Black Series Dealer Spotlight: Topline RV & Marine
It takes a special kind of dealership to sell off-road trailers and off-road RVs right. Doing it right requires an uncommon depth of knowledge and a commitment to the off-road camping lifestyle. It requires studying each trailer like you would an overlanding itinerary. And, maybe more than anything, it requires good old fashioned give-a-crap, simply caring about the people who come in to buy a Black Series Camper. For these reasons we choose our dealers carefully. They’re an extension of the Black Series family, with regional footprints across the US and the Globe. From California to Texas, Utah to Colorado, Florida to the Pacific Northwest, these dealerships are where you can buy off-road trailers and get a lifelong off-road camping resource. In our “Dealer Spotlight” series we’ll introduce you to our family of dealerships and pick their brains for regional camping knowledge, recommended destinations, and overlanding tips that you can take with you on the road.
Topline RV & Marine // San Bernardino, CA
This Southern California dealership has been in the Black Series family since the early days and they’ve remained a go-to for Black Series customers because of their impeccable service and deep knowledge of off-road trailers. As a fellow SoCal-based company we share a kinship with Topline that’s been forged under the desert sun. We share a drive to explore the local beaches, canyons, and mountains and to go farther – across the country, over borders, and off the grid. We recently caught up with the folks at Topline and picked their brains about their favorite Black Series features, camping destinations, and how they like their steaks done.
(Left) An HQ12 heading off the Topline lot behind a sleek sprinter van // (Middle) HQ21 going on its maiden voyage // (Right) An HQ17 rolling out for a lifetime of epic adventures.
BS: What sets Topline RV & Marine apart from other dealerships in your region?
Topline: We really dedicate ourselves to doing all we can do for our customers, and take pride in always putting their trailer needs before anything. Any time they need something from us, whether it be our local customers or our out of state customers, we’ll always have a tech on call to guide our customers through whatever help they need with their units. It makes us happy knowing that our customers leave here happy.
BS: Are there any services you provide that are particularly useful for Black Series Camper owners?
Topline: We offer a wide range of upgrades for the Black Series units. Our winter packages, which we have 3 stages to, are something we take a lot of pride in. Black Series owners have and adventurous streak (obviously), they like to keep traveling year-round, and so we these winter packages are a favorite among them. They support the rig’s performance across colder climates and harsh winter weather. We can do almost anything our customers ask for when it comes to upgrades, winterizing or otherwise, and we make sure everything we do keeps the units within warranty.
BS: What are some key features of Black Series Campers that stand out, making them unique on your lot? In other words, what features do you get most excited to show customers?
Topline: The frame and the suspension. We believe that the frame and suspension that every Black Series comes equipped with is what sets it apart from other trailers on the lot. The fact that these trailers will follow you anywhere your truck goes is amazing to us and to our customers. Knowing that you could go anywhere in these units makes them exciting, people see these things and want to get familiar with them because of what they’re capable of.
BS: If you had to pick one awesome camping destination to send a new Black Series Camper owner to, what would it be?
Topline: Seven Devils Mountains in Idaho. Besides a totally rad name, this mountain range has everything an outdoor adventurer might want, from rafting to hiking to fishing, you name it. Summer time would be the best time to travel there, the weather doesn’t get higher than the 80’s, there’s sometimes rain, but who even gets bothered by that anymore? I’ve taken an HQ12. That’s one of my favorite units. Besides the Sevin Devils, I’d say anywhere outdoors is a great time in a Black Series, and anywhere can become family and pet friendly, too!
BS: Can you describe your dealership’s company culture? Why do you love working at Topline? Why do you love working in the RV industry?
Topline: Our company culture is very customer driven. We’re dedicated to our customers and their needs when it comes to their units. At the end of the day they have a vision for exploring in these rigs and we’re here to facilitate that vision. We’ll accommodate anyone, whether they’ve purchased from us or not. We’re always sure to make our Black Series customers happy.
BS: Can you describe the extent of overlanding in your region if you feel comfortable speaking on this topic? What makes overlanding great in your neck of the woods?
Topline: What makes overlanding great in our area (SoCal) is the weather. As we all know, California has the most bipolar weather ever, but for the most part it’s always sunny! We have plenty of lakes and beautiful places to see. I think the Eastern Sierras are killer, and if I could, I’d overland there forever.
BS: What is your #1 tip for off-road campers and off-road trailer owners with who are setting out in your region? Anything they definitely will want to know but might not think of off the bat?
Topline: My number one tip for off-road campers would be to always be overly prepared. Being out in the middle of nowhere, you’ll never really know what you need until you’re there. That’s why we think it’s best to pack even the most random things, like “Hey, who would’ve thought we’d need this random shovel!”
BS: How do you see overlanding and off-road camping changing in the next 3-5 years? What’s the next big wave of innovation, groundbreaking feature, or upcoming technology?
Topline: We see people getting off the grid more, being more self contained, and being as green as possible. These three areas have a lot of momentum in off-road camping right now, which is awesome!
BS: We’ll end in a blaze of glory with what we call our “lightning round” – 10 rapid-fire questions that exist for no reason other than to have a little fun…
Front Country or Backcountry?
Topline: Backcountry
Medium Rare or Well Done?
Topline: Medium Rare
Lap Dog or Work Dog?
Topline: Lap Dog
Country or Classic Rock?
Topline: Country
GPS or Paper Maps?
Topline: GPS
Latte or Straight Black?
Topline: Straight Black
Podcast or Music?
Topline: Music
Ford or Chevy?
Topline: Ford
Fly Fishing or Spin Tackle?
Topline: Spin Tackle
Whiskey or Beer?
Topline: Whiskey
There you have it. If you’re in the lower half of California and you’re curious about getting a Black Series Camper, reach out to our friends at TopLine RV & Marine. Their contact info is listed below, and if you bring a bottle of Whiskey, they just might cut you a deal.
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Topline RV & Marine
512 E Redlands Blvd San Bernardino, CA 92408
(800) 601-9616
Caravans shown in this post:
HQ21
HQ17
HQ12
Our premium interiors are top of the line, topped off with European appliances and a high gloss timber veneer cabinetry.
Our warranty covers the draw bar and chassis from fatigue and has a guarantee for a period of 5 years from the original date of purchase.
