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Thor Industries has become an empire in the RV industry with its wide reach and many brands. You may not even realize your RV is actually owned by Thor as Airstream or Dutchmen may manufacture it. Let’s look at how many RV brands Thor Industries owns.
About Thor Industries
In 1980, Wade Thompson and Peter Orthwein founded Thor Industries. They probably had no idea it would grow into the RV empire it is today. Over the years, Thor has acquired numerous brands to form a family of companies that’s one of the world’s largest.
Thor owns 17 North American RV brands and 14 other North American companies. Additionally, it owns 16 European caravan manufacturers and five other European companies.
The Thor Family of Brands
From its acquisition of Airstream in 1980 to its latest purchase of Airxcel in 2021, Thor Industries continues to grow its family of companies. They exited the bus business in 2013 when it sold Champion Bus, General Coach America, Goshen Coach, ElDorado National (California), and ElDorado National (Kansas) to Allied Specialty Vehicles.
Even so, Thor Industries remains one of the leading manufacturers of RVs in the world. You’ll find everything from top-of-the-line to entry-level brands. Let’s look at what makes up Thor’s empire.
Keep in Mind: Have you heard of the Thor Vision Vehicle? Check out what it is and our thoughts!
Airstream
The acquisition of Airstream in 1980 set a blazing trail for Thor Industries. Currently, Airstream has eight models. Basecamp 16, the smallest unit, starts around $43,000 and is a little over 16 ft in length.
From there, the price and length increase from the Caravel and the Flying Cloud to the Globetrotter. The flagship travel trailer, the Classic, starts around $179,000 and measures a little over 31 ft long.
The newly unveiled eStream is an electric travel trailer concept with self-propelling motors, a solar panel roof, and an app through which you can remotely back up the trailer without needing a tow vehicle. It doesn’t have an official release date yet, but this will surely be another Airstream hit for RVers.
Pro Tip: While Airstreams are popular, not everyone loves theirs. Read Top 5 Regrets of Owning an Airstream before buying this classic RV.
CrossRoads RV
In 2004, Thor Industries bought CrossRoads for $27 million. The brand makes travel trailers, fifth wheels, and toy haulers.
The Volante fifth wheel, one of its most popular models, has 20 floorplans. You can find one with a bunk room, a king bed, a kitchen island, a front living area, and two bathrooms. CrossRoads headquarters in Topeka, Indiana.
Cruiser RV
Thor Industries made this acquisition in 2015 for a whopping $47.4 million. Cruiser RV and DRV were purchased together. The popular Stryker travel-trailer toy hauler has made Cruiser well known among RVers.
These units, produced in Howe, Indiana, start at around $63,600, weigh 6,740 lbs, and measure 27’ 6” long. It has nine floorplans, some of which have 12 to 16 ft garage spaces. The STG3212 also features a side patio.
DRV Luxury Suites
Purchased along with CruiserRV (CRV), DRV only makes the Mobile Suites and Full House units. These are very high-end, luxurious fifth wheels made in Howe, Indiana. The Mobile Suites range from 36 to 44 ft long and weigh 20,000 to 24,000 lbs. They come standard with Goodyear 17 1/2″ H-rated tires, 3 1/4″ thick walls with a foam core, and a 15″ custom triple-box tube frame.
Most Full House toy hauler units come equipped with heavy-duty 8,000 lb-rated axles, a 15″ triple-stacked box tube frame, and a 1/4″ Monsanto fome-cor vapor barrier to prevent condensation. The three floorplans feature larger kitchens and living spaces than most toy haulers. The garages range from 10 to 13 ft, and all three floorplans feature king beds in a slide-out.
Dutchmen
Thor Industries purchased Dutchmen in 1991 as one of the earliest acquisitions. They manufacture travel trailers, fifth wheels, and toy haulers. This brand is most well-known for the Coleman travel trailer.
These lightweight options work great as entry-level travel trailers and for weekends away at the campground. The Coleman Lantern offers 17 floorplans ranging from around 29 ft and $38,000 to almost 38 ft and $55,000. Dutchmen headquarters in Goshen, Indiana.
Keep in Mind: Dutchmen RV makes great lightweight trailers, but if you’re in the market for one, be sure to consider the 5 Best Lightweight Campers in 2022.
Entegra Coach
With Thor’s purchase of Jayco in 2016, Entegra became part of the family. This $576 million deal included Jayco, Starcraft RV, Highland Ridge, and Entegra Coach. You’ll find the Entegra headquarters in Elkhart, Indiana.
Entegra manufactures seven Class A: Aspire, Anthem, Cornerstone, Emblem, Vision, Reatta, and Reatta XL. It also has four Class Cs: Accolade, Esteem, Odyssey, and Qwest. All of them feature luxurious, residential finishes and details.
Heartland
In 2010, Thor made its largest acquisition to date. Heartland RV manufactures travel trailers, fifth wheels, and toy haulers at its main facility in Elkhart, Indiana. With six travel-trailer models, five fifth-wheel models, and four toy-hauler models, Heartland produces towable RVs for all types of campers.
The North Trail travel trailer features 20 floorplans, so you have countless options when looking at the Heartland inventory. The Landmark fifth wheels have the most high-end options, with an MSRP of over $197,000 for the Lafayette model.
Pro Tip: If you like the sound of Heartland RV, you need to check out The Best Travel Trailer Brands This Year!
Highland Ridge RV
As already mentioned with Entegra, Thor Industries purchased Highland Ridge RV with the Jayco acquisition in 2016. This brand produces travel trailers and fifth wheels and is best known for the Mesa Ridge and Open Range models.
Highland Ridge RV provides lightweight RVs with ample living spaces to accommodate larger families. The Open Range Light has a floor plan under 7,000 lbs but still sleeps up to eight people. Some of the smaller units even weigh under 5,000 lbs. You’ll find its headquarters in Shipshewana, Indiana.
Jayco
Jay Flight by Jayco has been the number one selling travel trailer for the past 15 years. It features a wide variety of floor plans measuring 28′ 10″ to 40′ 6″ and weighs 5,560 to 9,165 lbs. But Jayco also manufactures fifth wheels, toy haulers, Class A, and Class C motorhomes.
The Pinnacle is one of the most top-of-the-line fifth wheels on the market. It offers full-time warranty coverage, which is important for families who live in an RV. Based in Middlebury, Indiana, Jayco is one of the most recognizable brands in the RV industry.
Keystone RV Company
Purchased in 2001 for $145 million, Keystone RV produces travel trailers, fifth wheels, and toy haulers. The company is probably best recognized for the Montana fifth wheel, North America’s number one luxury fifth-wheel. The nine floorplans range from 35′ to 41′ long and weigh 2,367 to 14,345 lbs.
But Keystone also has popular models like the Cougar travel trailer and fifth wheel, the Sprinter travel trailer, and the Fuzion toy hauler. You’ll find Keystone’s manufacturing facility in Goshen, Indiana.
KZ Recreational Vehicles
A lesser-known brand is KZ Recreational Vehicles. Purchased in 2014 for $53.4 million, KZ manufactures travel trailers, fifth wheels, and toy haulers in Shipshewana, Indiana. Even though it might not be as popular as Jayco or Keystone, KZ has been in the RV industry since 1972.
Featuring eight travel trailers, seven fifth wheels, and six toy hauler models, the KZ units work great for RVers on a budget who want to choose from several floorplans.
Redwood
In 2010, Thor Industries entered the luxury fifth wheel market by creating Redwood RV. This brand focused on developing, designing, and selling high-end luxury fifth wheels. In 2013, it merged with CrossRoads.
Then in 2017, CrossRoads became part of Keystone RV. Based in Syracuse, Indiana, Redwood RV still produces luxury fifth-wheels. Its nine floorplans feature front living spaces, front kitchens, front bedrooms, kitchen islands, double vanities, and more.
Starcraft
Starcraft was another part of the Jayco deal. As a smaller company, Starcraft only manufactures two travel trailers and one fifth-wheel. Since it began making RVs in 1964, Starcraft has focused on simple design at a lower cost.
Their travel trailers start under $24,000, and their lightweight construction makes them easily towable for RV newbies.
Thor Motor Coach
Created in 2010 when Damon Motor Coach and Four Winds International combined, Thor Motor Coach has 27 different coaches from Class As and Cs to camper vans. The Outlaw is the sole toy hauler unit manufactured by Thor Motor Coach.
The Class A motorhomes have gas and diesel engines built on a Ford or Freightliner chassis. The Class C Chateau has 12 floorplans, so you have numerous options within the Thor Motor Coach brand. In the camper van lineup, you’ll find the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis and the Ram Promaster chassis, among its six model options.
Tiffin Motorhomes
Purchased in December of 2020 for $300 million, Tiffin joined the Thor family of brands as one of the latest acquisitions. Tiffin is known for its quality, luxurious Class A motorhomes manufactured in Red Bay, Alabama.
It also produces one Class C, the Wayfarer, and one Class B, the Cahaba. The most high-end unit, the Zephyr, features quartz countertops, a 360-degree camera system, and a 20,000 lb hitch rating.
Vanleigh
A division of Tiffin, Vanleigh produces luxury fifth-wheels. The three options, the Pinecrest, the Vilano, and the Beacon, all feature real handcrafted solid wood cabinetry, the Multiplex 12V electrical system, and fully framed, insulated, and laminated slide rooms.
The largest unit, the Pinecrest, can sleep up to 10 people and offers two floorplans with bunks.
Venture
Venture’s parent company is KZ. It has five different travel trailers and focuses primarily on lightweight and ultra-lightweight options. The SportTrek is one of the most popular units and features 12 floorplans.
Ranging from 5,690 to 8,690 lbs, RVers don’t have to own a heavy-duty truck to pull a SportTrek. But despite its lightweight nature, campers can still enjoy amenities like a fireplace, bunk beds, and a washer/dryer prep space in some models.
Does Thor Industries Have a Good Reputation?
Thor Industries has one of the best reputations in the RV world. They’ve been in the business since 1980 and have enjoyed huge success over the decades. Since they have such a large family of brands, almost anyone can find the perfect RV.
Thor Industries delivers, whether it’s a luxurious Class A or an entry-level travel trailer. Just like with all RV companies, you’ll find bad publicity and negative chats, but overall, you can be proud to own an RV manufactured by one of Thor’s brands.
Is Your RV Manufacturer Owned by Thor Industries?
It’s highly likely that one of Thor’s brands manufactured your RV. Even though you own a Keystone, you may never have realized Thor Industries own the company. This is quite common with RV ownership.
The main brand you recognize is Jayco, Tiffin, or Heartland, but the actual company that owns all of these RVs is Thor Industries. Did your rig make our list of companies owned by Thor?
Thor is horrific.