Tour a 1959 Winnebago Travel Trailer & Listen to the Owner’s Story

Tour a 1959 Winnebago Travel Trailer & Learn About the Owner’s Story
RVs create stories, some are more epic than others and last a lifetime.

By: GoLife Staff
 
The Winnebago team met Wyatt in Forest City, Iowa, during the annual Camp Winnebago event and received a wonderful gift. As the sun went down over the rally grounds, just steps from where his 1959 trailer was built all those years ago, Wyatt shared his personal story of history and adventure – reinforcing why Winnebago has been building RVs since 1958. 

Whether one of the first-ever built or Winnebago’s latest new product, RVs connect us to the beauty of the outdoors and travel unlocks the human spirit, opening our hearts to self-discovery and illumination.  

Learn more about Wyatt’s story below, and don’t miss the second video - a tour of his 1959 Winnebago!

Go Where You Feel: The Story Behind Wyatt’s 1959 Winnebago Travel Trailer

When he was only 15 years old, Wyatt Schmitz was offered a 1959 Winnebago travel trailer in exchange for just a few hours of yard work. Sitting unused in the elements, the trailer was already infused with years of history and stories from the original owners, but it wasn’t until 20 years later that the next chapter was written. 

Wyatt intended to take a milestone journey in the trailer while working on a dissertation for his graduate school PhD program, but he first had to make it sustainable for the long journey ahead. 

The camper’s interior was in amazing condition when he acquired it, and he has left the environment just how he found it. Although space is limited with a small bed and tiny kitchen space, Wyatt has embraced minimalism to make the RV’s original design and functionality work for him. 

The exterior was in remarkable condition as well, but after years of exposure, needed some attention and care. Wyatt partnered with his father to restore the trailer’s exterior, and his goal was to mirror the spirit of the interior by returning it as close as possible to the original condition.

Due to its age and vintage nature, the only reference for this trailer’s factory paint from the 50s was the brochure that came with it at the original sale. Wyatt used the illustration to re-paint the outside as it was originally manufactured. 

Wyatt’s goal of traveling while writing his dissertation had a secondary storyline – after acquiring the trailer, he discovered the original maps and travel brochures from the first owners, so decided to let their previous journeys chart his path as he worked and retraced those steps to some of the very same campgrounds the trailer had visited in the past. 

He explored beautiful, inspiring areas while living and working out of this vintage camper, learning new things along his travels, and letting the history and adventure fuel the creativity in his work. 

Winnebago’s celebrated heritage and pioneering nature still thrive today, and hearing Wyatt’s story and so many like it from our community of owners truly fuels Winnebago’s passion for innovation and quality. 

Winnebago builds the best RVs on the planet so customers can explore the world and author their own adventures. How will you Go Where You Feel?

Wyatt's Winnebago story is one of thousands. We’d love to hear your personal stories of travel, adventure, and community involving Winnebago products! Fill out the form at the link below to share with Winnebago how you Go Where You Feel.

winnebago.formstack.com/forms/gwyf
 

Want to See More? Tour Wyatt’s 1959 Winnebago Travel Trailer ...

Browse Winnebago’s current, modern travel trailer options here. If you want a feature-packed RV to go on your own adventure in, the Winnebago Access has more amenities than anything else in its class!