I did a little research about the trailer in this movie and found out that the New Moon company also made a 46 foot trailer! (the one in the movie was 32 feet long) http://www.trailerite.com/new-moon-trailer.html Anyone know if there's an even longer one out there?
"They're not gonna catch us. We're on a mission from God." -Elwood Blues
I don't know what the law was in 1953 but these days a single piece vehicle is restricted to 40 feet in many states and no longer than 50 feet in any of them, so unless somebody built one to bend in the middle they couldn't get too much longer than the one in the movie.
If they dared do a 50 foot trailer it would be illegal in a lot of the country and that would be a little awkward when traveling.
New Moon also built 50 footers. Later they manufactured 60 footers, etc. The longest trailer built in 1953-54 period was the Smoker Aristocrat model: 8x55. Smoker also built an 8x50 two-story model that cost roughly $25,000.oo at that time. In fact many trailer manufacturers were offereing 46 and 50 footers at that time! I think they choose the New Moon 36 foot model....yes, it was their 36 foot model, not a 32 footer...I have the original brochure with floor plan and all interior shots, etc...because it was easier to tow then the 46 footer.
Juergen Eichermueller
www.allmanufacturedhomes.com
Atlas Mobile Home Museum
This is a park model. No holding tanks or fresh water tank, and the fridge didn't work unless hooked up to shore power.
Since trailering for vacation was in it's infancy, these were sometimes (most times) moved by a pro, and set up in a park before the owners showed up.
There were self contained rigs, but not this one. Longer models were hauled by pros and not often moved after arriving, and being set up.
The 1953 Mercury convertable used in the movie only had a Ford flathead V8 with 254 CID, 110 H.P. I don't think that car was remotely capable of pulling a 32ft trailer, even in those times. The Lincoln in the mountain scene would have been either at it's safe limitation or beyond also.
shareI was wondering too, about the car used to pull this. Hopefully it had a low ratio rear end with posi-traction, if they had that in those days. I can't say if I've ever seen a trailer this size used as a recreational vehicle, especially towed behind a car.
shareYep it is awful long for a camper.RV type trailer. Nicky and Tacy would have been much happier with a much smaller unit.
I was a bit surprised they said it was only 3 tons/6000 lbs.. Surely it would be twice that.
BTW, I lived in a 10x50 New Moon mobile home 30 years ago.
The largest size house that is able to be transported on wheels is 18 feet wide by 80 feet long. This would be known as a single-wide manufactured home.
If by trailer, you mean a home that is able to be pulled by the average person and his truck, I think the size limit would be 10 feet wide by 50 feet long. There's also a weight limit of 26,000 pounds.
Do they still make 40ish ft trailers to be towed by a car? Are the ones with cab attached that long? I was trying to find something comparable to check today's prices. I always run movie prices on the inflation calculator.
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