WHAT HAPPENED TO COUNTRY COACH? THE STORY OF PREMIER RV

PREMIERRVSERVICES.COM

[@JohnLewisRV]

Louie in 2003 gave me a walk around on a new Country Coach Magna at the Pleasanton CA RV show. I was impressed with his knowledge and the CC. I said, "so as a salesman I can tell my customers this Magna will ride better than a Monaco Signature." He said, as a CC sales rep, "No Jack, they both are at the top, they have arrived at this pinnacle with different paths, you would loose credibility". His integrity as my Country Coach rep was always impeccable in the years to follow. Damon and I worked for the same company in those years. Damon's integrity also was flawless. To this day, I am sure this trait of integrity contributes to both of their continued success. I have 30 yrs experience as a VW dealer and General Manager in California of a multi store chain of Toyota, Mercedes, Acura, Honda, and Subaru. I recognize excellence, and judge a company by it's people. Premier excells. Continued success to Premier, Louie, and Damon.

[@leonawilliams6599]

Yes thank you .

[@JohnLewisRV]

@@leonawilliams6599 tell Louis I said hello.

[@mojo68mitch]

Great video. I was a Safari guy, then switched to CC. Been a mechanic and a truck driver 50 years. I believe I know quality and this is it. I love my 95’ 36’ intrigue #10011. It’s just really sad that a high quality builder can’t compete because others are pumping out cheap crap that captures the misinformed buyers. The only way to get high quality is buy a classic or spend a 1/4 of a million dollars or more. I am only able to go with the classic and I’m grateful for that. I do all my own maintenance and repairs or I couldn’t afford play this game. Thank you Premier for carrying the torch!!!

[@deanh7190]

Excellent presentation! Very interesting history. Hats off to the dedicated talent that keeps those coaches alive. I can only imagine what a 2023 Country Coach might look like because they were so ahead of their time with short diesel pusher luxury motorhomes.

[@thyhangman]

This is the best and actually only " what happened to Country Coach" video on the internet. I know because I looked after seeing your 'Country Coach concept' video few days ago. Great job on this one too!

[@RVingwithAndrewSteele]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jimgior]

Andrew - One of your best Videos to date!!! The video editing was spot on. What a fantastic interview and history of the Country Coach product and makes me proud to be a County Coach owner.

[@campingcarFrance]

♥️Country Coach, way ahead if it’s time as their custom chassis still superior to this day. Timeless Design, Quality, Safety, Fit and Finish second to none.

[@davidjordan3084]

You do very good work, Andrew. Thank you for this. I loved that you made this video all about what they (past Country Coach employees) had to say, and like any good director, drove the questions and did some solid editing to make this extremely entertaining and informational. I came away with an even greater sense of pride in owning one of the more rare Country Coach Lexa’s! So Good!

[@RVingwithAndrewSteele]

I would love to make a video about a Lexa! That is a very rare and awesome coach!! I'm definitely keeping my eye out for any Lexa or Rhapsody that I can film.

[@davidjordan3084]

RVing with Andrew Steele ~ I am located in Stillwater Minnesota, quite a ways from you. But if you’re ever in this vicinity, I would love to show you the Lexa. It’s been fun watching you do your thing. I love the attitude as well! Go ahead and private message me when the opportunity presents itself. David

[@biblereader4life]

It’s a shame Country Coach along with the original Monaco brand didn’t survive the economic downturn. Glad Premier RV was created and retained a good number of the former Country Coach technicians. Andrew, much appreciate all the behind the scenes insight you bring to the viewer. 👍

[@terrysandiego]

CC tanked due to management greed, not the "downturn."

[@debbiepacker.]

Interesting video. Thanks for sharing. It's sad they didn't make it through the economic downturn because they clearly had a very good product. I worked in the boating industry for 20 years and so many of those companies didn't make it through. Our company was lucky because it didn't have any debt, but many were not so lucky. I didn't follow RVs at the time, but I remember hearing that some of them didn't fare so well either. It's nice to see that these guys are keeping the out there.

[@bennyepperson7312]

We have a 92 Country coach Magna and just love it, the build quality is second to none, Really enjoyed this video! and possibly seeing some of the guys that built our coach

[@MrBugout]

Andrew, I just need to comment that your editing is getting better with every video. Keep up the great work.

[@MrBillygoat]

I can only imagine how these folks that had these high end coaches felt when they went belly up. These gents knew some of these and just maybe how they felt. Call it luck , fate and just possibly some of the CC owners did a lot of praying. And intervention evolved. I would be curious to know how many 2005 and newer CC were sold ? That would give an idea the market share for what these guys are able to carve off of. Regardless, a great story and glad that CC owners were not left with half million dollar coaches to fend fir themselves. And it’s values did not plummet to pennies on a hundred. Andrew, your gaining lots of valuable information in the coach industry. Whenever your heading with all this, it will be valuable insight for sure. 👍

[@rmachetti9717]

Awsome video thanks Andrew I enjoyed the history of Country Coach along with Premier RV. Nice to see the cream of the crop pick up the pieces and make something successful of it. Great people and great company!

[@steeldavidson]

That was a very cool and informative video, loving hearing the story of CC and how the other brands spilt off. The years of knowledge that they have there and what they can provide is awesome. Great Video Andrew one of the best...

[@timo.2155]

Andrew. Great review and story regarding PremierRV and its legacy, very cool to watch. As someone who is just sticking his toe into RVing, I would say my greatest concern is getting a coach that I have confidence in and having to buy and sell a few to get there. Quality service is always worth the price.Thank you for what you do. Stay safe.

[@cysscokid]

I to own a Country Coach, Intrigue 530 w/ a Cat 525 Hp and a Cat gen set, I had multiple issues that I had written down on a list, I called Premier RV, happen to get Louie (owner) on the phone after talking just a couple minutes to him for the first time ever, and on a weekend! He proceeded to knock my list out over the phone one by one, I was extremely appreciative and also very impressed, at that point I would say that he has easily gained another customer and I’ve made arrangements to be getting my coach down there for general maintenance and some electronic upgrades, hopefully done by Brian, I would highly recommend Premier RV, in Junction city Oregon. Thanks again! PS Also I appreciate all the good work on your videos Andrew keep it up!!

[@mjmeadowsaz]

Sold Country Coach for 5 years, was the best coach on the road. Really miss working with Lee brothers and the entire team CC.

[@Riker-eq2yv]

Great and very interesting video!

[@stevek6921]

Great video! My wife and I happened to be rolling through the Junction City area a couple of years ago, traveling from Oklahoma to see my mother in the Portland area, and we had started our search for our first coach. I had heard of Premier on several forums and decided we should stop by and check them out. We waltzed in without any sort of appointment, and the receptionist told us Damon would be there in a minute. When he introduced himself I had to blurt out, "Are you...THAT Damon?" hehe Indeed, he was. He spent two or three hours showing us coaches and we were impressed with the man, the product, and the company, all at the same time. We did not buy a coach from him that day but we are the proud owners of one now, and I can't help but believe his friendliness, knowledge, and firm belief in the product steered us toward buying a CC. Again, Damon - thank you.

[@adriannurse1502]

Awesome video! Now I have a great source for my RV. It was so cool seeing the building it was made in. 🙂

[@gd198070]

Very interesting history, happy to hear that dedicated craftsmen have managed to reinvent themselves into new service business.

[@malcolmdavid8726]

Great story,amazing how much knowledge is in this company

[@shaneshane2718]

I love all your videos but this was the best video you have ever done

[@philw7174]

Premier RV. Thank you for the interviews and background. Happy trails!

[@windycityl]

My God Andrew you sure are on a roll putting out the clips of great motorhomes when I was your age in the 60's and 70's I was on speed had to working for Allied van lines yes coke also laws back then were not as tough is there today. Drove for 42 yrs over the road. Yes miss them days too. I turn 70 this month one day I will look my age lol. Have Dick Clark blood seem like. I pass for 53 to 55 that's cool. 😎

[@kevinroberts8496]

Wow what a informative video!!!! 👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@jay0726]

I will 100% fell safe bringing my Motor coach to them with the Experience they have Andrew you are a rock star I really like this video 📹👌❤

[@leonawilliams6599]

You guys are amazing ' there was a need to keep the coaches on the road and you filled it' i would love to come by Premier RV and see you guys and what coaches to view' get a big hugs' some great guys work hard and have something to show for it' i miss those good ole day ' and working with the best in the industry' bless your hearts.

[@broadcastassistancebvba1699]

great story, interesting, look like correct managers , giving the best for you as a client !

[@bd5av8r1]

Premier RV should team up with Prevost and make Premier coaches too be a successor to Country Coach. :)

[@itzanopinion]

OR Just become their own 'brand' of custom build Prevost, much like *Marathon* , *Newell* , *ForeTravel* , *Liberty Coach* , *Featherlite* and *Millennium Luxury Coaches* ....

[@bd5av8r1]

YES!! this ^^^^^^^^^^^^^

[@tbear68-]

@@itzanopinion NEWELL FORETRAVEL Coulda stopped there...

[@leonawilliams6599]

I remember those back bay doors'' with Ron and the crew i worked with there ' man brings back some good' ole' memories really enjoyed the work and Ron's bus was beautiful i helped ready it for his trip to a bike rally' I would loved to' have went with him what fun' that would have been'' good old memories loved the finished units top notch top quality and a crew to shout about'' ' thank you Ron Lee'' and Don Lee''.for the memories and all who helped make it happen.

[@craigorford9932]

Wow,what a wealth of knowledge,This is a company that will out last every one else

[@jamessarah8739]

Great video tons of knowledge. I’d love to meet those guys next time I’m in Orgeon.

[@EndlessRVing]

Awesome video Andrew. Thanks for the Info Izzy

[@Recycled1]

First of all Andrew the quality of your videos is getting better with each one you make. Second, I’m in an RV park on the Oregon coast and I saw Country Coach the other day in the park here and it looked new but I knew they were out of business. But I didn’t know the back story, thanks for that.

[@wescampbell9105]

I love this video!! What a great and very interesting story. Until now, I had know idea about the Country Coach history. I would buy a used one from these guys for sure!!!

[@RVingwithAndrewSteele]

Thank you Wes! It is an incredible story for sure! really a great group of folks and I would feel comfortable buying from them myself. Going to have them fix my slide-out and do some service work on my Tiffin this week. Thanks again for everything!

[@SpykersB]

Well done video Andrew. That was a great history lesson. My impression is ‘quality care’ from these guys. Cheers 🍻

[@bryanhepding3851]

Great Story ! Gotta love it when a plan comes together !!

[@richardstewart2680]

We have a 2008 Country Coach Affinity 700 custom it was their show Coach in Fontana California and we have 38000 miles on it and we just absolutely love the fit and finish and the quality that went into that Country Coach too bad they went out of business Winnebago I think bought up some of their line but is continually making the Winnebago

[@whm1963]

Another great video Andrew ! And they sound like very good people to deal with and was very interesting to watch …

[@ronfeinberg]

Excellent video Andrew; well presented!

[@tyburnett6918]

I own a 2001 Monico sig 40 tag, I believe I'm the 3rd owner with 70000 on it. I am so proud of the old rig, I have been on the road for 3 years full time in her. From snow to vegas heat right now. Very few issues. Built solid, no partical board. 48000lbs, unbelievable quality! I would love to know more about her. I think I may be thanking some of these people. Anything I can find out I would love. I dont know how to share s pic of her but she is great. Also thank you Andrew for all of this story. Wish I could buy this last country coach. Beautiful coach. It would be hard to part with this one but I would. Also when I'm done on the road, Andrew I would love to have you make mine look awesome again. I hear and follow you for while now and people talk. It needs you some day. Get her back in a show case again.

[@BenjaminButton443]

Outstanding, Andrew! Best vid yet.

[@TammiHartung]

Cool history!

[@H2oBr0]

Super cool! What a great bunch of guys.

[@Itsme-mx5tl]

Wish my garage was that big!!

[@gbmoves7902]

Man you get to meet some really cool and knowledgeable people!

[@billforcht1034]

Very interesting, seem like down to earth honest folks to deal with in an industry unfortunately loaded with charlatans.

[@NomadicSociety]

well said

[@adriannurse1502]

I agree.

[@leonawilliams6599]

Wow sound like the business just fell into your laps amazing how things can change in an instant' good to hear you kept things rolling'' down the production lines''' prayers all is well for business and for Ron and don''Lee.great guys to have worked for, for sure.

[@aodwyer]

Thanks for this great info Andrew

[@billcassabaum2785]

Thank you for this video!! Great story and great company. It's nice to hear about a company that so much pride in what they do. I just purchased a 2005 CC Allure 470 #31161 and I love it! Sounds like I'll be doing some business there.

[@sarahj.8372]

Really was looking forward to this story from a good bloke like you. You have similar integrity...not impossible to find but hard sometimes..Fabulous job;;;;thanks S. I never got to meet the real deal people of this arena when living in OR, just saw incredible big RV shows...but you are showing us all now..thanks...now you can find the dealers and second hand dealer folks and see who is good there..only problem there is TERMINAL rain which I prefer to TERMINAL winter OR HOT...Winnebago who took over one place i think??, Marathon, Beaver, Trek..and more here..this is just GREAT. Myself..for the stuff a woman sees first but some mechanical in just the feel of it too and (I never looked at Prevost level or Newell level until left Or...bit so far that look is not cozy pretty enough..lol..the Top of line would have been then Country Coach or Beaver for me then..and do not know how Beaver fits in for sure anymore...but think maybe Winnebago went into Beaver's place..there?? For best of mid level things..I have drooled over Winnebagos and Itascas form top area to bottom,,and being able to buy parts.

[@donbruder6838]

Wow, that’s Really Cool,What a Great Story and Commitment to these people for making this happen ! I am over 3000 miles away but if I was in market for a High End Class A Coach,I think I would make the trip out there ! Thanks Andrew Another Great Video !

[@thomash681]

Premier RV!! I can tell by listening to the owners, that they love helping people. Brian is very knowledgeable and dedicated. Very nice that they could continue servicing Country Coach and also re-employ some of the workers who know so much about CC systems. Did they do the Prevost Country Coach conversions there too. Do they work on Prevost CC coaches?

[@tahltan1910]

Cool story guys 👍🏼

[@hoofixrman]

Super cool vid!...always been a fan of CC. Great content Andrew

[@williamsmith286]

Good one Andrew,...learned a lot!

[@wonderingtimesllc7203]

This is truly a professional video. Very informative and quite interesting. Very well assembled and produced. Thanks Andrew.

[@RVingwithAndrewSteele]

Much appreciated!

[@masonloh1411]

Hard Work , Passion , Drive for Success , Honesty will breed Success , Referrals = $$$ will come naturally. AAA +++ 5 STARS - Great Video / I Enjoy

[@rockwasher7840]

As always great job.

[@stano5102]

Wow! What a Great video.

[@thomastheys6681]

What a great facility! I was there in 2010 at the demise of Monaco!

[@pete_roszell]

Excellent episode !

[@SJ-hw2we]

What a great video.. great job man!

[@adrianstanciu8876]

Good video!👏

[@horizon42q]

Great interviews. They should be proud of their history

[@leonawilliams6599]

I worked at the last bay'' in cab finish detail dept as well as shows a very rewarding job ' each unit unique and different in there lay out design ' something to look back on and be proud of being a part of the team who built it, some times it was high balling it ''but the team was amazing and looks like they still are' keep em coming.

[@willymueller4587]

Great Story

[@shaneshane2718]

Fantastic video I didn't know they existed and I do intend to purchase a coach in the near future it will definitely be from these people thank you Andrew also a question are they associated with Premier in Phoenix which is more of a new land privo place

[@jerryellis9322]

More videos like this please!

[@fargonianproductions2767]

I would love to see a video about what happened to travel supreme, I always wondered what happened to them

[@davidmatthews6935]

Your best video yet.

[@InfiniteBumblebee337]

I recently came across a 2000 Affinity 42 at a very reasonable price, but didn't follow up on due to location. This has renewed my interest!

[@rmachetti9717]

I wish they were still making Country Coaches today...sad to see such a quality company gone and the Big RV Corps taking over with their low quality products.

[@NomadicSociety]

there are a literal 100 of these for sale at one website( rvt) while the frame foundation is one nice feature at least in their top of the line coaches, i see some cheap components in their old lower end units to much to list here really- just being truthful just look ! no secrets when you look at the truth.they had expensive coaches and ones that are no where near as nice as this one.

[@jakem.6359]

Great video......looks like a great group of guys. Looks like you'd fit right in there Andrew 😆. Didn't Winnebago buy what was left of Country Coach?

[@georgec4917]

I delivered alot of freight to country coach and monaco over the years. It was sad to see what happened when they all started to shut down due to the economy. But the area has recovered its good to see these stories, life goes on.

[@randyb5196]

I enjoyed my time at CC as house engineering manager from Aug 2005 - mid 2007. It was/is a great product. Unfortunate the path that closed the company. Happy to see this story.

[@richriddle8352]

Owned 3 Country coaches. I know everyone of the guys on the video. Sad day when Country Coach declared bankruptcy. Good example of poor management and leader ship at the very top. Still have a Motorhome just wish it was in a Country Coach.

[@NomadicSociety]

why the down grade after owning three?

[@MrBillygoat]

That’s. Very good question ?

[@richriddle8352]

I didn’t downgrade . I knew service and parts could be potentially a problem in the future. I purchased a Provost Marathon. We traveled

[@NomadicSociety]

@@richriddle8352 i stand corrected but you said you wish you still had a CC it sounded like

[@terrysandiego]

Agreed.

[@dawnewinonamoore9364]

ALL of you should collaborate to write a beautiful hard bound book with full color pictures about RV's and give the straight dope this was so fascinating thank you Peace love blessings AUTONOMY and protection

[@harrymiller687]

There are some beautiful Motorcoach

[@stratman50th]

As a Country Coach Magna owner I really enjoyed this video! Now I need to call them and see if they have a part available! Would have liked to see video of all those gorgeous CCs.

[@RVingwithAndrewSteele]

I have several videos coming soon, just released the 2016 cc prototype video, definitely worth checking out 👌

[@stratman50th]

@@RVingwithAndrewSteele I have all the pictures of that coach as well. Let me know if you can use some stills to go with the video. Sad he couldn't get anywhere reviving CC. It was an awesome product.

[@naquoashuey2794]

Don Frye He sold it to Winnebago with the agreement that they would manufacture CC’s and not winnebagos branded as CC’s. Winnebago backed out and scrapped the plans after Ron Lee died.

[@jethrezelquizol6690]

That was Great mate thanks :)

[@zmotorsports62]

Very cool history lesson. Thanks for the video Andrew. Andrew, are you planning on being at Elkhorn Ridge RV Park again this year? Just curious as my wife and I will be there in September. Mike

[@RVingwithAndrewSteele]

I will not be there this year

[@rockwasher7840]

Must be one Hell of an insurance policy on that storage building. Oh man!

[@terrysandiego]

My impression regarding the deterioration and eventual bankruptcy--I planned to buy a CC, so I researched and followed CC and the owners from the time of their move from Bend to Junction City. Bob Lee was the visible owner apparently along with his brother, Ron. They seemed to get greedy after the move, "selling" the company to others and then to Ron. Past and current customers were assured that Bob Lee would hang around as "operations" something or other so owners would think that he continued to oversee the maintenance of CC's quality and value what with all that asset trading going on. The only problem I had with my CC (other than the Norcold fire that destroyed it in 2011) was paint checking, which CC was going to fix after a lawsuit against the fiberglass company was settled. Instead, CC management spent the settlement money on their bankruptcy. However, I really loved my 2004 CC.

[@seannielsen6587]

Andrew another great video!! Very cool to learn about the history from the people who made it all happen. Very happy to hear the some of the same people are at Premier. What kind of Coach is the blue one at 11:26 mark? Thanks Andrew.

[@premierrvoforegon2252]

2007 allure

[@seannielsen6587]

@@premierrvoforegon2252 Thank you.

[@rbmcobra]

Even if I had tons of money, I would prefer to get a coach from CC or Monaco built back in the 2005-2009 era than a new luxury coach costing over a million dollars. You can't beat the quality and workmanship from back then!!

[@luizclaudiodelimaalves370]

Seria um Sonho ter um desses !

[@JeffSmith-hc2dp]

are you kidding me...I have been watching Andrew Steele yac yacking for 2 weeks now.. after the ❤️‍🔥 burning of his Coach he should have been put in a prevost liberty and a Newell by now as much as he has helped sponsors and other's sell there coaches each of Andrews Coaches should be wrapped named The A TEAM with Steele with Andrew driving one and a Driver driving the other.... TEAM carwash Jeff...I am a huge Monaco fan since 1995...

[@kevinhopp8691]

But my manual says you have to replace the Pistons every 80,000 miles

[@joebudde3302]

Andrew, ask the CC guys about the Veranda option.

[@RVingwithAndrewSteele]

👍👍👍

[@herbquandt6083]

I have a 2005 Monaco diplomat with 80000 miles ,the windshield has been put back in many times ,and now i have straps on top and bottom holding it in place ,is the any thing I can do to fix it right , . thank you

[@nathankoroush7918]

CC was a great place to work.

[@jimlove4541]

Monico had a chassis designed for want of a better word like a locamotive truck/ rail car truck with a panhard rod to locate them left right and the box/truck was suspended on airbags and radius rods.

[@NomadicSociety]

best of the best but no hadley air ride and comfort drive is all and it dont say Pre^&%^ on it lol but these country coaches are unbelievable and these guys know them like no others do ! so props to them 4 keepin all this going and great video work Brohem! props 2 u ! :)

[@syedqasra]

Please let us have to know about country couch, can you guys build Right hand Drive country couch, Thanks

[@AmericanMX]

What a cool place. A techs playground.

[@NomadicSociety]

there is a concept like this one for $27k right now (RVT) with this rounded ceiling and cabinets but its no dream coach, it could be your worst nightmare if you cant do all the work it will need by yourself.

[@frogmartin4128]

What about Engine service and repair?

[@jordancook1668]

I guess the only way it could get better would be to restart production. Does Premier now own the rights to those brand names? Didn’t National RV buy CC there near the end? Where does Beaver fit into all this, was that a separate company? They used to make some beauties as well.