OUR HISTORY
The “Bishtory”
Bish’s RV was built on family values by our namesake, Leland “Bish” Jenkins. It was important to Bish Jenkins to be honest, deal fairly, and be good to his customers and his family. Bish built his legacy and business on these values, passing them down to his sons and grandchildren. It’s the foundation of Bish’s RV.
We’re still a family-owned business today, and we still adhere to these values. To learn more about Bish Jenkins and how we started selling RVs, watch the Bishtory videos below.
Event Timeline
1940s — 1950s
Leland “Bish” Jenkins got his start as a young entrepreneur, buying and selling livestock. Later, his sons, Tim and Jack, joined the business. Along with livestock, they began buying, selling, and trading horses. Some of the horses they sold appeared in Hollywood movies including Ben Hur, McKenna’s Gold, Black Beauty, and The Cisco Kid.
1960s — 1970s
In the mid-60s, Tim started the Lewisville Saddles Shop in Idaho Falls, ID, which later became Bish’s Western Wear. The name change reflected their expanded product offerings of clothing, saddles, tack, horses, and horse trailers.
1980s
Tim’s sons, Tadd and Ty, join the family business.
1989
Bish’s RV Is Born
In 1989, Tadd was unable to find a good deal on an RV, so he contacted the manufacturer directly. He became a dealer and purchased six RVs with the intention to sell five and keep one for himself. In the end, he sold all six RVs, and Bish’s RV was born in its Idaho Falls, Idaho location.
November 24, 1995
Bish Jenkins passes away. He leaves his business in the capable hands of his family to carry on his name and his business philosophy.
In an interview from Bish in his later years, he reflected on his success with great gratitude. He said, “Maybe I’m the luckiest man in the world. If every man in this country could get to my age and have a family like I have… something to look at—not to worry about—it would be a hell of a good world.”
2005
In 2005, in a joint effort with Idaho’s Governor Dirk Kempthorne, Bish’s RV successfully facilitated an economic development pitch to bring a Jayco manufacturing facility to Twin Falls, ID.
2006
The Twin Falls, Idaho dealership opens.
2006
The Twin Falls, Idaho dealership opens.
2006
Troy Jenkins, Tim’s Son, joins the family business
January 2011
Seventh Heaven RV becomes Bish’s RV of Nampa, Idaho on January 1, 2011.
February 2016
Bish’s RV acquires Brockman’s RV in Jerome, Idaho, merging the Brockman’s location into the current Bish’s RV of Twin Falls dealership. Bish’s RV now sells Jayco across all locations.
July 2017
The Nampa dealership relocates to Meridian, Idaho.
July 2019
Jolley Roger‘s RV becomes Bish’s RV of Cheyenne, Wyoming on July 15, 2019.
January 2020
Apache Camper Center becomes Bish’s RV of Omaha, Lincoln, and Kearney, Nebraska on January 1, 2020.
June 2020
Gardner’s RV becomes Bish’s RV of Great Falls and Kalispell, Montana on June 15, 2020.
December 2020
Terry Frazer’s RV Center becomes Bish’s RV of the Quad Cities, located close to Davenport, Iowa on December 14, 2020.
January 2021
Access RV becomes Bish’s RV of Salt Lake City, Utah on January 25, 2021.
March 2021
Bish’s RV opens a new dealership in Center Point-Urbana, IA on March 8, 2021.
July 2021
Bish’s RV acquires Guaranty RV in Junction City, OR on July 5, 2021 with the blessing of the Nill family. Bish’s RV retained hundreds of Guaranty employees to ensure the same great service from the same great people for its nationwide RV customers.
December 2021
Bish’s RV acquires Haylett RV in Coldwater, MI on December 29, 2021 after Mr. Haylett retires. Bish’s RV checked all of the boxes that the Haylett family required to ensure their legacy of quality customer service and taking care of their employees continues in the Coldwater area.
January 2022
Bish’s RV acquires Fun-N-Sun RV in Coopersville, MI and Ludington, MI in on January 5, 2022, carrying on its legacy of great customer service.