The emergence of caravanning in the United States can be traced back to the 1910s when many Americans started using their cars for camping trips.

They would pack tents, beds, and cooking utensils in their vehicles and embark on road trips. In the 1920s, some pioneers began constructing homes on wheels by building simple wooden structures in their backyards and fixing them onto the T-shaped chassis of their cars.

The history of caravan camping clubs dates back to the 1920s and 1930s when the early caravan pioneers, known as "can travelers," braved bumpy and muddy roads in their rickety cars as they journeyed across the continental United States.

They often camped on the side of the road, surviving on canned food heated on gasoline stoves and drinking cold water.

By the 1930s, caravans were being designed and built in aircraft style, complete with beds, dining tables and chairs, electricity, and water supply.

As the number of caravans continued to grow, the demand for fully equipped caravan sites increased.

The popularity of automobiles after 1931 led to the boom of the caravan industry as more Americans sought to live on the move.

The oldest known caravan in the world today was commissioned in the 1910s by the Bentall family, the founders of Bentall's Luxury Department Store.

This unique caravan, built before the 1910s, was restored to its original specifications in the late 1970s. Recently, it was traded at a Bonham auction for £63,250 (approximately $74,000) to a yet-to-be-revealed owner.

Built on a Ford Model T chassis that was slightly lengthened and reinforced by BAE, the caravan boasts an all-wood interior that makes it well-insulated.

The interior looks just like a home, complete with plenty of storage space both inside and outside.

As a result of the restoration work, the caravan won seven awards, including recognition for the best original condition caravan, when it participated in the HCVC London-Brighton run in the year of restoration.

The Ford Model T Caravan has four berths in the living area, a wood-burning cooker, leather benches for the driver and passenger, and swiveling interior storage that provides extra space in the living area. However, despite its spaciousness, it lacks a bathroom and running water.

Caravanning has come a long way since the 1910s when it emerged as a popular form of recreation in the United States.

Today, caravans come equipped with all the modern amenities that one can find in a home, making them an ideal choice for people who want to experience the thrill of the open road while still enjoying the comforts of home.

The Bentall family's 1914 Ford Model T Caravan is a testament to the ingenuity of early caravan pioneers, and its recent auction sale is a testament to the enduring popularity of caravanning.