35 Years of Coleman Pop Ups
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Fleetwood Enterprises, Inc. had been in the recreational vehicle business since 1950, but until 1989 they had no folding trailer product line. They had tried in the late ‘70s to interest Sheldon Coleman in selling the division. After Mr. Coleman declined, Fleetwood began to develop their own line of pop ups; they built prototypes and intended to become Coleman’s main competitor. So negative was the dealers’ response that Fleetwood dropped the plan and stayed out of the folding camper business until 1989 when they were able to acquire the Coleman brand. Today, Fleetwood is the largest RV manufacturer in the US, with 50% of their sales coming from manufactured housing and 50% from RVs. Their headquarters are in Riverside, California, and they have approximately 15,000 associates.

What a wonderful occasion for two companies whose names had steadily grown in the RV industry to finally be united and become one. Fleetwood pumped money into product development, hired more associates into key positions, licensed the reputable Coleman name, and allowed the Coleman Somerset, Pennsylvania plant to remain autonomous in their production. The future was now even brighter for the Coleman folding trailer line.

Since being acquired by Fleetwood, the company has continued to develop a steady stream of innovative product ideas. In 1993, they introduced the revolutionary Evergreen, the first camping trailer designed for mobility impaired campers. The Evergreen featured a ramp and ample interior space that would easily accommodate a wheelchair. In 1994, the Four Seasons, a unique solid-wall folding trailer with canvas bunk ends, made its debut. In 1996, a totally redesigned product line was introduced with a wider body, higher side walls and a new ABS one-piece seamless roof construction.

The Caravan is Fleetwood’s newest addition to the Coleman family of campers. This fully hard-sided expandable travel trailer has already become so popular since its introduction in the spring of 2001, that the company has recently expanded production to include five models and floor plans. Standard features include oversized panoramic windows and a large solid-state master bed that can be used fully set-up or in the closed position, a flush toilet, full surround shower/tub, convertible sofa bed, air conditioning, awning, furnace and much, much more!

Meanwhile, Coleman’s outdoor product division, acquired in 1998 by Boca Raton, Florida-based Sunbeam Corp., continues to produce more and more items to enhance enjoyment of the outdoors, including outdoor furniture, lamps, stoves, tents, sleeping bags, coolers, flashlights and more. The Coleman name is a familiar word in every corner of the world, known for high quality and reliability. The company is constantly changing, adapting to what consumers want and need for greater outdoor comfort and enjoyment. They continue to uphold the values, the quality and the customer service that W.C. Coleman began a century ago. They have always looked at setbacks as challenges. As Sheldon Coleman Sr. used to say, “Don’t let life put you back on your heels. Lean into it.”