If you are on the market for a toy hauler, Raptor from Keystone RV Company has assembled competitor comparisons on a few popular floorplans to help you get down to the nitty-gritty.

Raptor is #1 in fifth wheel toy hauler sales and charting new heights with innovative v-nose travel trailer designs.  Every Raptor sport-utility vehicle is the result of input and suggestions from experienced toy hauler owners and others who enjoy active, adventurous life styles.

See how Raptor key standard features stack up against the competition!”

As you continue to dig deeper into the toy hauler buying process, please call upon a Pete’s RV Lifestyle Consultant.  They are your personal guide in helping to choose the right Raptor floorplan for your lifestyle needs!

*Features do change from year to year (or even within a year), so information presented in this post may not be completely accurate over time.

There’s no doubt that Vantage adds a new perspective in camping!  The newest travel trailer line from Keystone RV Company combines timeless beauty with modern technology to create a camper unlike anything on the market today.

By utilizing curved, laminated fiberglass sidewalls and an arched roof, Vantage delivers wide-body livability and comfort in a look that clearly stands apart.

If you are looking for something different in a travel travel trailer, the Euro-style Vantage is the one for you!

To help showcase Vantage’s excellence, Pete’s RV Lifestyle Consultant Chad Shepard hosts a video to guide you through Vantage Travel Trailer Features (using a Vantage 32FLS for his demo). It is available for viewing on the Pete’s RV YouTube Channel.

Chad highlights many of the following Vantage Travel Trailer features and options:

• Vacuum-bonded aluminum frame
  
• Specially-designed awning arms conform to curved sidewalls
  
• 101 inch sidewall width (6 inches wider than standard)
  
• Attractive frameless windows
  
• High-gloss charcoal exterior
  
• Aluminum rims with latest Mor-Ryde Suspension technology
  
• Contemporary furnishings
  
• Stainless-steel appliances
• Hardwood cabinets, drawers with durable metal hardware
  
• Recessed LED ceiling lights
• Generous floorspace and 7 foot headroom
  

Other notable options that come standard in most of the Vantage floorplans we carry at Pete’s RV:

Be sure to browse all features and specifications for Vantage floorplans at PetesRV.com!

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

After a whirlwind 2011 and a little downtime for the holidays, Pete’s RV is right back at it in 2012.

PRV Team - Schererville, Indiana	PRV Team - South Burlington, Vermont

Before getting too embedded into the new year, we want to acknowledge everybody that helped make last year a success for Pete’s RV Center.

From employees, family, friends to our valued customers, your hard work, support and loyalty are the embodiment of what has kept Pete’s RV around for more than a half century.  THANK YOU!

This year promises to be just as exciting.  Between our Indiana and Vermont locations, Pete’s RV is capable of showcasing all of the newest and brightest Keystone RV Company products.  We invite you to check them out at our dealerships, website, and to stay informed through the newsletter, blog and Facebook.

We hope you enjoy 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!

Thanks for thinking Pete’s RV!

Recent Pete’s RV Bloglines

Happy Customer Travels 1000 Miles to Pick Up Montana High Country 313RE Fifth Wheel

Pete’s RV Buyer Tips: Outback Travel Trailer Features

Pete’s RV Kicks Off 2012 at Chicago Boat and RV Show

Pete’s RV Buyer Tips: Montana Fifth Wheel Features

Manager’s Choice:  2012 Premier Bullet 30RLPR

The new for 2012 Bullet Premier 30RLPR plants two cushy swivel chairs right in front of of a huge rear picture window. It’s a great spot for two people to enjoy their morning cups of coffee! The Bullet Premier 30RLPR can sleep six comfortably with a queen bed, generous U-shaped dinette and air bed sofa. There’s also tons of storage space in several hardwood cabinets, a convenient corner pantry and laundry chute.

View pictures and features for the new Premier Bullet 30RLPR

Top Views on PetesRV.com*

Passport 199ML (Rear Bathroom) Travel Trailer
Sprinter 272BHS (Bunkhouse) Travel Trailer
Cougar X-Lite 28RBS (Bunkhouse) Travel Trailer
Premier Bullet 29REPR (Rear Living Room) Travel Trailer
Outback 210RS (Rear Slide Bedroom) Travel Trailer
Honorable Mention:  Vantage 32FLS (Front Living Room) Travel Trailer

*Top Views made possible by Google Analytics.

Pete’s RV Store:  Reversible Horse-Pattern Patio Mat

Horses have always symbolized the freedom of the American West – now you can bring that feeling with you wherever you go!

Reversible 9’x12’ patio mats have a two-sided horse design with a “good-luck” horseshoe border.  Durable, lightweight, and available in five attractive color combinations.  Now only $79.99!

INCLUDES FREE STORAGE BAG & STAKES ($20.00 Value) PLUS FREE SHIPPING!

February’s Pete’s RV Store Gift Card drawing winners are Richard D. from Valparaiso, IN and John D. from Lenox, MA.  Congrats!

RV Service Tips:  Caring for Fiberglass / Gel Coat Finish

Care of the Filon finish is similar to caring for a new car. Exposure to extreme sunlight, pollutants, and excessive moisture can cause dulling, fading and yellowing. Regular washing and periodic waxing will help maintain the glossy new look. When washing, use a mild, automotive or RV wash solution, available at your dealer, being sure to rinse off any loose debris first. Waxing the Filon areas twice a year is recommended. Wax with a non-abrasive automotive wax or polish developed for fiberglass (boats, RV’s) and follow the directions closely.

For further reference on care and maintenance, read the complete tutorial in Chapter 6 of the Keystone RV Owner’s Manual.  It does a nice job summarizing interior/exterior care and maintenance. A PDF version of the Keystone RV Owner’s Manual is available on the Pete’s RV website.

RV Q and A: RV Covers

Question: Do you recommend the use of RV covers?
Answer: Yes. Compare a vehicle stored inside to one being stored outside and uncovered for the same period of time.  The stored vehicle is clearly in better condition.  Any time you take a vehicle out of the elements, its exterior AND interior are preserved. Using a cover is essentially the same thing as putting your RV inside for the winter.  An RV cover prevents fading, debris collection, and water damage.  With extreme temperature shifts, leaks may be caused by the expansion and contraction of RV’s joints, seals and seams.  A cover keeps these exposed areas isolated until the spring when they can be promptly repaired.

Customer Feedback

“We were so impressed on the teamwork that went on at Pete’s RV. Everyone was friendly and got the job done! Not one employee working on our camper questioned anything they were asked to do! Very professional service!! I see the business realizes it’s not all about the sale! Great service is so important. We are anxious to hit the road in our unit. Again, a great experience at Pete’s RV!”–Rob and Karen S. from Sheldon VT

Read more feedback about Pete’s RV!

What’s New on Pete’s RV Facebook Page and YouTube

Outback Travel Trailer Features	2012 Chicago Boat and RV Show	Montana Fifth Wheel Features

Congrats to Facebook Friend February gift card winner Steven S. from Milford, MA!

Add Pete’s RV as a Friend on Facebook to Learn About Special Discounts and Promotions.

Pete’s RV Best Buys:  Take a Look!

We’ve got some ridiculous deals on new and used RVs.  If you are a bargain hunter, now’s the time to pounce on these low, low priced units.  Browse all available Pete’s RV Best Buys!

Camping Recipe:  Campfire Pepperoni Pizza (from CampingCafe.com)

Description:
Pizza usually ranks high on the list of “favorite” foods.  With prepackaged foods it’s easy to prepare at camp on a grill, over a campfire or in a pinch, a camp stove.

Ingredients:
1 or more prepared pizza crust - like Boboli
Pepperoni
Pizza Sauce (Contadina makes one in a plastic squeeze bottle - perfect for camping)
Mixed Italian cheeses
Olive Oil
Metal tongs
Heavy duty tin foil
Optional: Crushed red pepper and Parmesan cheese

Preparation:

1. Prepare grill or campfire for indirect cooking.
2. Brush top of prepared pizza crust with a little olive oil.
3. Place directly on grate oiled side down and cook for a minute or 2 until golden - careful not to burn it. Remove from heat.
4. Place crust bottom side down on a double layer of tin foil.
5. Cover crust with pizza sauce.
6. Top sauce with a generous amount of cheese - you’re camping so calories don’t count!
7. Place pepperoni on top of cheese.
8. Cook on prepared cooking area of grill or campfire for 2 - 6 minutes depending on temperature of fire.
9. Pizza is done when cheese is melted.

Find this and more scrumptious recipes at CampingCafe.com!

It’s always feels fantastic whenever we hear from a customer’s positive experience at Pete’s RV Center.  In this account, Karen drove all the way from Jacksonville, Florida to pick up her 2012 Montana High Country 313RE Fifth Wheel from our Schererville, Indiana location. Now that’s a hike!

Karen found her dream RV on our website and was helped throughout the sales process by RV Lifestyle Consultant Scott Ourednik.  As you will read, she was blown away by our customer service!

Amazing job Scott!  You can read more feedback on the Pete’s RV testimonial page as well as recommendations on our Facebook page.

Under peaceful winter skies, Pete’s RV Center of Vermont held their first dealership show of the year January 20th-22nd.  Promoted as the “Cabin Fever Sale”, Pete’s RV reached out to their community of RVers through local television and radio ads, postcards, email and social media.

Based on the turnout, and where visitors traveled from, the community of Pete’s RVers is expanding quite a ways beyond northern Vermont.

“Over the past couple of years, I’ve noticed more and more people traveling from outside of Vermont to get to our dealership shows,” said marketing manager Phil LeClair.  “The Cabin Fever sale brought in folks from New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Quebec, and across Lake Champlain in neighboring New York.”

He also noted that while Pete’s RV dealership shows are promoted as sales events, they’ve become socially inviting to visitors.  “I love the fact that a growing number of family and friends drop in to show their support for Pete’s RV.  They usually bring somebody new along, give them a tour of the place and all the campers.  Feeling more like an open house, it really puts our guests at ease and disengages thoughts that a sales pitch is lurking around every corner.  I had kids from the youth hockey team I coach show up this year with their parents.  They had a blast!”

Providing visitors with first looks at 2012 inventory, Pete’s RV showcased the new Vantage travel trailer line from Keystone RV Company as well as the Bullet Premier 29RTPR rear living room travel trailer, Cougar 28RBS family travel trailer, and revamped Outback 312BH bunkhouse travel trailer.

Pete’s RV treasurer and co-owner Dave McGinnis explained that a variety of new and used products were sold at the Cabin Fever sale.  “We’re always delighted with a good turnout and selling units so early in the year–especially in the middle of a Vermont winter.  This year’s January sale was interesting because we sold used pop-ups, luxury fifth wheels and everything in between.  From our perspective, this is a good indicator of being able to satisfy a broad range of shoppers looking for certain types of RVs.”

Pictures and comments can be found on the Pete’s RV 2012 VT Cabin Fever Sale Facebook Photo Album.

A clear leader for more than a decade, Outback’s unofficial endorsement is the legions of owners loyal to the Outback name.  They’re happy to tell anybody that their family Outback offers more comfort and functionality than any other lightweight travel trailer in its class!

With recent innovations such as a molded fiberglass nose cap, vaulted ceilings and upgraded furniture, Outback further separates itself from the competition.  Couple these and many more features with Outback’s signature combination of solid ash interior doors, walnut and hazelnut cabinetry, and you’re home away from home may just be called, “home”.

The proof is in the quality of construction and ingenuity this Keystone RV Company brand puts into each and every floorplan.

To help showcase Outback’s excellence, Pete’s RV Lifestyle Consultant Chad Shepard hosts a two-part video on Outback Travel Trailer Features (using an Outback 298RE for his demo) with resident expert Randy Murray. Both segments are available on the Pete’s RV YouTube Channel.

Chad and Randy highlight many of the following Outback Travel Trailer features and options:

• Deluxe walnut and ash cabinetry
• King U-shape dinette, with 42” slide out drawer (most models)
• 36” flush floor slides
• Pre-drilled and screwed cabinetry
• Residential air bed sleeper sofa with storage drawer
• Pleated shades
• Vaulted ceiling
• 2 Full length wardrobes
• Recessed cubby storage w/110 volt 
  outlets
• Molded fiberglass front cap
• LED Hitch lights
• Angled Stabilizer Jacks

Other notable options that come standard in most of the Outback floorplans we carry at Pete’s RV:

In addition to complete features and specifications on all available Outback floorplans at PetesRV.com, be sure to take a look at Keystone RV’s equally impressive Outback Sydney Fifth Wheels!

Coming off a successful 2011, Pete’s RV Center kicked off the new year as exhibitors at the 2012 Chicago Boat, Sports and RV Show held January 12th -16th.  As first timers to this popular event at the mammoth McCormick Place convention center, it took a boatload (no pun intended) of planning and a sizable staff to work the five-day show.

“Consumer shows always involve intense preparation, but the Chicago RV Show was unique because it required us to combine personnel and resources from our Indiana and Vermont dealerships,” said Vice President of Sales Todd McGinnis.  “It’s a large show in an even larger metropolitan area, goes on for five days, and has long hours.  Therefore, it’s critical that we have plenty of new RVs on display and enough staff to represent them.”

Pete’s RV had fifteen recreation vehicles in their display manned by a dozen or so staff members.  Overall, McGinnis felt the show kicked off the year on a positive note.

“Even though the show is boat-heavy and only about thirty-five percent of the displays are RV dealers, the foot traffic was solid enough to keep us busy throughout the five days.  It provided excellent exposure for our dealership in nearby Schererville, Indiana, we sold some units, and met some great folks.”

Among all of positive feedback on new campers from Keystone RV Company, Pete’s RV Lifestyle Consultant Joe Vartuli pointed out a few of the attention-getters:  “People really liked the Montana High Country 343RL’s rear-living room, the Passport 3220BH’s bunkhouse and outdoor kitchen, and ultra-light Passport 190EXP expandable trailer.  We received lots of good feedback on the new Montana 3402RL fifth wheel floorplan, and especially the Airstream-like Vantage travel trailer line that was just launched by Keystone RV.”

Pictures and comments can be found on the Pete’s RV 2012 Chicago Boat, Sports and RV Show Facebook Photo Album.