The Perfect Blend of Luxury and Adventure
HISTORY OF CHINOOK RV
At Chinook RV, we’re more than a motorhome manufacturer, we’re a legacy brand built on craftsmanship, performance, and a relentless commitment to elevating the RV experience. Our current lineup reflects everything adventurers expect from a premium, hand-built motorhome: innovative engineering, award-winning design, true four-season capability, and the luxury and durability that have defined our name for generations.
Family-owned and proudly American-made, we continue to design and build every Chinook RV with the same core values that shaped our reputation as “The Sports Car of Motorhomes.” From our state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Peru, Indiana, to the hands that craft each unit, our focus remains on quality over quantity and creating motorhomes that deliver unmatched performance on and off the road.
As the RV industry evolves, so do we, introducing cutting-edge technologies, all-electric systems, lithium battery power solutions, off-grid capabilities, and modern interiors tailored to today’s Class B and Class B+ travelers. Yet even with this forward momentum, every Chinook model still carries the spirit of the brand that pioneered the one-piece fiberglass shell, set a land-speed record at the Bonneville Salt Flats, and helped shape the future of compact, high-perofrmance motorhomes.
We’re proud of the legacy we’ve built, and even more excited about the innovation, adventure and American craftsmanship we're bringing to the road ahead.
A Legacy of Innovation and Adventure Since 1938
The Beginning of a Legend
Chinook RV’s story began in 1938, when Sy and Rose Mair founded Mair & Son, Inc. in Orange County, California. Their vision, to combine craftsmanship, comfort, and innovation, would ultimately shape an entire industry.
By the 1950s, as mass-produced motorhomes started rolling onto America’s highways, Chinook RV was already setting new standards for quality in recreational vehicles. Early models were known for their sturdy construction, smart design, and thoughtful features that appealed to a new generation of travelers.
Breaking New Ground in the 1960s–1970s
In 1966, Chinook RV debuted the Chinook 1400, a sleek, fiberglass-bodied motorhome that was ahead of its time. Just a few years later, in 1971, the company changed the industry forever by unveiling the world's first one-piece, all-fiberglass motorhome shell, a breakthrough in design and durability.
Even setbacks couldn't stop Chinook RV's momentum. After a devastating plant fire in 1967, the brand rebuilt and refocused, expanding into lightweight, efficient Class B and compact RVs that met the needs of a growing travel culture.
The 1970s saw the rise of innovative models like the Toyota-based Chinook 18 Plus, Mobilodge, and the unique Big 'Nook built on a Chevy K5 Blazer chassis, proof of Chinook's creative engineering spirit.
“The Sports Car of Motorhomes”
By the 1980s, Chinook RV had cemented its reputation as “The Sports Car of Motorhomes.”
Popular models like the Concourse, Premier, Voyager and Buccaneer blended performance, luxury and craftsmanship into compact, powerful packages that could take travelers anywhere in comfort and style.
Chinook continued to push boundaries through the 1990s and early 2000s, introducing the Destiny, Cascade, Glacier, and Summit lines. These models embodied Chinook’s dedication to innovation, sleek aerodynamic bodies, four-season insulation, and luxury interiors well ahead of their time.
In 1998, Chinook made history again when a Concourse XL set a land-speed record of 99.7 mph at the Bonneville Salt Flats. In 2000, a Chinook Baja became the first motorhome to compete in the ALCAN 5000 Winter Rally, earning awards for endurance and engineering.
2024 Chinook RV Destiny
2024 Chinook RV Cascade
2024 Chinook RV Summit
Bonneville Salt Flats (1998)
Alcan 5000 Rally (2000)
A Pause in the Journey
By 2005, rising fuel costs and shifting market conditions brought production to a halt and by 2006, Chinook's Washington factory closed. But the story wasn’t over. The spirit of innovation that built Chinook RV was only waiting for its next chapter.
A New Era with Phil Rizzio
In 2013, RV industry leader Phil Rizzio acquired Chinook with a mission to restore the brand’s legacy of innovation and integrity. Rizzio pledged to stay true to Chinook’s founding values, quality over quantity, and reignite its pioneering spirit.
After a brief partnership in Oregon, Chinook found a new home in Peru, Indiana, in 2019, with over 200,000 square feet of state-of-the-art manufacturing space. This move marked the beginning of Chinook RV's next great chapter.
Chinook RV Factory in Peru, IN
The Return of Chinook RV
In March 2021, Chinook officially re-entered he market with the Summit B+, built on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis and certified as a true first 4-Seasons motorhome. It was followed by the Bayside Class B, a rugged yet refined AWD Ford Transit conversion, and later, the Maverick, continuing Chinook's long tradition of craftsmanship and adventure.
Each model is built in dedicated facilities where attention to detail, quality materials, and hand-built excellence continue to define the Chinook name.
A Legacy of Innovation and Adventure Since 1938
The Beginning of a Legend
Chinook RV’s story began in 1938, when Sy and Rose Mair founded Mair & Son, Inc. in Orange County, California. Their vision, to combine craftsmanship, comfort, and innovation, would ultimately shape an entire industry.
By the 1950s, as mass-produced motorhomes started rolling onto America’s highways, Chinook RV was already setting new standards for quality in recreational vehicles. Early models were known for their sturdy construction, smart design, and thoughtful features that appealed to a new generation of travelers.
Powering the Future: The 360 Series
Staying true to its pioneering roots, Chinook has entered the era of electric mobility. Partnering with Expion 360, the company launched the Summit 360, Maverick 360, and Bayside 360, advanced, all-electric, off-grid-ready motorhomes that combine luxury, sustainability, and state-of-the-art lithium battery technology.
The Legend Lives On
From its humble beginnings to its modern-day revival, Chinook RV remains a symbol of innovation, adventure and American craftsmanship.
Today, Chinook continues to build extraordinary motorhomes for travelers who seek freedom, luxury, and the open road, carrying on a legacy that began more than 85 years ago.
