A new RV manufacturer headed by an industry veteran is set to make a splash with its first product launch of lightweight travel trailers and a multi-purpose hauler -- the “American Spirit,” the “Canadian Spirit” and the “Bandit APH.”

President Mike Scheetz, of Echo Manufacturing, recently announced the new products, designed to be affordable and lightweight for those wanting to haul and camp for less.

The Bandit is a hauler with 19-, 24- and 32-foot floorplans, The American Spirit, and Canadian Spirit are travel trailers with six floorplans ranging from 19 to 27 feet. Production of these products is now under way and the first units have arrived on dealer lots.

Noting the Bandit’s 19-foot model’s base weight of 3,350 pounds and carrying capacity of 3,270 pounds, Scheetz said, it’s a hauler that can almost carry its own weight while being towed by a half-ton pickup or SUV.

This allows plenty of “stuff” to come along for recreational activities, from tailgate parties to ATV excursions. It can also double as a work vehicle for construction projects and the like, all while providing comfortable RV living facilities.

The two “Spirits’ ” weight range is from 2,939 pounds to 4,257 pounds.

“We’re building small, lightweight, and proven floorplans that the customers want," said Scheetz. "Not a lot of gadgets or glitz, just good, usable trouble-free products at the best price.”

“Our game plan at Echo is to be a small but responsive RV manufacturer dedicated to giving the retail customer what they want in a quality product at a good price,” said Scheetz. “We highly value our reputation and our integrity. We want to do right by the customer both in our product offerings and in our after-sales support. We stand behind everything we do.

“We also think it important to listen to dealers and RVers about what people want to buy, rather than go with what we want to sell them," he added. "We intend to be very active in bringing new and innovative products to the RV market, but they must be products that we know the retail customer wants. To do this means, among other things, developing a close partnership with our dealers, who are on the front lines of RV sales.

“Right now we’re building a network of dealers that share our core values,” Scheetz explained. “We want dealers who stand behind what they sell. We want RVers talking positively about us around the campfire.”

Echo will provide sales and service throughout all of the United States and Canada.

For more information, visit www.echorv.com.