Why the Fox? The Story Behind Lerch RV's Mascot
Why the FOX? The Story Behind Lerch RV's Famous Red Fox 🦊
There's a little history behind every FOX. Ours goes back nearly 50 years.
If you've driven past Lerch RV on Route 322 in Milroy, Pennsylvania, visited our dealership, or followed us on social media, you've probably seen our familiar red fox.
And you've probably heard us say, "Follow the Fox!"
But have you ever wondered WHY a fox?
Why did a family-owned RV dealership choose a red fox as its mascot? And what exactly does "Follow the Fox" mean?
Well, grab a seat around the campfire. This story begins long before our fox ever appeared on a billboard, a sign, or a camper.
It All Started with a Young Man Nicknamed "Fox"
To understand our mascot, you first need to know a little about the man who started it all: Ed Lerch, founder and president of Lerch RV.
Ed grew up in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, graduated from Penn Highlands High School, and went on to Penn State University, where he earned a degree in accounting.
But long before anyone called him the owner of Lerch RV, some of his closest high school buddies had another name for him.
They called him "Fox."
That's right. The FOX was part of the Lerch story before there was even a Lerch RV!
Shortly after graduating from Penn State, Ed purchased a small business at the corner of South Main Street and Charles Street. At the time, it was an ARCO gas station.
In 1977, that location became the starting point for what would eventually grow into Pennsylvania's top-rated RV dealership.
Ed probably wasn't thinking about creating an RV dealership mascot back then. He was too busy building a business, serving customers, and laying the foundation for what would become a nearly 50-year family legacy.
But the FOX connection was already there.
A New Home, and a Few Unexpected Neighbors
Fast-forward to the turn of the millennium.
As the world was preparing for Y2K, Lerch RV was preparing for a new chapter, relocating to our current dealership property along Route 322 in Milroy, Pennsylvania.
Surrounded by the beautiful countryside of central Pennsylvania, neighboring Amish farm fields, and the natural landscape of Mifflin County, our new location came with something pretty special.
A few furry neighbors.
Over the years, red foxes have regularly appeared on our dealership acreage. Occasionally, we've even had the pleasure of seeing them with their young kits.
And those foxes still visit our property today.
There's something special about seeing a real red fox wandering the same land where our family business has grown and welcomed customers for decades.
It became another piece of the story, and it simply felt right.
And That's How Our FOX Was Born
When it was time to give Lerch RV a recognizable mascot, we didn't have to look far for inspiration.
We had Ed's high school nickname.
We had the beautiful red foxes living around our dealership.
And we had a family business deeply connected to the community and countryside we call home.
The pieces fit together.
Our red fox honors the man who started Lerch RV in 1977, nods to the wildlife around our dealership, and symbolizes our central Pennsylvania roots.
Our FOX isn't just a cute face on a sign.
He's a little piece of our history.
So, Why Do We Say "Follow the Fox"?
For us, "Follow the Fox" means something more than following a mascot down the road.
It means following a family-owned business built on generations of hard work, personal relationships, and a commitment to treating customers right.
It means following nearly 50 years of experience helping families find their next adventure.
It means discovering that RV buying doesn't have to be complicated, stressful, or full of surprises.
And it means knowing there's a real team of people behind that friendly fox, ready to help before, during, and long after the sale.
Since 1977, Lerch RV has grown from humble beginnings into central Pennsylvania's largest towable RV dealership and Pennsylvania's top-rated RV dealership.
But while a lot has changed over those years, our family-owned roots haven't.
Nearly 50 Years Later, the FOX Is Still Leading the Way
As we approach our 50th anniversary in 2027, we're especially proud of the story behind our FOX.
What started as a high school nickname became a meaningful connection between our founder, our dealership, and the natural beauty of the place we call home.
To this day, when a red fox occasionally trots across our property, it's a good reminder of where our story began.
So the next time you see our FOX on a billboard, a camper, or one of our social media posts, you'll know there's a little more history behind that familiar face than you might have imagined.
And to everyone who has Followed the Fox over the years, thank you for being part of our story.
Here's to 50 years of family, foxes, and camping memories.
From our family to yours, thanks for Following the Fox to Better RV Savings & Service!
🦊 Lerch RV — Family-Owned Since 1977.
Making camping memories one campsite at a time.
