and a cozy dinette that feels like you’re cozying up to a meal in your favorite diner.
NuCamp TAB & Barefoot Camper
Tiny camping never looked so good! The NuCamp TAB 320 is a teardrop travel trailer packed with all the essentials an adventurous RVer needs. This little camper weighs just under 2,000 pounds and is 15 feet long. Its iconic teardrop shape on the outside blends retro style with Scandinavian interior design.
Don’t let this tiny retro camper fool you. The TAB 320 has a galley kitchen, a wet bath, and a U-shaped dinette that converts into a sleeping area with a full or split bed. The TAB 320 is perfect for two people. To accommodate a family of three plus your furry companion, check out the TAB 400. Take it up a notch with the Boondock package for off-road adventures.
In addition, the Barefoot Camper is the newest retro RV added to the NuCamp lineup. It offers a retro-chic look with a curvy fiberglass body, available in seaglass or pearl pink. At just 2,135 pounds dry, it’s light enough to tow with mid-size SUVs and even some minivans.
Other Popular Retro Camper RVs
Compare the available models above with other retro camper trailers.
Happier Camper
Be ready for a one-of-a-kind adventure with Happier Camper. While it looks retro with its clean, curved lines and fun hues, Happier Camper’s HC1 modern travel trailer seeks to redefine camping with its modular Adaptiv™ grid system. You can customize your travel trailer based on your needs and create a layout that will work for you regardless of where you are in life.
Whether traveling solo, as a couple, with a growing family, or with a group of friends, you can create a smart, ergonomic layout that works for you. There are even off-the-grid options for those who want to overland. One of the best features of Happier Camper’s HC1 model is that you can tow it with most cars because it’s so lightweight.
Shasta Airflyte
In 2015, Shasta released a limited-edition replica of its classic 1961 Shasta Airflyte, complete with its iconic Shasta wings. This modern-day retro-style travel trailer looks nearly identical to the original ‘61 Shasta, down to the window dimensions, scalloped cabinet doors, and original exterior colors.
However, the Airflyte has made some major improvements since the 1960s, including LED lighting, a bathroom instead of a closet, audio and video technology, reliable heating and air conditioning, and modern-day appliances. Shasta made less than 2,000 of the new Shasta Airflyte, so consider yourself lucky if you get your hands on one.
Retro RV trailers combine unique character with modern RV comfort. Whether you renovate an authentic vintage camper or choose a modern RV with a retro look, choose your most important RV features and amenities before buying. Here are some resources to help:
- Do You Need a Travel Trailer with a Slide Out?
- Is Buying a Used RV Right For You?
- Benefits of Exclusive RV Brands
- Travel Trailers with Washer Dryer Prep
- How Does RV Financing Work?
What appeals to you most about a retro camper? Tell us in the comments below!
You’re shown 2x with a riverside retro camper. Both red one single axle, one 2 axles with a rear cargo door. I can’t find either model on their website! Are these prototype trailers?
Thank you
Hi Kurt!
It’s possible that these were older models that have since been discontinued, but you can check our inventory of Riverside Retro trailers here: https://rv.campingworld.com/product/riverside-rv/retro
Let us know if you find what you’re looking for there!