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Heartland
RVs
-
the
beginning
...
by
Scott
Tuttle
VP
Marketing
&
Dealer
Services
Heartland
Recreational
Vehicles
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CONFIDENT
WE
COULD
DO
BETTER
For
a
number
of
years,
John
Rhymer,
Tim
Hoffman
and
myself
worked
together
in
the
RV
industry
for
a
major
manufacturer.
During
those
years,
we
became
close
friends
and
each
of
us
happened
to
represent
a
different
area
of
expertise.
John
was
the
head
of
Engineering,
Tim
the
head
of
sales
and
myself
over
the
marketing
and
advertising.
After
more
than
a
decade
of
working
together,
some
of
us
moved
on
to
different
companies,
but
remained
in
contact.
John
joined
Newmar,
and
later
Forest
River,
while
I
had
my
own
advertising
firm
that
worked
with
five
different
RV
manufacturers.
When
we
would
get
together,
outside
of
the
workplace,
we
discovered
a
shared
confidence
that
we
could
build,
market
and
sell
recreational
vehicles
as
well
or
better
than
many
of
the
companies
that
we
had
experienced
first
hand.
LANDMARK
-
START
AT
THE
TOP
In
the
Fall
of
2003,
we
began
to
get
serious
about
forming
a
start
up
RV
manufacturing
company,
and
after
partnering
with
Brian
Brady,
former
President
and
partner
at
Damon
Corporation,
we
started
Heartland
Recreational
Vehicles.
After
a
tremendous
amount
of
time
doing
market
research
and
product
studies,
it
was
decided
that
Heartland's
first
product
would
be
a
high
end
5th
wheel.
This
was
unique,
because
just
about
every
RV
manufacturer
that
we
had
ever
heard
of
had
started
at
the
bottom
of
the
towable
ladder
and
worked
their
way
up
in
price
point.
Heartland
started
at
the
top,
and
introduced
a
number
of
exclusive
and
unique
features
into
the
towable
market
with
the
release
of
our
first
product
line,
LANDMARK.
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Incorporating
a
Patent-Pending
improved
turning
radius
design,
Heartland
offered
a
5th
wheel
that
could
be
easily
towed
by
the
popular
short-bed,
extended-cab
truck.
This
was
significant,
because
while
these
trucks
were
very
popular
(allowing
the
owner
to
park
in
the
garage
or
at
any
restaurant),
they
caused
big
problems
when
cornering
with
a
5th
wheel
attached
to
them. |
People
pulling
fifth
wheels
with
these
types
of
short-bed
trucks
were
often
hitting
the
cab
of
the
truck
against
the
corner
of
the
fiberglass
front
cap
-
resulting
in
expensive
damage
to
both.
A
new
product
came
out
on
the
market,
in
the
form
an
expensive
"slider
hitch"
which
could
be
engaged
when
turning
corners,
but
it
was
both
expensive
and
user
"unfriendly".
So,
immediately,
the
new
Landmark
5th
wheel
began
to
draw
a
lot
of
attention
with
it's
revolutionary
front
design
which
eliminated
the
need
for
expensive
slider
hitches
on
short-bed,
extended-cab
trucks.
ATTENTION
TO
DETAIL
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Another
Heartland
innovation
was
the
Universal
Docking
Center
-
a
compartment
that
held
all
of
the
major
hook-ups
for
the
5th
wheel
(from
water
to
tv,
phone,
satellite,
etc.)
including
the
pull
handles
for
the
holding
tanks,
which
up
until
the
Heartland
design
often
were
located
under
slide
outs
and
in
other
hard
to
access
points
on
the
coach.
What
were
in
fact
doing
with
the
UDC
design,
was
bringing
a
very
popular
motorized
selling
feature
to
the
towable
market.
The
concept
for
a
centralized
docking
center
had
been
around
for
awhile,
but
only
on
expensive
motorhomes
and
buses. |
Heartland
decided
that
towable
owners
deserved
the
same
type
of
treatment
and
since
we
were
starting
from
the
ground
up
in
our
design
of
a
new
fifth
wheel,
we
were
able
to
design
each
of
the
coach's
systems
to
terminate
in
one
centralized
area.
I
have
to
say,
this
feature
was
stated
the
most
often
as
the
number
one
reason
why
customers
chose
Heartland
products,
even
though
we
were
such
a
young
company.
The
customers
really
appreciated
our
attention
to
detail
and
the
fact
that
we
actually
listened
to
what
they
consumers
where
asking
for
when
we
designed
our
5th
wheel.
 |
Another
great
feature
that
Heartland
has
become
known
for
is
our
large,
drop-frame
exterior
storage
compartment
that
was
completely
free
of
plumbing
and/or
heating
tubes
and
runs.
Heartland's
storage
was
not
only
big
-
but
it
was
completely
free
of
systems
running
through
it
-
again,
unique
to
the
industry. |
GO
WITH
THE
BEST
Going
one
step
further,
we
put
a
rubber
flooring
in
that
large
exterior
storage
compartment
-
instead
of
the
traditional
gray
felt.
This
meant
that
items
in
that
storage
area
would
stay
put;
spills
could
be
easily
cleaned
up
(without
leaving
stains);
and
it
just
gave
the
are
a
very
high-end
look
and
feel.
Inside
the
Landmark,
we
decided
to
go
with
the
best
of
everything
we
could
find.
We
used
real
Armstrong
flooring
(not
the
knockoff);
real
Corian
countertops
(not
a
knockoff
or
fiberglass);
real
maple
hardwoods
(no
veneers
or
vinyl
wraps);
sturdy,
one-piece
furniture
(vs.
the
traditional
RV
two
piece
design);
steel
ball
bearing
drawer
guides
(not
the
cheap
plastic);
a
one
piece
fiberglass
shower
with
monogrammed
glass
door
(vs.
a
multi-piece
plastic
design);
we
offered
king
beds
in
our
bedroom
slide
outs
(vs.
queen);
we
designed
a
unique
front
wardrobe
with
custom
cabinetry
and
built-in
storage
unlike
anything
that
had
ever
been
seen
in
a
fifth
wheel;
we
featured
a
soft
touch
vinyl
ceiling
(instead
of
a
hard
board);
and
we
took
our
time
choosing
quality
lighting
and
plumbing
fixtures;
we
designed
a
front
closet
to
not
only
hold
jackets
and
vacuums,
but
to
hide
away
the
coaches
system
controls
which
are
typically
out
in
the
open
on
the
wall.
These
and
many
more
unique
features
made
the
first
Heartland
5th
wheel
design
stand
out
from
the
crowd.
IMITATION
-
YOU
KNOW
YOU'RE
DOING
SOMETHING
RIGHT
Within
a
few
short
months,
major
towable
manufacturers
were
already
doing
their
best
to
copy
Heartland
innovations.
That's
when
we
knew
that
we
were
going
to
be
successful
in
this
business.
When
you're
the
smallest
guy
on
the
block
and
the
biggest
companies
in
the
world
are
copying
your
designs,
you
know
you
must
be
doing
something
right.
From
the
success
of
the
Landmark,
came
the
very
popular
BIGHORN
5th
wheel,
debuting
in
December
of
2004
and
offering
all
of
Heartlands
main
innovations,
along
with
a
number
of
the
luxurious
appointments
-
but
for
considerably
less
money.
At
a
much
more
mainstream
price
point,
the
BIGHORN
quickly
became
the
flagship
of
the
Heartland
company
-
expanding
our
dealer
base
by
300%
in
only
a
few
months.
MORE
OF
EVERYTHING
In
2005,
with
demand
for
Heartland's
innovative
product
at
an
all-time
high,
we
began
plans
to
expand
our
product
offerings.
Work
began
on
a
mid-profile
5th
wheel,
which
would
become
the
SUNDANCE;
as
well
as
an
entry
level
towable
line,
TRAIL
RUNNER,
and
a
toy
hauler,
CYCLONE.
All
three
of
these
products
were
introduced
to
the
market
in
late
2005,
launching
Heartland
on
the
towable
scene
as
a
formidable
manufacturer.
With
more
products
came
the
need
for
more
production
facilities
and
more
employees,
and
Heartland
responded
by
acquiring
new
buildings
and
expanding
our
number
of
employees
to
over
400.
UNPRECEDENTED
GROWTH
In
2006,
Heartland
broke
ground
on
a
new
110,000
sq.
ft.
production
facility
with
a
new
corporate
office
structure
attached.
By
spring
of
2006,
Heartland
had
moved
into
the
Top
Ten
of
all
5th
wheel
manufacturers,
and
by
the
end
of
2006,
we
were
solidly
in
the
#8
spot
with
eyes
toward
#5.
With
newly
expanded
production
facilities,
Heartland
was
once
again
poised
for
growth
and
launched
the
BIG
COUNTRY
5th
wheel
and
RAZOR
toy
hauler,
hitting
price
points
previously
not
in
our
product
lineup.
Throughout
2006,
Statistical
Surveys
shows
that
Heartlands
growth
is
unprecedented
as
we
continue
to
grow
at
a
rate
of
over
225%,
while
the
rest
of
the
market
either
stagnates
or
shows
little
to
no
growth.
THE
FUTURE
As
we
enter
2007,
we
feel
like
our
quality
if
better
than
it
has
ever
been,
and
the
product
line
up
is
poised
for
even
more
significant
market
share
gains.
Dealers
with
early
retail
shows
are
already
reporting
that
the
Heartland
products
are
hitting
the
mark
with
the
retail
buyers
and
sales
are
very
strong.
UPDATE
-
NUMBER
6
HEADING
FOR
NUMBER
5
The
latest
Stat
Surveys
are
out
and
Heartland
has
risen
to
the
#6
Fifth
Wheel
manufacturer
in
the
country
and
are
breathing
down
the
necks
of
#5.
(Statistical
Surveys,
Inc.)
Out
of
the
Top
45
5th
wheel
brand
names,
30
of
them
are
down
in
market
share
this
year.
Of
the
15
brand
names
who
are
“Up”
in
market
share,
9
of
those
gains
are
in
the
single
digits
(i.e.
up
3.2%)
;
3
are
“Up”
double
digits
in
market
share
(i.e.
17%)
and
THREE
ARE
UP
TRIPLE
DIGITS
IN
MARKET
SHARE.
THOSE
THREE???
BIGHORN
(+147%)
BY
HEARTLAND;
CYCLONE
(+328%)
BY
HEARTLAND;
AND
SUNDANCE
(+640%)
BY
HEARTLAND!
Heartland
RVs
website
-
www.heartlandrvs.com/
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Readers'
comments:
Latest
first
Cuddles
:
We Bought a 2009 Sundance 5th wheel 278
and absolutely love it the only thing that needs to be changed is the location for the livingroom and porch light switch which is located behind the mirrored coat
closet. We moved it to the side of the cabinet by the steps to the bedroom and find that is a much better location. You might want to consider that in the new models.
TOM L
:
I am picking our 2009 Sundance 3300 sk on Saturday. Trading in our 03 mountaineer hoping it is a great rv. I was very impressed with all the bells and whistles for the price. I feel we really got a great deal.
Andy
:
I just put a down payment on a Cyclone 4012 Toy Hauler. The quality looks great and the layout is even better! We'll be living in this unit, so I hope it all works out.
Rol
:
We just purchased a Big County. We like the layout but the exterior quality control leaves a lot to be desired. The slides don't fit well when closed. They do seal but surface coverings stick out in a very ugly fashion. Some of the doors and covers don’t fit well. We have had to have one of the leveling jacks worked on twice (Part dealer part manufacturer.) I maybe picky but I expected more from a company that prides it's self on quality. I have talked to the dealer and the factory people and they only say "The slides close and seal and that's good enough".
Ms Chloe
:
My husband and I have done extensive research into the Heartland Bighorn and Hitchhiker Discover America and we simply can't find that much difference. We are currently looking to upgrade to the Bighorn 3400RL. The only thing I didn't like was Heartland put all the electrical outlets under the cabinets and they really need to put atleast one on the wall in the kitchen.......(for coffee pot) Every owner we have talked with loves their Bighorns.
Terry
:
We bought a 2008 Sundance 2900RK 5th wheel. and love it. Had a few issues that the dealer and company resolved. Was prompt on communication from their customer service rep. We love the lay out and room. Our last 2 trailers have been Jayco. The Sundance is very well thought out design! The teardrop design in front gives me 3 more miles per gallon. Was told that, but didn't really think it would, but it does!
Derwin
:
I have 07 jayco, trading it in for a Heartland Cyclone 4012 It has best floor plan of any toyhauler. Side isle bath is a must in any Rv.
Pat
:
The universal docking center looks good - experiences anyone? Where do the hoses and electric cable come out? At the bottom I guess.
Colley38
:
I had self-leveling jacks on my Fleetwood, pain in the a** also, like the storage on this, great feature
Cal R
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I have a Forest River Cedar Creek with self leveling jacks. Pain in the a--, constant problems. Gonna check this out.
Vicki (TravlynWomyn)
:
I had the pleasure of transporting Heartland fifth wheels when they first came out. They are a real pleasure and their self-leveling jacks are wonderful. Their staff is terrific and their product is top notch
Kenny C
:
This is the first time I've heard of Heartland but I'll look out for them. This is a wonderful story of American spirit and competition. My one concern is if they only started in 2004 they might not really have had time to see how their products perform a few years on and to iron out the problems, and what is the warranty like?
Onella
:
Impressive growth. We've always had Carriages and I think our next one will be to because we love them and the company. I wonder how Carriages sales compare is there a website I can check this?
John M
:
I know why this story is true. i have a big country that I bought because of the features and it's the best i've had. I head a few warranty problems but they helped me. we love the arrangement and the quality, we'd had 3 rvs before but the big country is the best
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