Some History Behind an RV Favorite - The Jeep

World War II was responsible for the development of the Jeep which the War Department officially designated the “Truck, Command and Reconnaissance, 4x4”. This vehicle quickly became the GI’s favorite mode of transportation replacing the mule. We don’t know for sure how the name “jeep” came to be applied to this vehicle but it’s the name that stuck. This hardy combat vehicle carried GI’s through WWII, Korea and Vietnam. My wife’s father was seriously wounded when he drove a jeep over a land mine during the Korean conflict. General George C. Marshall described the jeep as “America’s greatest contribution to modern warfare.” The famous war correspondent, Ernie Pyle, said, “Good Lord, I don’t think we could continue the war without the jeep. It does everything. It goes anywhere. It’s as faithful as a dog, as strong as a mule, and as agile as a goat.” That sentiment still carries on in the RVing community because you’ll see the jeep being towed behind many motorhomes on the road today. Because it’s a true four wheel drive, it can be towed 4 down (four wheels on the ground) without any additional equipment like a transmission fluid pump or the need to disengage the power train. The jeep was eventually retired and replaced by the “High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle” or Humvee as it’s commonly known. These are also frequently seen towed by motorhomes. Besides being a great vehicle to tow, the jeep is also an “off road vehicle” which means that RVers are not limited to paved roads. They can explore back-country “jeep trails” in mountainous terrain or the many miles of desert trails in the South Western United States. A truly remarkable vehicle whose technology not only changed modern warfare, but made a major contribution to outdoor recreation. If you live in snow country you know full well the benefits of having a 4x4 under you. There’s no substitute for the kind of traction you’ll get out of a 4x4 thanks to the WWII era creators of the jeep. Steering you straight - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing