Livin' Lite - business booming despite factory fire - Roaming Times
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LIVIN' LITE INTEREST "CONTINUES TO SOAR"
DESPITE FACTORY FIRE

Why do people love Livin' Lite?  We think it's because the campers are:
"Back to the basics - the best overall camping value for your money" - with no rusting or rotting

Quicksilver automotive camper - towing - Roaming Times
The Livin' Lite Quicksilver Automotive Camper (see review here)

SkipJ asked in the Quicksilver forum (see bottom of this page):
"I read that the Livin lite factory burned down. Am I wrong?"

So we asked Livin' Lite President Scott Tuttle about it, and this is his story:
 

 

"We had been working on the building, located in Wakarusa, IN, for about six weeks - rennovating the warehouse area, putting in offices, installing air lines, etc. in preparation of moving our production from Goshen, IN. We completed the move of all of our manufacturing equipment and materials on October 1st at approx. 3:00 p.m.. At about 4:00 p.m., an electrical fire started in the roof of the building and completely consumed the space we had moved into.
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We were able to save the welders, which were on wheels and close to the door. Beyond that, we were able to grab some boxes of literature but the fire collapsed the roof before we could get anything else out.

At about 10:00 p.m. that evening, it was discovered that a small pocket of the factory had barely been touched by the flames. Amazingly, this small area housed our "jigs" or patterns for all of our welded sidewalls, etc. Firefighters allowed us to retrieve those jigs later that evening and we carried them to an adjacent building. The next morning, I gathered my team and we began ordering raw aluminum and began welding within two days of the fire, and produced our first units from Wakarusa two weeks to the day from the fire. Not bad for a recreational vehicle manufacturing company.

We spent about a month and $25,000 retrofitting the building we have been temporarily working out of, but overall, it has been a God-send to be able to jump right into another building and not miss a beat.

 

This little building has been good to us though, as over the Winter, LIVIN LITE continued production and actually introduced a number of new products - a 2.0 motorcycle camper; a 6.0 QUICKSILVER camper; a 18SUT QUICKSILVER toy hauler camper; the VRV product line with 14 floorplans; and in April, the new CAMPLITE camper."

And what's happening now?  Scott says:

"Consumer interest in our campers continues to soar.  Retail customers are reporting that they are finding QUICKSILVER's all-aluminum and composite construction a tremendous value for their investment as they are assured that these campers will last for years of use."
See the Livin' Lite camper reviews       See the Livin' Lite website

  

WATCH A VIDEO AND GIVE YOUR COMMENTS BELOW:
  

"Back to the basics - the best overall camping value for your money" - with no rusting or rotting
(Today's video is from
EwingsRV)


What do you think? Add your comments in the forum below...

 



authorcomments
d.just purchased the 2010 12bh- tracks very well behind the minivan w/ factory installed tow package. less bounce and sway than my previous pop up. a harder pull at interstate speed, better on county roads at 55-60mph. gas mileage take a hit of course.
sunnyokanaganAt 1500 pounds and with a high profile like that, there is no way a mini could tow that as shown in the photos!
BonnieFor Sale: Brand New/Never Used Livin' Lite Quick Silver Truck Camper. We purchased it a couple years ago and thought our kids might like to camp in that while we stayed in our motor home. Didn't happen, so have decided to sell. If interested, please e-mail me: bpharo@vacuumplaters.com Would like to work something out.... Thanks!
Ron Kent Hooper AttorneyI would like to know how much of the truck bed is available for storage, i.e ice chests, guns, food, sleeping bags ets. Its hard to tell how much room is taken up when the unit is folded. Does it protrude below the top of the bed when folded. It would appear that it could also be put on a log bed truck behind a large metal tool chest found at home depot and many stores. However, what can be done to prevent water and dirt from coming in the bed if located behind a tool chest on a long bed truck.
BrandonI have had this for a year or so now, and it is cool, but has definite drawbacks. #1 is it is made of aluminum, which conducts heat AND COLD. It is freezing each morning inside the trailer--often colder inside than out. Covering the floor in carpet is mandatory. Also, we got it new and it came with several factory defects that were addressed in a sub-par manner. I'd put the craftsmanship at a B grade at best. I'm still working out the kinks--like the bed sags under the weight of two normal adults so I had to brace it with a board. Overall, I'm on the fence. Its nice aluminium and all, but the other wood constructed ones don't freeze you out. I also think the "testimonials" on livinlite's website are astroturf.
Brian & Jill BushbeckWe love our 10.0 easy to pull and to set up, very roomy and comfy.We are waiting for a screened awning for our model. lets go guys it's about time for camping and skeeters.
Bill and JanWe have been waiting for years for this trailer! We stumbled on it at a boat and camping show in Wichita this weekend and the bought the CL12BH that Trailer & More (Wichita, KS) had there. We almost bought a pop-up 10 years ago and a hybrid 3 years ago and just couldn't bring ourselves to complete the transactions. We didn't want to buy a tow vehicle...wanted to use our Rendezvous. Didn't want to deal with mildew on the canvas and rotting floors. We will let everyone know how it camps in a few weeks. The only modification we plan on doing is putting in new memory foam mattresses in the bunks. We have also decided that we can move the whole dinette set outside and put a queen air mattress on the floor if we have our kids with us.
TerryThe quicksilver 2.0 looks like the one I want. No dealers stock any and without looking at one in real life I refuse to buy one. Hope some daywe get a few dealers who really has one and not sale only by order
JonI'm interested in buying a Quicksilver but no RV lots that sell Quicksilver 6.0 tent trailers. If someone in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, please contact me at 817-938-1002.
CPOSTEDWE SHOPPED FOR OVER A YEAR AND LOOKED AT THEM ALL. THAN A LOCAL DEALER DECIDED TO SELL QUICK SILVER CAMPERS. ONE LOOK AND WE WERE SOLD. WE HAVE A CL12BH ON ORDER. HOPEFULLY IT WILL BE DELIVERED IN APRIL. HELLO ADKS HERE WE COME!
brianI am having same problem, Too big Too heavy, Too expensive. Would love to see of a v-nose 6x12, with small ramp with lite weight plastic raising/lowering roof for travel.
looking for something smallThis trailer is pretty cool, but if they would just put a small barn door on the back so I can slip my dirt bike into it, then that would be really cool! So many manufacturers miss that part. They don't need a heavy ramp, just something directly in the back so people can slip long things in like folding boats, bikes, etc.
PoindexterGood Lord, where has this trailer been? I've looked at the Scamp and others, but I think this one might just be the one for us.
Stephen DI have been searching for an ultralit trailer and believe I finally have found one! The 2010 Camplite 12RD or 15BH is something I would be interested in for the right price! Pls contact me at dcostas7@telus.net or if Scott Tuttle sees this then please call me at 778-882-0770. It would be perfect to tow with my 2006 Honda Odyssey!!
HerschelThis is exactly what I am lookin for!
Julienefrom the picture it looks like all aluminum. I'm chemically sensitive and am looking for a small trailer that doesn't offgas formaldehyde or plastic odors. Does the composite adhesive do that?
Ron GI'd like to see one, looks good
SFguyWe have been toying with the idea of getting a very basic camp trailer that would double essentially as a toy hauler. In our case small sailboats 14ft and under in length. The new VRV idea is brilliant! Warm/Dry living space and a light weight hauler. Something we could tow with the Subaru Wagon etc. Only I can't find any prices.
GrahamReally like this. It's simple and looks as if it would last forever. Gonna check it out. Thanks
StefanSlick looking frame and build quality. Im stoked to see this one at a dealer so I can buy it. When is the exact release date?
GaryWe have a quicksilver 6.0 in the "offroad" version. In a nutshell, it is a great idea that is poorly executed. The pluses: weight (low!), minimal impact on mileage, tracks very well, good clearance. Frame, flooring, and tongue are well-built and properly sized aluminum; tires are big enough (20") to avoid most common trailer failures. Axle is high quality. Minuses: first use and the brackets for the bed support peeled away, bending the side frame. Dealer fixed with mickey-mouse bolt setup that at least stopped the problem. Despite high end price for the size trailer, it had no spare nor place to mount one easily (why on earth sell an "off road" tent trailer without a spare??); basics like a sink, battery box, water/hand pump were either optional or unavailable. But worse, the offroad version has extra height, but the jack is too short to reliably get the trailer off the hitch, the stabilizer jacks are too short by about 4" for any kind of unlevel ground, the storage box latch is easily jammed if there's anything actually in the storage box(!); the support storage tube has a square recess on the inside of the cap-which means the slightly smaller square support can slip into it and jam it closed(!!); the interior plastic is cheap and not carefully installed; one electrical outlet was put in with only one screw actually holding it; snaps were erratically placed for the vinyl cover, and the two brackets for the bed support (which are on top of the camper when closed) will wear holes in the vinyl cover in no time flat unless you pad the things with a couple layers of duct tape or whatever. And it really, really should have shocks on the axle--it tracks very well but bounces like a banshee. As it is, it serves our needs, and I really like the weight--but the poor workmanship and inattention to details is just ridiculous. And I am concerned that the spacers used to lift the trailer (on the axle and the stablizer jacks) are not really up to long term use on dirt roads or any lateral loading. But we'll see.
LindseyI spent months looking for a camper that could be towed by my SUV with a 1500 max GVWR. The Quicksilver was the most robust option and suprisingly, also the most cost effective. We went to Elk River RV in MN to purchase the 10.0 model camper and the people there were great to work with. We can't wait to start camping in it. We set it up and took it down in well under 30 minutes, very easy to do. Hooray for good ideas, thank you Quicksilver!
BobRented the 8.0 Quicksilver for a weekend outing w/ friends. We have a permanent site w/ 32' Travel trailer now and previously have owned a pop up used for 11 years. This was a good trailer for the weekend. Only suggestion is to have the door zipper go across the top so it opens completely as a regular door. I am 6'3" 250 lbs and found it difficult to get in and out especially while carrying anything. Other than that pretty good experience. We were visited by almost everyone in the group to look at it. Set up and tear down very simple and quick.
WestI have the Quicksilver 10.0 and have to say that if I were to do it over I wouldn't have got it. It doesn't have a full size door so you have to unzip it like a tent whenever you want to enter or exit and setting it up can be done with one person but it's very difficult due to the design. We have only taken it out once and there is already a small hole in the roof- a hard top would probably fair better.
Wanna RVThe camper/cargo trailer is one unique RV! We're looking for an RV for our family and this is what we're looking for. Lightweight, so we don't need to upgrade our Ford Escape tow vehicle. Aluminum so it won't rust or rot (I hate that!). No formaldehyde off gassing from cheap chipboard construction. I love it!
Herb Billingham I've had 2 trailers and they both had problems with plywood. Would much prefer all aluminum even if it is heavier. But aluminum is light in any case.
RossboI'm thinking Heather has an interest in Timeout trailers. I had one and the plywood rotted. My brother had a Fleetwood trailer with a rotting plywood floor. Fleetwood just claimed the warranty was finished. No plywood is the way to go.
HeatherSo you based it off a Timeout camper. They have no problems with those with the plywood. And yours is 100 lbs heavier? See no reason why this is better.
Len ParkinsonJust goes to show if you're making things that people really want you're unstoppable.
ByronI've camped all my life and am now thinking about getting up off the ground. This camper looks good. Need to check my tow ratings I guess. I'm going to tow with a mini. The price looks good.
DavidJust goes to prove that success is really tied to the quality of the product. Congratulations Livin Lite.
Tony CamperI've always been a tent camper. This gets me off the ground and looks just what I want at a good price? Not sure what else is available but this is the route I'm going. Thanks.
ScottTFor the Record: yes, our factory burned down Oct. 1, 2008 - but we we saved the welders and the jigs miraculously survived (the only thing to survive!), so we were able to order new aluminum the next morning and were up and running. Our beautiful new factory is just about completed and we will be moving in there in early June. We are having a lot of fun right now at Livin Lite as consumers are really liking our products and the quality and value that the all-aluminum and composite construction offers them. RV Dealers who didn't really understand why we build our campers five years ago are grasping the concept now as gas prices have risen, trucks and SUVs are being traded in for smaller, more fuel-efficient cars, and families are still wanting to go camping. Livin Lite is positioned well for todays and tomorrow's camping marketplace.
ColinSkip J - the factory burnt down and they were up and running again very quickly. Good company, good product.
SteveRenard, the Quicksilver 6.0 weighs 580 pounds. You can put that much weight in the back seat and trunk of your Mazda 5. I've been pulling a 500 pound camper with my Honda Civic, and it does fine.
SkipJI read that the Livin lite factory burned down. Am I wrong?
RenardDoes the quicksilver 6.0 can be towed by a Mazda 5? In the owner's book Mazda say that we can't tow anything with that car...
PeanutThis would be ok if you are a tent camper and just want to sleep off the ground. I would prefer a few more amenities.
WilkinsonThe Quicksilver Motorcycle/ATV Camper is exactly what I want and looks well made and at the right price. I'd like to hear comments about people's experiences camping with it.
Biker in MoIt says in the review that the motorcycle camper is based on existing designs but I've been biking for years and I've never seen one. But now that I have I think it's great and we'd use it at the right time of the year. Great product. Thanks. Kenny
P.G.DeckerMy family spent it's younger years camping as often as weather would provide (nearly every weekend). We owned a conventional Pop-Up that slept 8, was very weighty, and heavy to setup and take down. Though very nicely built, we experienced having to replace serveral damaged and worn braces and panels over a 6+ year period. I have experienced the Quicksilver first-hand and can tell you, it is built extremely well, easy to setup & take down, is so light-weight anyone can move it around by hand, and can be pulled with virtually ANY vehicle. I give you a "HIGH-5" for building an extremely nice and affordable alternative. P.G. Decker
silverfoxThe Quicksilver is a great Truck camper. I have had several truck campers and they involve a lot of work and muscle. Now that I am retired I am looking for a lightweight truck camper for my Dakota, the quicksilver will be my choice.
NickQuicksilver truck camper - Wow what a great idea to have a camper truck plus you can pull another pop up trailer so we will have more room to sleep wow i love that idea. i will check it out
Kate RehkopWe LOVE our Quicksilver! We originally went to look at the 8.0 but the 10.0 was set up at the dealership. We were amazed at how roomy it is (I said we didn't need one that big! but who can argue with two queen-size beds. . .). We can set it up and take it down in no time flat. There is SO much storage in it, too. We like the fact that we don't have all the cooking and bathroom things to deal with inside the camper, but because we still like our creature comforts, we had the air conditioner installed (the heater is standard), bought a Coleman refrigerator (hint: set up outside in warmer weather as it produces warm air), a small microwave and other kitchen gadgets/necessities, and a privacy/shower tent for camping in an area without a showerhouse. We don't have to worry about winterizing a thing except to put in some cedar and closet dehumidifiers, and in the spring it is fresh and ready to go. When we camp, we get more attention than you would believe - we could charge for tours - and everyone wants to know how we can get set up so quickly. And the views are wonderful - 360 degrees of fresh air and beautiful views. With the light weight, we can tow it with either our Jeep Wrangler or Honda Element. This is our first tent camper, and I think we will have it for a very long time.
Gary FosterI love my Quicksilver 10.0 so well that I put my story of how I found it at my website, agrm-lv.com. Just click on "Livin Lite" to read the whole story.
Warren KovashI had an old Palomino Tent Trailer and in various sections the wood literally rotted away. I replaced several sections before moving on. As someone who spent many hours fixing a rot problem I think it's a great idea to build a camper without wood.
Paul CooperWe bought ours in March this year. Love it. Everything they say is true. We pull with a Honda CRV and have used it most weekends since. No problems whatsoever and my 2 kids love it.
Connie RossQuicksilver truck campers - I think these are cool. We had a truck camper that had rot. Fortunately we didn't keep it too long and didn't see how badly it rotted. This no rot design and materials used are a big improvement. I'm definitely going to look at this camper. Connie.
MarieQuicksilver truck campers - Very interested in finding out how much this would cost. Its something I would consider buying since we pull a horse trailer to shows. This would solve our accomodations on how to stay on the grounds.
JohnIf you want quality, lite weight, virtually leak free, awesome resale and longevity try a fiberglass trailer.
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