If you're the kind of enthusiast who has appreciation for strange, obscure yet fascinating vehicles, let me introduce you to the Revcon TrailBlazer. This six-wheeled, off-road motorhome is one of the most unknown yet coolest expedition vehicles to ever exist. Built on the foundation of a heavy-duty Ford F-350 and wrapped in a riveted aluminium body reminiscent of an Airstream, the TrailBlazer is one of the few vehicles that could genuinely take you off the grid to some genuinely remote places.
The Origins of Revcon
Revcon, which stands for "Revolutionary Concept," was founded in 1968 by John Hall, the stepson of Airstream founder Wally Byam. Frustrated with the way traditional motorhomes handled and their lack of durability, Hall wanted to create something better, more mobile and dynamic and closer to the driving abilities of a regular road vehicle. He designed a streamlined, front-wheel-drive motorhome with an aluminium body, drawing heavy inspiration from Airstream trailers.
By the early 1970s, Revcon had developed an enclosed, front-wheel-drive RV powered by the Oldsmobile Toronado V8. It shared many similarities with the famous GMC Motorhome, which debuted in 1973, though Revcon had beaten GMC with its front-wheel-drive design. Unlike the typical clunky, wooden-box RVs of the era, Revcon’s aluminium-bodied coaches were futuristic, aerodynamic and more durable.
When GMC abandoned its motorhome division in 1978, Revcon soldiered on, continuing to refine its motorhomes into the 1980s. The company adopted a six-wheel design and a more sophisticated suspension system, but by 1990, production came to a halt.
The TrailBlazer
In 1992, Off-Road Motorcoach Inc. purchased Revcon and rebranded as Revcon Motorcoach Inc. The company’s new vision was to create the ultimate off-road-ready motorhome. Thus, the Revcon TrailBlazer was born.
Unlike the front-wheel-drive Revcons of the past, the TrailBlazer was based on the chassis of a Ford F-350 XLT 4×4. This meant that instead of a low-slung, car-like ride, it had some off-road chops. The TrailBlazer was given six wheels, though only four were powered, and an air suspension system that allowed the driver to adjust ride height. The thing was built to take you to where there are campsites, or not.
Under the hood, early models came equipped with Ford’s big-Block 7.4 liter V8, pushing out 230 horsepower and a stump pulling 390 lb-ft of torque. Later models would swap this out for a more modern 6.8-liter Triton V10 producing 310 horsepower and 425 lb-ft of torque. Of course, fuel economy was never going to be the selling point of a 12,000-pound off-road RV – owners reported figures as low as 6 mpg.
Built Like an Airplane
One of the most fascinating aspects of the TrailBlazer was its construction. Revcon built these rigs with the same kind of aircraft-inspired monocoque body design they had been using for decades. Instead of the traditional method of mounting a wooden RV shell onto a truck frame, the TrailBlazer used a welded tubular steel subfloor with a welded aluminum frame, wrapped in aircraft-grade aluminum sheeting. In result, the body was both incredibly strong and surprisingly lightweight.
Inside, the TrailBlazer was designed to be comfortable and spacious, utilizing the somewhat limited interior room. Oak cabinets, even porcelain sinks, a full-featured kitchen and all other RV amenities were installed. Some models even had built-in solar panels for extended off-grid capability.
The Baja 1000 Dream
Ray Novelli, the president of Revcon at the time, was so confident in the TrailBlazer’s capabilities that he once pondered entering one in the Baja 1000 off-road race. While that might have been a bit ambitious for such a heavy vehicle with long overhangs and even longer wheelbase, it speaks to the kind of ruggedness the vehicle was designed for, or at least, what the creators believed it could do.
But here’s where things get tricky. When it first hit the market in 1992, the TrailBlazer had a starting price of $180,000 and that’s nearly $400,000 in today’s money. For all of its off-road capability, it was still a niche vehicle, and that price tag made it a tough sell. By the early 2000s, production had dwindled, and by 2009, Revcon had shut its doors for good.
A Rare Find Today
Today, the Revcon TrailBlazer is a unicorn in the world of off-road RVs. With only around 67 units built, they rarely come up for sale, and when they do, they command serious attention. Some have been modernized with lithium battery setups and updated interiors, while others remain in their original ‘90s spec.
For those lucky enough to own one, the TrailBlazer is seriously cool, not only because it combines off-roading and camping anywhere you want, but the interesting story behind, its rarity and, I mean, just look at it. If there’s ever a fallout in this world, this would certainly be my go to choice. And it beats all the off-roady looking Sprinter campers by a mile.
The Revcon TrailBlazer remains one of the original pioneers of the concept. It was big, bold, and built for adventure in a way that few motorhomes before, or since, have been. I’ll certainly be dreaming of one for some time. If you ever see one of these behemoths in the wild, take a moment to appreciate just how ahead of its time it really was.
---
Embark on a journey to find your ideal vehicle by browsing through our Car Categories. Or, delve into our Classic Passion Shop for an exciting array of products from our partners, perfect for enthusiasts looking to enhance their collection!
