Open House: 27North, Airstream, Bontrager Outdoors, Brinkley – RVBusiness – Breaking RV Industry News
EDITOR’S NOTE: RVBusiness will be posting articles on what select manufacturers will be displaying at the Elkhart RV Open House, which is Sept. 23-26 at the RV/MH Hall of Fame and various other locations in and around Elkhart, Ind. These previews can also be found in the September/October issue of RVBusiness magazine, which wil be delivered to subscribers the week prior to Open House.
27North
Having opened its new production facility this past spring, 27North, Springfield, Mo., is ready for the big time and set to show its Venture Van to the larger RV world in hopes of building its dealer body.
Vice President of Sales & Marketing Gregg Beaudette said a few tweaks have been made to the van that was shown off at the ribbon-cutting event and debuted at the Music City Motorhome Expo this summer.
“We’ve refreshed the van even more and added a few more standard features and have increased our dealer network substantially,” he said.
27North soon will be introducing a new line of expedition trucks called the Trekker. It will be an enhanced version of the existing Rexrover built on the Dodge 5500 chassis.
Beaudette said 27North is coming off two record months and expects August to exceed the marks set in June and July.
For the Elkhart RV Open House, 27North will be located along Executive Parkway.
Airstream
Airstream, the Jackson Center, Ohio-based THOR Industries subsidiary, has quite a few model year updates for its 2025 model year towable and motorized lineup.
• Like the original 25-foot model that debuted in 2023, the all-new off-grid Trade Wind 23FB is equipped with three chassis-integrated 270Ah heated Battle Born lithium batteries that form an 810Ah battery bank, providing four times greater capacity over most MY25 Airstream travel trailer models. The Trade Wind 23FB also has a 3000w inverter and charger system that can simultaneously power the convection microwave and 13,500 BTU air conditioner. Additionally, the new model is designed with a 500w solar input, monitored by an app-compatible Victron display, that extends energy harvesting capacity above most other comparable travel trailer models. Furthering off-grid capabilities, Trade Wind 23FB comes standard with Goodyear Wrangler Workhorse tires, a 3-inch lift kit, a tankless, on-demand recirculating LP water heater, and an optional composting toilet.
• The Classic, Airstream’s top-of-the-line travel trailers, received several technological updates in 2025. The Classic 30RB and 33FB floorplans are now equipped with MyAirstream, a new connected vehicle platform that builds on Airstream’s Smart Control system (found in Airstream Classics manufactured before Model Year 2025, as well as Pottery Barn Special Edition units).
• In both the Bambi and Caravel lines, the 19CB floorplan will be retired to focus on other popular layouts. The 22FB floorplans will see full-height wood panels added to replace current plexiglass dividers between the kitchen and primary bedroom, and the 16RB floorplans will be redesigned 2 inches longer for greater curbside and roadside galley clearance.
Bontrager Outdoors
Dealers visiting the Bontrager Outdoors exhibit along Executive Parkway during Open House will have the opportunity to see a number of changes from the Elkhart, Ind.-based OEM. Most notably, the company has retired the Braxton Creek brand name, which it acquired when it bought the travel trailer manufacturer in February 2023.
“With the company name change to Bontrager Outdoors, we’re putting our (stamp) on the product, which reestablishes the lineage we have in the industry, and having our name on it shows that we’re really proud of it,” said Jason Bontrager, company CEO and co-founder of the business with his cousin, Austin Bontrager.
Bontrager Outdoors also is retiring the Braxton Creek Bushwhacker and Bushwacker Plus product names. For 2025, new models will now be listed as belonging to either the “Small Line” or the “Standard Line,” respectively.
Within the Small Line, Bontrager is introducing the 10ROK, which is a 2-foot smaller version of the 12ROK trailer. The 10ROK trailer features white fiberglass walls, a 7-foot awning and an exterior kitchen accessed via a flat rear door that comes complete with a small refrigerator, a microwave, a griddle, a sink and metal cabinets. The 10ROK will have a dry weight of 1,700 pounds,offer 1,340 pounds of carrying capacity and feature a base MSRP of $16,575.
Bontrager Outdoors also is introducing the 7ROD, with a dry weight of about 500 pounds. The 7ROD sleeps two on its 80-by-46-inch J-Cube mattress, features a portable toilet, comes with LED lighting and it features a rear kitchen. The 7ROD has a carrying capacity of 660 pounds and features a base MSRP of $9,840.
In addition to showcasing its new Bontrager Outdoors’ trailers, the company also will showcase some of its Skinny Guy canopy campers, truck campers and hard-sided trailers.
Brinkley RV
Despite its relative newcomer status in the industry, Brinkley RV – whose ownership team includes brothers Ron and Bill Fenech as well as Nate Goldenberg, Micah Staley and Ryan Thwaits – is charging full speed ahead during the Elkhart RV Open House.
Like last year, Brinkley is welcoming dealers on an invitation-only status to its campus in Goshen, Ind., said Jerimiah Borkowski, director of marketing.
The introduction of its all-new Model I line of lightweight travel trailers will be one of the highlights, Borkowski added.
“It will have the same Brinkley automotive exterior seals and finishes and will continue the clean modern styling, along with the same high-quality materials and fit and finish Brinkley is known for,” he said.
The Model I also will feature an all-new interior “not seen before, but still residential with Brinkley’s timeless styling,” he said, adding that the unit is not de-contented to hit a price point but is “loaded with functionality and safety in line with the rest of the Brinkley lineup.”
In the Model G fifth-wheel toy hauler lineup, two new floorplans are being introduced – the G4100 and the G3970.
The G4100 offers a spacious living room and new full body paint options are available throughout the lineup.
“These toy haulers are no longer just for toys,” Borkowski said, noting the Model Z line’s level of convenience, innovation and luxury.
Brinkley’s original luxury fifth-wheel lineup – the Model Z – gets refreshed with new exterior graphics packages and two new floorplans: the under-30-foot 2670, and the 3515, which features a true office space and rear entry.
As for the Model Z AIR travel trailer, “Our most popular fifth-wheel floorplan comes to the travel trailer line without sacrifices,” Borkowski said of the new 310, which is a 37-foot, 10-inch couples coach offering a queen bed with nightstands and a king-bed option with an MSRP of $98,863.
