The Kustom Koach story begins in 1950 in Aldergrove, British Columbia and has grown into one of Canada's largest manufacturer of recreation vehicles. We now manufacture Travel Trailers, 5th Wheels and Motorhomes under five main brand names: Kustom Koach, Legacy, Westwind, Roughneck and Breeze.

Over the years, we've grown and adapted many times, but our focus has always been the same. Getting you onto the scenic route in the best RV possible. Whether the route is a winding mountain road, or that long freeway that leads south for the winter... well, that choice is up to you.

Our History

Carl Carstensen, founder of Kustom Koach, sells recreational vehicles in Aldergrove, B.C. His dealership, Kustom Koach RV Centre, sells the products he pioneered and developed.

Carl started his working life as a carpenter. However, the outdoors and trailers were what really interested him. In 1950, at only 18 years of age, he built his first unit. By 1960 his hobby had become his passion. He quit construction to build trailers and campers full time. In those days, there weren't many big shiny dealerships or huge manufacturing plants in Canada.

Trailers were built one rig at a time, on a custom-order basis. Carl built his in a small building behind his home in Aldergrove. He had four children and not much money, so customers paid up front for their trailers and campers. Carl then used the money to purchase supplies to build their dreams.

By 1963, the business had grown enough for Carl to purchase property on the Fraser Highway in Aldergrove. He increased production and employed staff, but money was still tight and banks were reluctant to finance a young man. So Carl found a private investor and Kustom Koach was on its way.

Growth & Change

In 1966 the Royal Bank decided Carl was on to a good thing, and lent their support. Now the young company was producing 25 units a month and Carl's father and two brothers had joined the firm.

Over the next 10 years, the business grew. The Aldergrove manufacturing plant occupied 35,000 square feet and employed up to 50 people.

In 1973 a new 45,000 square foot manufacturing facility was built in Medicine Hat, Alberta, which employed 75 people at peak times. This plant eventually became the main manufacturing plant, producing 700 high-quality, fully-equipped trailers per year. Quite a change from the one-at-a-time production just 14 years earlier!

As well as overseeing the manufacturing process, Carl opened his own retail dealership on Kingsway in Burnaby, B.C., in 1969. In 1980, he moved the dealership to its present location on the Fraser Highway in Aldergrove. The retail operation became the prime focus for Carl and he sold the Kustom Koach manufacturing end to Travelaire Canada Ltd. in 1985.