a FAMILY of Camping bRANDS

Bontrager Outdoors is a RV manufacturing company that is based in Bristol, Indiana (just outside of Elkhart).  Thats WHAT Bontrager Outdoors is, but it does not speak to WHO Bontrager Outdoors is.  Cousins Jason and Austin Bontrager are 3rd generation RV manufacturers and have a long standing commitment to the industry.   In fact, Jason and Austin's grandfather is a true pioneer in the RV manufacturing Industry as he is credited with the invention of the modern day pop-up camper, or "folding tent trailer," 

The man most associated with popularizing the easy-to-use pop-up is Lloyd J. Bontrager (1968), the founder of Jayco. Bontrager invented a revolutionary "ease-up lifter system" for fold-down camping trailers in the mid-1960s, which made popping the camper up and closing it down much easier and more consistent. This patented system was the cornerstone of the Jayco company, which started production in 1968 and quickly became a major player in the RV industry.

While Jayco was sold to Thor Industries in 2016, Jason and Austin believed that the RV industry has become too concerned about volume, and not concerned enough about quality, value, longevity, and safety.  Their founding of Bontrager Outdoors and SGC are challenging the RV industry back to the roots that their grandfather instilled for many decades.   Bontrager and SGC will NOT sacrifice quality, value, longevity and safety under any circumstances.   

 The Bontrager's know it all starts with a solid foundation.  The chassis is a NORCO stamped and huck-bolted heavy-gauged steel powder coated mainframe. 

  Huck-bolts are actually a stronger and superior way to connect the frame components.  Welding a frame is actually inferior on chassis builds.   No broken welds here! Sure Huck Bolts are more labor intensive and more expensive, but the Bontrager's know that the foundation is no place to be cheap!

The Torsion Flex independent suspension allows each wheel to move independently of the other wheel.  In a traditional Straight Axle if one wheel goes up, the other wheel has to go down.   This makes off road conditions more difficult and it  creates a much bumpier ride for your gear.  The independent suspension is smoother, better for off-road, and your cargo will stay in place far better!

Aluminum studs make a better wall!   Aluminum is stronger, lighterweight, does not warp and it is predictable.   Bontrager Outdoor RVs have walls that are really strong.  It is also why their trailers are so lightweight.  It costs more to produce, but it makes a lasting difference to your enjoyment and your investment!

Azdel is another hidden gem in the Bontrager Outdoor RV's!   Azdel is a key component in the wall system.  Essentially it is the product that attaches to the aluminum studs.   Historically the RV industry has used a wood based product called Luan.   Because it is a wood based product it was know for trapping moisture, molding and delaminating from the interior and exterior final surfaces.  Azdel is a composite material that resists water, moisture, temperature, humidity, has a higher R value and is low VOC!    A good RV manufacture will use Azdel in between the framing and the fiberglass.   Bontrager takes it a step farther and also uses it between the framing and the interior wall board too.   That's twice the Azdel to keep your Camper nice for a long time.  Also Azdel is up to 20% lighter than Luan!  A little more expensive...but a whole lot better!

Truma Combi Furnace and Water Heaters are one of those hidden gems packed inside the Bontrager Outdoors RV's.  It is an extremely reliable, 2 in 1 product that performs amazingly well in both heating the camper and heating the water in your camper.   It is substantially lighter weight than 2 separate units, more efficient, and more reliable.   This is typically found only in the highest end products, but the Bontrager's know that the individual components matter when building a quality product! 

Bontrager Outdoors, Braxton Creek, and Skinny Guy Campers are all built with quality, efficiency and usability as foundational 

The Timbren Axle-Less Trailer Suspension System is now an option on many of the Bontrager Outdoors and SGC Armor camping trailers!  ​

Tired of trailer "axle hop," limited ground clearance.  The Timbren Axle-Less Trailer Suspension System is changing the game for utility, off-road, and custom trailers. This innovative, independent suspension system does exactly what its name suggests: it eliminates the through axle!
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​The Timbren Axle-Less system is a pair of self-contained, independent suspension units—one for each side of your trailer—that bolt directly to the frame. By doing away with the single beam that connects the wheels, it offers true independent suspension for your trailer.

​Each unit features a sturdy metal control arm and two patented Aeon® rubber springs: one for jounce (compression) and one for rebound. These progressive rubber springs absorb road shock, support the load, and become stiffer as the load increases, all without the need for traditional leaf springs or shocks.