Holiday Rambler: Manufacturing Quality RVs Since 1953

Holiday Rambler has been a fixture in the RV industry for over 70 years. Although the brand has changed hands and focuses a few times along the way, Holiday Rambler RV remains a competitor in the recreational vehicle market.

Among the many RV manufacturers, Holiday Rambler stands out as a brand that has been synonymous with quality, luxury, and innovation for decades.

But who makes Holiday Rambler today? Is Holiday Rambler a good brand? How do they hold up after 70 years in the RV market?

Today we’re taking a look at who’s behind the Holiday Rambler brand of RVs and what they’ve got to show for seven decades in the industry.

Who Makes Holiday Rambler RVs?

Holiday Rambler is a division of REV Recreation Group, a leader in the motor vehicle industry for the recreation, bus, emergency, and specialty markets.

You may have seen our posts on Newmar Motorhomes and Entegra Coach, two industry leaders with long, rich histories. But neither company dates back as far as Holiday Rambler, a brand with a rich, storied history that dates back to 1953.

Over the years, they’ve gained and held a reputation for crafting high-quality RVs that offer a nice blend of comfort and functionality.

Their dedication to innovation has benefitted the industry as a whole, and their commitment to customer satisfaction has helped them maintain their position as a respected name in the industry.

A Brief History of Holiday Rambler from 1953 to 2023

The Holiday Rambler Company was founded in 1953 by Richard Klingler in his hometown of Wakarusa, Indiana. Wakarusa is just 10 miles south of Elkhart, the center of the RV industry in the United States.

In the early 1950s, Klingler built trailer parts in a chicken coop and assembled the trailers outdoors. By 1953, the Klingler Corporation introduced the first Holiday Rambler RV, a travel trailer, to the RVing public. This was the beginning of what is now Holiday Rambler’s 70-year run in the RV industry, and they’re still going strong.

Holiday Rambler has, historically, been a well-respected brand offering well-built products. They’re also respected for some keen innovation that has produced many industry standards that remain 70 years later.

They’ve been responsible for many industry firsts including holding tanks, built-in refrigerators, the 48″-wide dinette-to-bed concept, and aerodynamic corners.

In 1961, they introduced the aluminum body frame, ushering in a new era of lighter, stronger, more durable RVs. Known as “Alumaframe” this aluminum frame ultimately became the standard for lighter, stronger RVs.

As the company moved to motorhome production, they were the first to introduce tag axles. And their innovation of the kitchen slide-out essentially revolutionized the interior engineering of motorhomes.

But like the rest of the RV industry, it hasn’t always been a smooth ride. The company was sold to Harley-Davidson in 1986, and then in 1996, it was again sold, this time to the Monaco Coach Corporation under Navistar International Corp. Then HR’s future dimmed between 2008 and 2010 as it did for many (or even most) motorhome manufacturers.

In May of 2013, Navistar sold the HR brand to Allied Specialty Vehicles, and from there its status as a manufacturer of luxury RVs re-emerged. In November 2015, Allied Specialty Vehicles changed its name to the REV Group.

Today, Holiday Rambler Motorhomes is a division of the REV Group, a group of companies that design and manufacture specialty vehicles and aftermarket parts and services for fire & emergency vehicles, commercial buses, and recreational vehicles.

In the recreational vehicle space, the REV Group is also the parent company of the following brands:

• American Coach
• Fleetwood RV
• Holiday Rambler
• Lance
• Monaco (including the Beaver & Safari brands)
• Renegade RV
• Goldshield Fiberglass
• Midwest Automotive Designs

Although Holiday Rambler once manufactured travel trailers and fifth wheels, they now exclusively produce Class A gas and diesel motor homes.

Key Features of Holiday Rambler RVs

HR rigs are known for several features that contribute to their popularity more than seven decades after the company’s founding.

Luxury & Comfort

Their rigs are renowned for opulent interiors, premium features, and attention to detail. Interior furnishings are plush and made from high-quality materials, offering a level of comfort that rivals many upscale homes.

From residential-style kitchens to premium entertainment systems to spacious living areas, Holiday Rambler motorhomes offer luxury at every turn.

Innovative Technology

Holiday Rambler has long been at the forefront of incorporating cutting-edge technology into their RVs.

From advanced climate control systems to integrated smart home technology that includes touchscreen control panels for easy management of features and functions, every model is equipped with modern amenities that enhance the overall travel and living experience.

Durability & Reliability

These rigs have long stood the test of time. In fact, there are still many vintage Holiday Rambler rigs on the road today as well as online forums where vintage owners meet to share information.

Known for their sturdy construction and durable materials, they allow owners the pleasure of enjoying their RV for many years and countless miles on the road.

Variety of Floor Plans

HR offers a wide range of floor plans to cater to different lifestyles and preferences.

Whether you’re a solo traveler, a couple, or a family with several children, there’s likely to be a Holiday Rambler layout that suits your needs. This versatility is a key appeal for many loyal buyers.

Customer Support

The company has developed a reputation over time for customer service and satisfaction that extends beyond the sale. They’re known for providing excellent support, including a network of authorized service centers across the country. This ensures owners can access reliable maintenance & repairs as needed.

Holiday Rambler Models

The company offers several models of gas and diesel Class A motorhomes, each with several floor plans.

Class A Diesel Motorhomes

HR offers a series of luxurious Class A diesel motorhomes known for their spacious interiors and upscale features. With multiple floorplans available, they offer a customizable living experience for RV travelers.

Endeavor

The Endeavor is popular for its galley with a residential refrigerator, induction cooktop, and convection microwave.

This rig also boasts a number of desirable features such as a Wi-Fi Extender Pro Pack with LTE and cell booster, heated, polished porcelain tile floors, and long, hot showers courtesy of the Aqua-Hot 400D. The Endeavor is available in two floorplans.

Nautica

The Nautica offers features like BrakeSync, a tire pressure monitoring system, and easy turning, thanks to the enhanced stability of their V-Ride system.

The Aqua-Hot 250D offers unlimited hot water, and amenities like dual fireplaces, residential appliances, and beautifully appointed bathrooms round out a feature-rich motorhome experience.

The Nautica’s Delta Foundation provides excellent basement and interior storage so you can travel with everything you need to fully enjoy life on the road. The Nautica is available in two floorplans.

Armada

The Armada gets you where you’re going with a Cummins L9 diesel engine with up to 450 HP.

They offer cavernous pass-through storage, heated tile flooring, and no need for propane due to the onboard AquaHot 400D hydronic heating system for heat and hot water. The Armada is available in four floorplans.

Class A Gas Motorhomes

These Class A gas motorhomes combine affordability with comfort. They’re popular choices for those who want a high-quality RV, offering a range of amenities and floorplans without the added cost and weight of a diesel engine.

Admiral

The Admiral is Holiday Rambler’s most affordable model.

It features upscale technology including the WiFi Ranger signal boost as a standard feature and a MultiPlex house control system that makes onboard comfort simple to achieve.

A residential-style refrigerator comes standard, and there’s an exterior 50” LED TV for movie nights under the stars and a Hide-A-Loft electric drop-down bed as additional sleeping space for guests. The Admiral is available in four floorplans.

Vacationer

The Vacationer’s Power Platform foundation offers a solid, stable ride, while pass-through storage allows you to carry everything you need (and then some).

A 100W solar panel (with an optional 300W upgrade) adds to your boondocking power. Dual AC units and MCD dual shades throughout the rig help to keep residents comfortable. The exterior entertainment center is a popular feature. The Vacationer is available in four floorplans.

Invicta

The Invicta is available in four floor plans including the 36Y which features the exclusive Kid Kave. This is a separate living space for kids with its own loft, sleeping area, bathroom, dual wardrobes, and a TV.

The Invicta rides on a 22K-26K chassis and 22.5” aluminum Alcoa wheels. You can trickle charge the rig’s house batteries with Invicta’s 100W solar panel or recharge them by using the onboard 5.5kW generator with auto-gen start. Off-grid 120V AC power can also be had using the 2000W inverter.

The Invicta offers an optional stackable or all-in-one washer/dryer combo, lots of interior & exterior storage, and a generous 100-gallon RV freshwater tank.

Eclipse

The Eclipse runs on a Ford 7.3L, V8, 350 HP engine with 468 lb. ft. of torque and some serious support from the incredible 22,000 lb. chassis.

There’s plenty of space, seating, and storage for large groups. It’s pre-wired for solar panels, has Multiplex house controls, and features Vacu-Bond floors, walls, ceilings, and a Powerlock System II. The Eclipse is available in three feature-rich floor plans.

A Final Note About Holiday Rambler Motorhomes

Whether you’re a full-time RVer or enjoy occasional road trips, Holiday Rambler offers a range of models to suit your needs and preferences.

With their rich history and dedication to quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction, owning a Holiday Rambler RV means embarking on a journey of luxury and adventure that can last a lifetime.

Here’s a video of a 2023 Holiday Rambler Armada 40P walkthrough featuring their luxury bunkhouse.

Free RVing Tips, Tricks, Reviews, Giveaways & More

Subscribe to our daily newsletter! We’ve been full-time RVers for 20 years (!) and share everything we’ve learned about RVing in our daily blog posts. Join our online community to receive a wealth of great RVing knowledge delivered right to your inbox.

Whether this is your first time on the road or you’re a seasoned full-timer, you’ll love the wide range of RVing topics we cover. Don’t miss a single article or any of our famous RV gear Giveaways — Subscribe today!

We'd Love It If You Shared This!