Caravan

item details

NameCaravan

ProductionRichard Reichenbach; manufacturer(s); 1937; New Zealand

Classificationcaravans, recreational vehicles

Materialsrimu (wood), plywood, linen, metal, rubber, sheet glass

Materials Summaryrimu, plywood, linen, metal, rubber, sheet glass

DimensionsOverall: 2050mm (width), 2160mm (height), 5570mm (length)

Registration NumberGH009952

Credit lineGift of the Reichenbach family, 2002

Overview

The caravan has long been synonymous with New Zealand summer holidays. This caravan was made by Richard Reichenbach, an electrical engineer from the Manawatu, for his honeymoon in 1937. This example is one of the oldest in the country, and is a gem of do-it-yourself ingenuity.

Design
The caravan sits on a steel frame and was towed with a bar and spring, devised to allow for movement on the road. It could be parked at right angles and cranked down on to feet for stability. Its body is constructed of rimu and the same canvas used in the construction of Air Force planes, painted many times over the years to keep it weatherproof.

The interior is lined with marine plywood for easy maintenance. It features bunks, a swing-down table, a battery light, and a gas-powered cooker and refrigerator. A canvas awning provided outdoor shelter for eating and a place for the children to sleep when they grew older.