Coachmen is one of the most reputable brands offering a variety of RVs, including motorhomes, camping trailers, travel trailers, toy haulers, fifth wheels, and destination trailers. But, have you ever wondered who owns Coachmen RV units?
The answer is quite complicated. In the 1960s, the Corson brothers Tom, Keith, and Claude made Coachmen RVs. By 2008, production came under the stewardship of Berkshire Hathaway via its Forest River division.
Please continue reading to learn more about this manufacturer’s colorful history.
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The History of Coachmen RV
Answering “Who manufactures Coachmen RV?” requires appreciating the brand’s history.
Three brothers (Claude, Keith, and Tom Corson) decided to create a company that focused on vehicles capable of enriching lives. They believe that RVs must deliver superior value, and their brand must be ready to support and serve motorhome owners.
Hence, the Corson trio established Coachmen Industries in 1964, producing a dozen travel trailers in their first year. Fast-forward to the 21st century, the brand has produced about six hundred thousand RVs of varying types and sizes.
It produces motorhomes, travel trailers, destination trailers, toy haulers, and other Coachmen vehicles in Middlebury, Indiana, plus Centerville, Michigan.
In 2008, Warren Buffet’s Berkshire Hathaway, Forest River’s parent company, purchased Coachmen.
The Ownership of Coachmen RV
Who makes Coachmen RV? The original Coachman RV manufacturer was the Corson brothers – Tom, Claude, and Keith. They established a 5,000-square-foot RV production facility in Middlebury, Indiana.
The assembly line might seem small compared to big-name brands. Still, the brothers created nearly a hundred units between truck caps, truck campers, and travel trailers.
Coachmen RVs feature a dependable design, noteworthy comforts, and practical innovations to empower RV families. More importantly, the original owners focused on strengthening the brand’s relationship with Coachmen RV owners.
The brand’s consumer-friendliness earned them the trust of the RVing world.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to impress shareholders as the brand’s stock performance took a sharp dive during the 2008 financial crisis. Financial analysts say the company’s shares fell as low as $0.48 in late December 2008.
Interestingly, Warren Buffet took notice. Coachmen’s CEO negotiated a sale of the brand’s assets to Forest River, an RV competitor and a Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary.
Hence, Berkshire Hathaway’s Forest River subsidiary now owns Coachmen campers, fifth wheels, motorhomes, toy haulers, destination trailers, and travel trailers.
It’s worth noting that Coachmen still makes its RV product lines, despite a change of ownership to Berkshire Hathaway.
Is Coachmen a Good Brand?
Yes, Coachmen is an excellent RV brand. RV quality is never an issue with Coachmen because it’s in their genes. The company has been delivering high-quality recreational vehicles with exceptional value for more than half a century.
Coachmen RVs are excellent for all-season adventures. They feature advanced cooling and heating systems to make camper life more comfortable and convenient. Materials are never substandard, giving a sense of security to RV families.
Customer service is also top-notch. After all, the brand values its Coachmen owners as much as its employees and processes.
Conclusion
Who owns Coachmen RV units? Although the Corson brothers no longer own Coachmen after they sold the brand’s assets to Forest River, it’s worth noting that Coachmen employees continue to manufacture high-quality RVs.
These RV builders and craftspeople still manufacture motorhomes, travel trailers, and other vehicles from their Indiana headquarter and Michigan facility.
So, if you buy a Coachmen RV, you’ll know what you’ll get, despite the company having a different brand owner.
“Hi, I’m Francis’ husband—Calvin. Our story began with our shared passion for traveling. I have had a career journey for over 11 years at Ford Motor Company, where I took on the role of BMS SW Process Engineer.
Together with my wife, I have dedicated countless hours to exploring every nook and corner of the world. Ten years living in an RV may seem long, but time seems to fly by when I’m doing what I love with the person I love.
FMCA’s 103rd International Convention & RV Expo in Gillette, WY,
Like my wife, I hope to help you see the beauty of traveling off the beaten path by sharing insights into this lifestyle. In addition to my corporate roles, I also launched our website – Outdoorbits, in 2015 and continue to contribute my knowledge and skills to the present day. And I’ll be completely honest with you—no hiding the truth or sugarcoating the possible challenges.
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