So, in starting his own RV manufacturing company, Echo Manufacturing, Scheetz was able to accomplish both of his long-term goals.

“I worked in the RV industry for a long time, and I thought this (manufacturing company) would be a great way to be closer to the customers and dealers and provide them with what they were asking for,” Scheetz said. “I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit—I’ve owned other businesses, convenience stores and a small construction company—so, I’ve always had that desire to have my own business.”

Echo Manufacturing came to be in September 2010 after three years of planning.

Lightweight travel trailers and multi-purpose toy haulers—nine models in total—have been rolling off the Echo manufacturing line since Echo started getting a backlog of orders in late December and early January, Scheetz said.

Of the nine models Echo is currently producing, six are traditional travel trailers and three are toy haulers. The various models range in lengths from 19 to 32 feet. The American Spirit, Canadian Spirit and Bandit APH toy hauler are the manufacturer’s brands.

“Everything can be towed with a half-ton truck or smaller,” Scheetz said. “Nothing is heavier than 5,500 pounds and our lightest unit is 2,900 pounds.”

The units retail between $12,500 and $24,500, and fill a demand for lightweight and affordable units, Scheetz said.

“Everything we build is stick and tin, and all of our models are about the same, but we do offer options to give (the unit) a more high-end look, like fiberglass walls,” he said. “And (not having a lot of gadgets and glitz) helps keep the price down.”

For example, Echo does not put televisions in its units, but provides television plugs, so if a customer wants a television in the unit, they can buy one for $120, as opposed to Echo spending $400 to have televisions come standard, he said.

That doesn’t mean; however, that Echo’s models lack amenities, Scheetz said. Consumers will find everything from showers, stoves, heating and air conditioning in Echo’s units.

Scheetz said Echo is the only manufacturer at this price point to offer a one-piece fiberglass roof.

“Our units have all the stuff you would need, and there is less of an opportunity for problems because what we build is very high quality,” he said. “I think there is a lot more opportunities (in the lightweight travel trailers/toy hauler market) with tow vehicles changing as they are and gas prices changing as they are, those products will be in even greater demand in the future.”

Echo has plans to introduce a fourth toy hauler in mid-June, but is in no hurry to grow too quickly.

Scheetz said he wants to have a controlled and slow growth to ensure his product lines are of the best quality and continue for years to come.

Manufacturing began very slowly on the company’s first unit in September 2010—and continues at the pace of one to two units a day, or 20 to 40 a month.

Currently, Scheetz said Echo is building its dealer network, which includes 20 dealers in North America, including Canada.

To help branch into the Canadian market, Echo offers the “Canadian Spirit” travel trailer, which is identical to the “American Spirit” travel trailer in build, price and floorplan—everything except in its graphics, which are red and feature the iconic Canadian maple leaf. The “American Spirit’s” graphics are blue and features a star.

“Since we are also selling into Canada, we thought it would be kind of a nice little niche that I don’t think anyone’s done before (to market the Canadian Spirit),” Scheetz said.