RV Industry

Jayco Announces Terrain 4×4 Class B

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Jayco is continuing to drive headfirst into the Class B RV landscape with the new Terrain 4×4. Built on a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis, it’s built for offroading, with “on-demand four-wheel-drive that allows for the freedom of off-road adventures. The interior offers luxurious appointments to provide all the comforts of home, the company said, and its 48-volt lithium power system offers true off-grid performance,” said RV-Pro.com

The Terrain is 19’7” in length, just over a foot shorter than Jayco’s other recent Class B offering, the Swift. The Terrain also differs in its tires, visibly designed for off-road action, while the Swift has more typical street tires. A large roof rack, rear mounted ladder, and Koni-sourced shock absorbers complete the rugged look for an off-road adventure. 

For more details on the Jayco Terrain, check out Jayco’s product page. 

And be sure to follow the Pete’s RV Infoblog for all of your RV news, tips, and updates!

Pete’s RV Named Top Ten Jayco Towable Dealer

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Announced during the awards dinner at Jayco, Inc’s annual Dealer Homecoming, Pete’s RV Center was announced number three in the category of Top Ten Towable Dealers for Model Year 2018.

IMG_4586Pictured Left to Right:  Matt Thompson, Wilbur Bontrager, Phil LeClair, Chad Shepard, Nick Campbell, Rocky Holman, Randy Murray, Bertha Bontrager, Derald Bontrager.

Their South Windsor, CT store led the charge with the sale with a combination of nearly seven hundred Jayco travel trailers and fifth wheels.  An outstanding achievement considering Pete’s RV Center was not ranked in the top ten last year.

“It was difficult walking out of the awards ceremony last year knowing we had just missed the cut for top ten.  That disappointment diminished with this year’s announcement”, reflected co-owner Chad Shepard.  “It was a thrilling moment accepting the award from Jayco’s founding family, the Bontragers.  I did so on behalf of everybody at Pete’s RV who worked so hard to help propel us into the number three ranking.”

Established in 1968, Jayco, Inc., manufactures and markets towable and motorized RVs through its Jayco, Starcraft, Entegra Coach, and Highland Ridge RV divisions.

Original Release:  https://www.prlog.org/12726431-petes-rv-named-top-ten-jayco-towable-dealer.html

Pete’s RV Center is an exceptional dealership group serving the United States and Canada since 1952. With multiple locations, Pete’s RV provides sales, service, parts, accessories, and education to our community of RVers all across North America.

Pete’s RV Center Acquires Connecticut Dealership Van’s RV

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Pete’s RV Center Acquires Connecticut Dealership Van’s RV
Thursday, September 17th, 2015 19:04:54

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IMG_6616On September 1st, Vermont-based Pete’s RV Center officially assumed ownership of Van’s RV Center in South Windsor, Connecticut.

Located just 20 minutes from Hartford, Van’s RV has served thousands of customers in Connecticut, southern New England, and New York since opening its doors in 1963.

Looking to step out of day-to-day operations after 40-plus successful years, longtime Van’s owner Mark VanOstrand explained the acquisition as being well-timed and an excellent fit, “The acquisition of Vans RV brings together two of New Englands longest established RV centers.† I am excited to be working with Pete’s RV as we blend together the best of our business practices.”

With the acquisition, Pete’s RV is now selling Jayco-branded recreation vehicles from the Connecticut dealership. “Along with a location that allows for expansion throughout southern New England and New York, being able to offer our customers popular Jayco travel trailer, fifth wheel, and motorhome lines such as Jay Flight, Eagle, and Greyhawk is an opportunity we are excited to take on,” said Pete’s RV co-owner Chad Shepard.

Pete’s RV Center is an exceptional dealership group serving the United States and Canada since 1952. With multiple locations, Pete’s RV provides sales, service, parts, accessories, and education to our community of RVers all across North America.

Keystone RV’s Sprinter Sees Market Share Growth

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Keystone RV’s Sprinter Sees Market Share Growth
Tuesday June 18th 2013 18:12:14

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We can vouch for Sprinter’s reported growth shared in a recent news press release published by RV Business. Over the years, we’ve sent many, many happy customers off of our lots with an new Sprinter travel trailer or Copper Canyon fifth wheel. This year is no exception. Across the board, they did a fantastic job with the updated interior woodwork and flooring. Floorplan-wise, the 316BIK island kitchen travel trailer and 333FWFLS front living room fifth wheel get top nod this year. Keep up the good work Sprinter!

Combined retail market share for Keystone RV Co.s Sprinter has grown by 19% this year with fifth-wheel market share climbing 62%, according to the March report by Statistical Surveys Inc. According to a press release, Sprinters fifth-wheel gain is the strongest of any Top 20 brand in the marketplace.

Product Manager Josh Miller credits Sprinter dealers for the brands incredible results., noting, As Keystones very first brand, we have had the privilege of building strong relationships over the course of 17 years with many of our dealers. Their feedback and support have been truly amazing. They have given generously of their time in conveying to us the importance of our Camping Made Easy message as well as what they feel we need to do to keep Sprinter strong into the future.

Adds Miller, Based on retail sales numbers and what we hear from our dealers, we feel very positive about where the Sprinter line is today and our ability to sustain success for years to come.

Keystone senior management is also confident about Sprinters ongoing success. The brand will continue to evolve and improve, noted Keystone General Manager Ryan Juday, who served as a Sprinter district sales manager when he began his career with Keystone over 10 years ago. The Sprinter of today is an unbelievable value in the market. The most recent Stat Surveys numbers prove this. Josh and our team have been hard at work and will roll out some unbelievable new Sprinters at Open House this fall.

Check out what’s new with Sprinter travel trailers for 2014!

Pete’s RV Business Manager Wins Ninth Straight EasyCare Award

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Pete’s RV Business Manager Wins Ninth Straight EasyCare Award
Monday June 25th, 2012 19:01:28

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Pete’s RV Center Business Manager, Kyle Williams (pictured at left with Pete’s RV EasyCare Representative and General Manager Chad Shepard) was recently presented with his ninth consecutive Circle of Honor Award for excellence in providing clients with extended vehicle warranties.

As Kyle explains, “Winning this award year after year never gets old. Not only is it an honor, but also an incredibly good indicator that I’m doing my job educating our clients on the benefits of carrying extended coverage on their new or used RVs.”

229725_243936108970299_1880521_nFor nearly a decade, Kyle has ranked in the nation’s top fifty administrators of EasyCare’s Vehicle Extended Service Contracts–fourteenth overall in 2011 and number one for RV warranties six out of the last nine years.

EasyCare is administered by Automobile Protection Corporation (APCO). They are members of the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) and the National RV Dealers Association (RVDA). EasyCare’s RV Extended Service Contracts provide comprehensive coverage on new and used fifth wheels, travel trailers, pop-up campers and motorhomes.

Pete’s RV Center is an exceptional dealership group serving the United States and Canada since 1952. With multiple locations, Pete’s RV provides sales, service, parts, accessories, and education to our community of RVers all across North America.

Walmart App Guides RVers to Overnight Parking

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Walmart App Guides RVers to Overnight Parking
Wed, 27 Jul 2011 21:13:25

iexitwlogo120x114For the most part, RVers new and old are aware that a number of Walmart’s thousands of locations in the United States and Canada offer a complimentary night’s stay for their weary bones. The challenge is determining which ones allow, or do not allow overnight parking. AllStays.com removes such guesswork with their Walmart Overnight Parking app for iPhone and Android smartphones.

Well worth the $1.99 (we’ve been using it as a logistics tool for our North American Delivery Program), the Walmart Overnight Parking app is searchable by location and provides remarks from those who actually stayed there. In reviewing this app over the past couple of weeks, we were pleased to see that there are continuous updates on the addition or withdrawal of participating Walmart stores. You can imagine how frustrating it would be to pull into a lot after a long, tiring day only to be turned away. Another nice feature is the ability to toggle an advanced search for Walmart locations with pharmacies, groceries, diesel refueling, or open 24 hours.

If you do not have a smartphone, the AllStays.com website does provide basic information and updates on overnight parking at Walmarts in the United States and Canada.

If internet access is a no go, Walmart Atlas, Second Edition (Roundabout Publications) is available in paperback for under twenty bucks.

Give the Walmart Overnight Parking app a spin!

Pete’s RV Center is an exceptional dealership group serving the United States and Canada since 1952. With multiple locations, Pete’s RV provides sales, service, parts, accessories, and education to our community of RVers all across North America.

Pete’s RV Center Acquires Indiana Dealership Rollin-On RV

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Pete’s RV Center Acquires Indiana Dealership Rollin-On RV
Thursday, May 5th, 2011 23:56:52

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On May 2nd, Vermont-based Pete’s RV Center officially assumed ownership of Rollin-On RV in Schererville, IN.

Located just 34 miles from Chicago, Rollin-On served thousands of customers in Southern Illinois, Indiana and surrounding states since opening its doors in 1977.

Pete’s RV co-owner and treasurer Dave McGinnis explained the acquisition was an amicable one, “We’ve had a great, longstanding relationship with Rollin-On RV over the years. There’re lots of similarities in how we run our dealerships including being family operated. With owner Paul Craven looking to step out of the business after nearly 35 successful years, it definitely piqued our interest when the opportunity arose to buy Rollin-On.”

Like Pete’s RV, Rollin-On RV was also a Keystone RV Company dealer, so Cougar, Montana, Passport, Sprinter and other popular brands of fifth wheels and travel trailers are now more widely available in the United States and Canada from Pete’s RV. McGinnis further explained, “With our Indiana location, Pete’s RV can expand and grow our customer base, providing the same excellent sales and service our Vermont, Northeast U.S, and Canadian customers have enjoyed for almost 60 years.”

Pete’s RV is retaining the services of the employees at Rollin-On RV. Kris Craven was named the general manager of the Indiana dealership and is excited about the dealership’s growth opportunities under Pete’s RV. “Knowing Pete’s RV as long as we have, the Indiana team and I are very much looking forward to combining our experience, plus the omnipresence of two dealerships, to reach a much larger community of RVers.”

Check out Pete’s RV Center Indiana’s website for more information on the dealership.

Pete’s RV Center is an exceptional dealership group serving the United States and Canada since 1952. With multiple locations, Pete’s RV provides sales, service, parts, accessories, and education to our community of RVers all across North America.

Travel-Rite RV Rentals Joins Forces with Pete’s RV

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Travel-Rite RV Rentals Joins Forces with Pete’s RV
Monday, February 14th, 2011 16:13:33

Written by Pete’s RV general manager and owner Chad Shepard.

It’s been an incredible 15 years owning and operating Travel-Rite RV Rentals. The ability to see my company grow to be the largest RV rental business in New England is an incredible experience. The best part is knowing that Travel-Rite was responsible for putting thousands of people and their families into beautiful campgrounds, state parks, and even thrilling NASCAR events.

Joining forces with Pete’s RV is going to allow me to continue to help families enjoy the experiences of RVing on a larger scale. Our combined buying power and customer service experience will not be matched by other dealers.† Whether you are from Vermont, Quebec, or even California, our purchase volume equals the best camper prices for you!

I’d like to thank all of my Travel-Rite customers as well as those that inquired about our services, or visited us at Burlington, Hartford, Springfield, Manchester and other RV shows. It was great to meet everyone of you and I welcome you to keep following me at Pete’s RV.

I created a Facebook page and YouTube video to personally offer regular updates, info, and tips from Pete’s RV, Keystone RV Co, and the rest of the RV world. Please take a few minutes to view my YouTube channel and my Facebook page.

Have immediate questions about the new line of Cougar, Montana or other Keystone RV Travel Trailers and Fifth Wheels? Feel free to contact me by email at chad@petesrv.com or by phone at 1.888.738.3778.

Thanks for thinking Pete’s RV!

Pete’s RV Enjoys Visit to RV Hall of Fame

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Pete’s RV Enjoys Visit to RV Hall of Fame
Thursday, October 7th, Oct 2010 19:40:37

By Phil LeClair

HallFame_photoWhen visiting any hall of fame, there’s always the expectation of being up and close to history. Be it Babe Ruth’s baseball bat, a football helmet worn by Jim Brown, or John Lennon’s guitar, if you can’t touch it, you at least need to be close enough to absorb the aura of the historical artifact. Sure the plaques, pictures, and statues are impressive, but let’s be honest, we go to a hall of fame to see the memorabilia!

It was no different on my trip to the RV/MH (Recreation Vehicle/Modular Home) Hall of Fame in Elkhart, IN with Pete’s RV Sales Manager Todd McGinnis. While some time was spent paying tribute to Hall’s 300-plus industry inductees, and viewing the pictorial exhibits, we couldn’t wait to see the RV collection. We weren’t disappointed!

Representing 100 years of U.S. RVing, RV Founders Hall houses an impressive collection of early tent trailers, campers, and motorcoaches. The self-guided tour starts with a 1913 Earl Trailer and Model T Ford and winds you through the decades until you reach a 1967 Winnebago Motorhome. Along with the latter, here’re a few of my favorites:

  • 1958 Airstream Travel Trailer
  • 1954 Shasta Travel Trailer
  • 1957 Serro Scotty Trailer
  • 1974 GMC Motorhome

1211rv-02+rv-mh-hall-of-fame+rv-mh-hall-of-fame-road-walkwayBeing able to step into many of the museum pieces is a treat. It really puts you back in the moment when the camper was being used and enjoyed by a family (the sound of chirping crickets coming from the museum speakers further enhances the mood!).

If you are passing through Indiana, I highly recommend visiting the RV/MH Hall of Fame, It is located in the heart of U.S. RV manufacturing, right off Interstate 80 in Elkhart. The RV/MH Hall of Fame is a fun and interesting experience for the whole family.

You’ll notice the first part of the video below was taken in low light. As I explain in the clip, the museum closed while I was still poking around in there. Initially, I thought I was locked in, but that wasn’t the case. Thanks to the museum staff for letting me lag behind and get a few extra minutes to complete my tour!