1957 Ranger Pop Up Restoration Slideshow
1957 Sport Ranger Pop Up
History of Manufacturer:
Manufactured from the years 1954 to 1956 by Hille Engineering in Anaheim, California the Ranger camping trailer is considered the first modern pop-up camper. Only 200 units were ever produced. Walter E. Hille applied for a patent on March 15, 1954 and was granted US Patent 2,798,760 on July 9, 1957. The trailer continued to be manufactured throughout at least 1957 by Forlyn Manufacturing Co located in Minneapolis, MN. During this time it was referred to as the Sport Ranger. At the time of this writing no other facts are known about their relationship with Hille Engineering.
The Ranger camping trailer holds the distinction of being the first manufactured pop-up camper to be made of fiber-glass and polyester-resin, both the body and top of the camper.
Another new and very important feature introduced by the Ranger Camping Trailer was the slide-out bed on the back. It was 39 inches wide and resembled a dresser drawer with a canvas roof. It could sleep 1 adult or two kids. Typical tent trailers of the time featured beds that flipped or slid out to the sides and were supported underneath by braces. The bed on the Ranger supported itself, much the same way a dresser drawer does.
Much effort was put into designing the hand-crank system that raised the roof and dropped the canvas, much like today's pop-up campers. This system is well documented in the patent. The crank was on the front driver's side of the trailer. It was very durable and built into the sytem was anti-sway brackets that raised with the roof.
The Sport Ranger came in two models: the larger Model 500 and the smaller Model 200. The Model 500 sold for $1,500 in 1954 or $11,500 in 2007 dollars. It was an expensive pop-up camper for the 1950's and most likely is the reason it did not stay in production very long.
The Ranger Camping Trailer caught the eye of Popular Science who featured an article on it in May 1954. The article is included in the photos and advertisement section for Ranger. Today only a handful of the trailer survive. One is displayed in the RV Founders Hall in the RV/MH Heritage Foundation Museum located Elkart, Indiana. The Ranger is featured in pg 40 of Arrol Gellner and Douglas Keister's Ready to Roll- A celebration of the Classic American Travel Trailers
Where did I find her and what work did we do:
She was found in Minnesota in bad shape but at least stored inside the last few years awaiting restoration. She was a frame off restoration. The frame was strengthened. Much of the wood was replaced. The pulley system was carefully restored by a master craftsman. New canvass was added. She was freshly painted.
She came with:
Modifications:
Coolest and Worst Design Features:
Specs of my Ranger:
History of Manufacturer:
Manufactured from the years 1954 to 1956 by Hille Engineering in Anaheim, California the Ranger camping trailer is considered the first modern pop-up camper. Only 200 units were ever produced. Walter E. Hille applied for a patent on March 15, 1954 and was granted US Patent 2,798,760 on July 9, 1957. The trailer continued to be manufactured throughout at least 1957 by Forlyn Manufacturing Co located in Minneapolis, MN. During this time it was referred to as the Sport Ranger. At the time of this writing no other facts are known about their relationship with Hille Engineering.
The Ranger camping trailer holds the distinction of being the first manufactured pop-up camper to be made of fiber-glass and polyester-resin, both the body and top of the camper.
Another new and very important feature introduced by the Ranger Camping Trailer was the slide-out bed on the back. It was 39 inches wide and resembled a dresser drawer with a canvas roof. It could sleep 1 adult or two kids. Typical tent trailers of the time featured beds that flipped or slid out to the sides and were supported underneath by braces. The bed on the Ranger supported itself, much the same way a dresser drawer does.
Much effort was put into designing the hand-crank system that raised the roof and dropped the canvas, much like today's pop-up campers. This system is well documented in the patent. The crank was on the front driver's side of the trailer. It was very durable and built into the sytem was anti-sway brackets that raised with the roof.
The Sport Ranger came in two models: the larger Model 500 and the smaller Model 200. The Model 500 sold for $1,500 in 1954 or $11,500 in 2007 dollars. It was an expensive pop-up camper for the 1950's and most likely is the reason it did not stay in production very long.
The Ranger Camping Trailer caught the eye of Popular Science who featured an article on it in May 1954. The article is included in the photos and advertisement section for Ranger. Today only a handful of the trailer survive. One is displayed in the RV Founders Hall in the RV/MH Heritage Foundation Museum located Elkart, Indiana. The Ranger is featured in pg 40 of Arrol Gellner and Douglas Keister's Ready to Roll- A celebration of the Classic American Travel Trailers
Where did I find her and what work did we do:
She was found in Minnesota in bad shape but at least stored inside the last few years awaiting restoration. She was a frame off restoration. The frame was strengthened. Much of the wood was replaced. The pulley system was carefully restored by a master craftsman. New canvass was added. She was freshly painted.
She came with:
- Bill of sale when she was purchased in 1959 for $750.
- Original marketing flier
- Instructions on how to set her up
- Original accessory list.
Modifications:
- Spare Tire Carrier under unit.
- Dining table was missing so one was made from a map table from another vintage camper and comes into place when needed.
Coolest and Worst Design Features:
- The pulley system is very intricate and definitely needs to be handled carefully.
- The roll out drawer that has the additional bed is a great feature.
Specs of my Ranger:
- Year: 1957
- Model: 500
- VIN: H1152513
- Weight: 1,000 Lbs
- Dimensions Closed: Height - 4ft. Width - 6ft, 10 in. Length- 12.5 ft.
- Dimensions Open: Height- 6ft , 3in. Length- 15 ft.
- Heating: None
- Refrigerator: 50 lbs capacity Ice Box
- Range: Did not come with one. I added a vintage propane 2 burner portable.
- Water: Built in 15 gallon water tank with Pump faucet
- Bathroom/Shower: None
- Power: 110/12v
- Brakes:
- Tire Size: 5.90 x15
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