Blue Sky Recreation Limited. Freephone: 0800 069 9601, Freefax: 0800 069 9602, Email: info@blueskyholdings.co.uk
Folding Camper & Trailer Tent Definitive Guide
Manufacturer Summary: Starcraft
Company Synopsis:
903 South Main Street
PO box 460
Middlebury
IN 46540
USA
800 945 4787
574 825 6094
Starcraft is one of the oldest and most established names in the RV industry. In fact, they’ve been around since 1903. Back then,
though, they originally made their name building livestock tanks and other metal farm equipment. In the 1920’s, they added a variety
of boats to the product lineup, and, in 1964, they entered the modern camping industry.Their first line of folding camper trailers
included such innovative features as the industry’s first crank-up lifter system and hard tops for pop-up campers, both of which helped
them gain a major share of the RV market in the US.
In spite of their long history and prolific model production, Starcrafts remain a relatively rare sight in the UK. There are a couple of main reasons for this. Firstly, they are manufactured in the US, and the logistics of transporting them to the UK can be prohibitive. Also, Starcrafts are built to American specifications and legislation, and the legal requirements in the US are different from those in the UK. The most significant difference is that there is no requirement for trailers to be fitted with electronic brakes, in the US, and these are only available as an option. In the UK, any trailer over 750kg must be fitted with electronic over run brakes, to comply with the law.
The company currently manufactures a wide range of products, including caravans and demountable campers. For the purposes of this guide, we will be focusing, purely, on their folding camper ranges, both past and present.
In January 1991, the RV side of Starcraft was acquired by Jayco Inc, and production was, subsequently, moved to their Middlebury plant. The old company reverted back to being, primarily, a marine manufacturer. Over the years, the Starcraft brand has, largely, become a clone of the Jayco models, in much the same way as Conway has now become an integral part of the Pennine family.
In spite of this, Starcrafts do make their way into the UK, on a regular basis, and, consequently, they fit into the remit of this guide.
To take a look at the various models available, click on the link above.
Jayco Inc.