Leather furniture is becoming a popular choice on the Holiday Rambler options list, and after hearing all the positive comments this fabric selection is generating, I thought it might be interesting to take a closer look at where Holiday Rambler’s leather is actually coming from.

My search began with some background, where I discovered humans have been utilizing leather since RVing meant pushing a handcart over the Bering Strait. In fact, leather hasn’t just been around, it’s evolved. What began as crude clothing for early humans became belts and bags for ancient Egyptians, and later, armor for Roman armies. The Middle Ages saw a boom of leather craft guilds and our own Old West was built on leather saddles, harnesses, bridles and chaps. However, in the vast timeline of leather history, the biggest change has occurred in just the past 50 years, when the technology of color dyes and precision machinery has combined to turn leather production into modern day fabrication.

As with anything that has history, leather has also taken a bad rap. For instance, you may have heard leather isn’t very climate friendly, that it stays hot and sticky in the summer, cold and brittle in the winter. Or that leather is hard to keep clean and quickly wears out. To get to the bottom of these rumors I decided to go straight to the source and contact the supplier for all Holiday Rambler brand leather products, Conneaut Leather.

“Leather typically will last four times [longer than] a fabric,” advises JoAnne Gelke, national sales manager.

The truth is, leather is something you buy for life. Because it is a natural product, leather actually improves with age. This means the fabric is durable enough to withstand the rigors of daily use in a motorhome, while at the same time lending prestige to the interior design.

As for the non-temperate allegation, according to Gelke, since leather is a natural fabric, it breathes, becoming warm in the winter and cool in the summer. “Leather actually adjusts to our body temperature,” she said.

Which is why in addition to coming up with a variety of ways to put leather to good use, history has also considered it to be a valuable commodity for trade.

And speaking of progress and development, Conneaut Leather isn’t exactly the new kid on the block. “We’ve been around since 1903,” stated Gelke. “And we are the only vertically integrated leather manufacturer in the U.S.” She went on to explain that this means Conneaut Leather controls the rawhide from beginning to end, an important fact considering how vital the tanning stage is in guaranteeing the production of quality leather.

“Tanning and finishing are the processes that turn stiff leather into a soft and pliable material,” Gelke said.

The method of tanning has been around as long as leather, and interestingly, a complete tannery was discovered in the ash-preserved ruins of the ancient city of Pompeii. Left on its own, rawhide will turn stiff and hard. Low quality leather is stiff, sticky and the grain pattern is inferior. Conneaut Leather partners with a second-generation tannery to create a product that is as soft and supple as silk, but as durable as steel. “Our leather meets the Federal Motor

“Leather typically will last four times [longer than] a fabric.” The truth is, leather is something you buy for life.

Vehicle Safety Standards, as well as other automobile performance technical standards such as abrasion and light fastness,” Gelke advised.

So how does the product get from Conneaut Leather to an RV’s interior?

“It all starts with a design from Holiday Rambler,” Gelke explained. “They are very specific about what they want in terms of matching colors that will fit into the interior design.”

The ability to customize color is one of Conneaut Leather’s tools of success. Another important part of the equation is their 55,000 square foot production facility that is capable of creating up to 2,000 hides per day. Once finished, each piece is carefully inspected and then expertly packaged and shipped off to a furniture manufacturer for final application.

One of the really great things about leather is that in addition to long life, it offers the least maintenance. The use of oils or leather soaps is unnecessary. Regular cleaning simply requires wiping the surface with a terry cloth towel and using the soft brush attachment of a vacuum to clean out the crevices. When liquid is spilled on the leather, quickly blot up the excess and allow the area to air dry. If a spot does remain, avoid attempting to remove soil with abrasives, solvents, furniture polish or oils. Instead, mix a small solution of lukewarm water and mild non-detergent, non-color soap. Using a soft cloth, apply the solution to the spot and gently work into a small lather. Rinse with clear water and buff the area to a shine.

For repair and restoration, Conneaut Leather recommends the skilled expertise of Leather Medic. I spoke with Kyle Life, a representative at Leather Medic’s company headquarters in Fort Myers, Florida and she explained that their mobile repair service is available nationwide. “Our representatives are trained to repair punctures, scrapes, cuts, abrasions, stains and fade in leather,” she advised. “Each technician is expertly trained and also receives ongoing support in technical troubleshooting.” You can find a map listing a Leather Medic representative near you at www.leathermedic.com, or call the company headquarters at (888) 561-0423.

Conneaut Leather in Conneaut, Ohio is reached via Interstate 90. If you are in the area enjoying beaches and boating along the Lake Erie Ohio-Pennsylvania border, you might want to consider a tour of the factory. “We don’t sell retail [goods] at our production facility,” Gelke said, “but the tour is interesting.” Factory hours are held 8:00 am to 3:30 pm, Monday through Friday. The company needs some advance notice, so call Karl Gelke at (440) 593-5205, and for a real time example of how the leather is manufactured for your RV, be sure to let him know you’re a Holiday Rambler coach owner.