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  • Dealer Spotlight – Rich & Sons

    Have you ever had a dream? Did you try your hardest to make it come true?

    Tony and Nick Staab, brothers and owners of Rich & Sons RV Headquarters, have done just that. While having an indoor showroom at their dealership was always a dream, only recently were they able to turn that dream into reality. On March 22, a ribbon-cutting marked the grand opening of Rich & Sons’ new indoor showroom, complete with numerous daily seminars to demonstrate proper maintenance of RVs, accessorizing, and how to make the most of camping experiences.

    Tony and Nick have been planning for years. They made a pact with their grandfather, Rich Hiser, who started the business, that they would one day offer customers the best showroom around. The new indoor showroom, located at 5112 S. Antelope Drive in Nebraska, is approximately 11,500 square feet and can hold an average of 18 units. The showroom allows units to be set up and showcased as they would look at an actual campground. Additionally, the new area allows units to be housed in a covered area in case of unexpected weather. Special heating and air conditioning units, along with indoor lighting, skylights, and other amenities, make this showroom a real dream come true.

    Rich & Sons has been in operation for nearly 40 years, offering customers a huge selection of RVs along with excellent parts and customer service departments. According to Tony and Nick, “When you think of an RV dealership that has it all, we want you to think Rich & Sons.”

    Thanks to Rich & Sons for all of your hard work, and congratulations on the grand opening of your new showroom! To view RVs for sale, click here.

  • You Can’t Buy Happiness, But…

  • Did You Know??

    Did you know that RV Trader has a mobile site, as well as an iPhone app?
    RV Trader.com’s mobile site, m.rvtrader.com, is available for RV buyers to search, shop, and purchase!  An iPhone app is also available, which can be downloadedfrom the lifestyle section of the iTunes Store. 
    Find your next RV now! Click here to view a demo.

  • RV Trader Launches Tablet Site

    Norfolk, VA – April 3, 2012 – RV Trader, a division of Dominion Enterprises, has become the first RV classifieds site in the industry to create a tablet-optimized website. This unparalleled user interface taps into the very best that tablets have to offer. 
    With no application needed, users will experience full-screen photo viewing, searching, and refining, as well as pinch-to-zoom options – all within the browser. Although optimized for the iPad, this site can be viewed on other tablets as well. RV shoppers can easily find local RVs for sale through the site, as well as RV dealerships, prices, unit details and more – all with the swipe of a finger.
    The launch of this tablet site comes at the perfect time. RV Trader.com is in the midst of record mobile growth. From December 2011 to January 2012, mobile pageviews increased 75% on RV Trader.com, and mobile visits increased 77%, pushing mobile to over 1 million pageviews.  Approximately 10% of traffic to the RV Trader website is mobile, and of that 10%, 62% of traffic is coming from a tablet device, specifically the iPad. 
    According to Tim Custer, general manager of RV Trader, “We know this number will only continue to grow as more and more people access the internet from mobile and tablet devices than ever before.  It is critical we continue to learn how customers are accessing classified information on the internet and offer them solutions to improve their experiences on our sites. The future of browsing is on the tablet, especially for RV’ers on the go.”
    RV Trader.com also offers shoppers a mobile site option, m.rvtrader.com, and an iPhone app which can be downloadedfrom the lifestyle section of the iTunes Store.
    To start browsing on your tablet or iPad, visit t.rvtrader.com today!

  • Thor Motor Coach is 2011’s #1 Selling Motorhome Brand

    Thor Motor Coach has been recognized as 2011’s top retailing brand of motorhomes in North America according to Statistical Surveys, Inc..
    The company’s Class C motorhomes captured the #1 market position in 2011 and accounted for nearly 24% of all Class C sales. These results showed Thor Motor Coach’s Class C brands grew fastest amongst the top manufacturers with a 17.5% increase.  In addition, Thor Motor Coach’s Class A motorhome brands lead the market in 2011, capturing 23.7% of all gas powered Class A sales.
    Success at the retail level is only possible with a talented dealer network.  The partnerships formed between Thor Motor Coach and its dealers solidify the foundation to develop innovative products with superior value.
    “Reines RV and Thor Motor Coach have been partners for over 12 years. Finding the right motorhome manufacturer was an important factor for our long term success as an RV dealership. Thor Motor Coach’s products have always been known as “the best value” with a solid reputation for standing behind their motorhomes”, said Lindsey Reines, owner Reines RV in Manassa, Virginia.
    Consumer focused programs such as “Gold Star Inspections” and “Concierge Connection” emphasize a commitment to quality driven products.  These industry unique programs create unyielding partnerships with dealers and retail customers.
    “You cannot be the top single brand retailer of motorhomes without partnering with great dealers. These alliances are essential, allowing us to provide our customers a superior ownership experience”, emphasized Jeff Kime, President of Thor Motor Coach.
    For more information on Thor Motor Coach motorhomes, call (800) 860-5658, visit http://ThorMotorCoach.com, or write to: Thor Motor Coach, Inc., PO Box 1486, Elkhart, Indiana 46515.
    About Thor Motor Coach
    Thor Motor Coach, Inc is an operating unit of Thor Industries, Inc.(NYSE:THO), producing various motorized recreation vehicles that are sold throughout the United States and Canada. Thor Motor Coach RV brands include Class A Diesel; Astoria, Palazzo, Serrano, and Tuscany, Class A Gas; ACE, Daybreak, Challenger, Hurricane, Outlaw Toy Hauler, and Windsport, Class B+; Siesta, Siesta Sprinter, Citation, and Citation Sprinter, Class C Gas and Diesel; Four Windsand Chateau.
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  • Explore. Dream. Discover.

  • 2012 Thor Motor Coach Line Up Impresses Shoppers at Florida Super Show

    Elkhart, IN (January 30th, 2012) Thor Motor Coachshowcaseda host of new motorhomes and features at the 2012 Florida RV Super Show in Tampa, January 10-15, 2012.  With heavy traffic and so many new products featured, both new and seasoned RVer’s were impressed with the product offerings from Thor Motor Coach. Tampa provided a great kick-off for the motorhome market in 2012 as Thor Motor Coach saw a 40% increase in retail sales compared to the 2011 show. 
     “The Florida Super Show always gives us some indication of how the spring show season will go and it looks like it’s going to be a great year. The consumer reaction to our 2012 line-up was very positive.” explained Dana Simon, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Thor Motor Coach. 
    The all new 2013 Palazzo rear diesel stole the show, drawing crowds throughout the event. The industry received its first look at the Palazzowhen it was unveiled in November at the RV National Trade show in Louisville, KY. The Palazzo’s compact low-profile design makes it easy to drive while providing the amenities a premium motorhome shopper expects, as well as several they might not.
    Chassis and Storage
    • 34’ 6”, 300HP rear diesel
    • Two slide-outs
    • 10,000 lbs. hitch
    • Auto-Generator start
    • Low-profile slide tray
    • Motorhome Mudroom™
    • Tall Mega-Storage™
      Pass-through compartment
    Living Space
    • Seating for eight in the living space
    • Always-in-View™ TV slide system
    • Home theater sound
    • Bedroom TV
    • Oversized shower
    • Pull-out computer tray in the dash
    • Brushed metallic residential
      refrigerator and  microwave

    “The Palazzo, like the A.C.E., is a game changer creating a new segment in the market – attracting many buyers who thought a full featured rear diesel coach was out of reach. While talking with new potential Palazzo owners at the show, it was clear the market has been waiting for this coach,” stated Adam Gudger, National Sales Manager for the Thor Motor Coach Diesel Division.

    The A.C.E.continuesits success as a crossover class A motorhome. The recent additions of the 29.2 and brand new 30.1 floorplans were popular choices for shoppers. The 30’ 10”, 30.1 adds a second slide-out, larger shower, and more bedroom storage, in addition to the already well equipped offerings of the entire A.C.E. line up.
    Making its Super Show debut, the 45LT (45’, 450HP) tag axle Tuscanywas a big hit. The 45LT combines the best of luxury and value by offering a full wall slide, expandable sofa, half bath with washer dryer option, dual vanity master bath, fireplace, and Sony™electronics at a price point far less than its competitors.
    For more information on Thor Motor Coach motorhomes, call (800)860-5658, visit http://ThorMotorCoach.com, or write to: Thor Motor Coach, Inc., PO Box 1486, Elkhart, Indiana 46515.

    About Thor Motor Coach

    Thor Motor Coach is an operating unit of Thor Industries, Inc. (NYSE:THO), producing various motorized recreation vehicles that are sold throughout the United States and Canada. Thor Motor Coach RV brands include Tuscany, Astoria, Palazzo, Serrano, ACE, Four Winds, Chateau, Siesta, Citation, Outlaw, Hurricane, Windsport, Daybreak, and Challenger.
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  • RV Industry Partners Roll Out Consumer Promo

    RV Trader, Jayco, RV America Insurance and the Passport 66 RV Club Promote RV Giveaway

      Print Print January 30, 2012 by   Leave a Comment

    Jayco White Hawk trailer

    Four RV industry players have banded together to sponsor and launch a national promotion that allows RV consumers the opportunity to win a 2012 Jayco White Hawk ultralight travel trailer. According to a press release, the sponsors include Jayco Inc., RV Trader, RV America Insurance and the Passport 66 RV Club.

    “We are excited to participate in this unique marketing consortium as a creative way to not only introduce consumers to the White Hawk, our newest line of ultralight trailers, but also the complementary products and services offered by our other partners,” said Sid Johnson, director of marketing for Jayco, a Middlebury, Ind.-based manufacturer.

    “While each partner plays a variety of roles within the RV marketplace, each one serves the needs of RVers on a nationwide basis” noted Tim Custer, general manager of RV Trader, a leading RV classifieds site. “Because each business is unique, yet influential in the industry, this will allow us to dramatically impact the reach of this promotion among RV consumers.”

    In addition to the 2012 Jayco White Hawk Grand Prize, there will be weekly prizes awarded for one-year memberships to the Passport 66 RV Club, a national travel club for RVers provided by the Route 66 RV Network.

    “The Passport 66 RV Club is a paid membership discount club that offers its members the opportunity to enjoy discounts on campground rates, parts/accessories, golfing, satellite services, RV washes, rental cars and more,” said Dave Francis, program manager for Passport 66.”

    “The ‘Win a White Hawk’ promotion is the first time we have entered into a co-sponsorship effort of this type,” added Steve Freedman, president of RV America Insurance. “We’ve really enjoyed working with this group to not only create a promotion that will appeal to RVers, but also that delivers mutual value to all of the partner sponsors involved.”

    To register for the drawing, RV consumers and enthusiasts can visit www.WinAWhiteHawk.com between Jan. 30 and June 15.

  • Looking to Save on Money? Go RVing!

    Consumers looking to save on vacation travel should go RVing, according to preliminary data from updated vacation cost comparison research by PKF Consulting. Commissioned by RVIA, the study shows that RV trips are the least costly.

    PKF, an international travel and tourism consulting company, found that RVing is 28% to 59% less expensive than other types of vacations for a family of four. For an “empty-nester” couple traveling by RV, savings were 15% to 45%.
    Even after taking certain factors into account, such as RV ownership costs and fuel prices, the study reveals that RV vacations offer more savings than those trips taken using a car or airline, and vacationing in a hotel or rental house or condo.
    PKF analyzed vacation costs for two sets of traveling parties — a family of four, including two adults and two children; and a party of two adults. PKF calculated the costs for these hypothetical travelers taking seven types of vacations to popular destinations, including: Branson, MO; Cape Cod, MA; the Grand Canyon; Corpus Christi, TX; Orlando, FL; Lancaster, PA; Napa, CA; and Traverse City, MI.
    The study analyzed popular RV types, including folding camping trailers, lightweight travel trailers, and compact motorhomes. Also studied were costs associated with an RV rental vacation, and a comparison of travel in a Type A motorhome against an upscale/luxury vacation. Vacation durations were 3, 7 and 14 days, and were directly related to the round-trip distances in highway miles between city-pairs.
    PKF also analyzed how theoretical increases in fuel prices could affect vacation travel costs, and found that fuel prices would have to more than double for RV vacations to lose its economic advantage over other forms of travel.

    Original source: http://www.rvia.org/?ESID=preleases&PRID=374&SR=1

  • Advanced Thinking in Class B Motor Homes

    Last year was all about development and listening to you, our customers.  We were very fortunate to receive the advice and willingness to participate from so many customers that helped us move forward in so ways.  We could not have imagined the results we have achieved without this help and we will continue to owe our appreciation to those involved.
    For a manufacturer, there is nothing like being challenged in so many ways and being able to exchange a wide range of ideas to achieve something entirely different from what we were doing the year before.  Because of this, we fully intend to continue this process and continue to explore new ideas, materials and features to provide the very best motor homes we possibly can. Being one of the smaller manufacturers gives us a distinct advantage in being able to make decisions quickly and at least try new ideas that come to us from all directions.
    Starting at the Florida RV Super Show, we are offing 3 all-new Sprinter Legend motor homes with new materials and features.  At the top of the line is the 2012 Sprinter Legend ex which has as standard, the Espar Diesel Hydronic heating and hot water system.  This system requires less space, is very quiet and provides endless hot water. The diesel is provided directly from the Sprinter’s fuel tank and in 6 months of customer testing, has shown to have little to no impact on fuel economy because it is expected to use 0.90 gallons per hour at peak output but it will not need to run for an hour continuously even if the hot water is running all the time. 
    Functionality has been a huge factor in the development process.  The Sprinter Legend and Legend e have 5.0 cu.ft. single door fridges which are 3 way, auto switching making it simple to use continuously.  The Legend ex has a 6.0 cu.ft double door fridge which is also 3 way auto switching.  You should always be able to carry a gallon of milk in the fridge.  They are also off the floor so you don’t have to bend down to pull something out. This is a small point but important.
    Last year we also received many calls from customers asking about the length of the bed. With the extra 16” in the length of the Sprinter Legend e and Legend ex, we can offer a bed length of 84 inches or an additional 55 cu.ft of cargo space. Under the powered Tri-Fold Sofa there is over 12” of clearance right through the cabin, great additional storage.
    We will soon be starting to build the first 2012 “Activa”.  This all-new model will be built on the shorter Mercedes-Benz 3500 Sprinter chassis and will contain some really neat features.  Designed for people who have a length restriction where they live or have more of a travelling desire as opposed to planning to camp, this model will offer flexibility for a wide audience. Diesel Hydronic Heating will be standard and a new efficient way to utilize the available space.  The counter will be where it belongs on the camping side of the model and the fridge and microwave will not be on the floor where it makes functionality not so functional. We will be using the 3500 chassis from Mercedes with dual rear wheels because we believe that single rear wheels on a Sprinter does not provide the stability in cross winds and poor road conditions that most RV’ers would expect.  The ride is also better and the towing capacity will be 7500 lb’s.
    The addition of the Activa will allow us to offer 4 all-new models using the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis.  Great fuel economy, the cleanest diesel vehicles on the planet and the safest with the very best stability control systems available today.  We try really hard to take forward the Mercedes-Benz customer service philosophy and provide the Mercedes experience.  In regard to the pricing, because we know you will want to know, the answer is, less that you would expect.  Take us for a test drive, you will see the difference.