Latest news with #Jayco
USA Today
5 hours ago
- Automotive
- USA Today
How to see behind the scenes at RV manufacturing plants
The Midwest is the epicenter of America's recreational vehicle (RV) industry. Airstream is headquartered in western Ohio, and 80 percent of the nation's RVs are produced in northwest Indiana, earning it the title of 'RV Capital of the World.' If you own a recreational vehicle or are simply curious about the craftsmanship employed by teams of skilled artisans, an RV manufacturing plant tour offers a behind-the-scenes look. AirstreamJackson Center, Ohio Inside Airstream's spacious, 750,000-square-foot production facility, shiny aluminum trailers glisten like giant pieces of jewelry. Approximately 500 skilled workers craft eight towable travel trailer models in 45 floor plans for the domestic market and three models for the European market. Located 56 miles northeast of Dayton, Airstream employs 1,300 people and hosts nearly 10,000 visitors annually who join free, hour-long guided tours of three manufacturing facilities producing the brand's iconic travel trailers, touring coaches and Basecamp units. Visitor experience coordinator Dan Maul facilitates all tours, as well as manages the company's archives and Heritage Center. 'Around 200 craftspeople, between parts manufacturing and a completed trailer build, are involved in the production of each travel trailer, which takes approximately 350 hours total,' Maul says. Along the 40-section production line, workers buck rivet each trailer's curved, aluminum outer exterior and interior. From a viewing platform above the factory floor, visitors watch production line craftspeople install electrical wiring, plumbing, heating, air conditioning, solar panel hookups, propane tanks and other components. Most of Airstream's cabinetry, windows and doors are made onsite, as are window treatments and some upholstered pieces. Lastly, quality control staff conducts a 1,600-point inspection before shipping trailers to 70 dealers across the U.S. and Canada and another 12 internationally. 'Our design team consistently monitors trends, tech developments, and consumers' interests in not only the RV market, but in the boating and home design industries to ensure we are creating a more comfortable and inviting travel trailer experience,' Maul says. The Heritage Center displays restored Airstreams presented in a walkable timeline. The collection's newest addition is a 1936 Airstream Clipper, the first all-aluminum, riveted travel trailer ever made. JaycoMiddlebury, Indiana There are nearly 70 RV production plants, parts suppliers, service and repair facilities in Elkhart County, Indiana, and a dozen more operate in neighboring LaGrange County. Northwest Indiana hosts many of the nation's biggest RV rallies and is home to the third-largest Amish community in the country, with many of working in the RV industry. Thor Industries, the world's largest RV manufacturer and Elkhart County's biggest employer, owns and operates Jayco, Inc. in Middlebury, about 130 miles southeast of Chicago. Jayco produces 357 models of travel trailers, fifth-wheels, Class A and Class C motorhomes and Class B camper vans at a 720-acre campus employing 2,700 people. Free 90-minute tours of the motorhome and luxury fifth -wheel plants start at Jayco's visitors center, a renovated 1880s Amish farmhouse adjacent to a grassy lot displaying the latest models that guests walk through. A brief film covers the history of the company, which started in 1968 when Mennonite couple Lloyd and Bertha Bontrager built the first Jayco-branded, canvas-sided, fold-down camper trailers in their farm's barn. A vintage trolley ride takes you to the manufacturing plant, where craftspeople assemble insulated sidewalls, wood floor frames and Magnum Truss Roof System roofs, sew window treatments and upholster furniture. Sounds of beeping forklifts and whirring, popping power tools fill the brightly lit luxury fifth wheel plant. Sleek Pinnacle, North Point, and Seismic Toy Hauler models, hand-built by 160 craftspeople, roll down the 36-station production line. It takes an average of three days to build a fifth wheel RV. Woodworkers on the plant's mezzanine level mill all hardwood cabinetry. Final production steps include a thorough cleaning, inspection of 29 system functions and a rain test (motorhomes get road tested) before Jayco ships to more than 400 dealers in the U.S. and abroad. 'Starting in May each year, tour guests watch skilled workers hand-build the next year's models,' says John MacDonald, Jayco's corporate brand ambassador. RV/MH Hall of Fame At Elkhart's national RV/MH Hall of Fame complex, a collection of 50 camper cars, trailers, vans, and motorhomes trace the RV industry's evolution beginning in the 1920s. View actress Mae West's 1931 Chevrolet House car and the 1935 Bowlus Road Chief Trailer. Historic RV brands' units exhibited include Jayco, Coachmen, E-Z Kamper, Kit Teardrop, Shasta, GMC, Airstream and Winnebago. RV enthusiasts will love browsing the library's periodicals and archives.
News.com.au
19 hours ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Tour de France 2025: Ben O'Connor wins Queen stage with heroic solo ride over Col de la Loze
On a monster Queen stage 18 of the Tour de France, Aussie Ben O'Connor conquered the highest summit of the 2025 Tour de France to claim his second stage win in the race four years after his triumph at Tignes. And what a brilliant ride it was. Sixteen kilometres solo on the toughest stage of the race in the final week. That's when many falter, but O'Connor has finally found his form in this year's race. To get in the break is tough. To force the pace and make it stick is hard but to be then joined by the heavyweights in Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard and be able to ride away from them is bloody serious. His ferocious attack showed just how the young man from Western Australia has matured. Last year O'Connor was unstoppable. But after a spectacular crash on day one, O'Connor has struggled to find his exceptional form. 'It's special to do it again here in the Tour de France,' an elated O'Connor told CODE Sports at the finish line. 'The last time in Tignes four years ago was a complete shock, but this time I got to enjoy it much more. 'I had a super day today, I was finally back to being me after struggling for the past 17 days. 'My knee is absolutely screwed now. 'But to finally get it done is great.' O'Connor said he chased the win on day 10 but was ultimately left frustrated with Simon Yates taking the stage. 'Having that moment today is absolutely massive,' he said. 'You always want another win at the Tour and you can't get enough of these. 'I was afraid that behind me they would be dropping bombs and I would explode in the final kilometres. They closed the gap in the finale but I had enough. 'Once (Einer) Rubio was gone, I just didn't want to be caught by the Yellow Jersey group in the final 5km. 'When I heard it was still 3 minutes with 3 kilometres to go, it felt so good. 'On Glandon, I tried a lot, but it came back and I was feeling in the box. 'I saw Felix Gall and Primoz Roglic go and I thought: 'Just do it, get yourself there.' O'Connor said that on Glandon, and then at the bottom of Madeleine, he was close to pulling the pin but these were days to be mentally resilient. 'I really needed self belief today, from myself and from the team,' O'Connor said. It had been a successful tour for Australia's Jayco team with Mauro Schmid 's second and Luke Plapp 's rilliant time trials. But it needed a win. Team owner Gerry Ryan was overjoyed. 'The team have worked hard for this victory,' he said. 'Strong efforts and close finishes may show just how well we're going but winning a stage is very important. not just for our riders and sponsors, but for all our staff who work so hard. 'I will raise a glass to all of them tonight.' Jayco AlUla sports director Mat Hayman said: 'Ben came to our team after a great year. 'And then the frustration of early season challenges stopped him from delivering what we new he was capable of. 'But we believed in him and he came here to make himself noticed. 'Today he did that and it was a very impressive performance.' Pogacar continues to head the Tour with a 4 minute 26 seconds lead over Vingegaard with three stages remaining.
News.com.au
20 hours ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Ben O'Connor's calculated attack pays off on climb of Col de la Loze
Ben O'Connor won stage 18 of the Tour de France with a world-class climb over three Alpine mountains on Thursday as defending champion Tadej Pogacar tightened his grip on the yellow jersey. Australian O'Connor, 29, took off alone 15km from the finish and navigated the mountain mist to win 1min 45sec ahead of Pogacar atop the Col de la Loze. Vingegaard crossed the line in third place, nine seconds behind the Slovenian. 'It was brutal, I've never lived anything so hard. The team did well and we had a good plan, but I couldn't take any time off Tadej,' said Vingegaard. Pogacar now holds a 4min 26sec lead over the Dane in the general classification with three days to go before the finish in Paris. Starting the day with a deficit of 4min 15sec, Vingegaard had attacked a massive 71km out. 'Our tactics fell apart when they attacked so soon,' said Pogacar explaining he simply tracked his rival on instinct. Pogacar eventually dropped the Dane near the finish line to gain another 11sec on the Team Visma rider who won the 2022 and 2023 Tour de France. O'Connor, from the Jayco-Alula team, said he was relieved to triumph again four years after his success in the Alps at Tignes. 'Putting your hands in the air is an extraordinary thing. It was about time for me being an Aussie rider in an Aussie team,' said a beaming O'Connor, who joined Jayco in January. 'I had to go from the bottom of the valley before the last climb. It was the only way to beat them. Pogacar said O'Connor had put in a great ride. 'Congrats to Ben. How he rode today, that's his victory.' LAST CHANCE Team UAE's Pogacar is now on the cusp of a fourth Tour de France title, after reversing the roles and sitting on Vingegaard's wheel, wasting little energy. He remained vigilant however. 'It's not over, there's three days left. It's so long this three weeks thing. You get annoyed with everybody by the third week. You need good legs and good luck and only then is it okay,' added Pogacar. German breakout star Florian Lipowitz wilted near the end in his bid for both third place and the white jersey awarded to the best young rider. The 22-year-old British rider Oscar Onley closed to within 22 seconds. Both riders are making their Tour de France debut. After 10 opening days of rolling terrain in the north and west of France where Pogacar and Vingegaard kept a watchful eye on each other as emerging riders stole the headlines, the real fight began in week two. Pogacar attacked Vingegaard on the first mountain, taking over two minutes out of him on one climb as things looked grim for the Slovenian's rivals. It was a costly off day for Vingegaard as in retrospect this was where Pogacar made the real difference in the race. The following day on a time-trial Pogacar whacked another 40sec into the Visma star who did however take over four minutes off the Slovenian on a single stage to win the 2023 Tour. Friday's majestic five-mountain slog amid the imposing panoramas between Albertville and La Plaigne will be the last chance for a reversal of fortunes with 60km of steep slopes to negotiate. The race ends Sunday in Paris with the finish line at the Champs Elysees after three climbs to the Sacre Coeur Basilica along the cobbled lanes of Montmartre.
France 24
a day ago
- Sport
- France 24
O'Connor climbs to 'brutal' Alpine stage win as Pogacar tightens grip on Tour
Australian O'Connor, 29, took off alone 15km from the finish and navigated the mountain mist to win 1min 45sec ahead of Pogacar atop the Col de la Loze. Vingegaard crossed the line in third place, nine seconds behind the Slovenian. "It was brutal, I've never lived anything so hard. The team did well and we had a good plan, but I couldn't take any time off Tadej," said Vingegaard. Pogacar now holds a 4min 26sec lead over the Dane in the general classification with three days to go before the finish in Paris. Starting the day with a deficit of 4min 15sec, Vingegaard had attacked a massive 71km out. "Our tactics fell apart when they attacked so soon," said Pogacar explaining he simply tracked his rival on instinct. Pogacar eventually dropped the Dane near the finish line to gain another 11sec on the Team Visma rider who won the 2022 and 2023 Tour de France. O'Connor, from the Jayco-Alula team, said he was relieved to triumph again four years after his success in the Alps at Tignes. "Putting your hands in the air is an extraordinary thing. It was about time for me being an Aussie rider in an Aussie team," said a beaming O'Connor, who joined Jayco in January. "I had to go from the bottom of the valley before the last climb. It was the only way to beat them. Pogacar said O'Connor had put in a great ride. "Congrats to Ben. How he rode today, that's his victory." Last chance Team UAE's Pogacar is now on the cusp of a fourth Tour de France title, after reversing the roles and sitting on Vingegaard's wheel, wasting little energy. He remained vigilant however. "It's not over, there's three days left. It's so long this three weeks thing. You get annoyed with everybody by the third week. You need good legs and good luck and only then is it okay," added Pogacar. German breakout star Florian Lipowitz wilted near the end in his bid for both third place and the white jersey awarded to the best young rider. The 22-year-old British rider Oscar Onley closed to within 22 seconds. Both riders are making their Tour de France debut. After 10 opening days of rolling terrain in the north and west of France where Pogacar and Vingegaard kept a watchful eye on each other as emerging riders stole the headlines, the real fight began in week two. Pogacar attacked Vingegaard on the first mountain, taking over two minutes out of him on one climb as things looked grim for the Slovenian's rivals. It was a costly off day for Vingegaard as in retrospect this was where Pogacar made the real difference in the race. The following day on a time-trial Pogacar whacked another 40sec into the Visma star who did however take over four minutes off the Slovenian on a single stage to win the 2023 Tour. Friday's majestic five-mountain slog amid the imposing panoramas between Albertville and La Plaigne will be the last chance for a reversal of fortunes with 60km of steep slopes to negotiate. The race ends Sunday in Paris with the finish line at the Champs Elysees after three climbs to the Sacre Coeur Basilica along the cobbled lanes of Montmartre.
News.com.au
a day ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
O'Connor climbs to 'brutal' Alpine stage win as Pogacar tightens grip on Tour
Ben O'Connor won stage 18 of the Tour de France with a world-class climb over three Alpine mountains on Thursday as defending champion Tadej Pogacar tightened his grip on the yellow jersey. Australian O'Connor, 29, took off alone 15km from the finish and navigated the mountain mist to win 1min 45sec ahead of Pogacar atop the Col de la Loze. Vingegaard crossed the line in third place, nine seconds behind the Slovenian. "It was brutal, I've never lived anything so hard. The team did well and we had a good plan, but I couldn't take any time off Tadej," said Vingegaard. Pogacar now holds a 4min 26sec lead over the Dane in the general classification with three days to go before the finish in Paris. Starting the day with a deficit of 4min 15sec, Vingegaard had attacked a massive 71km out. "Our tactics fell apart when they attacked so soon," said Pogacar explaining he simply tracked his rival on instinct. Pogacar eventually dropped the Dane near the finish line to gain another 11sec on the Team Visma rider who won the 2022 and 2023 Tour de France. O'Connor, from the Jayco-Alula team, said he was relieved to triumph again four years after his success in the Alps at Tignes. "Putting your hands in the air is an extraordinary thing. It was about time for me being an Aussie rider in an Aussie team," said a beaming O'Connor, who joined Jayco in January. "I had to go from the bottom of the valley before the last climb. It was the only way to beat them. Pogacar said O'Connor had put in a great ride. "Congrats to Ben. How he rode today, that's his victory." - Last chance - Team UAE's Pogacar is now on the cusp of a fourth Tour de France title, after reversing the roles and sitting on Vingegaard's wheel, wasting little energy. He remained vigilant however. "It's not over, there's three days left. It's so long this three weeks thing. You get annoyed with everybody by the third week. You need good legs and good luck and only then is it okay," added Pogacar. German breakout star Florian Lipowitz wilted near the end in his bid for both third place and the white jersey awarded to the best young rider. The 22-year-old British rider Oscar Onley closed to within 22 seconds. Both riders are making their Tour de France debut. After 10 opening days of rolling terrain in the north and west of France where Pogacar and Vingegaard kept a watchful eye on each other as emerging riders stole the headlines, the real fight began in week two. Pogacar attacked Vingegaard on the first mountain, taking over two minutes out of him on one climb as things looked grim for the Slovenian's rivals. It was a costly off day for Vingegaard as in retrospect this was where Pogacar made the real difference in the race. The following day on a time-trial Pogacar whacked another 40sec into the Visma star who did however take over four minutes off the Slovenian on a single stage to win the 2023 Tour. Friday's majestic five-mountain slog amid the imposing panoramas between Albertville and La Plaigne will be the last chance for a reversal of fortunes with 60km of steep slopes to negotiate. The race ends Sunday in Paris with the finish line at the Champs Elysees after three climbs to the Sacre Coeur Basilica along the cobbled lanes of Montmartre. dmc/ea
