The Tin Can Tourists: How America’s First RV Club Changed Travel Forever
Episode Summary:
Before Instagram hashtags, before glossy RV commercials, there was a group of ordinary people who packed up their cars, strapped tin cans to the front bumpers, and hit the road in search of sunshine. They called themselves the Tin Can Tourists, and they built a movement that reshaped travel in Florida and across America.
In this episode, we trace the unlikely rise of the Tin Can Tourists in the early 20th century, explore how their quirky community grew into one of the first organized RV clubs, and reflect on what their story tells us about travel, freedom, and the American road. From campgrounds outside Tampa to the cultural clashes with locals, this is the story of how a bunch of scrappy road-trippers transformed not just vacations, but the way Americans imagined mobility itself.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
Why they were called Tin Can Tourists in the first place.
How Model T–era automobiles and makeshift camping gear kickstarted America’s first RV boom.
The surprising role Florida played in shaping the culture of long-term camping.
What tensions brewed between these early nomads and local communities.
How the Tin Can Tourists paved the way for modern RV parks, camping clubs, and today’s “van life” trend.
Why It Matters:
The Tin Can Tourists weren’t just travelers; they were innovators. They democratized leisure travel, gave birth to America’s love of the open road, and left behind a legacy that still echoes in today’s campgrounds and RV rallies. Their story is one of grit, resourcefulness, and community, a reminder that sometimes, the best adventures begin with little more than a car, a can of beans, and the open highway.
Resources & Links:
Official Tin Can Tourists Club: tincantourists.com
