March 20, 2008 -
Open Range Debuts Roomy, Quad-Slide Fiver

Open Range RV Co., one of the industry’s newest manufacturers, is introducing a 37 1/2-foot fifth-wheel floorplan sporting a 42-inch-deep slideout containing a large flat-screen TV, entertainment center, electric fireplace and rollout desk. “It's intended for the extended-stay person who is going to spend a few months in the south in the winter,'' said Open Range President Randy Graber, noting that the unit has 385 square feet of living space. The company's first fiver built on a drop z-frame to provide more storage, the metallic-fiberglass-and-aluminum quad-slide Open Range 385RLS is the largest of four floorplans from the Shipshewana, Ind., company that started production last fall. Standard features include Corian countertops, rear power stabilizer jacks and glass french doors separating the front bedroom from the rest of the coach. MSRP: $55,000

December 27, 2007 -
Open Range Fivers Emphasize Square Footage

Open Range RV Co., Shipshewana, Ind., is introducing five 2009 models as part of the new mid-priced Open Range fifth-wheel series. Three 33 1/2-foot double and triple slideout floorplans are currently in production with two 36 1/2-foot quad-slide models set for introduction in the spring. The startup company's first product came off the line in early November featuring lightweight, silver metallic fiberglass exterior panels imported from Europe on a welded-aluminum superstructure. In an unusual twist, Open Range is marketing the fifth-wheel series according to the line's square footage, rather than length. "Length doesn't mean much today with all the slideouts that RVs have," said Randy Graber, Open Range founder and president. "People know about square footage because that's how they buy their homes and they can compare the cost." The three 33 1/2-foot floorplans range from 322 to 337 square feet. With an aerodynamic front cap and heated and enclosed underbellies, the widebody Open Range sports 42-inch-deep living room slideouts, which increase the living area without significantly adding to the length. Amenities include hardwood, raised-panel cabinet doors with hidden hinges, hardwood moldings, solid surface countertops and built-in wine and spice racks. MSRP's start at about $45,000.

October 9,2007 -
Open Range To Unveil 'Revolutionary' Fifth Wheel During Louisville RV Show

The Open Range fifth-wheel, a new lightweight wide-body from Open Range RV Company, Shipshewana, Indiana, will debut at a private, after-hours showing away from the exhibit halls of RVIA's (Recreational Vehicle Industry Association) National RV Trade Show, Nov. 26-29, in Louisville, Kentucky. Open Range President Randy Graber made the announcement this week, saying that the new fifth wheel will be "revolutionary."

Graber explained that the new Open Range won't be exhibited at the show because no space was available by the time the company incorporated in early August.

Open Range launched production last week of their new "mid-upper-priced" fifth-wheel lineup in a 130,000-square-foot, three-building manufacturing facility on Indiana 5 north of U.S. 20 in Shipshewana.

Graber says Open Range currently employees about 40 people and expects to increase to 100 by year-end. The company wants to establish 150 to 200 dealers throughout the U.S. and Canada, now that production is up and running.

"We're hoping to show a number of dealers our first product line during the Louisville show," said Graber. "We think this will be a timely introduction for several reasons, one of which is that we've taken a new approach to building fifth-wheels. The Open Range fifth wheel is a product dealers can stock knowing that it is genuinely different than anything else on their lot."

Graber isn't releasing many details regarding his Open Range fifth-wheel yet, except to say that there will be a "full range" of models in multiple lengths with both double and triple-slide floorplans and "interiors that rival the best in the business right now."

Dealers interested in the details on the private showing may contact the company at (260) 768-7771 or at rgraber@openrangerv.com.

The Members of the new management team at Open Range RV Company, Shipshewana, Indiana, assembled as President Randy Graber announced that the company's first product will be unveiled at a private showing in Louisville, Kentucky, Nov. 25 to 29. From left, they are, kneeling: Russ Yeo, purchasing; Nate Goldenberg, sales; Gary Stanley, sales; Dave Detwiler, cost accountant; Ryan Barth, assistant plant manager; Thom Cramer, engineer. Standing, from left, Danny Cocanower, vice-president finance; Megan Briggs, human resources, Micah Staley, sales coordinator, Randy Graber, president and Gene Slabach, plant manager.

August 11, 2007 -
RV Industry Veteran Randy Graber Launches Open Range RV Company

Randy Graber

Expects 100 New Jobs by Year-End

Randy Graber of Elkhart, Indiana, a 25-year veteran of the Northern Indiana RV industry, announced today that he has founded Open Range RV Company in Shipshewana, Indiana. The new company has begun operations following incorporation on August 6, 2007. Starting with a staff of about 60 including production personnel, Graber said he expects to bring 100 new jobs to the community by the end of the year.

Open Range RV expects to begin production of its flagship product of the same name in mid-October. Graber said the new product, a fifth wheel, "will be unlike anything yet seen in the RV industry."

Graber said his decision to start his own company came earlier this summer when an unusual opportunity arose. He said, "While I enjoy all the aspects of operating an RV company, I am at heart a creative person who is driven to innovate and engineer product improvements. Further, the ever advancing technologies in construction materials and components continually challenge me to create better products for the dollar spent."

"At a certain point in one's career," Graber said, "you come to realize that the best way to accomplish your dream is to spearhead it yourself. "

Open Range RV will occupy 120,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing facilities with three buildings on 17 acres on Indiana 5 north of US 20 in Shipshewana.

An Indiana native, Graber started his career at Newmar Corporation, Nappannee, followed by an eight-year stint in retail sales in Amarillo, Texas. He then returned to the Indiana manufacturing environment. In recent years, he has worked in management and product development at both K-Z RV, Shipshewana, and Keystone RV Company, Goshen, Indiana.

Open Range RV Company, located at 3195 Indiana 5, Shipshewana, is accepting applications for production workers at the corporate entrance on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 3 to 5 p.m.