travellers autobarn station wagon

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Our station wagon became our home - Travellers Autobarn

• South Pacific    
• Australia    
• New South Wales    
• Sydney    
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• Travellers Autobarn

Great experience and a great way to get around Australia. There was a small issue with the van... read more

Easy and smooth transaction from start to finish. I had the Chubby and drove a round trip between... read more

Our station wagon became our home

We were looking for a budget car rental option and after reading online reviews, we decided to go with Travellers Autobarn. We were not disappointed! We went with a station wagon mainly because of automatic transmission, to make it easier to drive on the left hand side of the road. It did, in fact, make it so much easier to adjust. At first, we were worried that station wagon will be too small to sleep in, but it was much better than we expected. There is enough room for two people. Of course, if you are too big, you can always use the tent that comes with a car, but we never even opened it, since sleeping inside was comfy enough. Though its not a camper with high ceiling, you could still sit up in the car, which made it so much easier to live there. Nearly 5,000 km throughout Australia and no single issue. This car became a cozy home for us during a month and we were sad to give it back. We are very pleased with our choice and will use Travellers Autobarn again for our next road trip.

Hello 46malenat, Most people that rent our stationwagon usually don't sleep in it anywhere near as often as they thought. The Stationwagon is our most budget vehicle and is pretty basic as you described. Certainly would not recommend a wagon to anyone but the hardiest of travellers of the smallest of budgets. That said it's about the cheapest and most exciting way to see Australia. Thank you for the review of our Stationwagon! Cheers, Peter Burke

My friends and I hired a Hi-5 from the Cairns branch, it was such an awesome van!! It took us on the best road we've ever had, so easy to drive as well as set up at night. For a budget camper van the experience was incredible. Super friendly staff, always found them helpful. Can't wait to use Travellers Autobarn again in the future!

Hello Queen of Topaz, Thank you for your review of our Hi5 Campervan in Australia. The Hi5's are large and can carry 5 pax, which is their best quality. They don't have as much storage space as a KuGA and are quite a bit older, so very glad you loved your van. We'd love to have you back as well! Cheers, Peter Burke

Dear all, my wife and I were in Australia for 3 1/2 weeks, and we rented a Kuga Campervan for two weeks (from 24th April to 6th May). We picked it up in Brisbane and returned it in Cairns. I want to say that we never had Problems during the whole time. The Camper was in good technical condition. The Equipment was new and we had a wonderful time. The man (I guess his Name was Wayne) in Brisbane was very friendly, we had to wait for about 30minutes because two couples were served before us. But this was no Problem. Also the return in Cairns was without any Troubles, also a friendly Young woman took the Camper back. I want to give this comment here because there are some very negative Feedbacks, and I cannot confirm this. As I said everything was o.k. Thanks for the great trimp to Australia, Dietmar and Barbara from Vienna Austria.

Hello Dietmar and Barbara, Of course everything was OK, you had a KuGA Campervan - the best we offer! We also offer the choice of standard living equipment and 'premium' living equipement.....and virtually everyone who takes the premium living equipment has no regrets. I recommend choosing the premium equipment everytime. I wish all our campers were as good as the KuGA! But even these current KuGA's will one day become HiTOPS and after that become BUDGETS..... The circle of life.... Will most definitely let our Brisbane and Cairns staff know the positive feedback, we are all trying very hard in the area of customer service. Thanks!! Cheers, Peter Burke

A/C is not working Sleeping bag witch smells like vomit Filthy from the inside Back door cannot stay open to ventilate Gas stove is not working Lights not working I can continue, but a lot is wrong with the van and customer 'service' is not helpful! Not happy at all with Travellers Autobarn!

Hello Pien S, I note you picked up the Budget Camper in Perth and you reported your first issue 10 days into the rental, and your last email reported you as past Broome, near Katherine. A 20 day trip from Perth to Darwin!! Well done that is really hauling booty. Glad the vehicle has performed so well despite the issues you have raised. I note that you are returning the vehicle today so will ask our Darwin Team to look after you. I can see from our notes that there's been some email correspondence and some solutions offered. In any our Darwin Team are lovely and I'm sure they'll be able to cut through and get things sorted out. Cheers, Peter

We've been in Australia For the past 10 days traveling from Brisbane to Sydney in a Kuga camper van. The experience with the camper was awesome, the vehicle works really well, comfortable seats, display of the Kitchen, back 'living' and Also easy to prepair the bed every night. The experience with Travellers Autobarn was really good from the very beginning during the reservation. When we went to pick up the vehicle they explained us every feature in detailed and the high lights. Something to sum up is the app 'travellers autobarn app' very helpful with detailed prices, references, comments and pictures. We definitely recommend to hire a campervan with Travellers Autobarn!

Hello Moritaz, Many thanks for your kind words. Happy travels,

This agency isn't a reliable one at all! Our van we rented 3 days earlier showed a battery signal on the board. So we did what we had to do and we immediately called the assistance number around 11.00AM on Thursday. After they found that the issue came from the alternator we were informed that we had to wait until the day after for it to be repaired. This issue was totally sorted at 1.30PM on friday. We could go back on the road. In this misadventure we had lost 1 day and half upon our 10days of road trip planned. 10 days means a lot when you are not working, not being paid for, when they are holidays. 1 day and half is a multiple destinations and activities we planned to do and we have to cancel and forget about now. Then do you know what the agency told us ? They told us that because we "only" called the assistance number and not them also then they ould only give us a 1 day refund and couldnt do more for us. So they just refund us JUST A SMALL PART of our lost without ANY cmpensation. Also the gas pipe for the coker was broken and they didn't found it when checked it before renting this van to us. This s extremely dangerous! Then teyjust suggest us to go o Target store and buy a mobile gas cooker and not use their. Meanig hat we rented a van to be able to cook inside lke at home and now we should have a mobile cooker lke any people in a tent. It was heir only solution... For all that I don't recommend them.

Dear Daphne, Many thanks for your email – we do apologise for your inconvenience during your roadtrip with us. As you can understand mechanical parts in vehicles can fail at any time – we service all vehicles on a regular basis and have quality control procedures in place before any vehicle is leaving our branch. Looking at our records we were only informed of any issues when the mechanic called us to pay for the repairs of the vehicle. As you appreciate – and highlighted in the Terms & Conditions – in case of any issues we ask our customers kindly to call us immediately so that we can assist and implement a plan of action for you. Your vehicle was off-road for 24 hours and as per our Terms & Conditions we refunded your for the lost time of the rental (we refunded you for 1 day out of your 10 day hire). Please let us apologise for the break-down – it is never ideal on a roadtrip – and sadly unavoidable. Even if you buy a brand new BMW today it can break-down the next day. In regards to the gas pipe we were only informed about the issue mid-rental – I do agree that this could have been avoided if picked-up prior to your rental. At this stage it is unclear if the gas cooker stopped malfunctioning right from the beginning or mid-rental as we were only informed mid-rental. If you were close to Sydney or Brisbane we would have been happily been able to exchange the vehicle for you as it is rather difficult to fix the gas pipe during the rental. In such scenarios we advise customers to buy a mobile gas cooker so that you can continue your rental and we will reimburse you on your return. We would like to point out that the gas cooker issues were only mentioned after you were extremely dissatisfied about receiving only one day refund for your breakdown – before there was no mentioning of the gas pipes at any stage. We do apologise again for the breakdown and are hoping that you were able to enjoy the rest of your trip

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Home Suppliers Travellers Autobarn Travellers Station Wagon AU

Travellers Autobarn

Travellers Station Wagon AU

The Station Wagon of RV supplier Travellers Autobarn is suitable for up to 5 people. This station wagon offers sleeping capacity for max. 2 people in the vehicle (must bring your own (air) mattress) and comes with a two-dome tent for two. With a total length of 5.3 meters, this station wagon offers enough comfort for a family or friends and is able to easily manoeuvre into any campsite. Features plenty of space, foldable chairs and includes a tent for two. 

• Backpack campervans
• Free Unlimited miles
• 24/7 Roadside assistance

The photos and floor plans shown on this page are indicative, no rights can be derived from them.

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Free Unlimited Miles with Every USA Rental

OUR DIFFERENCE

Free Unlimited Miles

No Young Driver Fee

24/7 Roadside Assistance

Friendly Pick-up / Drop-off Times

Discounted Caravan Parks

Free 30 Day Camp Ground App

Friendly Pick-up/Drop-off Times

Camper Van & RV Rentals USA

Travellers Autobarn – Campervans & RVs for the budget conscious and young at heart in the USA! We are offering a wide range of campervan & RV rentals in the United States. Whether it’s a weekend getaway or an epic road trip from Los Angeles to San Francisco – you’ll have the time of your life! All of our rentals include UNLIMITED FREE MILES.

Select your campervan

Tent Optional

Chairs Optional

Ice Box Optional

Ext. Table Opt.

Gas Cooker Opt.

Kuga Campervan

Seats 2-3 • sleeps 2-3.

Solar panel

Hi5 Campervan

Seats 4-5 • sleeps 4-5.

Hi-Top Campervan

Specials, discounts & relocations, 20% off - san francisco return, 20% off - la & las vegas, 5% off - san francisco one-way rental, las vegas to san francisco, the dyrt camping app, free unlimited miles with every rental, 10% off koa campgrounds, 10% off us attractions, why #vanlife is better with us.

Free Unlimited Miles with each rental

9 am to 4 pm pick-ups & drop-offs – Monday to Saturdays

No young driver fees – rentals available from age 21

10% Discount with Campground Partners

24/7 Roadside Assistance – Peace of Mind

Free 30 day camp ground app – access camp ground discount all around the USA

10% Discount on US activities with Tiqets

Free Cancellation up to 15 days prior to pick-up date

Renting Campervans since 1993 – we know USA inside out

Locations around USA ( Los Angeles , Las Vegas & San Francisco ), Australia & New Zealand

Frequently Asked Questions

What is your cancellation fee.

Until 14 days before pick-up, no cancellation fee applies:

1. $200 – within 14 days of pick-up

2. 50% – within 7 days of pick-up

3. 100% – same day or no show cancellation

What is your Covid policy?

Mandatory isolation is no longer required by the US government. This means you no longer need to postpone/cancel your road trip due to isolation requirements. If you decide to cancel your road trip we will no longer offer any credit notes and the standard cancellation policy will apply:

What options do I have with mileage?

You know what – it is for free. All Travellers Autobarn RVs/Campers come with free mileage/kilometer packages, so no charge will ever apply!

What are the pick-up & drop-off times?

All pick-ups are between 10 am to 4 pm and all drop-offs are between 9 am to 3 pm. We can accommodate for out of office pick-ups & return in Las Vegas & San Francisco yet sadly not in Los Angeles.

Can I pick up/drop off my vehicle outside of office hours?

We do offer pick ups and drop offs outside of our office hours for Las Vegas & San Francisco. To arrange a pick up or drop off outside of our hours, please contact our reservations team at [email protected] or 1800 469 4790 – charge might apply. Please note we don’t offer this service for our Los Angeles location.

Can I hire the campervan for Burning Man?

Campervans are a great way to experience music festivals! Unfortunately, we don’t allow any rentals to Burning Man at this stage.

Are bedding kits and cooking material provided?

Sheets, covers, duvets, pillows, cooking material (pots/pans/cutlery and more) and chairs are provided for a one-off fee of $45/rental.

What do I do when my campervan breaks down?

Travellers Autobarn vehicles are maintained and serviced regularly, unfortunately this doesn’t prevent the occasional mechanical malfunction or breakdown.

In the event you experience any problems, even minor, you must contact our Customer Care team for further assistance. If immediate assistance is required, it is best to phone us.

USA (+1) 800 469 4790

Minor mechanical repairs costing less than $100 may be undertaken without contacting us for authorisation and will be reimbursed when you return the vehicle, receipts must be provided as proof, or we are unable to refund you.

Road Trips & Travel Tips

An Epic Campervan Journey Through the Rocky Mountains Starting in Las Vegas

Pacific Northwest Camper Van Adventure Out of Las Vegas

Southwest National Park Road Trip Out of Las Vegas

Let’s all look after our planet., leave no trace. let’s all look after our planet., over 6000 happy customers every year.

We rented kuga camper for 3 weeks. It was the best journey we could imagine and it is the best way to visit National Parks, you just have your home on wheels and it gives you so much flexibility on your trip. Everything was perfect, camper, equipment and customer service provided from Alfonso was excellent.

We drove over 8,000 miles and were on the road for 28 days in March 2022. We absolutely loved our Kuga van and made memories that will last a lifetime! We were already avid campers probably intermediate at best before our trip but thanks to Travellers Autobarn for the opportunity to rent one of their vehicles!

Russell and Alfonzo were AMAZING!! So helpful and friendly and made our drop off the best experience! They had great recommendations and made the whole process so smooth.

Fantastic! Super friendly team at the LA USA branch made our van rental super easy. The van never skipped a beat and best of all, no mileage restrictions. Highly recommend, will be back! 10/10.

Great value and service. Alfonso is also the best and super helpful. Definitely going to come back again in the future.

We had the van for 5 weeks and travelled across the US. We managed to get everywhere we wanted with our Travellers Autobarn Van. It's super comfy and cozy inside and the small kitchen was perfect to cook dinner along the roads.

We had an amazing trip with the Kuga Van. It was perfect and fit our needs. It was our home for 2 months ? Price was very good and there was no trouble when we brought it back. Thanks to Russel, Alfonso and Sam for the trip ;-)

I couldn't have thought of a better way to do our road trip. Travellers Autobarn made our renting experience so easy and fast. Russell provided great customer service and explained the ins and outs of the van in a simple manner. We will definitely rent from Autobarn again.

Rented a campervan for about 3 months and travelled through 13 states with their Kuga van. Travellers Autobarn is no doubt the best rental company to book a van through. The unlimited miles and the low price can’t be beat. The staff is incredibly helpful and nice. We’ll definitely rent from them in the future again.

I rented a Kuga from them for four weeks, from the minute I arrived, Russel was extremely helpful with all my questions and concerns. I initially had the van for two weeks but extended my trip half way through as I was having such a great time. The van was great! When I dropped it off, they were great and I can't wait

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Family-friendly adventures : making memories on japan’s roads.

Written By Mayumi

One of the best ways to explore the beauty of Japan with your family is by renting an RV or station wagon to travel the open roads. By road trip you can explore idyllic locations, get to plan an itinerary on your terms and enjoy all of the creature comforts of home. You also get a chance to explore some of the areas that are more remote and less frequently visited by tourists as you’re in charge of where you go. In this blog, we will explore some tips to help you on your family-friendly road trip adventures across Japan.

Family-Friendly Road Trip Adventures in Japan

Exploring Japan by Road trip offers a unique and flexible way to discover the country’s diverse landscapes and rich culture, all while enjoying the comforts of home. Traveling with children in a car can transform a regular family trip into an adventure of a lifetime.

Travellers Autobarn offers KUGA Campervan, which is up to 3 passengers with sleeping and cooking equipment. StationWagon is up to 7 passengers, which makes big family have spacious and comfortable stay.

Preparing for Your Japan Road Trip

Before embarking on your road trip adventure across Japan, it’s important to plan thoroughly so your family is well-prepared. Some things to consider here include: • Renting your vehicle: Whether you’re thinking of RV or station wagon hire, choose a vehicle that suits your family’s size and needs. • Route Planning: Map out your journey considering the distances and driving times between destinations. Japan’s roads are well-maintained, but some rural areas may have narrow roads that require careful navigation. • Packing Essentials: Besides clothing and personal items, pack toys, games, and digital entertainment for rainy days. Also, include a first-aid kit.

Kid-Friendly Itinerary Ideas

The open roads of Japan are filled with amazing adventures for families, with several key attractions that are kid-friendly and worth visiting:

Exploring the Kanto Region

The Kanto region offers a mix of outdoor activities and cultural experiences ideal for families traveling with children. It’s a beautiful part of Japan that’s full of exciting things to do. • Day 1 – 2: Mount Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi: Camp near Lake Kawaguchi with views of Mount Fuji. Explore the nearby Fuji-Q Highland amusement park, which features family-friendly rides and attractions. • Day 3 – 4: Izu Peninsula: Driving on the Izu Peninsula offers travellers stunning coastal views, relaxing hot springs, and charming fishing villages. Enjoy the freedom to explore beautiful beaches, scenic mountain roads, and delicious seafood at your own pace. Experience Japan’s natural beauty and rich culture with your family.

Historical Journey in Kansai

The Kansai region is another part of Japan that’s rich in history and culture, making it a fantastic educational journey for families. • Day 1 – 2: Kyoto: Stay at a campsite near Kyoto. Visit some historic temples in Kyoto as well as the Toei Kyoto Studio Park, where children can engage in samurai and ninja activities. • Day 3 – 4: Nara: Enjoy a unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. Drive through serene landscapes and visit ancient sites like Todai-ji, home to the Great Buddha, and the historic Kasuga Taisha Shrine. Nara Park, famous for its friendly, free-roaming deer, provides a charming and memorable experience.

Kid-Friendly Campsites

There are plenty of campsites to settle down during your Japan road trip, but make sure they’re suitable for your family and your RV or Station Wagon. When planning your stops, consider these family-friendly campsites:

• PICA Fujiyama (Kanto): Located near Lake Kawaguchi, this campsite offers excellent facilities and is close to attractions like the Fuji-Q Highland amusement park.

• Shirakawado Auto Camping Park (Kansai): Ideal for visiting the historic sites of Nara, providing family-friendly amenities and activities.

Tips for a Smooth Road Trip

Making the most of your adventure with RV or Station Wagon rental in Japan can be made a little easier with the right approach. Take a look at our tips for a smooth journey across Japan below:

• Safety First: Always secure all items inside the Car and use child safety seats while driving. • Breaks and Downtime: Plan for regular breaks to let kids run around and explore. This will help manage their energy levels and make the journey enjoyable for everyone. • Engage and Educate: Involve your children in the trip planning by discussing destinations and attractions. Provide them with cameras or sketchbooks to document the trip.

Hit the Open Road  in Japan with your family

Roadtrip in Japan can be a delightful experience for families, offering the flexibility to explore at a comfortable pace with all the comforts of home.

With Travellers Autobarn’ Campervan and Station Wagon and a spirit of adventure, your family can enjoy a memorable journey across Japan’s scenic roads, creating lasting memories together.

About the Author

I love nature and travel. I have lived and traveled in some countries and seen many cultures. I would love to share stories of Japan so that visitors can learn more about this wonderful and unique culture and have an unforgettable and enjoyable trip.

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Narita Airport – A gateway to Japan

Where to go on your first day by a campervan

Our campervans.

Station Wagon

Seats up tp 7.

Chairs Opt.

Gas Cooker Opt.

Kuga Campervan

Seats 2-3 (front seat) • sleeps 2-3.

Solar panel

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Our Campervans

Unlimited KMs

No Young Driver Fee

24/7 Roadside Assistance

Free Campgrounds

Discounted Caravan Parks

Free Road Trip App

Classic Aussie Station Wagon

External Table

Perfect for Aussie distances and Aussie conditions

Rent an Aussie Classic! Hire the legendary Aussie Ford Falcon Station Wagon to today! Dating back to the ‘60’s The Ford Falcon Wagon is about as Aussie as it gets. These wagons power up hills, [...]

The Budgie Van

• 2013 Fit-Out

You don’t miss out on anything with our Budgie Van

Our Budgie Van is fully equipped with all the necessities of travelling. It features a kitchenette, tropical ice-box, USB plug-ins, internal LED lights and much much more. This home on wheels will help you get [...]

The Chubby Camper

• Fit-out 2018-2023

The Best Option for 2 People with Lots of Space

The Chubby Camper is the perfect 2-berth van for the Australian road trip of a lifetime! Whether you are setting off down the coast or exploring far and wide, this savvy and compact camper has [...]

The Hi-Top Campervan

• Sleeps 2-3

• 2008-10 Fit-Out

You won’t miss out with the Hi-Top

The HiTop campervan is a thoughtfully designed vehicle that sleeps 2 to 3 people. Functional cooking and storage areas included. Cheap, thrifty, economic, whatever you call it, don’t be misconceived by the price. You won’t [...]

The Kuga Campervan

• 2016-2023 Fit-Out

Spacious enough to stand up and move around

Our most popular campervan model, the Kuga Campervan is perfect for travelling and living comfortably during your Australian road trip. Our Kuga Campervan features a practical and comfortable interior, with the kitchen and bedding fit-out [...]

The Hi-5 Campervan

• Sleeps 2-5

• 2019-20 Fit-Out

Solar panel

Hi5 Camper is the perfect home-on-wheels

The Hi5 Camper is our biggest camper yet, seating and sleeping up to 5 people. It is ideal for families with young kids or groups of friends who would like to travel around Australia. Spacious [...]

Campervan Hire & Campervan Rental in Australia

Whether you are a backpacker, budget traveller, or a tourist on the cheap, discover campervan hire Australia with Travellers Autobarn . We have a wide range of Station Wagons, 2-berth campervans & 3 to 5 berth campervans to hire for all budgets for the road trip of your lifetime around Australia. All our vehicles are affordably priced, and include a mixture of old and new campervan hire options. Longer term campervan rental discounts are also our speciality. All our campervan hires in Australia come with free unlimited kilometres, 10% discount to premium campgrounds, 24/7 road side assistance & access to free camp sites! There is truly no better way to tour Australia, and we can make your campervan sightseeing dreams come alive, throughout our 6 campervan hire locations Australia wide!

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Hours and Location

We do not operate a public scale. Loads are weighed for the purpose of disposal pricing and tracking only.

The Mission Trail Waste Systems Transfer Station is located at: 1313 Memorex Dr. Santa Clara, CA 95050-2816

Hours: Monday – Friday 6:00 am to 2:00 pm Closed on Saturdays Closed on Sundays

Phone: 408-727-5365 x514 Fax: 408-727-7730

COVID-19 Update:

EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY WE WILL BE CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC ON SATURDAYS. NEW HOURS EFFECTIVE MARCH 28, 2020 MONDAY-FRIDAY 6:00AM-2:00PM.

Mission Trail Waste Systems Transfer Station is open to the public.

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For information on proper disposal of the items below and more, please call the County of Santa Clara Department of Environmental Health, Household Hazardous Waste Program/Small Business Services at 408-299-7300 or visit  www.hhw.org .

X Liquid Waste

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Timeline - The 1840s

Impossible to conquer, yet with the intrepid spirit of the mountain men, miners, and pioneers, they would begin an earnest try as the nation moved, in its first real phase, from east to west.

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Above Photo: Bezaleel W. Armstrong, circa 1846. 2nd Lt., 1st and 2nd Dragoons. Served in the Mexican War at Vera Cruz and Mexico City. Right: Independence Rock on the Oregon Trail in Wyoming. Photo from Hayden Survey, William H. Jackson, 1870. Courtesy National Archives.

U.S. Timeline - The 1840s

The Mexican War

1841 Detail

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1841 - Detail

May 1, 1841 - the first wagon train to california, with sixty-nine adults and several children, leave from independence, missouri. the journey would take until november 4. within two years, it would be considered a small excursion, when wagon trains would reach one thousand people in settlement of the west, but this wagon train, heading out over the oregon trail west before deking toward california, would be the first attempt to take a major group trip. there had been previous wagon trains, both on the oregon trail and santa fe trails since the early 1820's. john bartleson and john bidwell would lead the train over a haphazard wagon road created by three previous smaller parties. the trip would take five months at fifteen miles per day; it would cover over two thousand miles, traversing the oregon trail and crossing the great salt lake and sierra nevada mountains. the group consisted of bartleson, chosen captain despite his temperament, and bidwell, a twenty-one year old native of new york who had been slowly traveling west through his young life, reaching the kansas city area after stops in pennsylvania, ohio, and iowa. he had left ohio in 1838 with $75, eventually settling in missouri, and beginning to teach. josiah belden, a connecticutt orphan, age twenty-six in 1841, and later mayor of san jose, california, would join the party. they would be directed, for parts of the journey, by father pierre-jean de smet, a jesuit missionary who had been traveling iowa, montana, and wyoming since 1838, and thomas fitzpatrick, a mountain man, trapper, and head of the rocky mountain fur company, defunct since 1834. the party would be known as the western emigration society. the trip would head toward the mexican province of alta california and the mexican land grant of john marsh called rancho los meganos. marsh was the second owner. it began in sapling grove in westport, missouri, west of independence, and travel over the oregon trail. there is some disagreement over the date the party started, with may 1 and may 9 suggested. once reaching fort hall in idaho, the party started to disperse, with half deciding to continue on the road to oregon, and the other half to their original destination along the north shore of the great salt lake. they would abandon their wagons west of the lake before ascending the sierra nevadas to reach alta california. however, there were problems with an arrival of united states immigrants in alta california. mexican generals had orders to evict any americans who tried to colonize mexican territory. when a portion of the bartleson-bidwell company arrived at mission san jose, they were detained, but eventually allowed to stay if they became mexican citizens. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});, bidwell account of the journey - the start, when we reached sapling grove, the place of rendezvous, in may, 1841, there was but one wagon ahead of us. for the next few days one or two wagons would come each day, and among the recruits were three families from arkansas. we organized by electing as captain of the company a man named bartleson from jackson county, missouri. he was not the best man for the position, but we were given to understand that if he was not elected captain he would not go; and as he had seven or eight men with him, and we did not want the party diminished, he was chosen. every one furnished his own supplies. the party consisted of sixty-nine, including men, women, and children. our teams were of oxen, mules, and horses. we had no cows, as the later emigrants usually had, and the lack of milk was a great depriva- tion to the children. it was understood that every one should have not less than a barrel of flour with sugar and so forth to suit; but i laid in one hundred pounds of flour more than the usual quantity, besides other things. this i did because we were told that when we got into the mountains we probably would get out of bread and have to live on meat alone, which i thought would kill me even if it did not others. my gun was an old flint-lock rifle, but a good one. old hunters told me to have nothing to do with cap or percussion locks, that they were unreliable, and that if i got my caps or percussion wet i could not shoot, while if i lost my flint i could pick up another on the plains. i doubt whether there was one hundred dollars in money in the whole party, but all were en- thusiastic and anxious to go. in five days after my arrival we were ready to start, but no one knew where to go, not even the captain. finally a man came up, one of the last to arrive, and announced that a company of catholic missionaries were on their way from st. louis to the flathead nation of indians with an old rocky mountaineer for a guide, and that if we would wait another day they would be up with us. at first we were independent, and thought we could not afford to wait for a slow missionary party. but when we found that no one knew which way to go, we sobered down and waited for them to come up; and it was well we did, for otherwise probably not one of us would ever have reached california, because of our inexperience. af- terwards when we came in contact with indians our people were so easily excited that if we had not had with us an old mountaineer the result would certainly have been disastrous. the name of the guide was captain fitzpatrick; he had been at the head of trapping parties in the rocky mountains for many years. he and the missionary party went with us as far as soda springs, now in idaho territory, whence they turned north to the flathead nation., bidwell account - the separation, we were now on the edge of the san joaquin valley, but we did not even know that we were in california. we could see a range of mountains lying to the west, the coast range, but we could see no valley. the evening of the day we started down into the valley we were very tired, and when night came our party was strung along for three or four miles, and every man slept right where dark- ness overtook him. he would take off his saddle for a pillow and turn his horse or mule loose, if he had one. his animal would be too poor to walk away, and in the morning he would find him, usually within fifty feet. the jaded horses nearly perished with hunger and fatigue. when we overtook the foremost of the party the next morning we found they had come to a pond of water, and one of them had killed a fat coyote; when i came up it was all eaten except the lights and the windpipe, on which i made my breakfast. from that camp we saw timber to the north of us, evidently bordering a stream running west. it turned out to be the stream that w~ had followed down in the moun- tains the stanislaus river. as soon as we wild grapes also abounded. the next day we killed thirteen deer and antelopes, jerked the meat and got ready to go on, all except the captains mess of seven or eight, who decided to stay there and lay in meat enough to last them into california we were really almost down to tidewater, but did not know it. some thought it was five hundred miles yet to california. but all thought we had to cross at least that range of mountains in sight to the west before entering the promised land, and how many more beyond no one could tell. nearly all thought it best to press on lest the snows might overtake us in the mountains before us, as they had already nearly done on the mountains be- hind us (the sierra nevada). it was now about the first of november. our party set forth bearing northwest, aiming for a seeming gap north of a high mountain in the chain to the west of us. that mountain we found to be mount diablo. at night the indians attacked the captains camp and stole all their animals, which were the best in the company, and the next day the men had to overtake us with just what they could carry in their hands. the next day, judging by the timber we saw, we concluded there was a river to the west. so two men went ahead to see if they could find a trail or a crossing. the timber seen proved to be along what is now known as the san joa- quin river. we sent two men on ahead to spy out the country. at night one of them returned, saying they had come across an indian on horseback without a saddle who wore a cloth jacket but no other clothing. from what they could understand the indian knew dr. marsh and had offered to guide them to his place. he plainly said marsh, and of course we supposed it was the dr. marsh before referred to who had written the letter to a friend in jackson county, missouri, and so it proved. one man went with the indian to marshs ranch and the other came back to tell us what he had done, with the suggestion that we should go on and cross the river (san joaquin) at the place to which the trail was leading. in that way we found ourselves two days later at dr. marshs ranch, and there we learned that we were really in california and our journey at an end. after six months we had now arrived at the first settlement in california, november 4, 1841., bidwell's life after the journey, john bidwell's arrival in alta california coincided with that of john sutter of pending gold fame, having completed his settlement near coloma, california in june 1841. bidwell became his business manager. after sutter's employee, james w. marshall found gold there in 1848, bidwell staked a successful claim along the feather river prior to the main rush. he became a major with allegiance to the united states and california in the mexican american war, rose to brigadier general in the california militia after it, and served in the california senate and later as a representative in the united states congress. in 1892, he ran for president of the united states on the prohibition party ticket, coming in fourth with 2.3% of the national vote. photo above: lithograph showing wagon train with indians behind the rocks, 1877, s.h. redmond, h. steinegger, britton, rev. and company. courtesy library of congress. photo below: three replica wagons at eagle rock, scotts bluff national monument. courtesy national park service. information source: the first emigrant train to california, general john bidwell, the century; a popular quarterly volume 0041 issue 1 (november 1890) via cornell university library; wikipedia commons..

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The pioneer line to california: an adventure in transportation.

Where there’s gold, there’s opportunity, and the California Gold Rush offered plenty of both.

Thousands of men—potential customers with money in their pockets— would be thronging the Missouri River outfitting towns each spring while the rush lasted. Many would be merchants, doctors, lawyers, teachers, bankers, and hotel-keepers, city men whose life experiences did not prepare them for driving a wagon or packing mules some 2,000 miles across deserts and mountains to California. So, business idea: sell those men tickets to join a commercial wagon train. Passengers would ride in comfort while experienced staff did the mule-wrangling and driving. Customers would be attended by valets, sleep in coach berths or tents provided by the company, sip wine with their delicious meals, and reach the gold fields in 60 to 70 days—months ahead of everybody else! All for the low, low price of $100 to $300 per person (plus overweight baggage fees). It seemed too good to be true, and for the most part, it was. Only one commercial wagon train was ready to roll in 1849, the first year of the rush: the Pioneer Co. of Fast Coaches (known as the Pioneer Line), which was owned, managed, and promoted by a pair of experienced freighters, Thomas Turner and his partner, a man named Allen. Their plan was to provide 20 “handsome carriages,” each drawn by four mules, to carry six men apiece. For hauling baggage and supplies, they’d provide 22 heavy freight wagons. To drive and manage the livestock, they’d hire a 40-man crew. The whole outfit would be guided west by famed mountain man Moses “Black” Harris. At $200 per ticket, Turner and Allen quickly signed up enough passengers for two separate passenger trains. The first would depart on May 15, the other in June. It seemed like a solid business plan, but then Turner and Allen made some bad mistakes and suffered some bad luck. They bought unbroken mules, and not enough of them. And they overloaded the freight wagons. On his way to meet the wagon train at Independence, Mo., Harris died of cholera, which was raging through the Missouri River towns. Then, the weather on the prairie that spring was horrible, with persistent rain, hailstorms, gales. Mud was deep, rivers in flood. It turned out there were no valets to attend the “gay and festive” passengers, who soon were asked to help harness and drive the wild mules, cook their own meals, and stand guard at night. Eventually they were made to give up their seats and walk. Upon reaching Fort Laramie in eastern Wyoming, Turner made another fateful decision by dumping much of their food, keeping only enough for 60 days. Mules died. Provisions gave out. Passengers suffered from starvation and scurvy. Many abandoned their baggage and struck out on foot; others were too weak to walk. Twenty-two passengers died, seven of them expiring shortly after reaching Sacramento on October 1. Most of those who stayed with the wagons arrived too crippled to move. One such man, according passenger journals, arrived “drawn up into a kind of ball, and could have been rolled over and over like a bale of carpet.” The second passenger train rolled into California “in a crippled condition,” as well, and that spelled the end of the Pioneer Line. According to historian Mary McDougal Gordon, a total of 13 more passenger trains set out for California in 1850 and 1852. Only a few, she writes, reached the gold fields; the others broke down along the trail. One of the failing 1850 trains was organized by well-known “confidence man” Parker H. French. French promised customers passage by steamer from New York to Port Lavaca, Texas, and thence “by comfortable and easy wagon coaches” across the mild southern climes of Texas to San Francisco. A company of 60 Texas Rangers, he promised, would hunt for the company and stand guard at night with two mountain howitzers. But, pursued by lawmen wanting to arrest him for fraud, French ducked out to Mexico and left his passengers stranded at El Paso without the promised wagons and mules. The company broke up, with men heading in all directions. The first of them to reach San Francisco arrived in mid-December.

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Last updated: July 19, 2021