35
Years of Coleman Pop Ups
continued
from page 1
With
an eye on the future, Sheldon began studying the RV market
as he recognized the potential demand for camping trailers.
In 1960, Coleman introduced a model called the Carbaña,
a steel-roofed pop up camper that unfolded to 40 square
feet of floor space and would sleep four persons. In 1966
Coleman purchased the Regis-Trimline Co. of Elk Grove, Wisconsin.
At the time of the purchase, Coleman was building a factory
in Somerset, PA. There, they began to design an entirely
new line of improved camping trailers for introduction in
1967, using the tooling and product concepts acquired from
Regis-Trimline.
In
the 1970s, the gasoline shortage posed a severe hardship
on the RV industry, but Coleman used it to their advantage,
putting greater emphasis on smaller and lighter tent trailers.
They introduced their ultra-light Minuteman Flip-Top Camper.
Weighing less than 500 pounds, it could be folded out
in 60 seconds to create 40 square feet of floor space.
Including a bonus package of a lantern, camp stove, cooler,
portable sink and folding dinette table, it could be purchased
for less than $1,000.
During
the ‘60s and ‘70s, manufacturers raced to see
who could offer the most enticing accessories. By 1972,
options such as a screened-in canopy, self-contained toilet,
heater, sleeping bags, and 115AC/12VDC lighting system,
built-in water tank with 12V water pump and four-inch
thick bed mattresses were being offered by Coleman. By
the 1980s, more attention was being given to style, with
details added such as stylized colors and fabrics, privacy
curtains, mirrors, towel racks, cup dispenser and toothbrush
holders. By the mid-80s, a factory-installed rooftop air
conditioner or rack for carrying bikes or a canoe could
be ordered. While Coleman was marketing these larger and
more luxurious models, they did not neglect the smaller,
less expensive ones that appealed to first-time buyers.
One popular model with a canvas top had a base vehicle
weight of only 575 pounds yet would sleep 4 adults. Five
other models each weighed less than 1,000 pounds.
After
Sheldon Coleman died in 1988, New York financier Ronald
Perelman (who owned Revlon Cosmetics) purchased the entire
Coleman Company, which by then consisted of over a dozen
different divisions. In the early fall of 1989, he sold
off portions, including the folding trailer division to
Fleetwood Enterprises of Riverside, California. The announcement
was made at the Louisville, KY RV show in December, and
the acquisition was completed before the year’s end.
Continued
on Page 3
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