They said it was impossible.

You’d never build a camper here. You’d have to go to China. You couldn’t even sew the tents here.

So we built a factory to prove them wrong, and to prove that you deserve better.

Because you shouldn’t have to settle for mass-produced junk from halfway around the world. Built to a price point determined by a private equity group that doesn’t care about your experience. You deserve something built by people who actually use it. Gear that’s designed, tested, and built by people who are all trying to solve the same problem.

From Five People and a Sewing Machine

When we started GFC, there were five of us standing around a sewing machine we didn’t know how to use, trying to figure out how to set the thread tension after sewing our first prototype.

We didn’t even know consultants existed. We just knew we wanted to build something better, and that nobody had solved this problem yet. So we made mistakes, broke things, and figured it out piece by piece.

That same mindset still drives everything we do. What started as five people and one sewing machine has grown into a vertically integrated factory employing around sixty folks right here in Montana. We do the machining, sewing, bending, and assembling of every camper that leaves our doors, and most of the other processes like anodizing and powdercoating happen right here in the valley.

And while we started with zero experience, today we’re working alongside some of the best engineers, machinists, and manufacturing experts in the industry, building a factory in Montana that can hang with anyone, anywhere in the world.

The Factory That Makes It Possible

Most companies told us we’d never be able to compete with the value of products built entirely in Asia.

But here’s the thing, if you don’t make processes yourself, you can’t make them better.

Vertical integration isn’t just about control; it’s about constant improvement. Every process, from the first CAD model to final assembly, happens under one roof. When we find a better way to do something, we can implement it the same day. That’s the advantage of building instead of outsourcing.

We’ve also learned how to harness automation and smart manufacturing systems, not to replace people, but to empower them. By automating the boring or repetitive work, our team can focus on precision, craftsmanship, and innovation. That’s how we’ve been able to create high-paying, high-skill jobs right here in Montana while staying globally competitive.

The factory isn’t just where we make campers. It’s what makes GFC possible. Without it, we couldn’t build this product, this way, at this speed, with this level of care.

And the people who make your camper? They use the same ones. Our crew spends their weekends testing what they build. Sleeping in the same beds, dealing with the same weather, and coming back Monday ready to make it better. That’s how you build something that lasts. 

Why We Still Build Here

For us, this was never about chasing some nostalgic idea of “Made in America.” If we want to build things here, we have to approach it differently than we did in the 80’s. Because America’s biggest asset is innovation, and our biggest export are our ideas. 

Keeping production here just happens to be the best way to do that. When the people designing, machining, welding, and sewing your camper also use it on the weekends, quality isn’t a slogan, it’s how we stay in business. 

Because when something breaks, they’re the first to know. They come back Monday morning with dirt under their nails and ideas on how to make it better. That’s how real innovation happens. Not in a boardroom, but in the field. 

We believe in American manufacturing not as a marketing claim, but as a competitive advantage. Because when you put skilled people, smart systems, and relentless iteration under one roof, you can build world-class gear anywhere, even in a small town in Montana. 

And we’re proud to prove that adventure and American manufacturing can thrive together, that you don’t have to choose between building something great and building it here. 

Eight Years In, and Still Just Getting Started

GFC turns eight this year. Eight years of prototypes, broken parts, busted knuckles, and late nights chasing one simple idea. That good gear should make it easier to get outside, not harder.

But we didn’t build this alone.
You did.

From the first customer who ordered sight unseen to the thousands of you who’ve hauled your campers across continents, tagged us in wild places, and shared what worked (and what didn’t). 

You’re the reason this thing exists.

You believed in the idea before it was proven. You gave us the feedback that made it better. You’re the reason we get to show up every day and build something that matters.

So as we celebrate eight years, we’re not looking back — we’re just getting started.

Our Biggest Sale Ever

To celebrate eight years, and to say thank you, we’re running our biggest sale ever.

This isn’t about clearing inventory or chasing numbers. It’s about getting more of you out on adventures, creating more jobs here in Montana, and proving that American manufacturing and good times can coexist.

We’ve built a factory that’s ready to turn it up. Fully tooled, fully staffed, and ready to build more campers than ever before. We want to put that capability to work for you.

Because we believe that American manufacturing doesn’t have to be a luxury. We can create real value right here in Montana… even while competing against foreign sweatshops. And do it with pride.

So if you’ve been waiting for the right time to build your camper, this is it. We’re ready for more. More adventures, more customers, more people discovering what it means to own something built by folks who care.

Act quick, there’s never been a better time to go fast.

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