About Starcraft

Dating back to 1903, Starcraft was founded as a farm equipment manufacturer, then added marine manufacturing to its lineup, followed by tent campers in 1964. In the heart of Northern Indiana’s Amish country, we’ve built our reputation on crafting iconic campers at affordable prices, using the latest technologies and highest-quality materials available.

Starcraft RVs take worries and “what-ifs” off the table, with reliable products that make it easy to enjoy nature as it was meant to be: uncomplicated. We call it camping, pure and simple.

Starcraft History

Based in the heart of northern Indiana’s Amish country, Starcraft’s roots date back to when The Rough Rider, Teddy Roosevelt, was President, Henry Ford assembled the first automobile, and Bill Harley and Art Davidson founded Harley Davidson. After success in both the farming and marine industry, the company set its sights on the growing RV market. Lloyd Bontrager, who went on to found Jayco, invented a breakthrough lifter system and put Starcraft on the map.

Well established as a top RV manufacturer in Indiana by the 1990s, today’s Starcraft has expanded product lines, facilities and its workforce throughout North Central Indiana—and its reputable name throughout North America. If you are a dealer, customer or prospective owner, you are experiencing the fruits of a long, successful history. Starcraft continues to focus on our commitment to innovation and leadership as a respected travel trailer and fifth wheel RV manufacturer.

Here are some of the highlights from our storied past.

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1903

Founded in 1903 as Star Tank Co. of Goshen, IN, manufacturing metal farm equipment.

1915

Produced our first rowboat in 1915 and changed our name to Star Tank & Boat Company.

1920s to 1950s

1920s to 1950s: Became a national galvanized steel boat maker. Innovated the first aluminum boat. Made its first fiberglass boat in 1956

1964

Became a camper manufacturer in 1964 by introducing three models of tent campers (Starmaster, Starliner and Star Rambler).

1966

Changed name to Starcraft Corp. in 1966.

1963 - 1967

Lloyd Bontrager (who later founded Jayco) invented the first lifter mechanism in 1963 and ran operations at Starcraft until 1967.

1977

Starcraft became the first company to manufacture luxury van conversions in 1977.

1991

Jayco purchased the RV Division of Starcraft Corp. in 1991.

2008

In spring of 2008, launched the popular Autumn Ridge RV brand.

2011

The fall of 2011 marked the launch of Starcraft’s our long-term sustainability initiative EcoAdvantage.

2016

In 2016, the 1,000,000th unit in total between the four divisions of Jayco, Starcraft, Entegra Coach and Highland Ridge rolled off the production line.