Tin Can Tourists

[wheel interested]

I didn't know I could be a tin can tourist. I thought that was only for vintage units but I found out it's open to all. I was checking our forums event calendar and spotted the 9th annual gathering right by me here in Michigan the weekend before Memorial Day.

Who all here is a member? I'm signing up.

[Boondocker]

What are the tin can tourist?

[driftwood]

Carol,

Being from Florida I belong to the TCT. My parents used to take a month off each summer & travel the USA towing one kind of trailer or another - 1950 thru 1975; so I guess I inherited 'squatter's rights' (See my photo gallery for pix of M & D) Dad was an engineer & I have (ca. 1945) drawings of 'Base Camp' type teardrops with fiberglass as a building material in his files. Until 1975 they had a permant 'summer trailer' in Lexington on Lake Huron. On the front & back in script was painted the name 'FLAMINGO'.

Rodney,

Here's a little history ...

Tin Can Tourists formally organized a little while ago ... like in 1919 at Desoto Park in Tampa.

Not far from where Terry (Overlander63) lives today. Terry organized the most recent Airstream Forum Rally in September 2005 that gathered at Fort Desoto.

The original recognition emblem of the T.C.T. was a tin can soldered to the radiator cap of a member’s car. The goal of this group, and still is, ‘to unite fraternally all auto campers’. Their guiding principles are clean camps, friendliness among campers, decent behavior and to secure plenty of clean, wholesome entertainment for those in the camps.

To quote a Tampa historian, Karl Grimmer, “During prohibition something poured into Tampa (1919-20) almost faster than illegal whiskey. They were TCT riding a wave of what was to become Florida’s swelling prosperity. the winter of 1919 – 1920 caravans of tourists who earned their money partly from canned meals they carried with them swarmed into Florida”

In 1921, Desoto Park became the Tin Can Tourist’s Mecca. 723 camps with 1,841 persons.
On January 7, 1921 announced membership was over 17,000.
By 1928 – 29 the ‘white-pants-Willies’ were beginning to take over the club and dropped the old soup can on the radiator cap in favor of a fancy new Diamond-Shaped radiator emblem.
By 1949 membership numbered 80,000. By 1963 100,000.

For further information, or to join and receive a full interesting chronology, go to: http://www.tincantourists.com .............................. Airstream are welcome!

Note: some of this information is paraphrased and extracted from “Tin Can Tourists Chronology”

[Jim Jarzabek]

The Spring 2006 Tin Can Tourists Rally is at Camp Dearborn in Michigan near the GM Proving Grounds. Having attended the Spring and Fall 2005 Rallies, I can say they were a blast. If you have ever seen the vintage trailer segment on the Travel Channel, that was shot at a TCT rally in Camp Dearborn I believe to a large extent. I would estimate at least 15% of the 100 plus rigs that showed up at last years' Spring Rally were Airstreams.... I like how back in the good old days, TCT members received a penny discount on every gallon of gas (part of the reason for the tin can soldered to the radiator cap)! Doug Keister is premiering his new book at the Spring Rally.
This is a really good organization to join at only $20.00 a year....
The website address is @ http://www.tincantourists.com/

Happy Camping!

[Over59]

We just got our membership comfirmation from Mr Bones.

[Mel]

We joined last year, just prior to attending the Mt. Baker Rally. We had a blast at that rally - great trailers, wonderful people, and it was very laid back. All of the newsletters and updates come via email, but sorry that I don't have the latest newsletter available. In my opinion, well worth the $20/year. We'll be attending the Mt. Baker rally again this August.

Mel

[Uberlanders]

They have an active forum as well. I know a friend of mine used their forum to learn knowledge about their Rainbow.

[Jim Jarzabek]

Congragulations to the new Tin Can Tourists members!
Forrest Bone does not have a checking account set up for The Tin Can Tourists. That is why, if you pay by check you have to make it out to him...
If you pay by credit card I believe they do have a Paypal or similar account
I can tell you Forrest & Geri make no money....
They are the "real Mccoys".... They dry camp for several months at Camp Dearborn in Michigan during the Spring and Summer and spend the Winter in Florida. Terry, their son, runs the website. This is a family affair and truly a labor of love for these people. The family owns and camps in vintage travel trailers. Forrest & Geri have owned at least one vintage Airstream in the past.

[Jim Jarzabek]

The Tin Can Tourists ran a notice late last year offering a free copy of their current newsletter on the Vintage Airstream Club classified site. I believe the offer may still stand. Contact Forrest Bone @ f23bone@earthlink.net

[dwightdi]

Seems like TCT is mostly vintage trailers of any brand. Forest Bones, who was instrumental in its latest revival, was also one of the originators of the Vintage Airstream club within WBCCI. It is a less formal organization than WBCCI.

[smily]

Originally Posted by dwightdi

Seems like TCT is mostly vintage trailers of any brand. Forest Bones, who was instrumental in its latest revival, was also one of the originators of the Vintage Airstream club within WBCCI. It is a less formal organization than WBCCI.

Yeah baby!, Now there is a perfect club for some folks that just feel WBCCI is inundated with troubles.
Yeah we know who we are don't we?

20 bucks (nuch less than WBCCI), anyone can join but oriented to older units, (Like the VAC but accepts any brand)
much less pompous and formality, (unlike the WBCCI). Sound like the attributes that some detest are non existant in this club. And the attributes that many desire are prevalent.
Come on now, I expect to see a post that you have joined.
Or can you find something to complain about here also?
send the check and quit worrying about who's name is on the check. The TCT have been around a very long time and are very reputable.

Fits like a glove!

[flyfshr]

TCT member Here Too

Joined a few year's ago and have even done some artwork for them. They're also having a Spring Rally here in sunny Arizona the last weekend in February at the Dead Horse Ranch State Park in Cottonwood. Sent my registration in just a couple of days ago. Should be a good time. If you're interested in attending, check out www.azroundup.net for info and a registration form.

Brad
FF

[smily]

Originally Posted by 65GT

I'm curious about this one. I had seen it before and saw the special on TV somewhere. But this doesn't look like a club to me. It looks like a personal venture. It's only $20 a year but you make checks out to the webmaster directly. What's up with that?

Does anyone have a past newsletter I could take a peek at? Obviously I'm hoping it's a pdf or something that can be done in an email.

__

Again, a simple search. Here let me help, www.google.com

Terms like paranoia, skeptic, pessimism come to mind.......

Its twenty bucks for crying out loud.......

[wheel interested]

Last February when I went to the Sarasota rally in Florida, I went to the FlyWheelers exhibition and saw many tin can tourist units as well. It was teeming with variety and nostalgia. I got a real kick out of the open house.

Does any one have a copy of Ready to Roll--- A Celebration of the Classic American Travel Trailer book? Well the cover shot is of the Fabers' 1948 Weewind (they are pictured in the auto) and it was taken at Camp Dearborn, Michigan.

The rally fee includes membership, window sign, rally plaque, breakfast buffet, nifty fifties party, fellowship banquet, morning coffee and continental breakfast and three nights camping. And full hook-up available. Plenty of old cars too. It'll be a blast!

Norm your parents' trailer wasn't far at all from us. Thanks for the history of the club too. Jim and Mel and Brad and Overland 59 are members too. I'm glad I asked. And Ken I do think it sounds like a good fit too. Can't go wrong for that membership dues.

[Pick]

Anyone going to the Winter Show in Cedar Key, Fl in 2 weeks. I am going to try and make it!!

[azflycaster]

Originally Posted by flyfshr

They're also having a Spring Rally here in sunny Arizona the last weekend in February at the Dead Horse Ranch State Park in Cottonwood. Sent my registration in just a couple of days ago. Should be a good time. If you're interested in attending, check out www.azroundup.net for info and a registration form.

Brad
FF

I have signed up also. Sould be fun! Maybe a few other valley forum members can make it.........

[wheel interested]

The Tin Can Tourists have been honored by the Six State Alliance of the Historic National Road by being chosen to participate in the Bicentennial Celebration. TCT in conjunction with the Six State Alliance have chosen 30 vintage trailers and motor coaches to travel the road from June 4-10, 2006 from mile marker zero in Cumberland, Maryland to its original terminus in Vandalia, Illinois. The selected RV?s will represent some of the industries premier manufactures from Airstream to Vagabond. Tow vehicles of similar vintage will tow many of the rigs. The Caravan will give people along the route a chance to see a rare Curtiss Aero Car towed by a custom International for the late 1930s and a 1936 Bowlus Road Chief towed by a 1937 Buick Roadmaster as well as other fine examples of trailers and motor coaches from the 40s 50s and 60s.

http://www.tincantourists.com/hnr/

[vajeep]

We just joined the Tin Can Tourists!!
Sounds like a fun bunch of people.
We will be that the Camp Dearborn Rally this May 18-24.
Any other forum members??

http://www.tincantourists.com/

[scf31]

I joined 2 weeks ago, got my packet in the mail a few days ago, we are planning the Camp Dearborn Rally also, do I see a caravan in May??????

[65glbtrotter]

I have attended the TCT Mt. Baker Rally for the past four years and it was great. Laid back and they welcome all brands all years. Great bunch of people and a great place for a rally.