Why would RPTIA members want to rejoin RVIA?  Kicked to the curb several years ago, and used and abused by RVIA to suit their fancy; why would you ever want to go back under that roof in Reston?

I’ve been RVing for over thirty years and can probably count the number of people that told me they carry a gun in their RV on both hands and not use all my fingers. So you can imagine my surprise when a recent article in Trailer Life (October 2011) claimed that recent market research indicates more than 70% of all RVers own a handgun for personal protection. I would like to see that research!

First, I do not believe for a minute that 70% of all RVers carry a handgun. I’ve never met anybody in a campground or RV resort that told me they have a gun onboard. Now I’m sure several do and they would prefer not to advertise how they choose to protect themselves and their loved ones. But 70% of them? Never

A major decision impacting the image of the RV industry was made in Reston, VA several months ago, but nobody said anything. Then this week we have only one RV related media outlet reporting what RVIA has known for quite some time … the company that was responsible for the public perception of the RV industry the past twenty-one years was just thrown out with the trash! How is it that RVBusiness.com quietly slipped this into their news items on Monday and the rest of us have nothing explaining what is going on behind closed doors in Reston?

There are very few industries that allow dealers to evaluate and report on the manufacturers they buy products from. We are very fortunate in the RV industry to have a professional association that does just this for their dealer members. Time is running out for RV dealers to complete the 18th Annual Dealer Satisfaction Index Survey that is due by July 1st – less than a week away. If you are an RV dealer and have still not filled out the survey . . . . . read on!

This self-evaluation of our industry provides a roadmap of the things that are critical to the survival of our industry in challenging times. If we can’t do the things being evaluated here, then consumers will reject our products and move on to another form of recreation or vacation travel that will not include an RV.

We don't sit back and wait for AGI, Woodall's, Camping World or the Bad Sam Club to do something stupid so we can write about it.  They just go ahead and do something stupid on their own, and THEN we write about it.  The latest example of just how out of touch they can be with our industry is Woodall's "Vote For Your Favorite Campground" contest that is in full swing.  I published this information in my consumer blog last week and then received the March-April issue of RV Business to read even more about the contest.  Campground owners beware!  The wolf has come out of the woods once again and he's not looking for Grandma's house - he's looking for your customers!