More Than a Camper Van: This Milwaukee Company Designs Vehicles for Everyday Use
For many, the appeal of a camper van extends beyond mere camping trips, encompassing a desire for a versatile vehicle adaptable to a range of needs. Heidi and Brian Dondlinger, of Milwaukee, recognized precisely this. Their venture, Orion Motors, is unveiling its innovative camper vans at the Milwaukee RV Show, currently underway at Wisconsin State Fair Park. The company’s designs are built to accommodate a variety of uses, from transporting motorcycles and kayaks to hauling building materials.
Heidi and Brian Dondlinger at the Milwaukee RV Show.
Brian and Heidi Dondlinger identified the problem by searching for the versatility they required. “Camping vans are great when you’re camping, but when you’re not, they’re just sitting in your driveway,” Brian explained.
Orion Motors aims to be a “Swiss Army Knife” on wheels, suitable for various lifestyles. Younger buyers are increasingly drawn to RV ownership as a way to manage remote work and expand recreational possibilities. The median age of RV owners has decreased, from 53 in 2021 to 49 in 2025.
The Dondlingers’ desire for a multi-purpose vehicle stemmed from their individual interests and family needs. Prior to founding Orion Motors in 2021, the couple were motorcycle campers. However, they also had race teams that needed to transport tools and equipment. Subsequently, with the arrival of children, they desired to take longer trips.
“We talked to people who already owned camper vans or were thinking of buying them. And we talked to people who bought something else, like a tow-behind camper,” Brian said.
After gaining consumer feedback and developing a prototype van, the Dondlingers felt confident in creating a camper-van manufacturing business. Brian’s engineering background, including design work for Harley-Davidson’s motorcycles and his mechanical engineering degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, provided him with a strong foundation.
Orion Motors’ camper vans feature modular and flexible layouts. With the press of a button, beds can be raised to the ceiling, providing space during the day. The largest model sleeps five, but the modular design doesn’t use fixed elements such as permanent bunks or a bathroom to maximize cargo room. The company’s vans sell for $90,000, and Orion Motors recently sold its 50th van.
“That was a big milestone for us,” Brian said.
Brian’s great-grandfather, Daniel Webster Hoan, was Milwaukee’s mayor from 1916 to 1940. Brian grew up in Milwaukee and has witnessed the area’s shifts in manufacturing.
“I feel like Milwaukee is having a rebirth now, and we’re excited to be part of that story,” he noted.
Orion Motors employs an industrial designer, contract engineers, and several employees to manufacture its vans. The company is proud of Milwaukee’s manufacturing history and sources many of its parts and services from the area.
Details on the Milwaukee RV Show
The Milwaukee RV Show runs through Sunday, March 2. Event hours are Friday from 1 to 8 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Admission is $10 for adults and $9 for seniors 65 and older. Children 12 and under are free. Thursday tickets were half price, and on Sunday, anyone with a military ID receives half-price admission.
Parking costs $10.
Ten Wisconsin RV dealerships, 25 campgrounds, and approximately 18 other RV-related vendors will be present at the show. More information is available at http://www.milwaukeervshow.com/index.html.
