Northern Utah’s Tin Can Tourists gathering known as Rally on the Fruit Way is the kind of event that combines vintage trailer fun with a memorable regional setting. Held at the Brigham City/South Perry KOA Campground along old Highway 89, the rally takes its name from Utah’s well-known “Fruit Way,” a stretch of road lined with farm stands selling fresh fruit and vegetables during harvest season. The location gives the event a distinctly local flavor and adds another layer of charm to an already welcoming vintage trailer weekend.
Kaleb Bilodeau bought a 1963 Aristocrat Land Commander from a cattle rancher for $400. The trailer had been setting on the ranch since 1981 and was deteriorating from sun and water damage and was infested with rodents. He enlisted the help of his father, Matt Bilodeau and his three-car garage along with his girlfriend, Lauren Stanko for the 18-month frame up restoration project. Kaleb Bilodeau said the $400 he paid basically paid for the frame, wheels, appliances, windows, hardware, lights and a few other things that they were able to salvage. Most everything else had to be replaced.
As with many great vintage trailer rallies, shared meals are an important part of the experience. A potluck dinner helps kick off the weekend, giving everyone a chance to gather and settle into rally mode. Public open house is another highlight, inviting visitors from surrounding communities to tour the vintage trailers and enjoy the nostalgic appeal of these well-loved rigs. Events like this not only bring trailer owners together, but also help introduce the broader public to the hobby and the craftsmanship behind these rolling pieces of history.
Entertainment and hospitality help make the rally even more memorable. Live music, good food, and a relaxed campground atmosphere create a setting where vintage trailer enthusiasts can enjoy more than just the trailers themselves. It is the kind of weekend where the simple pleasures—sharing a meal, swapping stories, listening to music, and touring campers—come together in the best possible way.
One especially rewarding part of this rally is seeing newly completed restorations make their debut. Owners often arrive with trailers they have spent months, and sometimes years, bringing back to life. These first outings are a proud moment, and they add a special energy to the event. Fresh restorations, longtime favorites, and family projects all have a place here, and each trailer has its own story to tell.
For some families, the journey to the rally is as meaningful as the rally itself. Vintage trailer restorations often involve long hours, problem-solving, and teamwork, and rallies like this offer the perfect chance to celebrate that effort. They are a place where hard work pays off, friendships are renewed, and new memories are made.
With its harvest-season setting, welcoming atmosphere, and strong sense of community, Rally on the Fruit Way captures much of what makes vintage trailer gatherings so enjoyable. It is a reminder that the best rallies are not only about beautiful trailers, but also about the places they take us and the people we meet along the way.
