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.

Bish Jenkins as a young man at the beach

Bish Jenkins as a young man in football gear

Bish’s RV in Idaho Falls, ID in the early 2000s

President, Troy Jenkins, dad Tim Jenkins, and Co-Owner Ty Jenkins cutting the ribbon at the grand opening of Bish’s RV in Meridian

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

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.