Looking back at traveling is all about those who ventured west from the east coast. Many started out in Prairie Schooners which were kinda like todays travel trailers. Prairie Schooners were 4’ wide, 9-11’ long and 2-3’ deep. Most measured 23’ from the tung to the back-end. Boxes were installed inside and out to store clothes and goods while the canvas cover was about 10’ tall. To be able to have some privacy and protection from the elements, each end could be closed using drawstrings that were inserted into the canvas when made. The wagons were around 1,300 pounds plus the travelers could add another 2,000lbs of food, clothes plus belongings. Traveling 15-20 miles a day, each Schooner was pulled by 10-20 horses/mules or 6 yoked oxen. Most preferred the oxen because they were a bit hardier than horses or mules.
Since many of the trips were anywhere from 4-6 months, many of the travelers packed furniture so that they would have the comfort of home when they arrived at their new homesteads. Unfortunately like today’s, trailer travelers, weight was a problem. Some that used horses/mules had them die along the way due to pulling heavy loads and found themselves dumping their precious furniture and other belongings.
Most folks decided to walk and not ride due to the lack of suspension. Those that were well off purchased extra horses so that they could ride beside their wagon; however this was not the norm because some folks left their current circumstances for a better life with just enough to purchase the Prairie Schooner and food.
There were actually a few different types of wagons; the Prairie Schooner being one that carried mostly families out west so that they could build towns and ranches, while the Conestoga Wagon was built a lot stronger which allowed it to carry food and other needed items to the settler’s. The Conestoga was heavy with taller sides so that the goods could be packed high and not fall out during the long hard trip west. Today’s equivalent might be a Toy Hauler that is made to carry a bit more weight than your normal travel trailer or 5th wheel.
Today’s travelers are not so different than those who settled the west. Today they use travel trailers and 5th wheels that are normally pulled by a heavy duty truck but even smaller travel trailers can be pulled with a smaller vehicle. Like the Prairie Schooner, today’s trailers also have a capacity that can be used for personal items, food plus pots/pans/outdoor stuff. Unlike the animals that pulled the wagons, today’s trucks can also carry usable stuff to make life easier. Most people didn’t live in the Prairie Schooners for too long because once they arrived at their new homestead they used some or all of the wood to build their homes. Today’s trailers are used for both vacation and/or full-time living. This allows them to move to a new location due to weather or just wanting to visit somewhere new within hours or days.
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Sandy Moniz Looking Back At Traveling, Looking Back At Traveling, Covered Wagons, Prairie Schooner, Traveler, Author, Imagineer
