Features
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IDS 2024 RV Trends Report
Integrated Dealer Systems’ much-anticipated RV Trends Report is back. The 2024 report shares insights from surveys, RV industry experts, and…
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What Are Younger Full-Time RVers Looking For in an RV?
Full-time RVer demographics have dramatically changed over the last five years. Full-time RVing retirees and snowbirds have now been joined…
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How to Make Camping Product Sales a Profit Center for Your Dealership
By Erik Dier, Kuma Outdoor Gear RV dealerships play an important role in providing their customers with not only the…
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Combating RECT With a DMS Solution
We all know RECT is a major focus for dealerships. Repair Event Cycle Time is the industry term for getting…
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Century Chemical at (Nearly) 100: Leading by Example
Everyone knows the saying: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” That mantra definitely rings true for Century Chemical Corp.…
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The Top 11 Most Important RV Sales Skills
There are many skills RV salespeople must master be in the top 20% and start living more off their referral…
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The Rise of Boutique Van Builds
In RV parlance, a boutique build is a Class B build done by small-to-medium-sized van converters, most of whom are…
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Train, Certify & Recruit: Check, Check & Check
Imagine being able to jumpstart a career with an average median salary of $42,000 in 120 days or less. That’s…
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Open House 2023: Slideshow, Day One
Open House returns to Elkhart, Indiana, this week, as RV dealers from all over the country will descend on the…
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Streamline F&I and Ramp Up Profitability
By Robert Grant With over 30 years in the recreation industry, I’ve spent a lot of time at dealerships. Those…
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Sponsored Content: Strategies to Maximize Your Online Marketing ROI
The internet has reshaped shoppers’ expectations for RV dealerships, with 66% of shoppers expecting a business to understand their unique…
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Baby, It’s (Soon To Be) Cold Outside
It stands to reason that when you leave water outside in temperatures at or below 32 F, it will freeze.…
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Is Your P&A Inventory Prepped for the Winter?
It is September and to paraphrase a line from the song Autumn Leaves by Chet Baker: “… and soon we’ll…
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Open House Preview: What’s New for ’24
The annual September Open House Preview issue of RV PRO is out, with more than two dozen companies having submitted…
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Reusable Propane Cylinders: A Sustainable Approach to Portable Fuel
“There have to be better solutions available.” This was Graeme Esarey’s initial thought, but the passing consideration would turn out…
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Nose to the Grindstone Translates to RV Park Success
A person that starts new businesses through a series of their own ideas is a serial entrepreneur, and at 7,…
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How Diverse & Inclusive Is Your P&A Inventory?
Diversity and inclusivity: How do these apply to your parts and accessory inventories? Since the theme of this month’s issue…
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Midway Auto & RV Sells Under the Big Sky
Midway Auto & RV launched its Billings, Montana, store in mid-July with an open house of pre-owned vehicles and a…
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Are You Driving Qualified Marketing Leads?
A high quantity of website leads can seem like a good sign, but if your visitors aren’t ready to buy,…
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Winnebago’s Jil Littlejohn Bostick Connects More People to the Outdoors
You often hear people say that the United States is a “melting pot.” However, Jil Littlejohn Bostick, vice president of…
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Webinar: Maximizing Your Online Marketing ROI
For RV dealers to succeed in an environment where rising consumer expectations clash with their limited resources, they need to…
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How to Boost RV Service Profitability With the FEB Principle
The following three components are of utmost importance in contributing to RV service profitability: The ability of the service adviser…
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You Are Welcome Here
When a potential customer sees your ads or your store, how comfortable do they feel coming in to shop? How…
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Open House 2024: New Models From THOR’s Keystone
Travel Trailers Within Reach Keystone is turning back pricing as close to pre-pandemic as possible. The company is rolling out…
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Open House 2024: New Models From Crossroads RV & Redwood RV
Crossroads RV Crossroads RV’s latest innovation is coming to its luxury flagship model, the Hampton. A new windshield provides owners…
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Open House 2024: New Models From Thor Motor Coach
With Open House fast approaching, Thor Motor Coach (TMC) announced numerous new product debuts across all its lineups, including new…
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Open House 2024: New Models From Cruiser RV
Avenir A fresh perspective on best selling floorplans sparked the debut of Cruiser RV’s new brand Avenir, which will showcase…
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Open House 2024: New Models From Jayco
Highland Ridge & Starcraft Highland Ridge RV is bringing three new floorplans to its lightweight lineup in 2024. Under the…
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Open House 2024: New Models From Heartland RV
Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2024, Heartland RV is spotlighting new standard features across its brand family, including its new…
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Open House 2024: New Models From THOR’s KZ RV
Coming to the iconic KZ RV in 2024 are updates to its existing brand lineup. The Connect brand will debut…
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Open House 2024: Forest River’s Cherokee, Sabre, Cedar Creek, Sierra & Sandpiper
Cherokee Cherokee’s Alpha Wolf and Artic Wolf have several new floorplans that will debut at Open House for 2024, investing…
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Open House 2024: New Models From East to West
East To West stays connected with owners to carry out its mission to enhance the customer experience and boost customer…
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Open House 2024: New Models From Forest River
Cardinal / Wildcat For 2024, the Cardinal/Wildcat fifth wheel line is expanding with half-ton solutions. Sister products, the Cardinal RED…
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Open House 2024: Coachmen’s New Models
Entourage The 2024 Coachmen Entourage is a 4X4, diesel-powered Super C with upscale appointments and solid construction. Built on a…
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Open House 2024: New Models From Aliner, Eclipse, Atia, Encore, ATC
Aliner Aliner said it is introducing a new floorplan for its twin bunk model and two new EV units. The…
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Open House 2024: Gulf Stream, Leisure Travel Vans, TAXA’s New Models
TAXA TAXA Outdoors is launching new evolutions of the brand’s current adventure vehicles, which include the Woolly Bear; the TigerMoth;…
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Open House 2024: Nexus RV, Helio, Chinook’s New Models
Nexus RV Nexus will be unveiling several new models at Open House week, including the 28, 30 and 32 Verrado;…
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Open House 2024: Ember RV, Sunset Park RV, Travel Lite
Ember Multiple new floorplans in Ember’s Touring Edition and Overland Series product lines, and even expansions into other segments, will…
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Open House 2024: Xtreme Outdoors, Roadtrek, Westfalia
Xtreme Outdoors Xtreme Outdoors, known for its Little Guy lineup of light travel trailers, will launch its Eco series at…
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MORryde’s Founder Liked a Challenge; That Legacy Lives On
The year is 1966, and the RV industry is flourishing in in Elkhart, Indiana, the growing heart of the market’s…
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Smaller, Lighter, More Mobile – The Next Step in Motorhomes
There’s going to be a new player among Forest River’s Sunseeker and Forester Class Cs – the PM Series. Built…
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Why Hope Is Hurting Your Business
You are 100% accountable for your current situation and the results you’re achieving. They are a direct reflection of your…
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Eclipse RV’s Not Playing Games With its Toy Hauler
Staying on top of function, durability and design trends has served toy hauler specialist Eclipse RV well since its founding…
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Sponsored Content: Treat Your Water Systems Well
Fresh water is essential to every RV and even more important to each RV owner. As a dealer, carrying these…
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The Advantage of Selling Based on Trust
When you look closely at the sales training that RV dealerships are doing, it is amazing how they differ from…
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Johnston RV Center’s Slice of the American Pie
For one father-and-son dealer team, the American dream is pretty simple: run a successful business that allows them to make…
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How to Create Psychological Safety in Training
We have all had that moment in a training session. We are sitting in a group, learning about a new…
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Friday is Deadline to Submit 40 Under 40 Nominations
This Friday is the final day for submitting nominations to RV PRO for inclusion into this year’s 40 Under 40…
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RV Industry Manufacturing: Done Close to Home
American-made cars, refrigerators and television sets were just the tipping point for what became the bread-and-butter of the nation’s economy…
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The Craftsmanship Behind an RV’s Windows
Glassmaking originated about 4,000 years ago in the cradle of civilization, created by the Mesopotamians. A mix of sand, silica,…
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The Cornerstone of Colonial Airstream
Millstone, New Jersey-based Colonial Airstream and RV may be one of the most celebrated RV dealerships in the United States.…
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Are You a Great Manager? Rate Yourself on These 10 Indicators
Great management skills are more important than ever in today’s tight labor market. Businesses large and small need to take…
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How to Prep Customers for Boondocking
We hear it everywhere we go: more and more campers are looking to camp off the grid to get away…
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Lippert’s Lessons in Leadership
For Jason Lippert, president and CEO of Lippert, having a guiding light as the leader of a multibillion-dollar company is…
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Making People the Center of Your Universe
Not only does Storyteller Overland build out-of-this-world adventure vehicles, but it’s also a company that takes pride in its work…
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Dealership Salespeople Must Take Steps To Build Trust
The following are excerpts from Tom Morin’s new book called No Trust, No Sale: So many customers have such a…
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Keystone RV Delivers an Office With a View
Remote work isn’t going anywhere. A monthly survey by Stanford University found that 27% of full-time paid workers are fully…
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Ashley Bontrager Lehman Is Tending the Flame
Cautiously optimistic. It’s a phrase you heard a lot at industry events last fall and earlier this year, but it…
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Sponsored Content: Boosting Efficiency and Focusing on What Matters.
From parts and service management to data entry minimization, MotilityAnywhere helps you do more with less so you and your…
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Ep. 60 – LaDonna Meadows: Putting People First
Decades ago, LaDonna Meadows applied for a job that turned into a successful career. Meadows founded Tacoma RV Center in…
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Successful Emotional and Sensory Merchandising
For centuries, women have been considered to be more emotional, hysterical and unable to control their feelings. Yet, men have…
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Shasta RV Is Reaching for the Summit
As the general manager for Shasta RV, a division of Forest River, Meg Grierson says she builds a “conventional” unit…
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2023’s Women in Business Honorees
Meet 10 women, nominated by their peers, who are shining a bright light in the RV industry. The chance to…
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Defining ‘WIMIN’
In this month’s column, I will be presenting two types of inventory management – the software offered by dealership management…
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Women of Thetford: Rising Up Together
You’ve likely heard the saying “empowered women empower women.” Well, that’s not just a T-shirt slogan for the women at…
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PRVCA Director Welcomes Diversity
Heather Leach didn’t intend to head up one of the largest state RV and camping associations in the country and…
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Ep. 59 – Monika Geraci Is the Industry’s Go-To Voice
She doesn’t have hands-on involvement in all the many activities of the RV Industry Association (RVIA), but it’s her job…
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How Top RV Dealerships Are Utilizing Their Digital Marketing
As an RV dealer, you have to be everywhere all at once. That’s a lot to ask of any business,…
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Stacey Robinson: Forging Her Own Path
During the month of May, RV PRO is celebrating RV Women in the Business. Great Canadian RV’s history follows a…
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2023 WIB: Up-and-Comer Vows to Never Stop Learning
The May issue of RV PRO once again highlights RV Women in Business and the many roles they fill in…
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Boost Sales and Loyalty? Yes, Please
Boost Incremental Sales, Repeat Business, and Customer Loyalty by Offering RV Maintenance Products Imagine your dealership becoming the go-to place…
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How To Identify and Mitigate Cybersecurity Risks at Your Dealership
According to Cybersecurity Ventures, by 2025, cybercrime is expected to cost the world $10.5 trillion. But financial loss is not the…
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16 Rules and Regulations Your F&I Department Is on the Hook For
RV Dealerships operate in an increasingly complex environment of federal, state, and local oversight. We’ve gathered the 16 most important…
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Five Ways for Your Dealership to Go Local
Going local is smart business. It is a huge trend in buying across the board. “Locavores” are people who choose…
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Eco-Friendly Products Are Just as Effective
When it comes to being an eco-friendly traveler, of course RVers are going to contemplate their source of power, cleaning…
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Airstream’s Commitment to the Great Outdoors
“Responsible by design.” This tagline appears on Airstream’s website and succinctly describes the company’s efforts to conserve resources in its…
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Jayco Revamps Jay Flight Line
The Jayco Jay Flight isn’t new to RVers. The company first introduced Jay Flight Travel Trailers in 2002. Since then,…
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Winnebago Striving to Leave No Trace
Mother Nature means business. Words like “green” and “eco-friendly” have become standard lingo among companies in many markets – and…
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Women in Business: Makell Kohli
Kohli is responsible for all hires and for five years has grown advertising. In what ways has the nominee gone…
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Women in Business 2023: Shalet Wingo
Wingo is a field representative for the Derema Group in the Southeast, handling corporate calls, dealer sales, marketing, training, store…
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Women in Business 2023: Lesa Colvin
Colvin runs the largest RV show in the country, the Florida RV SuperShow. She started as a receptionist more than…
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Women in Business 2023: Mindi Kazmierczak
Kazmierczak works closely with the RV design community to create current, on-trend decors. In what ways has the nominee gone…
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Women in Business 2023: Mary Minix
Minix is responsible for leading the Human Resource Team at Grand Design. Grand Design employs more than 2,500 employees. Her…
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Women in Business 2023: Kimberly Hicks
Hicks is Johnston RV Center’s controller – she oversees all operational accounting and financial functions of the business. She manages…
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The Place to B&B in the Mile High City
Off-road travel trailer enthusiasts love adventure, living off the grid and traveling to rugged, remote places that intimidate others. Enduring…
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ECI’s Focus is on Sustainable Composites, and It’s Winning
The April issue of RV PRO, available now, features a series of stories on sustainability in the RV industry. Elkhart…
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Women in Business 2023: Alejandrina Valdez
Valdez is a senior electronics assembler at Micro-Air responsible for precision assembly of sophisticated electronic circuit boards used in RV…
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Women in Business 2023: Jennifer Judd
Judd is responsible for facilitating several time sensitive duties within our office, including, but not limited to, weekly supply mailings;…
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Women in Business 2023: Amy McFarland
As the owner of Valleybrook RV Body and Paint for more than 15 years, McFarland has a wide range of…
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Women in Business: Cristina Espinoza
Espinoza works on the production line and is responsible for numerous facets of the manufacturing process. She is responsible for…
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Spartan RV Chassis Continues to Innovate
Constant innovation is essential to success in the highly competitive motorhome chassis sector. Spartan RV Chassis, part of The Shyft…
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General RV Centers Keeps RVers on the Road
Since the bonanza of RV sales in recent years, service and repair have become increasingly important in the industry, but…
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Winnebago – and Subsidiary Newmar – Keep on Keeping Things Fresh
Winnebago Industries and its subsidiary, Newmar, are two names synonymous with quality in the RV world. Their Class A products…
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ASA Electronics’ Evolution
ASA Electronics knows that to remain relevant they have to adapt to new technology. Since its humble beginnings in 1977,…
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Rex & Sons’ Success Built on Work Ethic, Adapting to Changing Market
Life’s a journey, and Travis and Jonathan Creech from Rex & Sons RV in Wilmington, North Carolina, aim to help…
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Seventy-Five Years In, Fleetwood Still Building on its Iconic Name
Q. Please tell me about the different Class A models that Fleetwood offers – how would you characterize their differences?…
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Be Everywhere Your Online Shoppers Are Looking
The customer comes first. In the age of endless online options and increased competition for customers, this tried and true…
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