Heartland RVs are made by Thor Industries, the largest recreational vehicle manufacturer in the United States by revenue and brand count.
Heartland is known for fifth wheels and travel trailers, including popular lines like the Cyclone, Bighorn, and Milestone.
Heartland Recreational Vehicles was founded in 2003 and later became part of Thor Industries, where it remains one of the company’s core towable brands.
This guide covers who owns Heartland, where the units are manufactured, the brand’s founding story, and how Heartland compares to independent spinoff Alliance RV.
So let’s get started.
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Who Owns the Heartland RV Brand?
Heartland RV is owned by Thor Industries, whose full brand portfolio is documented on RV Dumps’ comprehensive RV manufacturer ownership list.
Thor Industries, headquartered in Elkhart, Indiana, is the RV industry’s largest company by both revenue and total brand count.
Heartland joins Airstream, Jayco, Keystone, and Dutchmen as one of Thor’s many towable RV divisions.
Thor’s approach of acquiring and preserving individual brand identities has allowed Heartland to maintain its own product lineup and dealer relationships.
Where Are Heartland RVs Manufactured?
Heartland RVs are manufactured at Thor Industries production facilities concentrated around Elkhart, Indiana.
Thor’s broader manufacturing network gives Heartland access to substantial production capacity and shared component sourcing.
This concentration in the Elkhart region places Heartland within the same manufacturing hub as most major US RV brands.
Heartland maintains its own dedicated plants within Thor’s larger network, preserving the brand’s specific engineering standards.
What Is the History Behind Heartland RV?
Heartland Recreational Vehicles was founded in 2003, quickly building a reputation in the fifth wheel and travel trailer segments.
Brian Brady, who later co-founded Alliance RV, served as president of Heartland during its early growth years.
Thor Industries eventually acquired Heartland, bringing the brand under its much larger corporate umbrella.
Today Heartland continues to operate as one of Thor’s most established fifth wheel and travel trailer brands.
What Models Does Heartland RV Offer?
The Cyclone toy hauler and Bighorn fifth wheel remain among Heartland’s most recognized model lines.
The Milestone and Landmark series target buyers seeking upscale, full time living fifth wheels.
Heartland also offers the North Trail and Mallard lines for more budget conscious travel trailer buyers.
This range allows Heartland to serve everything from weekend campers to full time RV residents.
How Does Heartland Compare to Alliance RV?
Heartland and Alliance RV share a direct connection through the Brady family, who helped build Heartland before starting Alliance.
Heartland benefits from Thor Industries’ scale, dealer network, and corporate resources.
Alliance remains fully independent, giving it more direct control over design decisions without conglomerate oversight.
Both brands share a similar emphasis on fifth wheel quality and customer feedback driven design.
Are Heartland RVs a Good Value?
Heartland RVs are generally well regarded, particularly the Bighorn and Cyclone lines among fifth wheel and toy hauler buyers.
Because Heartland is backed by Thor Industries, warranty and parts support benefit from the larger company’s dealer network.
Owner reviews frequently highlight solid construction and thoughtful floor plans across the brand’s lineup.
For buyers seeking an established fifth wheel brand with strong dealer support, Heartland remains a solid choice.
Where Can You Buy a Heartland RV?
Heartland RVs are sold through a network of dealers across the United States.
Thor Industries’ broad dealer network supports strong nationwide availability for Heartland models.
Buyers can often find Heartland alongside other Thor brands at the same dealerships.
Shoppers comparing Elkhart built RV brands may also want to read Who Makes Alliance RVs and Who Makes Cruiser RVs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Heartland RVs
Who owns Heartland RV?
Heartland RV is owned by Thor Industries.
When was Heartland RV founded?
Heartland Recreational Vehicles was founded in 2003.
Is Heartland related to Alliance RV?
Heartland and Alliance are separate companies, though Alliance’s founders previously led Heartland before starting their own independent brand.
Are Heartland RVs good quality?
Yes, Heartland RVs are generally well regarded, particularly the Bighorn and Cyclone lines.
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.