RV MANUFACTURERS

Airstream

The company was founded by Wally Byam, who began building trailers out of Masonite in his backyard in Los Angeles during the late 1920s. A lawyer by training, Byam published a magazine selling "how-to" kits to customers wishing to build their own trailers. He then acquired the struggling Bowlus Company. In 1936 Byam introduced the "Airstream Clipper", which was essentially a rebadged 1935 Bowlus, with the door relocated from the front to the side. The design cut down on wind resistance and thus improved fuel efficiency. It was the first of the now familiar sausage-shaped, silver aluminum Airstream trailers.[1] Of more than 400 travel trailer builders operating in 1936, Airstream was the sole survivor of the Depression. During World War II, travel became a luxury most could not afford and non-military industries faced an acute aluminum shortage. When World War II ended, the economy boomed, and people's attention once again turned towards leisure travel. Byam's company went back into production in 1948. In July 1952 a new facility in Jackson Center, Ohio, was established. 1979 saw the last Airstreams to be manufactured in California.

In 1974 Airstream began manufacturing a Class A motorhome, badged "Argosy". They began as painted aluminum 20- and 24-foot (6.1 and 7.3 m) models, and were followed in 1979 by the first examples of the Classic model motorhome, with both a painted and unpainted aluminum body much like the trailers.

Airstream-badged Class A motorhomes began as 24- and 28-foot (7.3 and 8.5-m) models in 1979, and in the 1980s and 1990s, models ranging from 25 up to 37 feet (7.6 up to 11.2 m) were marketed. The aluminum motorhomes were followed by more traditional-looking fiberglass models in the 1990s. Airstream discontinued manufacture of Class A motorhomes in 2006. A recent bus model, the Skydeck, featured interior stairs leading to a deck on the roof.

Starting in 1989, Airstream built Class B motorhomes based on the Ford Econoline chassis and the Dodge B-series van chassis. Production ceased after the 1999 model year. In 2004, Airstream introduced the Westfalia and Interstate. The Parkway model, based on the Interstate, was introduced in 2006. All models are built on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis. The Westfalia was discontinued in 2006 as was the Parkway model.

Airstream, still based in Jackson Center, is owned by Thor, Inc. The company presently manufactures approximately 1,000 trailers and motorhomes per year. Currently, Airstream produces several models — Sport, Flying Cloud, International and Classic Limited. 2010 trailer sizes range between 16 ft to 31 ft (4.9 to 9.4 m). Airstream also manufactures models for the European market.

In 1969, upon their return from the Moon, Neil Armstrong and the crew of Apollo 11 were quarantined in the Mobile Quarantine Facility, a modified airtight Airstream trailer until it could be determined that there was little likelihood of their having brought back "lunar pathogens" with them.

For decades, NASA has used a fleet of Airstream motorhomes to transport astronauts to the launch pad. The space shuttle program has used a modified 1983 Airstream Excella since 1984 dubbed the Astrovan.

Damon

Damon RV offers many different Class A motorhomes; including a powerful Challenger RV motor home for the serious vacationer. The surprisingly affordable Daybreak RV motorhome offers outstanding features in a compact size. The luxurious Astoria diesel pusher provides unbelievable extras. The Tuscany Class A diesel is the flagship for Damon RV. And the Outlaw RV toyhauler is the latest innovation from Damon which includes a loft with sleeping for two over a garage.

Damon Motor Coach is just one of the affordable luxurious Class A motorhomes GeneralRV.com has to offer. Damon RVs has many choices of Class A motorhomes … from entry level to luxurious, Damon has one for you.

Damon RV Motor Coach designs and manufactures a full line of affordably-priced, yet quality built Class A motorhomes. Located in Elkhart, Indiana, Damon RV was founded in 1988 by Don Pletcher and is also a subsidiary of Thor Industries, Inc. of Ohio, the world’s largest manufacturer of recreational vehicles.

Fleetwood

For over 20 years, Bounder has been one of America’s favorite RV brands. Nothing beats Bounder’s combination of practicality and value!

Fleetwood is one of North America's largest producers of recreational vehicles. The Company was founded in 1950. This company is headquartered in Riverside, California and is dedicated to providing quality, innovative products that offer exceptional value to its customers.

Bounder is loaded with practical features that make your journey more enjoyable. Our designers focused how to help you spend your time on the road in comfort and safety.

Full-Body paint is a tremendous value that will look great for years to come. Every Bounder features long-wearing full-body paint, usually only found on higher-priced motor homes.

Four Winds

From the first-class style of Four Winds motorhomes, it's easy to see that nothing else will measure up. In comfort. In quality. In value.

Four Winds International has introduced a new Hurricane model for 2007 with a hallway slide-out with bunk beds. It is the perfect model for families who travel with their children.

The bunk beds are designed for both children and adults. Unlike similar competitor’s models, these beds are built at a lower height so a child can easily access either bed. Plus, each bed has its own window. There is a 15" LCD television built in to the wall opposite the bunk beds.

Monaco

Monaco Coach Corporation (Pink Sheets: MCOA) was an American corporation which primarily manufactured recreational vehicles and RV chassis. The company was headquartered in Coburg, Oregon, and maintained significant manufacturing operations in various locations in Indiana.

History

Monaco was incorporated in 1968 as the Caribou Manufacturing Company. They began building pickup campers. The most popular line was named "Monaco." In 1977 the name was changed to Monaco Coach Corporation. It acquired the Roadmaster Chassis Division of Chrysler Corporation in 1984 and the Holiday Rambler Division of Harley-Davidson in 1996. In 1987 Kay Toolson was appointed President. Monaco manufactured seven brands of motorhomes and RVs, including Monaco, Beaver, Safari, McKenzie, Holiday Rambler, R-Vision, and Roadmaster Chassis. In 1994 Monaco President Kay Toolson announced they would move their Junction City operations to the Coburg Industrial Park in Eugene, Oregon. In 2005, the company had sales of approximately US$1.2 billion, and employed nearly 5,400 people.