With all of the key elements in place, Grant and his A-list production team resumed Bigfoot truck camper production in August of 2010. Septuagenari: Truck Camper Discussion: 9: 04-14-2018 09:31 AM: Bigfoot? In addition we use material from Rhinokore Composites in our floor, which is a unique honeycomb structural insulation. TCM: When did the first new Bigfoot truck camper leave the building? But then they have an aluminum framing that literally conducts heat and cold and condensation directly into their units. Besides, neither company needed anything close to 85,000 square feet of production space. Founded in 2007, TCM is the RV community's number one source for news, reviews, guides, newbie advice, destination ideas, maintenance recommendations, modifications, and more. TCM: How did things progress for you at Bigfoot? Then Grant makes a surprise announcement that will astound the entire truck camper marketplace. *Bigfoot 25C9.4SB: dry weight, 2,980 pounds + 38 gallons fresh, 316.9 pounds + 6 gallon water heater, 50 pounds + 2x 20-pound full propane tanks, 40 pounds + 2 batteries, 130 pounds + stuff, 500 pounds = 4,016.9 pounds. The Truck Camper Magazine Buyers Guide uses a standardized equation to calculate truck camper wet weights. Apr 30, 2019 - We review a 2019 Bigfoot 25C9.4SB, a wet bath, short bed camper. Grant: I have the 40-foot vertical press, but I struggle with whether or not to bring it back. As I was driving, I heard the radio station announce the first new Bigfoot truck camper arriving to the local dealer. Truck Camper Adventure is a free, online magazine offering truck camper news, reviews, travel tips, and more. Hearing that announcement on the radio made a great memory of how everything came together. Grant: At first I didn’t see the path to advancement. Grant: To earn LEAN certification, a company first sends a team to become LEAN certified themselves. Having Bigfoot in the same building complex as Rhinokore diversified the property. To accomplish that, we brought back a select number of Bigfoot dealers. At the same time, that experience allows me to maintain a very high standard for our campers. Grant Bilodeau, President of Bigfoot Industries, talks about how Bigfoot truck campers and trailers are on the move. Through a lifetime of four season, adventure fun, there’s a Bigfoot RV perfect for you. All Rights Reserved. Starting from the ground up, we are able to use LEAN systems and practices that were more difficult to maintain at the old Bigfoot. That’s even more than we need today. Article by Truck Camper Magazine. As two-piece fiberglass units, Bigfoot truck campers are built from the inside out. I do not make sacrifices with quality. I don’t think I approached buying Bigfoot as a risk at the time. Most of the changes are not visible, but improve the quality of the units and production efficiency. I was still installing cabinetry, but now I was responsible for managing a small team. TCM: What can you tell us about that experience? Fortunately, Grant Bilodeau, Bigfoot’s former Operations Manager with 30 years of experience, was able to purchase the Bigfoot name, fiberglass molds, and other critical assets. TRUCK CAMPERS 1500 SERIES Bigfoot RV’s represent the highest quality, from the though ul design and choice of high standard construc on materials to the finest finishing touches. My goal is to meet or exceed the expectations of our customers. Above: The current production team and facilities at Bigfoot Industries. I am on the verge of having obsessive compulsive disorder. Grant: It does. Above: A fresh load of Bigfoot truck campers being delivered to eastern Canada. We cover all types of truck campers here at Truck Camper Adventure. This press was used for 3000 and 4000-series products. It’s also the best way we can show you what we are currently doing and how we are accomplishing the standard of perfection enjoyed by Bigfoot RV owners. If we can continue to do that, we don’t have to worry about the competition. As a much smaller company, we benefit from LEAN practices even more than we were able to before. In fact, I am determined to put a slide-out in a 2500-series truck camper. $19,950. In 1978, Clyde Burgess, Erwin Kreig, and Terry Mayall started Bigfoot Industries. Left to right: Doug Wurz, Quality Control, Rob Ferroux, Production Manager, and Grant Bilodeau, President. Bigfoot quality is consistent in all units, from the choice of high standard construction materials to the finest finishing touches. We were all shocked. To visit the Bigfoot website, go to BigfootRV.com. I want to make sure our business and production is consistent and steady. With the kitchen and the dinette in the back, there is a beautiful panoramic view. May 22, 2019 - Grant Bilodeau, President of Bigfoot Industries, talks about Bigfoot truck campers and trailers. You also want people that you trust. TCM: You already stated that you’re building 2500-series products. Grant: Yes, I bought the company independently. 17ft Fiberglass trailer Sleeps six - two double beds and a pull down bunk bed Newly renovated and restored New pex plumbing through out. It was started by Rick Allen, a Bigfoot motorhome owner, many years ago. Grant: Our standard build 2500-series 9.4 short box out of the factory without a generator is right around 3,000 pounds. For further information on this model, check out the Bigfoot 9.4 Review. Grant explained that here there were a number of extra Bigfoot team members who wanted to be part of the Truck Camper Magazine photography. With the repurchase agreements manufacturers were forced to sign, Bigfoot had to buy back RVs from every Bigfoot dealer that shut down, most of this coming out of the United States. Grant: Yes, we are. Bringing back the right people made it possible to bring back Bigfoot truck campers and trailers at the quality level I require. I was also involved in product development and had direct access to the President of the company. Are there any plans to bring back the 3000-series products with Bigfoot’s patented Fibercore Wall system? Apr 16, 2011 #2 2aroundtheworld said: When I told my friend that I bought a Bigfoot camper and a GMC truck, he sent me this picture of his neighbor's camper... Click to expand... A little bit of cleaning would make the camper look fine. This series is our lightest weight and features R6 1” high-density EPS insulation along with a package of upgraded features and options. As it got worse and worse, the owners of Bigfoot decided to end the company. Above: 1500 and 2500-series truck camper molds at Bigfoot Industries. It doesn’t matter if it’s a slide-in or a chassis-mount, a hard-side or a pop-up, if it’s a truck camper and it’s carried on a truck, we cover it. The 2021 Bigfoot 15C9.5FR is a hard-side, non-slide, wet bath, long or short bed truck camper. TCM: Your extensive Bigfoot production line experience must give you deep insights into the needs of your team. The long term relationship was already there. TCM: Can you give us an idea about the difference in weight between the 2500 and 1500-series campers? *Bigfoot 25C10.6: dry weight, 3,180 pounds + 50 gallons fresh, 417 pounds + 6 gallon water heater, 50 pounds + 2x 20-pound full propane tanks, 40 pounds + 2 batteries, 130 pounds + stuff, 500 pounds = 4,317 pounds. We will add new dealers each year and continue pushing east. It’s a solid and bonded foundation which is fiberglassed into place. Article from truckcampermagazine.com. With most things I take a conservative and safe approach. He was enticed with the thought since he had a previous background in RVs. Grant: The Bigfoot Owner’s Club is a private organization that we support. We don’t hide behind the fine print of a warranty. *Bigfoot 25C9.6SB: dry weight, 2,930 pounds + 50 gallons fresh, 417 pounds + 6 gallon water heater, 50 pounds + 2x 20-pound full propane tanks, 40 pounds + 2 batteries, 130 pounds + stuff, 500 pounds = 4,067 pounds. We made sure to exceed that expectation. We work with an independent inspection company in Canada that inspects our production for the Canadian and US codes. Be aware that (a) each manufacturer has different standards and options that are included or excluded from their base dry weights, and (b) very few truck campers leave the factory without additional options. weighted average selling price. In addition I had other jobs working with animals and in farm settings. Since we launched in 2010, we have not left a single customer without support. The Bigfoot product on dealer lots became a huge liability. About two years later, I was promoted to Line Supervisor. That effort provided opportunity for promotion. It’s fun to put concepts into action and see the next stage happen. The 2500-series has 30,000 BTU furnaces and the 1500-series has 16,000 BTU furnaces. TCM: How were you able to resume production in the same 85,000 square-foot multi-building complex in Armstrong, British Columbia where Bigfoot was originally produced? It wasn’t that we weren’t capable of putting a slide in a 2500-series, but our development was focused on the 3000-series and motorhomes. More information Find this Pin and more on Truck Camper Factories by Truck Camper Magazine . Over the years I continued to learn this trade. Grant: I mainly worked on the production line. In very nice... 7. kijiji.ca . Hint: What’s the one thing the 2500-series has always been missing? Grant: We are building seven truck campers and six travel trailer floor plans at this time. Grant: After Bigfoot shut down, I helped another start up venture, Rhinokore Composites, manufacturing non-RV products in the former Bigfoot complex. I do the same with our company, team, and products. Look the same: Tallwater: Truck Camper Discussion: 8: 04-14-2005 08:14 AM I have a strong understanding of how they come together. TCM: How did you go about getting the right people back to restart the production line? year month … All Rights Reserved. Another LEAN improvement comes from our experienced team. Truck camper base dry weights have been provided by the manufacturers. And then there’s the 2500-series slide-out. Grant: I would have to humbly say yes. It’s something I want to do. Given all the years of experience I have across the entire production process, I could build a Bigfoot. The 2021 Bigfoot 25C10.4 is a hard-side, non-slide, dry bath, long bed truck camper with an MSRP of $45,482 USD. With a base MSRP of $43,260, the 2018 Bigfoot 25C10.4 is a premium-priced non-slide truck camper, but you can literally see the quality at every turn. Bigfoot customers regularly report how impressed they are with the insulation of their Bigfoot. Grant: Yes, we mark center of gravity on every camper. My relationship with Rhinokore created the opportunity for Bigfoot to return to the original facility. The other important ingredient is our uncompromising approach to quality. Back in 2008, Bruce Paracholski was Bigfoot’s Design Manager. It doesn’t matter if it’s a slide-in or a chassis-mount, a hard-side or a pop-up, if it’s a truck camper and it’s carried on a truck, we cover it. The Bigfoot 25C10.4 has a very open floor plan for a non-slide camper. Calgary, Alberta. Grant: The 2500-series has 1.5-inch walls and the 1500-series has 1-inch walls. $ 10,500 . Not only is this dry bath as big as dry baths in some multi-slide truck campers, but those campers rarely, if ever, have a big window. When we launch the 2500 slide-out, it will be built to last. The price tag has a big premium, and buyers will want to know if they get that bang for their buck. And what did Grant Bilodeau mean when he said, “It’s either a Bigfoot, or it’s not”. TCM: How would you describe your approach to quality and quality control at Bigfoot Industries? TCM: Are you planning to develop any new truck camper floor plans, or continue to refine the models you offer? Above: The front office (far right) and production buildings in the background. Above: Truck camper pre-fab, production, and final finishing at Bigfoot Industries. Grant Bilodeau, President of Bigfoot Industries, talks about how Bigfoot truck campers and trailers are on the move. From about grade four’s summer vacation I helped my father. 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