Forest River RVs are made by Forest River, Inc., a subsidiary of Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway and one of the largest RV manufacturers in the world.
Forest River is known for its enormous catalog spanning travel trailers, fifth wheels, motorhomes, and even pontoon boats and buses.
Founded in 1996 by Peter Liegl, Forest River grew rapidly before Berkshire Hathaway acquired the company in 2005.
This guide covers who owns Forest River, where the units are manufactured, the company’s founding story, its many divisions, and how it compares to Thor Industries.
So let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Who Owns Forest River?
Forest River, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, with the company’s full corporate profile shown on Wikipedia’s Forest River entry.
Berkshire Hathaway, led by Warren Buffett, acquired Forest River in 2005 after founder Peter Liegl personally reached out about being acquired.
This acquisition gave Forest River access to Berkshire Hathaway’s financial backing while allowing the company to continue operating with significant independence.
Forest River remains headquartered in Elkhart, Indiana, employing more than 11,000 people across its many divisions.
Where Are Forest River RVs Manufactured?
Forest River RVs are manufactured across more than 100 plants, primarily concentrated around Elkhart, Indiana.
This extensive plant network gives Forest River the manufacturing scale to support dozens of individual brand divisions simultaneously.
Each division typically operates its own dedicated facility, preserving distinct engineering and quality standards across brands.
This distributed manufacturing model helps Forest River maintain high production volume while keeping individual brand identities intact.
What Is the History of Forest River?
Peter Liegl founded Forest River on January 26, 1996, beginning what would become one of the industry’s largest RV companies.
The company expanded quickly through the late 1990s and early 2000s, adding travel trailers, fifth wheels, park models, and eventually boats and buses.
In 2005, Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway acquired Forest River, a deal that began when Liegl personally contacted Buffett.
Today Forest River ranks as the second largest RV supplier to the US market, behind only Thor Industries.
What Brands Does Forest River Own?
Forest River’s towable divisions include Coachmen, Palomino, Shasta, Rockwood, and East to West.
The company also owns Dynamax, a division focused on motorhomes and Class C and Super C coaches.
Beyond RVs, Forest River’s portfolio extends into pontoon boats through Berkshire Pontoon and South Bay Pontoon, along with cargo trailers and commercial buses.
This wide diversification gives Forest River one of the broadest product catalogs in the entire recreational vehicle industry.
How Does Forest River Compare to Thor Industries?
Forest River and Thor Industries represent two of the RV industry’s Big Three manufacturers, alongside Winnebago.
Thor currently holds the larger overall market share, owning brands like Jayco, Keystone, Airstream, and Heartland.
Forest River differentiates itself partly through its diversification into boats and buses alongside its core RV business.
Both companies compete closely across nearly every RV category, from entry level travel trailers to luxury motorhomes.
Are Forest River RVs a Good Value?
Forest River is generally recognized for offering strong variety and value across its many brand divisions.
Popular lines like Salem, Wildwood, and Cherokee consistently rank among the best selling RVs in the country.
Berkshire Hathaway’s financial backing provides Forest River with stability that buyers can factor into long term ownership decisions.
For buyers seeking variety and availability across nearly every RV category, Forest River is difficult to overlook.
Where Can You Buy a Forest River RV?
Forest River RVs are sold through an extensive network of dealers across the United States.
Because Forest River operates so many individual brand divisions, buyers can typically find multiple Forest River products at the same dealership.
Each division maintains its own dealer locator tools to help buyers find the nearest showroom.
Shoppers comparing Forest River divisions may also want to read Who Makes Rockwood RVs and Who Makes East to West RVs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Forest River RVs
Who owns Forest River?
Forest River is a subsidiary of Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway.
When did Berkshire Hathaway acquire Forest River?
Berkshire Hathaway acquired Forest River in 2005.
Who founded Forest River?
Peter Liegl founded Forest River in 1996.
Are Forest River RVs good quality?
Yes, Forest River RVs are generally well regarded for value and variety across its many brand divisions.
I am Jack Neel, a mechanical engineer, researcher, and writer. I created this website to share my knowledge about different brands and products with you. I research the manufacturers behind the brands and provide you with the information you need to make smart buying decisions.