Pete’s RV News

Welcome to our July e-newsletter!  As always we look forward to sharing recent news, events, information and tips with our dedicated community of campers and RVers.

For starters, hats off to our entire service team during some intense hot and humid weather.  While the rest of the staff had to only periodically venture out of the comforts of climate control, the service team was sweating through a ton of jobs and prep work.  Thanks to the entire crew for a maintaining your usual super attitude and not getting “hot under the collar” during the heat wave!

The McGinnis family RV trip wrapped up after six weeks traveling cross-country.  They made final stops at Niagara Falls and Toronto before heading back to Vermont.  For those of you following their travels on Facebook and YouTube, more pictures and Abbie’s entertaining video journal will continue to be posted in coming weeks.  Stay tuned!

We hope you enjoy this edition of Pete’s RV eNewsletter and welcome your feedback.  Please tell us what’s great about it as well as suggestions on how we can make it even better.

Thanks for thinking Pete’s RV!

Why Wait for 2011 to Buy a 2011 Keystone RV?

Pete’s RV Center already has a deep inventory of 2011 Montana, Outback, Cougar, Passport, Sprinter and Springdale RVs.  So no need to wait until next year for that specific model or floorplan.  The best part?  You don’t need to wait until 2011 to get the lowest price!

Take a look at our entire 2011 inventory on the Pete’s RV website and click on any model’s “Get a Better Price” button to receive a special eNewsletter price quote!

Recent Pete’s RV Bloglines

Pete’s RV Center Flashback: 2001 Story from Business People VT Magazine

Keystone RV Company News Highlights, Summer 2010

Pete’s Video pReView: Outback 260FL Travel Trailer

Pete’s RV Attends FMCA Northeast Region Rally in VT Backyard

Product News: New Cougar X-Lite 29RES Fifth Wheel

The Cougar division of Keystone RV Company recently announced an exciting, new floorplan. With a double-slide, rear lounge, The Cougar X-Lite 29RES Fifth Wheel offers tons of living space.  The extra room will be appreciated by all the guests piling in to watch the big game on your entertainment console’s 32 inch television!  There is also a hallway linen closet and wardrobe slide in the master suite to provide plenty of room for extra clothes, towels and sheets.  With all the extras, the X-Lite 29RES is not extra heavy.  It weighs in at 7450 pounds.  Production is set to begin in September.

Please contact us if you wish to learn more about the Cougar X-Lite 29RES.

July 1st-20th Top Views on Pete’s RV Website*

1.  Outback 260FL Travel Trailer
2.  Outback Sydney 310BHS Travel Trailer
3.  Springdale 298BH Travel Trailer
4.  Outback Sydney 325FRE Fifth Wheel
5.  Outback Sydney 320FDB Fifth Wheel
Honorable Mention:  Outback 312BH Travel Trailer

*furnished by Google Analytics

Pete’s RV Store Feature:   Hot New Products

Front page items in the Pete’s RV Store Summer Hot New RV Products flier includes the Sunforce Solar Battery Maintainer, Tow and Stow Dual Hitch Ball, and the Folding Step by Safety Step.

Eye-catching store product of the month is the translucent propane tank by Lite Cylinder Company (page 3).

It’s lighter, won’t rust, and most importantly, no more guessing how much propane is left in tank (so no more running out halfway through a BBQ!).

This month’s Pete’s RV Store Gift Card drawing winner is Harvey C. of Cote-Saint-Luc, QC.  Congrats!

RV Service Tips:  Power Requirements

Do you know if your unit requires 30 or 50 unit amp service?  The best way to determine this hinges on what appliances you will be running.  If it’s a single roof air conditioner, refrigerator, and converter, with periodic use of the microwave and smaller appliances, a 30 amp service is recommended.  The air conditioner and microwave may not be able to run simultaneously with the 30 amp service, so adjust the thermostat accordingly.  Adding a second roof air conditioner will require 50 amp service.

For further reference, Chapter 7 of the Keystone RV Owner’s Manual does a nice job explaining electrical requirements.  A PDF version of the Keystone RV Owner’s Manual is available on the Pete’s RV website.

RV Q and A:  Wasps and Yellow Jackets

Question: Is there any way to permanently stop wasps and yellow jackets from building nests in my heater compartment and fan unit?

Answer: Adding mud dauber screens to your heater access door, fans and other vents will help prevent wasps, yellow jackets and bees from building nests, but won’t completely stop them.  New nests and hives can pop up without notice in any accessible nook and cranny of an RV.  The best course of action is to check compartments and fittings every few days and spray as necessary with a common wasp and hornet killer.  This insecticide is powerful stuff, so read the directions carefully before using.

Customer Feedback

“I just went with my friend who purchased a Montana 333DB. He was impressed all the way with your dealership!”–Stephen S. from Grand Prairie, AB

Read more testimonials about Pete’s RV Center!

Pete’s RV Facebook Update:  “How many miles did the McGinnis Family Travel?”

It’s that simple!  Send a message to our Pete’s RV Facebook profile with your guess on how many total miles the McGinnis Family traveled during their cross-country RV trip (don’t give away your answer and post it on our Wall!).   In a week or so, we’ll pick one winner with the closest guess to receive a $100.00 Gift Card to the Pete’s RV Store (it can be used on our online store too). If somebody gets the total mileage exactly right, we’ll throw an extra 50 bucks on the gift card. Good luck!

Share Your Camping Pics - We’re looking for Facebook friends to share a picture of the family hanging out around the RV at a favorite camping spot.  Post your photo and comment and/or park recommendation at the Pete’s RV GoRVing Group on Facebook!

RV Flashback:  2001 Business People Vermont Article

While poking around the internet, we came across this neat article on Pete’s RV.  It’s a bit dated.  But aside from the Keystone RV Company brands we sell and structural improvements to the dealership, our business philosophies remain as strong as ever.  For those of you not familiar with the origins of Pete’s RV Center, the article does a nice job summarizing the history, partners and growth of the RVing community.  A few vintage pics too!  The full article on Pete’s RV is available at Business People Vermont Magazine.

From the Pete’s RV eNews Editor: I was pleased to come across this article recently while searching around on the internet.  Published in 2001, it’s dated for sure.  But aside from the brands of RV’s we carry and more recent improvements to the dealership, the core business  philosophy of Pete’s RV is still alive and very well.  The article provides an excellent overview on how Pete’s RV got started, the partners and family ties, our long-time employees, and how then and now, customer service remains number one on our minds!

I welcome you to view the full article in Business People Vermont Magazine. It’s a great read!  As a preview, I pulled out some choice comments from partner, David McGinnis.  I feel they accurately reflect the past, present and future of Pete’s RV and the widely growing RVing community:

• “I like going into campgrounds and seeing young families enjoying camping. Today’s families go different ways all the time; camping really brings a family together.”

• “You always have a clean rest room.  There’s a convenience to RVing; you’re not tied to airplanes, hotels; there’s more flexibility.  And in campgrounds, people are friendly; you talk to them. In hotels, the only people who talk to you are the people who have to wait on you.”

• “I don’t think the (aging) baby boomers are a big part of our business.  We’re now selling to the fourth generation of families who have always been into the camping lifestyle.”

• “People aren’t taking the big vacations,  There are lots of things to do in campgrounds and lots to see in Vermont. Plus, with an RV, you can go all over.”

• “All of our employees are good people; they work hard,”

• “Most of these people [employees] are like, or are, family.  It’s your family you can count on the most in this type of business.  We do whatever it takes. We’ll wash a camper, do a delivery, clean the [dealership] bathroom downstairs.”

• Over the years, Pete’s has strived to provide solid customer service. We can’t afford to have an unhappy customer.”

This article on New England RV dealer, Pete’s RV Center and RV sales was originally published in Business People Vermont in 2001 From the Article “Easy Rider”.

Keystone RV Company has been very busy this year!  With RV sales bouncing back nicely after a torrid economic 2009, they’ve been able to ramp up manufacturing again.  Keystone RV and their divisions are poised for 2011 with new floorplans and innovations.  Here are a few recent highlights:

• For the first time in their history, Keystone RV reached 25% market share in the recreational vehicle category.  And it’s no mistake!  Across all of their divisions, Keystone RV manufactures their fifth wheels, travel trailers, park models, toy haulers and expandable campers with the utmost commitment to quality.  As an exclusive Keystone RV dealer, Pete’s RV Center witnesses this excellence firsthand.  Along with an increasing number of Keystone RVs sold, there’s a growing number of happy customers!

• Outback Sydney RV introduces the new 330FRL. The rear living room floorplan of this fifth wheel is a number one seller for many of the Keystone RV brands and the Outback Sydney 330FRL should be a winner too!

• Springdale RV announces new 297FWRL and 292RL models. The Springdale 297FWRL fifth wheel floorplan features a rear lounge with full sofa, 40 inch picture window and angled kitchen for generous countertop and storage space.  The Springdale 292RL travel trailer is also a rear lounge floorplan with 22 percent more legroom, has a huge pantry and elegant touch of a neo-angled glass shower door.

• Sprinter RV proudly unveils the new 262FWRET. The Sprinter 262FWRET fifth wheel has a back entry door to an airy lounge area with rear entertainment center and easy lift containing a 32 inch flat screen television.  Sprinter RV also announced that this summer, Sprinter Select travel trailers will start sporting a new graphics package that nicely compliments their exterior lines.

Please feel free contact Pete’s RV sales department for new model information!

Pete’s Video pReView let’s you take a quick peek at the Outback 260FL Travel Trailer from Keystone RV!

The Outback 260FL offers a unique front living room floorplan providing a wonderful space to entertain family and friends.  It has 2 slideouts, a separate master bedroom entry door, and sleeps up to six.  Along with the rear master bedroom, the living/galley area of the Outback 260FL contains a side kitchen, fold down sofa bed, convertible booth dinette and tons of storage space.

In addition to viewing the Outback 260FL video clip on our YouTube channel, detailed pictures, features, specifications and inventory can be found via the Outback section of the Pete’s RV Center website.

Feel free to contact us by email or phone at 1.888.738.3778 with further questions on this and other RVs for sale at Pete’s RV Center.

More Pete’s Video pReViews!

Pete’s RV enjoyed an easy commute to neighboring Essex Junction, VT for the 2010 Family Motor Coach Association (FMCA) Northeast Region Rally at the Champlain Valley Exposition.

From July 2nd through the 5th, hundreds of beautiful motorhomes lined the fairgrounds, creating a village on wheels. What is truly amazing is that electric and water hook-ups were available to the majority of these motorhomes. A good thing, because the weekend was stifling, reaching 90 degrees nearly every day!

Rally attendees participated in a schedule filled with seminars, meetings, mixers and were treated to the sounds of live music and fireworks display on the Fourth.

A corporate member of FMCA, Pete’s RV brought over a well-represented display of our Class A motorhome inventory: A Sun Cruiser, Cross Country, Windsor, Trailite, Simba, Phaeton, and Independence.

We snapped some photos bringing our motorhomes over to the event on setup day. Feel free to take a gander on the Pete’s RV Facebook page!

If you are a motorhome owner and not currently a member of the FMCA, you can find out more about the organization, events and membership details at the Family Motor Coach Association website.

PlanetUSA: USA search engine

Pete’s RV News

Welcome to our Fourth of July e-newsletter!  As always we look forward to sharing recent news, events, information and tips with our dedicated community of campers and RVers.

Along with you, everybody here at Pete’s RV is very much looking forward to spending good times with friends and family during Fourth of July Weekend.  Sales and and our parts store will be open on Saturday 7/3 from 9:00am to 3:00pm, closed Sunday 7/4 and Monday 7/5.  We reopen on Tuesday morning at 9am.  Everyone at Pete’s RV wishes you a fun, relaxing and safe Fourth of July!

Congratulations to Pete’s RV employees with recent graduates:  Devra Metevier (Marty), Jay Sweeney (Shannon) and Joe Vartuli (Tara).  Excellent job grads and parents alike!

If you didn’t catch any of our recent blog, Twitter or Facebook posts, Pete’s RV Sales Manager, Todd McGinnis and family are traveling cross-country together for six weeks in a 2006 Discovery 39L Class A Diesel Motorhome. They’ve already logged more than three thousand miles and were last seen heading up the coast of CA.  You can view photos of the McGinnis RV adventure on our Facebook page, and video updates on the Pete’s RV YouTube channel. Check it out!

One quick sales note:  If you are hunting for a Best Buy on a used RV, all Used Fifth Wheel purchases from 6/18/10 - 7/18/10 receive a free trailer hitch (pictured) and installation.

We hope you enjoy this edition of Pete’s RV eNewsletter and welcome your feedback. Please tell us what’s great about it as well as suggestions on how we can make it even better.

Thanks for thinking Pete’s RV!

Recent Pete’s RV Bloglines

Pete’s RV Sales Manager & Family Travel Cross Country in Motorhome

Pete’s RV Sizzling Sales Deals

Pete’s RV Parts and Accessories Available on Parts66.com Network

Product News: Toy Haulers

Along with being able to offer floorplans for big and small motorized toys, Keystone manufactured haulers also take into account sleeping and living space requirements.  From the luxury of a fully decked out Raptor fifth wheel to the convenience of a lighter weight Cougar 325SRX, Keystone can get you off to the trails or races in style!  Here’s a few shots of the toy haulers available at Pete’s RV:

May/June Top Views on Pete’s RV Website*

1.  Outback 260FL Travel Trailer
2.  Outback Sydney 310BHS Travel Trailer (Best Buy)
3.  Passport 3050BH Travel Trailer (Best Buy)
4.  Outback 312BH Travel Trailer
5.  Sprinter 311BHS Travel Trailer
Honorable Mention:  Springdale 298BH Travel Trailer (Best Buy)

Check out our Best Buys on Selected New 2010’s.  Remaining Models are Going Fast!

*data furnished by Google Analytics.

Pete’s RV Store Feature:  July Sales Flier

Front page items in the Pete’s RV Parts and Accessories Store July monthly sales flier includes the Phoenix Handheld Showerhead, E2 Sway Control Hitches, and UF Scissor Jacks.

Eye-catching store product of the month is Surge Guard (page 17).  What makes their ad really eye-catching is the picture of the projection screen TV mounted inside a motorhome.  Very cool!  RV electronics in the modern RV are no different than the ones found in your home.  Yet, there is a higher risk of damage in RV campgrounds with poor power quality.  Protect your valuable electronics with surge protection.

This month’s Pete’s RV Store Gift Card drawing winner is Melissa L. of Newport, VT.  Congrats!

RV Service Tips:  Hitch/Pin Weight

Hitch/pin, or more commonly known, tongue weight is the weight of the trailer that is transferred to the hitch when it is hooked up to the tow vehicle.  A common range used to determine acceptable tongue weight is between 10 and 15 percent of the gross trailer weight (GTW).  There’s definitely a happy balance that needs to be found when dialing in proper tongue weight.  If the trailer tongue exerts too little downward force on the tow vehicle’s hitch ball, it can cause trailer sway. If the tongue weight is too heavy, steering is compromised.

For starters, you can get the GTW from the trailer’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).  The GVWR is typically found labeled in pounds and kilograms on the driver’s side towards the front of a trailer. Estimate the tongue weight by calculating 10% and 15% of the GVWR.  Always ensure that your hitch tongue weight capacity meets your tongue weight calculations.  Max tongue weight capacity is usually found etched, or labeled on the hitch.  If not, refer to the manufacturer’s website, or owner’s manual.  Having these calculations on hand will help ease the hitching process and ensure safe towing conditions.

For further reference, chapter 3 of the Keystone RV Owner’s Manual does a nice job explaining towing considerations.  A PDF version of the Keystone RV Owner’s Manual is available on the Pete’s RV website.

RV Q and A:  Insurance Required for Tow Vehicles?

Question: Is insurance required for travel trailers, fifth wheels and pop-ups?  Does an auto insurance policy also cover the tow vehicle?

Answer: While law does not require you to carry a special policy on towable trailers, it is highly recommended.  Whether or not your auto policy provides coverage on your towable depends on the insurance carrier.  Best bet is to contact your insurance agent and find out.  Many insurance carriers can add the tow vehicle to your policy.  But since this may only cover collision, liability, etc., you may want to consider getting specialized RV insurance that also covers RV equipment, personal belongings and total loss replacement.  You can take a look at American Adventure Insurance for more info on specialized RV coverage.

Customer Feedback

“A couple weeks ago I told an aquaintance about Pete’s RV and my good experience.  I found out yesterday that he has already purchased one and picked it up!”–Trevor H. from Ft. McMurray, AB

Read more testimonials about Pete’s RV Center!

Pete’s RV Facebook Update:  Monthly Picture Hunt Contest

All you need to do is find the pic shown here on the left somewhere on the Pete’s RV website.  Hint: It is within the unit pictures of a specific NEW Travel Trailer. When you find the pic, send a message to our Pete’s RV Facebook profile (don’t give away your answer and post it on our Wall!).  Include the travel trailer brand, model and stock number you found it.  In July, we’ll pick one winner to receive a $100.00 Gift Card to the Pete’s RV Store (it can be used on our online store too). Good luck!

Most recent winner was Tara S. from Richmond, VT.  She found last month’s picture on the Outback 312BH page.

Share Your Camping Pics - With the 2010 camping season well underway, we’re looking for Facebook friends to share a picture of the family hanging out around the RV at a favorite camping spot.  Post your photo and comment and/or park recommendation at the Pete’s RV GoRVing Group on Facebook!

RV Flashback:  Centennial Celebration

The RVing Centennial was recently celebrated in Elkhart, IN, the epicenter of RV manufacturing.  There was a really nice video clip of the lively festivities from their local station that we wanted to share, but it is no longer available.  In its place, take a look at this excellent clip that nicely encapsulates the birth and growth of American RVing as we know it today.  Caution before watching:  If you are not an RV owner, you may be inspired to get one and hit the open road!  One other recommendation is the May/June issue of RV Business magazine. There is a great retrospective piece highlighting the pioneers of RVing.

Campground News:  Kid’s Camping Recipes

Ask a kid what there favorite meals are and you’re bound to get at least one of the following:  Mini-burgers, mac and cheese, or french fries.  Good news for camping kids (and adults alike!).  Campfire recipes for all three of these delicious dishes are available at the Camping Cafe website.  Bon appetit!