Heartland RVs Reports Toy Hauler Sales Heat Up

Heartland RVs is reporting marked sales growth for its Road Warrior and Edge fifth-wheel toy haulers in 2016 as year-over-year retail registrations have grown 45 percent, the company said, citing internal data. *“Our market share growth for the Road Warrior and Edge has increased significantly,” stated General Manager Andy Wesdorp in a press release. “In addition, we launched two new floorplans for Edge this past fall, dialing in on specific features and amenities that are trending with consumers. The typical toy hauler buyer has changed from five years ago and we continue to adapt and build product that targets those hot button features with consumers. Our dealers have taken note, and responded by stocking more units which has resulted in phenomenal retail growth.”Eyeing future growth into 2017, Heartland opened a new plant at its Elkhart, Ind., campus in late November dedicated to production of the Edge and Road Warrior brands.

“Along with more capacity, we have added engineering and production talent exclusively for the Edge and Road Warrior brands,” said Vice President of Sales and Marketing Coley Brady. “The dedicated production lines allow us to quickly bring to market new, unique floorplans that complement Heartland’s full line of toy haulers. The new production lines will essentially provide us with limitless capacity to keep pace with a growing backlog.”A key introduction at Open House was the Road Warrior 429 model, offering “the best separation from kitchen to living room in the entire industry,” according to Wesdorp.“The challenge with toy haulers is to create defined separation between the different living areas,” said Wesdorp. “The X-factor is how you engineer around this big box on the back. With the 429, we were able to fashion an interior space that flows while still offering a 13-foot garage.”

Features on the Road Warrior 429 include a rounded peninsula countertop in the kitchen along with an L-shaped sofa with a hide-a-bed that offers maximum seating with the addition of a love seat. “It also provides perfect viewing of the 58-inchTV,” Wesdorp said.

President Chris Hermon noted, “Heartland is focused on bringing innovative product design and trending features to market that match consumer needs in this very dynamic segment. Toy haulers are one of the fastest moving products in our portfolio as RVers continue to find new uses beyond just hauling ATVs, motorcycles and other toys.”

*Editor’s Note: This story initially cited the 45 percent registration growth as data from Statistical Surveys. Officials from Heartland have since reported that the data should have been credited to the manufacturer’s internal figures, not Stat Surveys. 

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