You’ve probably heard the name Lloyd Bridges and immediately pictured a guy in a scuba suit or maybe a hilarious, glue-sniffing air traffic controller from Airplane!. But if you’re from Michigan, or if you’ve ever spent a weekend hauling a trailer up to the UP, that name means something entirely different. It’s about the open road. It's about a 55-year legacy of motorhomes, campfire stories, and a family business that basically helped invent the way we travel today.
Honestly, the connection between the Hollywood actor and the Michigan RV empire is the first thing everyone gets mixed up. Let’s clear that up right now: Lloyd Bridges the actor (father of Jeff and Beau) is not the same Lloyd Bridges who founded the iconic Traveland dealership in Chelsea. Total coincidence. But the Michigan Lloyd Bridges was a star in his own right within the world of recreational vehicles. He didn't just sell trailers; he was at the ground floor of the motorhome revolution.
The Handshake That Changed Everything
Back in 1958, things were different. You didn't just walk onto a lot and buy a pre-built luxury motorhome with three slide-outs and a flat-screen TV. Most people were still DIY-ing it or pulling tiny teardrop trailers.
Then came Ray Frank. He’s the guy credited with actually inventing the "motorhome." He had this vision for a streamlined, fiberglass-bodied house on wheels. But he had a problem. He needed chassis—the metal skeletons—to build them on. Chrysler wouldn't sell to him directly. They told him he had to go through a truck dealer.
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Enter Lloyd Bridges.
At the time, Lloyd ran a Dodge truck dealership in Walled Lake, Michigan. He took a chance on Frank’s wild idea and sold him 100 chassis. Then, he turned around and bought some of the finished products to sell on his own lot. Just like that, Lloyd Bridges and Sons became the first-ever motorhome dealer. They weren't just selling a product; they were selling a brand-new way to see the country.
A Family Business Through and Through
By 1966, the business was officially incorporated as Lloyd Bridges Traveland. It wasn't some corporate conglomerate. It was a local operation. As the years rolled on, Lloyd’s sons, Jerry and Charlie Bridges, stepped into the driver’s seat.
Jerry took over the sales and the "big picture" stuff. Charlie? He was the guy making sure the gears turned in the parts and service department. They moved the whole operation from Walled Lake to Chelsea in 1972, taking over an old Chevrolet dealership. For decades, if you lived in the Ann Arbor area and wanted to talk shop about a fifth wheel or a Class A diesel pusher, you went to see the Bridges boys.
They survived things that killed off other dealerships. The gas crises of the 70s? They made it through. The 2008 recession that absolutely gutted the RV industry? They pivoted. When the "big economic crunch" hit, as Jerry once called it, they stopped relying on the $200,000 motorhomes and started snapping up bank repossessions and used units. They realized that even when people are broke, they still want to go camping—they just want to do it for less.
What Happened to Lloyd Bridges and Sons?
If you drive past the old lot in Chelsea today, things look a little different. In early 2022, a massive shift happened. After more than half a century of family ownership, Jerry Bridges decided it was time to move on. Selling a 55-year-old family legacy is never an easy call. It's stressful. It's emotional.
The buyer was Camping World, the massive national chain led by Marcus Lemonis.
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- The Locations: Both the East and West facilities in Chelsea transitioned to the Camping World brand.
- The Staff: Many of the long-time employees stayed on, though the "mom-and-pop" vibe naturally shifted toward a more corporate structure.
- The Inventory: With the backing of a national giant, the selection expanded, but some long-time customers still miss the days when you could walk in and talk directly to the guy whose name was on the sign.
People have mixed feelings about the buyout. Some love the better prices and national warranty network that comes with a big name. Others miss the personal touch of a local dealer who knew your name and remembered which trailer you bought ten years ago. It’s the classic American business story: the local legend getting absorbed into the national grid.
The "Actor" Confusion (E-E-A-T Insights)
We have to address the elephant in the room because Google is full of people searching for "Lloyd Bridges and Sons" hoping to find out about Jeff Bridges' latest movie.
Lloyd Bridges (the actor) was a powerhouse. He was Mike Nelson in Sea Hunt. He was a World War II Coast Guard veteran. He raised two of the most successful actors in Hollywood history. Jeff and Beau Bridges appeared on their father’s shows like The Lloyd Bridges Show and The Loner when they were just kids.
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But here’s the kicker: while the Michigan businessman Lloyd Bridges was building an RV empire, the actor Lloyd Bridges was busy being one of the first celebrities to advocate for ocean conservation. Different guys. Different legacies. Both incredibly influential in their respective lanes.
Actionable Tips for RV Buyers Today
Whether you’re looking at the old Lloyd Bridges lot (now Camping World) or any other dealership, the "Bridges Way" of doing business left us with some solid lessons.
- Don't ignore the used market. Jerry Bridges saved his business during the recession by focusing on used motorhomes. New RVs depreciate the second you drive them off the lot. Buying a 2-3 year old unit can save you 30% or more.
- Service is everything. Charlie Bridges knew that a sale is only as good as the service department behind it. Before you buy, walk into the service bay. Is it clean? Are the techs busy? Read reviews specifically about their warranty work, not just the sales process.
- The "Web Sale" Reality. Today, people buy RVs from 500 miles away. If you're doing this, demand a live video walkthrough. Don't settle for "stock photos." You want to see the specific seal on the roof and the condition of the tires.
- Know your tow capacity. This is the #1 mistake new buyers make. Don't trust a salesperson who says "your SUV can pull this easily." Check your door jamb sticker and do the math yourself.
The era of Lloyd Bridges and Sons as a family-run Michigan staple might have ended with the 2022 sale, but the impact they had on the "wanderlust industry" is permanent. They were the ones who saw a house on wheels and thought, "Yeah, people are going to love that." And they were right.
If you’re planning a trip or looking to upgrade your rig, start by researching local service reputation over just the lowest price. A cheap trailer is a nightmare if no one can fix it when the slide gets stuck in a rainstorm in the middle of the woods.