The park model RV (PMRV) industry, one of the few growth segments in the RV industry, was well represented during the annual RV Dealer Open House held in Elkhart, Ind., from Sept. 28 to Oct. 1. The annual event draws dealers from around the country and allows manufacturers to show off their new units and get dealer orders in place for the coming year.
Five PMRV manufacturers showcased their newest 2027 models to Woodall’s Campground Magazine (WCM), with trends ranging from ultra-luxury offerings for resorts and upscale campgrounds to bring-the-whole-family-including-cousin-Eddy floorplans with dual bunks, sleeping lofts and hide-a-beds.
“We’re actually wrapping up an Airbnb community up in Saugatuck, Mich., with many of our higher-end Series 7 units,” said Joel Lederman, co-founder of the company, illuminating one of the market niches responsible for the health of his segment.
Elevation was showing off its new 9 Series, which featured an A-frame front.
“This A-frame fronted cabin is brand new for us,” Lederman noted. “It is made to provide a view.”
He stated the new Series 9 cabins and park models come from the demand in the field for more luxury and upscale features. He showcased the exterior features, including high-end Diamond Kote siding, soffit fascias, Anderson 400 Series windows, Trex decking and high-end dimensional shingles or steel roofing.
Inside the new Series 9, you’ll find plank LVT flooring, GE Café Appliance suites, a washer and dryer conveniently located in the half bath, and a large tiled shower with glass doors in the master bath, all with an MSRP of around $160,000.
After a groundbreaking for its 61,000 square-foot production, warehouse, R&D and PDI facility on Sept. 28, the first day of Open House, Kropf Industries showcased its new Eldorado 9115 luxury couples cabin.
“You’re going to notice Diamond Kote siding in a custom Kropf Green that Diamond Kote does not offer as one of their standard colors, and it is accentuated by ChamClad,” noted Liz Wogoman, designer for the firm. “We have a porch out front that features a built-in, custom kitchen with a Napoleon brand grill, refrigerator and sink for all the prep work. The part that I love is the pass-through window that takes you right inside to the kitchen space.
“We really do strive to have all of those high-end residential finishes that people come to expect in their homes, because they want this to be a home away from home,” she added, as she took WCM into the galley-style kitchen, which allows cooks to be cooks without traffic.
In the living room, there’s a brick backsplash that goes full height, with shiplap cladding across the walls. Solid surface countertops throughout the entire unit.
Blinds in each window are remotely controlled independently.
“I think that it’s a very smart floor plan,” Wogoman noted.
The unit has an MSRP of around $170,000.
Chuck Smith, with Cavco of Nappanee, walked WCM through its newest Country Manor Series for 2027.
“Country Manor is our upper-end product,” he said. “This is a new model for us and it features lots of windows and natural light. You walk in, you see the full floor-to-ceiling fireplace. You have ceramic on the bottom and reclaimed wood on top. It’s a warm color, which is very sharp in today’s marketplace.”
The siding inside it contrasts with black cabinets, new black trim and ceiling beams. All cabinets are hardwood. Standard two-inch mini blinds are throughout. All lighting is recessed LED can lights. The kitchen features a deep stainless-black sink and gold hardware on black cabinet doors. All full-size residential Frigidaire appliances are also included.
“As you walk into our bathroom, there is a Palisade shower, all porcelain sinks and a full-size commode,” Smith highlighted. “What’s unique about our product is we’re a housing company that builds park models. Everything is built with housing components.”
MSRP for the unit sits at around $119,000.
Austin Lambright, president of Woodland Park, toured the new 267 Independence Model.
“This unit features GE Café appliances, solid surface countertops, a residential farmhouse sink, and our olive oak cabinets,” he said. “It’s got a loft above the bedroom, a walk-in closet. It’s featuring an above-countertop sink in the bathroom, a big pull-out pantry, and then it’s got the wraparound porch, with cedar shake siding and a residential front door.”
Lambright said it is more targeted for the West Coast, which is why the company also made its first appearance at the Glamping Show Americas this week.
“These porch wraps are really popular out there currently,” Lambright noted. “We are looking at campgrounds mostly as we try to bridge that market again. We have a lot of mom-and-pop dealerships, and that’s what my grandfather started the business on: family relationships. That’s continued, but we’re trying to branch out.”
MSRP for the unit sits at around $155,000.
Kevin Wells, president of Canterbury RV, highlighted the company’s P38-2BBKL, which he said is perfect for larger families.
“If someone has a seasonal site somewhere, and they have a larger family or they have an extended family that likes to come visit, this allows them to have plenty of places for them to sleep and hang out, and it also has two bathrooms,” he highlighted.
There is a master bedroom in the back. There is a front bunk area with a 54-inch bunk on the bottom and a 32-inch bunk above for additional sleeping space. The hide-a-bed in the living room pulls out to sleep two, as well.
“Then above the master bedroom in the back there is a loft area that’s big enough for two full-size or queen beds,” he said. “Then in the front portion of the unit, above the front bunk area, we also added a loft, which will hold two full-size beds.”
The new 20FP-LT-BAR has a standard 10-foot porch on the front with a pass-through bar window, upgraded interior cabinets and plenty of storage. When it comes to sleeping, it has a Murphy bed that comes standard, a jackknife sofa in the main area and a bunk room that has two twin-sized bunks.
The large front porch opens to a bar in the kitchen inside.
Joe Grandstaff, sales manager for Forest River RV, said the MSRP will be around $135,000 fully equipped.
