Features
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Bring Your Kid to Work
One of the greatest sounds on earth is the laughter of a child. Can everyone agree on that? OK, this…
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Lessons From a Goal-Getter
Debbie Brunoforte isn’t just the leader of Little Dealer Little Prices in Arizona — she’s a powerhouse in the industry,…
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Turn Sold Customers Into Repeat Fans of Your Brand With CRM Automation
A lot of people can go through your dealership on any given day, both online and at your brick-and-mortar. When…
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The Road Less Traveled
Where some company owners see products and profits as their primary goals, Don Clark, president, CEO and co-founder of Grand…
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3 Tips To Maximize Peak RV Season
The cold winter months are finally behind us, marking the beginning of peak RV season and optimal weather for camping…
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Historical Park Model Builder Captures Young Fans
Industry studies have shown over and over that a younger demographic has entered the RV market in recent years —…
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Converting Cash Deals by Overcoming Cash Buyers’ Financing Objections
In RV dealerships, the finance department guides customers through purchasing and offers various financing options to suit their needs. However,…
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The Heart of a Champion
Champion Home Builders has become a dominant force in the U.S. park model market, garnering a market share in 2023…
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Smart RV Technology for Off-Grid Mobile Power Systems
RVs have transformed from simple vehicles into advanced, mobile living spaces. Travelers are no longer satisfied with basic facilities. Life…
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Adjust Presentations To Fit Your Customer’s ‘Type’
As I talk to some of the best RV salespeople in RV dealerships across the country, I find one common…
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Improving Accessibility in Outdoor Recreation
When Brandon Mantz woke in the trauma center of St. Anthony’s Hospital in Lakewood, Colorado, he couldn’t speak. A tube…
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Taking the Risk & Reaping the Rewards
Evolve or die is a fitting motto for Princess Craft RV. The Texas company, founded in the late 1960s as…
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SMI: Some Minimizing Ideas
In the May issue of RV PRO, I invited you to tune in to this June issue’s column for methods…
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2024 Fifth Wheel Models: A Dramatic Shift in Exterior Design
There is a new kid in town when it comes to exterior design in the towable sector of the RV…
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Hitch ’er Up!
Once the sale of a hitch-mounted trailer is made, the customer cannot just drive to the nearest national park. They…
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Unlocking the Power of Organizational Culture
Dealing with troubling workplace environments can be difficult. It’s not always clear what the deeper issue is, and the friction…
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Once Upon a Prime Time
Prime Time Manufacturing began its operations in 2009 — arguably one of the worst economic climates the RV industry has…
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Carefree, Outdoor Living
Fast turnaround times, plus a dedication to quality materials, seems to be the winning recipe for Carefree of Colorado. A…
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SMI: Are You Exceeding Your Towing Capacity?
For those unfamiliar with the term SMI, it stands for “slow-moving inventory,” a phrase that I developed many years ago…
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Palomino’s Fifth Wheel With Head Room
Palomino Columbus sets itself apart by consistently delivering fifth wheels that embody quality, safety and innovation. Jack Plummer, sales manager…
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Italian Quality Fiberglass Distributed Stateside
First impressions are everything. When a prospective motorhome or fifth wheel customer strolls a dealer’s lot and kicks the tires,…
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How To Actively Listen to Your Customers
If you were to ask customers what their number one complaint is when working with a salesperson, what do you…
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Olivia Irvine on ‘Staying Toasty’
Olivia Irvine has a thriving business selling a variety of items to help people enjoy the great outdoors. Her products…
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Maximize Your Dealership’s Efficiency During the Consumer Lending Process
How to Prevent a Productivity Plateau Employee productivity levels can only increase so much without improving technological capabilities. That’s why streamlining your…
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Passion Project
Denise Chariya, director of marketing for THOR Industries, is not a fan of traditional networking. Making small talk in a…
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Is Your Dealership a Drive-By?
I live about 20 minutes south of downtown Portland, Oregon. Within 25 minutes in all directions are about 25 RV…
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Are You Green Enough?
You may call yourself green – but are you certified green? There’s a difference, and TRA Certification can help you…
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The Next Move in Sustainability: Making the Switch to Lithium
Moving toward sustainability in the RV manufacturing industry is widely accepted as a nonnegotiable. The industry must continue to make…
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Full-Time RVers Spill the Beans: How Dealers Can Do Better
Researching this column was very interesting. What was challenging was figuring out how to write truthfully about what each person…
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Pioneering Sustainable Practices
With the growing emphasis on environmental consciousness, companies are increasingly prioritizing sustainability and striving to decrease their carbon footprint. Walex,…
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Star brite Introduces New Line of Ceramic Cleaners & Protectants
In the world of RV maintenance, Star brite is revolutionizing the game with its new line of ceramic-based cleaners, protectants…
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Opinion: Are We Allowed To Ask Questions About Sustainability Yet?
In the margin of an old journal of mine there is a quote that reads, “Freedom is rarely, if ever,…
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Creating a Cohesive Story
Q: What is Genesis Products known for and what are consumers looking for now? Erin Curtis, Vice President of Marketing…
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Understanding PVR & How It Can Improve F&I Revenue
Q: What is PVR, and why is it important for RV dealerships to track? A: PVR, or “per vehicle retailed,”…
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Follow That Rabbit!
A giant checkered rabbit hopped by as we opened the entry door to Briter Products’ facility. Over the years, we…
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The Importance of a Properly Structured Reinsurance Company for RV Dealerships
In the ever-evolving landscape of RV sales and services, RV dealerships are continuously seeking ways to maximize profitability and manage…
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Refresh Your Dealership for Spring
It’s that dreaded time of year again – spring cleaning! If you had a parent who insisted on a thorough…
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Why Sustainability Reports Matter
Sustainability reporting has become a popular way for companies to measure annual performance goals and meet standards often set on…
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2024’s Women in Business Honorees
Statistics show that half of workers in the United States are women, according to a March 2024 report from Independent…
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Women in Business: Jessika Mendez
What makes Jessika stand out in the RV industry? Jessika is responsible for leading the customer service team, ensuring they…
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Women in Business: Tyann Miller
What makes Tyann stand out in the RV industry? Tyann oversees Jayco’s warranty processes for all Jayco divisions. Her role…
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Women in Business: Stephanie Cox
What makes Stephanie stand out in the RV industry? Stephanie is responsible for scheduling and overseeing all work done in…
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Women in Business: Malinda Abelseth
How has Malinda gone above and beyond for Firefly Integrations? When Malinda started at the end of 2018, Firefly only…
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Women in Business: Kimberly Purifoy
In what ways has Kimberly gone above and beyond for Winnebago? Kimberly acts as the employee resource group (ERG) advisor…
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Women in Business: Kelly Townsend
In what ways has Kelly gone above and beyond for RVEE? Kelly is a standout technician at RVEE, with meticulous…
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Women in Business: Laurie Hirsch
What makes Laurie stand out in the RV industry? Laurie expertly manages an array of critical HR functions. Her responsibilities…
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Women in Business: Cassie Guffey
How has Cassie gone above and beyond for her company? Cassie is responsible for all service parts-related activities including order…
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Women in Business: Shirley Cartwright
How has Shirley contributed to the RV industry that makes her stand out? Shirley oversees a wide range of critical…
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Women in Business: Stacey Black
What makes Stacey stand out in the RV industry? Stacey is responsible for managing half of our RV business within…
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The Persistence of Parkview RV
There’s no denying that more than a half a century of operation – and by three generations of the same…
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Sustaining Your Parts & Accessories Customer Base
There has been substantial focus on the topic of sustainability in various media. Many corporations have established a sustainability officer/manager…
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Doubling Down
Brothers Ryan and Coley Brady set out to make not only a better RV, but a better RV company, when…
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RV Dealer Websites: Why You Can’t Just Set It & Forget It
Your dealership’s online presence is just as important as your physical location. Often, your website is a potential customer’s initial…
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Must-Know Camping Gear Trends
RV PRO: How did Kuma get its start and what is your company’s makeup like now? Dier: Kuma Outdoor Gear…
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Tackling the Challenging World of F&I
Finance & Insurance (F&I) is arguably one of the most important departments in any dealership, and any help F&I employees…
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The Benefits of Building Customer Trust
Of all the things salespeople need to learn when working with customers, the one thing often missed when dealerships train…
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7 Insights to Help You Navigate 2024
As we head out of the first quarter of the year and into the next one, it’s important to make…
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How Smart RV Technology Reduces the Complexity of Mobile Solar Power
Discover the future of RV power. Dive into our latest whitepaper on connected RV power systems. Download now! Sponsored by:
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RV Appliances That Feel Like Home
Q: Tell me about Haier GE’s connection to the RV industry – when did that start and how did that…
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Community: General RV Center Joins Detroit Nonprofit
As part of February’s philanthropic focus, Michigan-based General RV Center spotlighted its recent multiday volunteer project with Life Remodeled, a…
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The Law of the Dinosaur: If It Is Dying, Let It Die
“The dinosaur’s eloquent lesson is that if some bigness is good, an overabundance of bigness is not necessarily better.” —…
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In a Class of Their Own
Size and maneuverability are the name of the game for Class A sister product lines Vegas and Axis by Thor…
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Maximize Your Dealership’s Efficiency During the Consumer Lending Process
Dealership Efficiency With Automated Workflows Selling luxury items such as RVs involves more than just securing a customer’s buy-in —…
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Hate To Wait
America’s attention span changed when “Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In” started in 1968 and ran for 140 episodes until 1973. For…
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Discover the Euro
In the fast-paced world of recreational vehicles, innovation sets companies apart. RV enthusiasts look for tech-savvy motorhomes for comfortable and…
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Southwire’s Focused Breadth of Line Powers the RV Experience
There has never been a higher demand for reliable energy to effectively power the RV experience. Whether the journey requires…
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Bell Camper Sales
In operation for more than half a century, northeast Oklahoma’s Bell Camper Sales is the oldest RV dealership in the…
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Understanding Your Dealership Management System
What Does It Do? A dealership management system can provide reports of parts and accessories inventory performance that can –…
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What Dealers Have to Say
The results are in — RV PRO conducted a survey during January of RV industry professionals who sell RVs. We…
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The 4 Components of a Hybrid Training Approach
The digital age has brought access to information at an immeasurable rate and has shifted the way many people learn,…
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Midwest Automotive Designs Leans In for Further Growth
After almost 10 years in the Class B market, Midwest Automotive Designs is banking on a plant expansion, a foreign…
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Stand Out at RV Shows
If you ever feel like you’re not getting enough exercise, walk an RV show at a local expo or convention…
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Charging Ahead
While a 2016 article in The Economist may have been overly enthusiastic that the lithium battery would be the “Technology…
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DISH Outdoors Unveils A $50 Consumer Rebate
In the ever-evolving landscape of outdoor entertainment, DISH Outdoors continues to set the bar high with premium viewing offerings designed…
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Helping RVers Get a Good Night’s Sleep
Tim Stanley, CEO of Blackout EZ Window Covers, knows what it’s like when too much light interrupts a good night’s…
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The Make-or-Break Moment With Customers
Many RV dealerships in the United States have at least a general sales process they like their staff to follow…
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Transforming the Single-Axle Overland & More
When Chris Barth joined forces with Ashley Bontrager Lehman, Steve Delagrange and Ernie Miller to build the foundation for a…
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The PPL Powerhouse
At summer’s end in 1972, two young petrochemical engineers found themselves in the business of “matchmaking” – between RV owners…
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Motivating Staff to Keep Things Tidy
A new year calls for a fresh, new feeling in your store. Imagine spring cleaning – but in February. The…
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Eclipse RV: Committed to Innovation & Quality
In the RV world, Eclipse RV is a name that stands as a testament to innovation and adaptability. Dallen and…
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The Times They Are A-Challenging
To improvise on a verse from a Bob Dylan song, “the times they are a-challenging.” For many businesses, these times…
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What’s In Store for 2024: POV From 4 Industry Organizations
RVDA: Signs of Encouragement By Phil Ingrassia, president The RV industry spent much of the last 12 months in a…
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How to Avoid Burnout in the New Year
As we embark on the new year, some of us out there may have some doubts. The challenges that 2023…
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Tackling the Toro Bravo
A new RV company, whose owner describes its products as an entirely new category of RV, will begin production in…
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Chinook Puts the ‘You’ in Unique
More than 80 years have passed since Chinook RV began life as a family enterprise in the nascent RV industry.…
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Van-Lifers Explain How They Embrace Life on the Road
What is van-life? Defined by those who live and travel in Sprinter vans, modified Volkswagen buses and other van-based RVs…
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The Rights & Wrongs of Point-of-Purchase Displays
There are vendor displays that sell well – and then there are those that just look awful! Sometimes they do…
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Navigating Tricky Economic Terrain
Fasten your seat belts and enjoy the ride. Like airline travelers bracing for expected turbulence, retailers are preparing for a…
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Prosperous Pete’s RV
Kevin Thomas says he received his figurative “gold medal” last year, when he was named the Mid-Atlantic regional sales and…
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Working With Social Media Influencers
Influencer marketing is one of the fastest-growing tools to leverage sales and growth. Are you taking advantage of it? Let’s…
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Cortes Campers Is Conquering the RV Market
Cortes Campers emerged out of the 2020 COVID-19 crisis and subsequent demand for a safe and fun way to continue…
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The Red Sink: Creating Visual Reminders at Your Dealership
Every time I go into an RV dealership or parts store, my first thought is, “What sets this apart from…
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Get Ready for the Next Market Shift
The market has shifted again. Rising interest rates, increased inventory, less maintenance work and more warranty work, longer delays in…
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Choosing the Right Marketing Partner
In the competitive landscape of RV sales, effective marketing is paramount to success. Whether you’re a single-location dealership or part…
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Truma Celebrates a Decade of Growth
“American was not built on fear. America was built on courage, on imagination and an unbeatable determination to do the…
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Optimizing Your Interiors
A section in this month’s issue of RV PRO focuses on RV interiors, so I have decided that my column…
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Helpful Tips for Reducing Employee & Customer Turnover
As an RV dealer, you may find it difficult to come up with ideas that help you stand out from…
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The Art of Trendy Fabrics
Home furnishings specialist Richloom hopes to grow its RV business substantially in the coming years. The New York City-headquartered company…
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What Is Your Dealership Worth?
Whenever a dealer is interested in selling his or her business, the most frequently asked question is, “What is my…
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Nova Scotia’s Bluenose RV Captures Canadian RVers
Named after the famous Nova Scotian sailing schooner known for never losing a race, Bluenose RV Centre anchors nearly 50…
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