On the occasional drive through the countryside, you can catch a glimpse of a few interesting trailers, motorhomes, buses, bikes, boats, and more, just rusting away until the day they’re finally scrapped. It seems like an eyesore and a total waste of money, yet the natural decay of our stuff is everywhere. While some choose to get rid of anything that isn’t of use anymore, others will cling to useless or meaningless things that inevitably get neglected for the rest of their days. Some call it art, others call it trash.

Then again, some are forced to give up almost everything they own due to financial turmoil or tragic situations. The eerie remnants of trailers and motorhomes found in remote areas or unclaimed lands raise even more questions. That’s what makes lost trailers, abandoned motorhomes, and deserted caravans so intriguing to the adventurous at heart; they’ve all got some sort of story hidden beneath the years of dust and grime. Sometimes, enough investigating will reward you with a story you won’t believe, while others conceal their truths to the grave. Regardless of the circumstances, these photos are the result of what happens when unforetold occurrences leave travel trailers behind.

For some, these are pitiful photos of hopelessly destroyed vehicles, but to the avid rehabber, some of these probably look more like potential projects. Whether or not these photos satisfy your desires to take on a new hobby, the rot and decay (present and future) is disturbing enough to make you itch to wash all of your own vehicles.

25 Skeleton Of A Trailer (Bombay Beach, CA, USA)

Bombay Beach is home to many abandoned campers and caravans, most of which have had years of erosion and salty air to rip these babies apart. This former trailer is nothing but a skeleton of what it used to be. It’s almost impossible to recognize what you’re even looking at, but give it a couple more years and the bare bones will be fully collapsed. This is what happens when you leave metal objects exposed to salt and humidity, the two best companions of rust. The beach itself looks like a beautiful destination, it’s too bad that it’s been littered with scrap homes on wheels.

24 Snowy Camper

It’s pretty hard to imagine that anyone ever stayed in this camper, but seeing as how the wheels have been either completely buried in snow or sunken into the soil, it’s been there for a good amount of time. It’s a safe bet that this camper was probably dumped here by an owner unwilling to deal with the costs to dispose of it themselves. The curved edges lead us to think that it’s a 50s model yet the caravan has experienced only mild rotting on the roof. That’s abnormal for any camper, but especially one with aluminum siding. It’s true that climate can make all of the difference, and we’re not entirely convinced that this has been sitting for very long. But it looks like this is its final resting place.

23 Dodge Champion In Closed Packard Plant (Detroit, MI, USA)

If it wasn’t for the fact that this trailer was found in the old Detroit Packard Plant—and the faded label above the windows—then we probably wouldn’t have even known that this mess was once a Dodge Champion. It was found in the upper floors of the former plant in shambles, implying that age isn’t the only culprit. Since it’s ‘safely’ concealed within an enclosed building, it’s obviously been the victim of some brutal vandalism. No matter what the reason was for gutting the aged Champion, it wouldn’t have mattered since this trailer was sentenced to a life of rotting.

22 Throwback Winnebago (Brightmoor, MI)

This rig has paved the way for the family camping industry for decades, now. They produce some of the highest quality motorhomes with a variety of price ranges, but this is a sign of Winnebago’s humble beginnings. In spite of it being a late-60s throwback, it’s in relatively good condition. Apart from the load of junk that came out of it and the apparent demise of the roof, that is. All of the design elements that were a signature of the 60s and 70s is evident in this dying motorhome. This one may have been abandoned (until its recent removal), but Winnebago is actually picking this design back up and considering a rejuvenation of the now-retro look. We think the original wears it well, though.

21 1970 Ford Econoline

Parallel to the Econoline’s history, this particular motorhome wasn’t going to give in without a fight. The home that it lies next to has been abandoned for quite a while (although the exact timing is unknown). Clearly, this retired caravan has seen some better days; seeing as how the original owner is MIA, it’s taken a pretty brutal beating from the weather. And, while most dilapidated vehicles are a pity to look at, this Econoline has really become a piece of art in the unkempt landscape. It’s easy to see how this made an excellent subject for photography and makes you curious to leave the van behind and witness its further decay.

20 Shasta Abandoned In Woods Near A Campground

It’s funny how people can ‘lose’ such large possessions, but that’s what people believe happened to this Shasta found in the woods near a campground. We’re not entirely convinced that that’s the case, though. Maybe that engine finally failed and the owner abandoned it, not wanting to funnel any more cash into an overused Shasta. What was once a household name has become another junkyard ornament and distant memory. Scarcely do you ever find an aged Shasta like this one on the highway, lugging camping gear and a (very) small family. They’re simply unrealistic in regards to fuel efficiency and size. You’d save more in expenses by investing in a lightly used travel trailer. Needless to say, there are a number of reasons that this guy was left behind, but we don’t suspect anyone will attempt to claim it as their own.

19 Rusted-Out Wannabe Airstream (McIntosh County, GA)

Georgia is one of the beloved states in the US that conceals many abandoned trailers throughout its natural landscape. The vast majority of them have not worn well; that humid Georgia climate isn’t the friendliest to metal products. This old Airstream is a testament to just how destructive that easy-breathing rural air can be. It’s interesting to see an Airstream in such poor condition in the first place. They hold their value so well that few are willing to let one rot in their yard without use. We’re willing to bet that the land, and everything on it, was likely repossessed. Otherwise, it’s a shame that someone would let an Airstream rust to the point of no return.

18 Early-60s Ford F350 Bee Line

It may not look like much, now, but an F-350 means business and that’s exactly what’s hauling that Bee Line caravan. If you survey the exterior of the truck, there doesn’t seem to be any major damage to the body of the truck, and none at all to the camper trailer. The only perpetrator to wreak any real havoc on this old caravan is time itself. It’s pretty sad to look at because had the rust not already begun invading the grille and hood of the F-350, it could have been a salvageable motor. There’s a good chance that if the rust is visible on the exterior, it’s even worse underneath.

17 Door-Less VW Bus

The Volkswagen bus has always been a popular camping vehicle, even though they’re much more scarce on an actual campground. This may have a lot to do with their practicality and the reliability (or lack thereof) of VW engines. Yet, they carry much less of a stigma than the aluminum-bodied Winnebagos of the past and Coleman campers that you see today. However, we’re going to assume that this VW bus may have started out as a fixer-upper until the project was abandoned entirely…for a few decades, now, looks like. It’s unfortunate to see one of these doorless, rusted, sunken into the ground. Not only is this an unattractive lawn ornament—although others may argue differently—it’s a waste of a perfectly good machine (or what once was, anyway).

16 Travel Trailer Graveyard Piece

This gem was found in a graveyard of travel trailers in the heart of a hilly area (although specifics were left undisclosed). Luckily, the photographer was able to snap this photo, along with a few others before the former collection of caravans were demolished and removed. What was once a nice vacation spot—and permanent residence for some—later became a resting place for travel trailers that seemed to be abandoned at the drop of a hat. Many of them still contained furniture, and this one still has curtains and even a tub sitting outside. A billion scenarios come to mind when you walk up on a scene like this one, but we can only assume that whoever owned these clearly didn’t care much for them.

15 Graffiti Magnet (CA, USA)

Have you ever lived nearby someone who seems to have a booming scrapyard going on behind their house? Yet your yard has been neatly maintained throughout each and every season? This camper trailer isn’t on anyone’s residential property, but it was abandoned in a lot near a few houses for quite some time. Long enough that much of the aluminum siding has ripped off and whatever is left of it has been used as a graffiti canvas, anyways. Neighbors have become exasperated with the entire situation and have contacted local authorities to have it removed, somehow. Unfortunately, the removal process isn’t a very swift one and the local news picked up on the story, only giving the camper even more of a spotlight for graffiti artists-in-the-making.

14 Dodge Travco (GA, USA)

Dodge has made some excellent motorhomes in the past that have held up considerably. This Travco only exemplifies the durability of the US manufacturer’s motorhomes during their heyday. In spite of experiencing years of disregard, the Travco has survived pretty well. There are only superficial signs of rust on the bumper and some places on the body. That’s saying a lot for being exposed to the humidity of Georgia. We don’t know exactly how long the rig has resided in its current parking spot but based on the collection of things leaning on its side and overgrowth of plants, there have probably been a good number of months and even years of inhabitance.

13 Remote & Rusted Trailer (Heraklion, Crete, Greece)

Unless you actually live in Greece or have visited it yourself, then you’re probably a part of that group of people who generally think of the beautiful cities and ancient ruins when you hear that name come up. Never in a million years would decades-old, rusted camper trailers come to mind. Yet, this interesting little home is located in a pretty remote area of Heraklion. It’s unclear why it was left to rot for so many dozens of years, but it actually makes a pretty interesting photo. It’s remained in fairly good condition, especially considering it’s decades older than some of the thoroughly-rotted aluminum campers of the 80s that we’ve seen. But it's true, we don’t actually know when the trailer was abandoned. Nonetheless, it’s easy to imagine this cute caravan in its restored form.

12 50s Trailer Lost In The Woods (LA, USA)

For many of us, this one probably meets a lot of our expectations when we think of a stereotypical abandoned trailer in the woods of Louisiana. That cliché red and white aluminum siding doesn’t dress up this old gal anymore. The corrosion is in full force and we can only imagine how much fungi must have invaded the interior of this place. The circular door and rounded ends were a 1950s staple, but later became the humble abode of trailer park inhabitants across the southern US. Trailers like these evoke an indescribable love-hate relationship. On the one hand, they looked stunning in their best state. At the same time, there’s a stigma that revolves around them that makes them a lot less wonderful to look at.

11 Peculiar Trailer In The Forest

The location of this trailer remains unknown, but after taking a look at it, we’re not really sure we’re interested in ever visiting it. It’s difficult to tell from the photo, but the rear end of the roof has been completely smashed down or otherwise collapsed. It’s more noticeable when you look at the windows laying almost perfectly horizontal. The strangest part about this trailer’s presence is the fact that it’s surrounded by sawed-off trees. No one who regularly uses it would have parked it in a place like this, because it would be challenging to back up to it with the graveyard of stumps in the way. Then again, the only trees that were cut were surrounding the camper. Clearly, the camper has been sitting for some time and is completely unlivable, and yet someone continues to cut the trees near it, somewhat preserving the scene.

10 Peculiar Motorhome At Recreation Center (SD, USA)

There’s not much known about this motorhome, other than that it was left somewhere near a recreational campground in South Dakota. Since we’re not exactly sure on the make or model, it’s hard to imagine what it might have looked like before, or how much life it could have had left. However, it looks like someone knew a thing or two about this motorhome; the engine has been removed and there are a couple of ladders leaned against it that give the impression that someone broke into it. The rust has only just begun setting in on this old motorhome, but we can imagine how much worse it will look in the next few years, especially since there’s no easy way of moving it now.

9 1966 Volkswagen Samba

We’re sincerely curious about this Samba’s life story. It’s one thing to notice a rotting VW bus in someone’s yard, but it’s completely unheard of to find one fully intact, abandoned in a wooded area. At this point, there are obvious signs of late-stage rusting. Although, it was probably salvageable not too long ago. It’s strange that it wasn’t even sold to a scrapyard; which leads us to believe that it was either stolen or someone genuinely wanted time to take its toll on this old bus the natural way. Sometimes, it’s hard to see something you love get torn apart, even if you’ll lose a few bucks.

8 Ford Econoline Super Van

Some road-trip fanatics want the best of both worlds; they want to be able to camp in their own vehicle and experience that life on the road in the truest form, but they don’t want to compromise their wallet along the way (like so many motorhomes tend to do). The truth is, motorhomes guzzle a lot more gas because of their giant proportions, but a Ford Econoline van was a great alternative for the thrifty camper. This one seems to have had a good amount of use, but it’s clearly been abused by weather and severe neglect (hence, the rusty roof). You don’t see many of these anymore, even in junkyards, but this one is a fuzzy reminder of a simpler past.

7 Antique Travel Trailer

There aren’t too many trailers like these seen, anywhere. This archaic camper is actually in good condition, especially considering its age. In fact, if it wasn’t for the fact that it was found in a fairly remote area, we would have assumed that it was still being used. The thick metal is far more superior (and also more expensive) than anything that we’d use to build a travel trailer today. Which explains why the structural integrity of this dinosaur has yet to be compromised. Even in the middle of a forest, there are no signs of damage caused by any of the trees or animals.

6 Dodge Champion At An Abandoned Residence

Dodge was one of those manufacturers that jumped right in during the motorhome craze. Based on how well this model has held up, it’s fair to claim that they probably weren’t the worst to invest in, either. The home in the background has been abandoned for many years, and so have a number of vehicles that are littering the yard. Still, it’s pretty cool that the Dodge Champion has fared so well even while remaining exposed to the elements. Sure, there’s quite a bit of rust that has probably infested the entire engine but, overall, it’s in good shape. Dodge may not be the hype of today’s car market, but it once produced quality vehicles and this is a good look at just how durable they really were.