Livin Lite RV

Livin Lite RV

Company type	Private
Industry	Recreational vehicles
Founded	2003 (2003)
Founder	Scott Tuttle
Defunct	2018 (2018)
Fate	Ceased manufacturing operations
Headquarters	Shipshewana, Indiana , United States
Area served	United States
Key people	Scott Tuttle (founder, president until 2015), Dave Boggs (KZ General Manager)
Products	Truck campers, foldable tent trailers, travel trailers, toy haulers
Parent	Thor Industries (via KZ Inc.)

Livin Lite RV was a U.S.-based manufacturer of recreational vehicles marketed under the CampLite and QuickSilver labels, with its headquarters located in Shipshewana, Indiana. Most recently operated by KZ Inc., a division of Thor Industries, Livin Lite specialized in producing truck campers, foldable tent trailers, travel trailers, and toy haulers. The company gained recognition for pioneering lightweight aluminum construction methods, which delivered enhanced durability alongside significant weight savings.

In early 2018, KZ announced the cessation of Livin Lite’s manufacturing activities during the first half of that year.

History

Established in 2003 in Wakarusa, Indiana by entrepreneur Scott Tuttle, Livin Lite’s business model centered on crafting lightweight trailers entirely from aluminum without incorporating wood components. These units were designed as "generational campers," engineered to endure for multiple decades. This unique market positioning attracted customers prioritizing longevity and robust construction within the RV sector. Thor Industries acquired Livin Lite in 2013, broadening its array of RV brands. Tuttle remained president until 2015 and is acknowledged as a pivotal founder who significantly shaped the company’s strategic direction.

Tuttle years

At its inception, Livin Lite concentrated on the QuickSilver toy hauler and bespoke trailers tailored for snowmobiles, para-planes, motorcycles, racecars, and mobile office use. The introduction of the first 10-foot travel trailer under the CampLite brand occurred in 2009, featuring interiors with aluminum-laminated walls.

By 2011, the product line incorporated liquid propane-powered appliances such as electric water heaters and furnaces, transitioning from manual hand pumps to water tanks equipped with pumps. The portable toilet option was upgraded to a cassette-style toilet.

Soon after CampLite’s launch, Azdel—a composite material combining polypropylene and fiberglass—replaced the cold aluminum interior walls to offer a warmer wood-like appearance while retaining aluminum-framed cabinetry. Two color variations of Azdel were made available.

In 2012, the front profile of the CampLite trailer was redesigned to enhance aerodynamic efficiency. By 2013, Livin Lite expanded its offerings with a fifth wheel trailer constructed on the same aluminum chassis and frame principles, available in lengths of 26, 28, and 32 feet.

Thor/KZ era

Thor Industries took ownership of Livin Lite in late 2013; Scott Tuttle continued his leadership role until 2015. Initially overseen by Thor's Crossroads RV division, management shifted to KZ in early 2016. Executives at KZ emphasized their dedication to preserving Livin Lite’s hallmark all-aluminum construction and lightweight design as essential competitive differentiators. Under KZ General Manager Dave Boggs’ leadership, a 21-foot bunkhouse trailer’s weight was reduced by 458 pounds through refined material sourcing strategies.

Nevertheless, by February 2018, KZ declared that Livin Lite’s entire product range would be discontinued.

Construction

Livin Lite’s towable units distinguished themselves within the RV market through their lightweight frames and chassis made entirely from aluminum—contrasting with competitors like Airstream that rely on heavier steel chassis and wooden floors susceptible to rot and corrosion. The company deliberately eliminated steel chassis components as well as wood floors, frames, and finishes to boost longevity and minimize deterioration.

Cabinetry featured aluminum framing extensively combined with Azdel as a substitute for wood in finishes applied to cabinets, walls, and roofs. Prior to 2015, CampLite and QuickSilver models utilized aluminum for floors, walls, roofs, and exterior surfaces. While the introduction of fiberglass and composite materials increased under Crossroads and later KZ ownership, the foundational principle of avoiding wood and steel remained intact.

During Crossroads’ brief management period around 2015, some wood elements were reintroduced into certain models—a move that displeased longstanding customers. By 2016, KZ reaffirmed commitment to Livin Lite’s original concept by maintaining wood-free structural components while providing optional wood-finish cabinetry choices.