Where is Your Trip Taking You?

“We do not take a trip; a trip takes us.”

Such are the words of John Steinbeck, who is memorialized as one of the most influential authors in American history and who popularized touring the country in a camper truck.  Have you ever desired to hop in your truck, see where the road takes you, and explore the wonders within the United States?  For John Steinbeck, this was a dream he turned into reality.

John Steinbeck was well known for his literary works. His observations of people in their day-to-day lives were brought alive on the page:  illustrating the challenges, strifes, and celebrations within communities across America.  Steinbeck wrote 33 books, including East of Eden, Of Mice and Men, and Cannery Row.  Each of these sought to tell the story of how the ordinary person seeks to achieve the “American Dream” and how small daily events make a significant impact on a person’s destiny.

After writing about many regions of the United States, Steinbeck decided it was time to hit the road and experience firsthand what he had only learned about from research.  His son, Thom, has since said the trip was important to his father because Steinbeck knew he was dying, and this would be his last chance to make the journey.

In 1960, he ordered a custom GMC pickup with a camper built to his specifications, which he named “Rocinante” after Don Quixote’s horse.  The camper was small but functional, with a bed, a propane stove, and a small table that he used for eating, reading, and writing.  The interior was constructed entirely of maple wood, giving it the appearance of a cozy cabin on the road.

Leaving his wife at home, Steinbeck scooped up his poodle, Charley, and began his trek.  He traversed across 38 states–from Long Island through the Pacific Northwest, down to Texas, and across the Deep South.  In total, his trip expanded over 10,000 miles.  During his adventures, Steinbeck wrote his final novel, Travels with Charley: In Search of America (1962).

Today, this same sense of adventure empowers many Americans to take their own cross-country road trips.  New trucks offer many more modern conveniences than Steinbeck had at his disposal, from navigation to electric outlets.  Combined with either an in-bed camper or used to pull a 5th wheel or travel trailer, trucks make it easy for a family to have the same experience and witness first-hand the diversity of cultures throughout our states and visit many beautiful national parks and campsites along the way.

Be prepared for your journey with new drill-less mudflaps from DuraFlap.

DuraFlap’s drill-less mudflaps are the highest quality mudflaps you can buy for your truck, and since they use holes that already exist in your vehicle’s body, they are easy to install.  Our exclusive “rain grooves” direct rain, snow, and road debris down and away from the vehicle to prevent your truck from being scratched, dented, or just caked with dirt.

Check out our online catalog featuring over 100 pre-designed artwork selections.  We can work with serious dinosaur lovers to create a custom design just for you, or you may find another of your interests in our catalog of over 100 artworks.  Some of our customers’ favorites include the bear, the great white shark, and the white tailed dear.  Call Duraflap Drill-less Mudflaps today at 541-245-9148 to get started!