CrossRoads B.O.S.S. Slideout Aces Water Tests

Topeka, Ind.-based towable builder CrossRoads RV has completed its extreme water testing of the new Sunset Trail B.O.S.S.(Bi-lateral Operating Slideout System) front cap slideout.

According to a press release, CrossRoads enlisted the help of the local fire department to simulate heavy rain conditions.

“They used 12,000 gallons of water in the testing, which is equal to 300 inches of rain. The B.O.S.S. front cap slideout was water tight in both the closed and extended positions,” said Director of Marketing Dave Boggs.

Click here to view the water test.

CrossRoads RV is a division of Thor Industries Inc. For more information on the company and its products visit www.crossroadsrv.com.

 

CrossRoads Planning to Expand Ind. Operations

CrossRoads RV, a manufacturer of towable recreational vehicles, said it plans to expand its operations in the northern Indiana town of Topeka, creating up to 250 jobs by 2014.

The Indianapolis Business Journal reported that the company plans to invest $3.9 million to buy land and construct a 93,000-square-foot facility adjacent to its existing 45-acre campus in Topeka, which is between Elkhart and Fort Wayne. The new facility will house the company’s Cruiser product line and is expected to begin operations in June.

“The new plant will give us the needed flexibility to expand our Cruiser line of RVs,” said Don Emahiser, president of CrossRoads RV. “The work force in Topeka is top-notch in our industry, and we are glad that we are able to expand at our home in this area.”

The Indiana Economic Development Corp. offered CrossRoads RV up to $2.25 million in tax credits and up to $200,000 in training grants based on the company’s job-creation plans. The town of Topeka will consider additional tax abatement.

CrossRoads RV, a division of Thor Industries Inc., already employs more than 600 at its six plants in Topeka and Syracuse. The company plans to begin hiring additional administrative, manufacturing and maintenance employees early next year.

“Indiana entered the recession making about half of all RVs. Now, we’re making more than four out of five,” Gov. Mitch Daniels said in a statement. “That’s what happens when businesses in a tough economy look hard to see which state has the best economic climate.”

Several RV makers have announced Indiana expansions this year. Lippert Components Inc. and Kinro announced plans to expand production in Goshen and Middlebury, creating up to 330 jobs by 2012. In addition, Cruiser RV announced it would add up to 200 jobs in LaGrange by 2014.

 

CrossRoads Says Toy Hauler Will ‘Elevate’ Sales

CrossRoads RV is targeting the growing 1/2-ton and 3/4-ton tow vehicle market with the introduction of its Elevation toy hauler, according to a press release.

Initially available in two travel trailer and three fifth-wheel floor plans with more planned, the full-featured Elevation features lightweight engineering and a sleek design that “sets it apart from every other same old toy hauler in the market today.”

“The elevation has been a project driven by passion,” said Matt Thompson, general manager for the Topeka, Ind.-based company’s toy hauler division. “Nearly everyone involved are riders of some sort.”

The 35-foot full-profile Elevation weighs just over 9,500 pounds and is equipped with triple slides, a bath-and-a-half and 10-foot garage. The unit will be displayed at the Nov. 29-Dec. 1 National RV Trade Show in Louisville, Ky., at CrossRoad’s Booth No. 1001 in the South Wing of the Kentucky Exposition Center (KEC).

Headquartered in Topeka, Ind., CrossRoads RV is a division of Thor Industries Inc. For further information visit www.crossroadsrv.com.

 

CrossRoads RV Appoints Kurtz as Associate VP

Topeka, Ind.-based CrossRoads RV announces the appointment of Janae Kurtz as an associate vice president reporting directly to COO Dan Kreider.

According to a press release, Kurtz will be responsible for continuous improvement initiatives involving customer service, parts, warranty, operations and purchasing. Her first assignment is working with Alicia Dunafin, director of customer care. “Improving the service levels to our dealers and retail customers is a top priority,” said Dunafin.

Kurtz comes to CrossRoads RV with 18 years experience in customer service, parts, warranty and lean manufacturing, most recently as vice president of customer service, parts, and warranty for Thor Motor Coach. Prior to that, she was vice president of customer service at Damon Motor Coach before assuming the role of vice president of customer service for Four Winds International.

In addition, Kurtz has served on the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) Tech Certification Board, attended RVIA Lawyer Committee meetings, conducted training seminars and has an established relationship with dealers throughout the industry.

“We are very pleased to welcome Janae to the CrossRoads family,” stated Dan Kreider, Chief Operating Officer of CrossRoads RV. “The depth of her experience and knowledge in the RV industry, as well as her vision for the future, will be a great asset to our company as we continue to grow and gain market share.”

CrossRoads Rolls Out Cruiser Aire in Louisville

Topeka, Ind.-based CrossRoads RV has introduced the Cruiser Aire towable line, available in five travel trailer and four fifth-wheel double-slide floorplans, all designed for towing by half-ton trucks or SUV’s.

The latest series in the company’s popular Cruiser brand ranges in length from 24 to 32 feet, offering full-depth slideouts and weighing from 4,500 pounds to 7,000 pounds. MSRP’s start at around $23,900 nicely appointed.

The aluminum-framed units are equipped with many standard features that other RV manufacturers offer only as options, including:

• 60-inch by 80-inch deluxe memory foam mattress.

• LED Lights throughout the interior.

• Oversized pass-through storage.

• Cathedral ceilings throughout the unit.

• All double-slide floorplans.

Rudy Boals, national sales manager, noted, “We are excited to offer a product families are able to afford and tow with the half-ton truck or SUV they drive on a daily basis. The Cruiser product is a brand customers have come to know and trust we are entering into the lightweight market with a new spin by introducing double-slide floorplans focused on the lightweight buyer. Our ongoing collaboration with dealers and retail customers has brought a whole new sense of style in the Cruiser Aire.”

The new line also carries CrossRoads RV’s 2 + 5 warranty that protects against defects in materials and workmanship for two years from date of delivery and a five-year structural guarantee against floor, walls, and roof defects.

The all-new Cruiser Aire will be displayed at the Nov. 29-Dec. 1 49th Annual National RV Trade Show Louisville, Ky., at Booth No. 100 in the South Wing of the Kentucky Exposition Center (KEC).

 

CrossRoads’ Sunset Trail to Debut in Louisville

Topeka, Ind.-based CrossRoads RV Inc. has “redefined the lightweight fifth-wheel market” with its Sunset Trail line featuring an innovative front cap slide-out system, according to a press release.

The new Sunset Trail offers floorplans starting at 25 feet in length and around 7,500 pounds “true weight” with full-depth slideouts. Other standard features include:

• Front cap slideout with patent pending Bi-lateral Operating Slideout System (B.O.S.S.).

• Barreled ceilings in a fifth-wheel with 8 feet 3 inches of interior height.

• Aerodynamic front cap with LED strip lighting.

• 90-degree turning radius.

• 33% larger windows with automotive trim seal.

• Residential interiors with solid-surface countertops.

Product Manager John Fisher noted, “We have made large strides in the lightweight towable market and will keep this momentum going in 2012. As we introduce our new Sunset Trail fifth-wheel line, we are excited to see the dealer response to the B.O.S.S. front cap slide system technology which provides more livable space and a roomier interior without the ‘feel’ of towing a larger, heavy unit.”

The Sunset Trail fifth-wheel will make its debut at the Nov. 29-Dec. 1 49th Annual National RV Trade Show in Louisville, Ky. CrossRoads will display product in Booth No. 1001 in the South Wing of the Kentucky Exposition Center (KEC).

 

 

CrossRoads RV Gaining Towable Market Share

Towable builder CrossRoads RV Inc. has outpaced the U.S. and Canadian markets in retail towable sales, according to a press release.

Citing the latest report from Statistical Surveys Inc., for the first eight months of 2011 CrossRoads RV said the company recorded 20% market share growth in the U.S. while the overall market is up 5%. In the Canadian market, the Topeka, Ind.-based manufacturer posted a 27% market share growth in a flat market.

“Our team has improved every product line and we will continue to improve each product going forward,” said Dave Boggs, director of marketing for the Thor Industries Inc. subsidiary. “Obviously all of the hard work is paying off as shown in our considerable market share gains in both the U.S. and Canada.”

CrossRoads RV manufactures a wide variety of travel trailers and fifth-wheels at five plant locations. Its products are distributed through dealers throughout the United States, Canada, France, Japan and Australia.

 

 

 

CrossRoads Hits High for Open House Orders

Topeka, Ind.-based CrossRoads RV reported that the towable builder closed out a record number of orders during last week’s Elkhart County 4th Annual RV Open House.

Playing off a rock ‘n roll theme, the CrossRoads’ exhibit featured its “New Generation Vehicles” with 69 products on display in one location.

Topping the chart, was the Cruiser Patriot with its industry-first angled slideout that provides more interior headroom and larger windows. The line also offers a rear fiberglass cap and washer/dryer prep in a mid-profile unit.

CrossRoads also introduced its new Z-1 travel trailers specifically designed for the entry-level “stick-and-tin” market. Available in 19- to 32-foot models, the Z-1 offers full depth slideouts and is nicely appointed with innovative features such as a safety step in bunkhouse models and aerodynamic design for better fuel efficiency.

The company said that the Sunset Trail product line got dealers’ attention with inventive new floorplans that include the Party Barge model highlighting a rear entertainment slide-out for outdoor entertaining. Also on display was the slide-in-a-slide exterior entertainment center offered on the company’s Rushmore fifth-wheels.

“We’re definitely not your father’s RV. Our New Generation Vehicles are specifically designed for the new generation of RVers with features that appeal to their lifestyle,” stated Director of Marketing Dave Boggs. “We had a great Fall Show. Having so many products on display made it easy for dealers to place their orders at the show, and many ordered products now for their early winter retail shows.”

CrossRoads RV is a division of Thor Industries Inc. and manufactures a wide variety of travel trailers, fifth-wheels, and destination trailers that are distributed through dealers throughout the United States, Canada, France, Japan, and Australia. More information on the company and its products is available online at www.crossroadsrv.com.

 

CrossRoads to Debut Z-1 Trailer at Open House

Topeka, Ind.-based CrossRoads RV Inc. has launched its new entry-level Z-1 travel trailer that the company says “redefines the stick-and-tin” market. The line will be showcased Sept. 20-22 as part of the Thor Industries Inc. display at the RV/MH Hall of Fame during next week’s Elkhart County 4th Annual RV Open House.

Models for the Z-1 series range in length from 19 to 32 feet, offering full-depth slideouts while still weighing in at approximately 4,000 pounds. Starting MSRP is around $13,000, nicely appointed.

CrossRoads said the entry-level line is equipped with many standard features traditionally offered as options, including: Industry-first safety step in bunkhouse models; four stabilizer jacks; aerodynamic front end with diamond plate stone guard; tinted safety glass windows; tub surround; 13,500 BTU A/C; and an awning and kitchen microwave.

Darin Elswick, product manager, noted, “We are excited to offer a product most families are able to afford and tow with the half-ton truck or SUV they drive on a daily basis. CrossRoads has brought unmatched craftsmanship and functionality to our customers. Our ongoing collaboration with dealers and retail customers has brought a whole new sense of style to the entry level product segment.”

 

CrossRoads Appoints Three General Managers

Topeka, Ind.-based towable builder CrossRoads RV Inc. announced the hiring of Matt Thompson as general manager of the company’s Cruiser Division.

According to a press release, CrossRoads also promoted Nate Nickell to general manager, overseeing the SlingShot, Sunset Trail and Zinger travel trailer lines and the Hampton destination trailer. In addition, Tom Montague has been promoted to general manager over both the Redwood fifth-wheels and Rushmore fifth-wheels divisions.

“Matt Thompson is a key hire for CrossRoads RV. He brings instant credibility to what we believe is the best mid-profile in the industry,” said Don Emahiser, president of CrossRoads RV, a Thor Industries Inc. subsidiary. “I love his excitement, experience, product and market knowledge, not to mention his outstanding dealer relationships.”

In his new position, Thompson will lead the Cruiser Division, including product planning, product development and sales, and will be introducing a new product line this fall at the Louisville Show. Previously he served as vice president of sales at Thor Motor Coach Diesel Division, responsible for product and dealer development. Thompson brings more than 14 years of RV experience to CrossRoads RV.

“I’m excited to be joining the Cruiser team. Their energy and enthusiasm is unbelievable,” Thompson said. “It’s an awesome opportunity to be a part of one of the fastest growing companies in the industry. We have an aggressive team and we will be making big waves across the industry.”

Nickell has over 12 years of experience in the RV industry, serving for seven years with CrossRoads RV. “Nate has been a leader at CrossRoads and his leadership skills will continue to be of enormous value,” said Emahiser.

Montague was most recently national sales manager for Redwood RV. “Tom has been crucial in the success of Redwood RV over the past year,” said Emahiser. “Tom’s energy, coupled with eight years of experience in RV sales and product development, has been a great asset to our company.”

 

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