How Did They Do the Truck Scene in Christmas Vacation?

By Robert Palmer

If you’re a fan of the classic holiday movie Christmas Vacation, you’re probably familiar with the iconic scene where Clark Griswold’s (played by Chevy Chase) cousin Eddie (played by Randy Quaid) arrives with his beat-up old RV. But did you ever wonder how they filmed that scene? It turns out that it was a lot more complicated than you might think.

First of all, let’s talk about the RV itself. The vehicle used in the movie is a 1972 Condor II RV made by GMC.

This particular model was only produced for two years and is now considered a collector’s item. However, at the time of filming, it was already an outdated and rare vehicle.

To create the illusion of Eddie driving the RV, a special rig was built that allowed actor Randy Quaid to sit in the driver’s seat while being towed along by a camera car. This rig was also used for shots of the RV driving down the road with Clark and his family following behind in their car.

But what about when Eddie pulls up to Clark’s house? How did they film that scene?

Well, it turns out that they actually had to cut the RV in half! That’s right – they only used the front half of the vehicle for those shots.

To make it look like a full-size RV, they built a set around it that matched the dimensions of the back half. This set included fake wheels and tires, as well as a door that opened to reveal Cousin Eddie inside.

Another important element of this scene is the sewage hose that Eddie empties into Clark’s storm drain. To create this effect, they used a real sewage hose connected to an off-camera tanker truck filled with water and food coloring.

Overall, filming this scene required some creative problem-solving and innovative techniques. But thanks to these efforts, we can enjoy one of Christmas Vacation’s most memorable moments year after year.

Conclusion:

So there you have it – the story behind how they filmed the truck scene in Christmas Vacation. From the use of a rare and outdated RV to cutting it in half and building a set around it, this scene required some serious ingenuity and skill.

And let’s not forget about that sewage hose! It just goes to show that sometimes the most iconic moments on screen are the result of behind-the-scenes magic.