Welcome to our 60th birthday edition!  As always, we look forward to sharing recent news, events, information and tips with our dedicated community of campers and RVers.

Back on August 22, 1952, Peter and Trudy Dispirito purchased the Thibault Farm property and started a welding business as well as travel trailer sales.  They built a two bay metal building as their shop and Pete’s Trailer Mart was born.

Sixty years and thousands of customers later, Pete’s RV of Vermont is still at the same South Burlington location.  Our dealership today is certainly bigger and better, but we haven’t forgotten the importance of putting customers first.  We feel this is a primary reason why Pete’s RV has continued to maintain a successful business for six decades.  Thank you customers!

Six Things You May Not Know About Pete’s RV Center-Vermont

1. Pete’s Trailer Mart was changed to Pete’s RV Center in 1986
2. Five current employees have been at Pete’s RV for more than ten years
3. Five families have two or more generations currently working at Pete’s RV
4. Up until 1986, Pete’s Trailer Mart was heated by wood stoves
5. From 1952 until the 1990’s, Pete’s RV was one of the oldest Shasta travel trailer dealers in the United States
6. Pete’s RV owns and displays one of the oldest RVs in New England: A 1922 Zagelmeyer tent trailer

Learn more about the history of Pete’s RV Center

It Happened in 1952…

1952 Space Queen (source: Pinterest)

• Gas was 20 cents per gallon
• Average price of a new car was $1700
• The first Holiday Inn opened in Tennessee
• The first “Don’t Walk” sign was installed in New York City
• Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise opens
• David “the Hoff” Hasselhoff born

Manager’s Choice: 2013 Passport 2300BH

With a growing demand for sub-30 foot campers, look for the Passport 2300BH travel trailer to be a family favorite in 2013. At just under 27 feet in length and well under 5000 pounds, the Passport 2300BH is a towing dream for light-duty truck, SUV, and crossover vehicle owners. A rear bathroom in a shorter travel trailer is a fantastic layout because it allows for a larger bathroom without compromising interior living and storage space. Along with the full kitchen, queen bed, and U-shaped dinette nestled inside a deep slideout, the 2300BH floorplan tucks in two 28″ X 74″ bunks.

View pictures and features for the Passport 2300BH

Pete’s RV Birthday Bonus Buys:  Take a Look!

In celebration of our 60th year in business, Pete’s RV is offering our subscribers an exclusive, limited-time only discount on selected 2013 Keystone RV travel trailers and fifth wheels.  This is a unique opportunity to get next year’s model at a sensational price.  These prices are so good, we are not allowed to display them on our public web pages!

To view pricing, click the link found on the email version of this newsletter, or subscribe to Pete’s RV Newsletter and gain access to our rVIP exclusive discount pages.

Top Views on PetesRV.com*

Copper Canyon Fifth Wheels
Passport Travel Trailers
Sprinter Travel Trailers
Vantage Travel Trailers
Bullet Premier Travel Trailers
Honorable Mention:   Montana High Country Fifth Wheels

*Top Views made possible by Google Analytics.

Customer Feedback

“What a customer service experience we had from Pete’s RV in July 2012. We were 100
miles from home, preparing for a storm, when we foolishly managed to lock ourselves
out of our Outback camper. Because it was after normal office hours we could find no
local help. We called Pete’s (our dealer) and even though it was late, Nancy answered the phone.  We explained our problem and was told, ‘I will find someone.’  A few moments later, Terry Shepard, the president of Pete’s RV came on the line and said, ‘We will find a way to help you.’ He said, ‘give me 15 minutes to go look at a model like yours and I’ll call you back.’ He called back a few moments later and said, ‘here are a few things we can try before we call our area contacts.’ The suggestions he made took care of our problem and we were able to enjoy the remainder of our vacation. This type of service is why this is our 5th purchase from Pete’s and will continue our loyalty and praise to Pete’s RV. Everyone preaches customer service, some might match but no one beats Pete’s RV.” –Moe and Judy D. from Essex Junction, VT

Read more feedback about Pete’s RV!

Pete’s RV Store News: Online Store Offers Subscriber Discount

Current PRV newsletter subscribers can get a “Buy $25, Get $10 Off” store coupon when updating your subscription profile.  Current subscribers:  Click “Update Subscription Preferences” at the bottom of the emailer to update your profile.  New subscribers: subscribe to Pete’s RV Newsletter. Once completed, an email will direct you to the coupon page.  Coupon expires 9/30/12.

Check out 20% Off Specials on Sale Now at PetesRVparts.com

August Pete’s RV Store Gift Card drawing winners are Alison B. from Chestertown, NY, Brent G. from Hatfield, AR and Greg K. from Lake Station, IN.  Congrats!

RV Q and A:  Shower Hot Water Not Lasting Long

Question: What could be the reason I only get about 2 minutes of hot water for a shower in my Outback travel trailer?

Answer: A little background on new water heaters first:
1. Max water temperature is only 140 degrees Fahrenheit
2. Water heater tanks with 6 gallon capacity is common in new Outback travel trailers
3. Approximate gallons per minute (GPM) with water pump in use is 3 GPM.  This output may be greater when using city waterline.

You can test to see if the tank is working properly by turning on the hot water all the way in the bathroom and timing it.  The hot water should run out after approx 2 minutes.  You can check the water heater bypass valve (used for winterization). Be sure the valve fully turned to its stop point, which is horizontal to the water line.  The valve is located behind your water heater. Look under the kitchen sink in the cabinet.  Usually located there is a false panel with two screws.  Remove the screws and pull off panel.  The bypass valve will be located on water lines behind water heater tank.

Pete’s RV Service Tips Video: Selecting the Right Generator for Your Camper

RV Lifestyle Consultant Randy Murray provides a “Eureka!” moment for those unfamiliar on how to pair up the right-sized generator with their RV. Breaking down the power requirements to run appliances such as the television, microwave, air conditioner and/or hot water heater, you immediately gain a better understanding on what you need to shop for in a generator.

This RV Service Tips video is available on Pete’s RV Info Blog

Congrats to Facebook Friend August gift card winner Gerri D. from Nazerath, PA!

Like Pete’s RV on Facebook for Special Discounts, Giveaways & Promotions.

Camping Recipe: Hush Puppies (from Camping.com)

An all-time favorite side for seafood.  These are sure to be a hit at your next camping cook-out.  How about Labor Day Weekend?

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups self-rising cornmeal Vegetable oil
• 3/4 cup self-rising flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 medium onion, chopped
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 1 1/4 cups buttermilk
• Vegetable oil

Directions
Put 3 inches of oil in a large heavy bottomed sauce pan or dutch oven. The oil should be heated to 375 degrees. As the oil is heating mix the cornmeal, flour, salt and onion. Then add the egg and buttermilk, stir just enough that the ingredients are combined and moist, but do not over-combine.

When the oil is hot, drop round tablespoons of the batter into the oil. You want the hush puppies to be round, so you can use two spoons, one to scoop and one to scrape to create a round drop. Fry the hush puppies for about 2 to 3 minutes on each side. You can use a slotted spoon to flip the hush puppies over. Cook until each side is golden brown and serve warm.

Ingredients and prepartion details plus more scrumptious recipes at Camping.com

We hope you enjoyed this edition of Pete’s RV eNewsletter and welcome your feedback.  Feel free to let us know what you like about it and how we can make it even better for our community of RVers!