Premier RV is celebrating five years in business this September, marking a significant milestone for the family-owned RV dealership and the Thompson family, whose roots in the RV industry span generations.
Founded in 2021 by Brad Thompson and his wife, Brandy Thompson, Premier RV was born from a vision to bring a “Premier” RV dealership back to the industry after a six-year hiatus, the company said in a recent release. Built on the legacy of Thompson Family RV of Davenport, Iowa, Premier RV combines decades of RV industry experience, proven processes and a commitment to exceptional customer service. Today, the dealership represents nearly 400 years of combined RV industry experience across its team, with a mission to reestablish trust and an exceptional customer experience in the RV industry.
The Thompson family’s involvement in the RV industry dates back to its earliest days. Thompson & Sons Trailer Sales was founded by Charles W. Thompson and his two sons, Gene and Jim. After Charles and Gene retired, Jim and his wife, Darlene, continued to grow the dealership. Ownership was eventually passed down to the next generation and their spouses, Mark (Dawn) Thompson, Tim (Brenda) Thompson, Jill (Larry) Tappendorf, Ann (Paul) Thorndyke and Brad (Brandy) Thompson, who renamed the business Thompson Family RV.
Over the years, Thompson Family RV expanded five times while maintaining its commitment to customer care and service. The dealership was eventually acquired. Brad initially planned to remain with the dealership as general manager, but he soon realized that the structure and operations of a large corporate dealership were not the right fit for him, Premier RV said.
After exploring other career opportunities for six years, Brad came to the realization that his passion and purpose were deeply rooted in the RV industry and the culture surrounding it. He decided to take a leap of faith, purchasing 13 acres in the community of Blue Grass, Iowa, just outside Davenport.
In 2021, with the support of his wife, Brandy, his family and many others, Premier RV was born. The business began before the dealership’s physical building was even constructed, the company said. What started with a small, dedicated team working out of Brad and Brandy’s home moved to a two-bedroom apartment, then to a 36’ travel trailer parked on the acreage where the Premier RV dealership would eventually stand.
Five years later, that vision has grown into a 25,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art RV dealership serving customers throughout the Quad Cities, across Iowa and throughout the country.
Throughout its first five years, Premier RV has remained committed to its promise: “Premier RV: What Customers Want and Deserve.”
That commitment has been recognized through numerous industry awards and honors. In just five years, Premier RV has received the RVBusiness Top 50 Award twice and has been nominated four times. Combined with Thompson Family RV, the Thompson family dealerships have earned the award five times, Premier RV said.
Premier RV has also been recognized with the KZ RV Gold Club Award, various Locals Love Us Awards and as a Top 10 Venture RV Dealer. The dealership was also recently accepted as a member of the Priority RV Network. Additionally, Premier RV has been recognized nationally as being among the top 10% of volume towable RV dealers in North America based on statistical industry surveys.
Since opening its doors in 2021, Premier RV has welcomed many former Thompson Family RV employees who bring decades of experience and knowledge to the dealership. At the same time, Premier RV has made it a priority to bring new people into the industry and invest in the future through continuous RV training, education and professional development, the company said. Today, Premier RV serves customers not only from the Quad Cities and surrounding communities, but also from across Iowa, throughout the Midwest and from states across the country. While the dealership has grown tremendously over the past five years, its focus remains rooted in the same principles that inspired its creation: family, trust, experience and taking care of customers.
“We’re extremely proud of what we’ve accomplished, but even more proud of the people who have helped make it possible. We couldn’t have made it here without our amazing team, dedicated leadership, supportive business partners, friends, family and, most importantly, our loyal customers. Thank you to everyone who has supported Premier RV, believed in us, and helped us grow along the way. Your support and kindness mean more than you know,” said Brad Thompson.
