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With many RV brands on the market, it might not be easy to search for a manufacturer that produces dependable, well-built recreational vehicles. Why not start your hunt with a brand that has been around for almost 60 years? Coachmen RV has been creating high-quality RVs in all classes.
They continually upgrade their designs and materials to reflect new industry safety and construction standards. You will find travel trailers, Class A buses, Class B vans, 5th wheels, and Class Cs all built with the customers’ needs in mind. Let’s look behind the scenes with the Coachman RV brand.
About Coachmen RV
In 1964, Coachmen RV appeared in the camping world, with 12 travel trailers and one truck camper. Their 5,000 sq. ft manufacturing facility was located in the center of RV production in America, northern Indiana, in Middlebury.
Three brothers, Keith, Tom, and Claude Corson, founded Coachmen Industries and quickly grew the company into a leader in the recreational vehicle industry. Today, more than 600,000 Coachmen RVs have rolled off the factory line.
Who Owns Coachmen RV?
In 2008, Forest River purchased the Coachmen RV brand, along with several other manufacturers, like Dynamax, Palomino, Shasta, Forest River, and Prime Time. This conglomeration made Forest River the second-largest recreational vehicle supplier in the nation, just behind Thor Industries.
Owned by Warren Buffett’s private investment firm Berkshire Hathaway, Forest River cornered the market on pontoon boat production, utility cargo trailers, park models, commercial trucks, and buses by adding these specialty vehicle companies under its umbrella.
About Forest River
Forest River was founded in 1996 by Peter Liegl to produce better RV vehicles to help their customers enjoy the outdoors. They purchased the assets of an existing manufacturer, Cobra Industries, and began building pop-up tent campers, 5th wheels, travel trailers, and park models.
Today Forest River is responsible for more than 20 different RV brands. Its portfolio has grown over the years to include travel trailers like Rockwood and Evo, Class As including the Georgetown brand and FR3, 5th wheel trailers that include Riverstone and Sabre, Class Bs like the Coachmen Beyond, and even a hybrid trailer line from Flagstaff.
Where Are Coachmen RVs Built?
Coachmen RV has grown from downtown Middlebury, Indiana, to a 220-acre manufacturing plant. It is here that the company builds Class A, B, C, and 5th wheels. Its travel trailers and camping trailers are constructed in Centerville, Michigan, just 21 miles away. The company built another facility in White Pidgeon, Michigan, to handle greater demands for their products.
Pro Tip: Confused by all the different RV types? Learn everything you need by reading our article on the 7 Unique Types of RVs.
What Brands Does Coachmen RV Make?
Coachmen RV manufactures a significant number of RVs, covering all classifications. Find a breakdown of each below.
Class As
With large motorhomes like the Sportscoach line, Coachmen has created large, luxurious homes on wheels. They also offer more mainstream coaches with lower price points like the Pursuit, Mirada, and Encore models.
Class Bs
Their diesel offering in the Class B designation is the Coachmen Galleria. Its fraternal twin with a gas engine is the Beyond, and recently Coachmen introduced an entry-level van called the Nova. Their vans come standard with high-quality finishes like solid maple cabinetry and absorption refrigerators.
Class Cs
Several different Class C models have a long track record with Coachmen RV. From the Leprechaun to the Crosstrail, Prism, and Freelander, you will find specific floorplans that range from 25 to 32 feet long with a variety of amenities.
Fifth Wheels
5th wheels from Coachmen include two different lines – the Brookstone and the Chaparral. Each has several floorplans with lengths from 36 to 42 feet long. As of 2022, none of these 5th wheels has a toy hauler option.
Travel Trailers
This category is overflowing with Coachmen RV products. These include the Adrenaline, Catalina, Freedom Express, Northern Spirit, Apex, Clipper, and Viking Ultra-Lite. Several floorplans vary in size from 18.5 to 40 feet long.
Pop-Up Campers
Coachmen RV produces three different pop-up trailers. The Viking and Clipper lines offer a conventional pop-up, as well as a small “Xpress” model, which has a pop-up roof in the living area, but otherwise is short in stature for more effortless towing and less wind resistance.
How Much Does a Coachmen RV Cost?
From the least expensive pop-up trailer to the most exclusive Class A bus, Coachmen RV MSRP prices range from $14,182 to $348,416. There is something for almost every pocketbook.
Class A pricing starts at $133,668 and finishes at $348,416. Class Bs range from $134,856 to $188,066, and Class Cs cost from $92,374 to $134,543. 5th wheels are $60,895 to $97,679. Travel trailers begin at $20,240 and go up to $53,084, and pop-ups can start at $14,182 and stop at $32,589.
Is Coachmen RV a Good RV Brand?
Because Coachmen RV has such a large variety of models and floorplans, it seems anyone can find what they are looking for in a dependable recreational vehicle.
The company has garnered good reviews from customers who appreciate Coachmen’s response to questions and service. The high quality of their products means buyers will have a Coachmen RV around for years to come. Do you have a Coachmen RV?
I had the good fortune of personally knowing and enjoying dinner with both Keith and Tom Corson on MANY occasions in the mid-late 60s and early 70s while living in Elkhart, IN. My father-in-law and husband were owners of a company that supplied the majority of the necessary components (hot water heaters, refrigerators, furnaces, etc) for Coachmen RV products.