Few things embody the spirit of the open road as well as recreational vehicles, or RVs.

The mere sight of an RV traveling alongside them has inspired many motorists to plan their own road trips, and such road trips have only been made better by RVs.

While they might seem like a relatively recent phenomenon, RVs actually trace their origins to 1910. According to Go RVing®, an online resource for RV enthusiasts, the first modernized campers were built in 1910.

While those campers were downright primitive compared to modem RVs, the latter would not be possible if not for the development and success of the former. Go RVing® notes that the 1913 Earl Travel Trailer is an ancestor to the contemporary travel trailer, though people who see one today may mistake it for a modern horse trailer due to its appearance.

Modern RVs come in all shapes and sizes, and travelers’ options in terms of amenities are endless.

Basic RVs can be an ideal, no-frills choice for budget-conscious road trippers.

For those who want all the amenities of home but the open road, too, luxury RVs, complete with hightech indoor/outdoor entertainment systems and stacking washer/dryer units that can put an end to vacation time spent at the laundromat, can make for the perfect vehicle.