Recreational vehicles have become so popular it’s only a matter of time before they dominate campsites. More than 70 percent of American families will own an RV, and traditional tents will be a thing of the past or at least an accessory very soon. Kidding aside, the outdoor recreation industry has come a long way since the dawn of RVs.
But it wasn’t steady growth. There were also bad times and unexpected twists.
One major event in RV history is the release of Kamp King Koach. This historical product line from McNamee Coach Corporation left a mark so big some of the original printed ads still sell like hotcakes on Amazon and eBay. Not the RV, though–they’ve been obsolete for a while.
Some are still using their Koach, but the company stopped producing it decades back, which begs the question, “If it was so popular, why did they stop manufacturing it?”
To answer that question, let’s first learn a little more about its manufacturer and what sets it apart from modern motorhomes, coaches, travel trailers, and fifth wheels.
McNamee Coach Corporation from El Monte California
The more formal name of this company is Kamp King, McNamee Coach, hence the name of its flagship brand. Its founder is M.D. McNamee, who had been inducted into the RV/MH Hall of Fame in 1992. You’re probably wondering why he’d be inducted into the Hall of Fame if his invention didn’t last.
Well, he has done a bit more than invent a few RV styles. His vision opened the door for many innovations we freely enjoy today.
For example, M.D. McNamee introduced the foam-sandwich panels, which helped pioneer modern wall insulation for RVs. He also developed jacks to ease the loading and removal of truck campers. His contribution to the RV community significantly impacts future RV construction.
However, the Kamp King Koach is made mainly of engineered wood panels, which are prone to the elements.
What makes Kamp King Koach unique
One look is all it takes to tell a Kamp King Koach apart from a modern RV or motorhome. It is made pretty distinct and would easily stand out when placed alongside campervans in its era and at present.
Many are interested in bringing it back to life (some have already built their version of the Kamp King), but mainly to satiate their nostalgia or preference for classic and retro designs.
If you’re planning to recreate this RV or make your version, you must first know what makes it stick out. So here are some of its apparent features:
1. Foam-sandwich panels
Foam-sandwich panels are a type of construction material that consists of a layer of foam insulation sandwiched between two layers of structural materials, such as plywood or oriented strand board (OSB). These panels are used in walls, roofs, and floors to provide insulation and structural support.
In addition, they are commonly used in residential and commercial construction to improve energy efficiency and reduce heating and cooling costs.
M.D. McNamee had integrated this technology into RV construction, giving his Kamp King Koach both lightness and ease of assembly, two sought-after qualities in RVs back then. Even now, manufacturers are looking for ways to minimize their products’ weight further.
Besides the lightweight quality, the foam insertion improved the vehicle’s insulation.
2. A hybrid between a popup camper and a camper van
If you look closely at the Kamp King Koach, you’ll notice its resemblance to a modern motorhome, with its top protruding forward above the cab. That’s most likely because Kamp King inspired modern motorhome designs. The only difference is some Kamp King Koach models have a deck where you can set up a table and chairs.
But, unfortunately, you can’t do that with today’s motorhome without stepping on the roof itself.
Kamp King Koach also resembles a popup camper, although the former is more sophisticated. A Kamp King Koach is like a typical pickup truck converted into an RV. This is precisely what you would do if you want to install a popup camper on your pickup.
The idea of a popup camper originated from Kamp King Koach, which only proves its influence on the industry.
3. Mostly wood or OSB
The Kamp King Koach is the only motorhome made chiefly of wood. But, of course, if you’re building one today, you’ll most likely use oriented strand board (OSB), a type of engineered wood product made from thin strands of wood that are oriented in specific directions and then bonded together with an adhesive under heat and pressure.
OSB is commonly used as a substitute for plywood in construction and is widely used for sheathing and subflooring in walls, roofs, and floors. There’s no question that OSB is more durable and flexible than natural wood, and it’s also moisture-resistant, meaning it is a much more suitable material for a camper constantly exposed to the elements.
Conclusion
If any of today’s RV manufacturers say they are reintroducing the Kamp King Koach, would you buy it? Maybe not, if they are preserving the original design and build. But if they make changes to make it more resilient against the forces of nature, that would attract more buyers.
In fact, if you read reviews from independent websites, many RV enthusiasts are interested in buying this vintage RV for nostalgia alone.
The Kamp King Koach is still very much popular today. There are still a lot of users across North America. But it has yet to be formally reintroduced. And no one is interested in mass-producing it again. Nevertheless, the Kamp King Koach may make a huge comeback soon.
When it does, it will most likely have modern amenities. And the bestsellers will definitely have a different exterior material to improve their durability.
They will upgrade the vehicle to make it look more like a single piece rather than a pickup with an improvised camper on it. They will probably also make the wheels more cut out for rough terrains to expand their reach.
However, with its size, it’s doubtful it can have all the amenities necessary to stay longer in the outback, such as a bathroom and ample food storage. That means this RV will only be suitable for short-term camping trips.
When it comes to maintenance, this can be a whole new experience for you, as a Kamp King Koach may have distinct maintenance needs. In short, you will have to learn new repair techniques that are specific to this camper model.
For instance, if there’s a leak in the wall, you should know how to salvage or replace a foam-sandwiched panel. Increasing your technical skills is key to enjoying unique RVs like the Kamp King.
