The Rv Don

The RV industry today is a twisted caricature of its former self, a bloated carcass steaming in the road, gasping for air. Long gone are the days when Don Strollo, with his infectious charisma and expert marketing, breathed life into the business. He was the beating heart of RV One, the bright-eyed visionary who didn’t just sell RVs; he sold the dream of the open road and the promise of a new adventure. You can’t add years to your life, but you can add life to the years you have left type experience.

In the golden days of RV One, Don was a savant in customer satisfaction and employee loyalty. The man had a smile that could light up a room, and he knew how to use it. He created an atmosphere where customers felt like royalty, and employees were more than just cogs in a machine—they were chugging the company kool-aide. His understanding of the market was almost supernatural, a sixth sense that guided him. He led with genuine passion and a relentless drive to make every transaction a memorable experience.

And then there was his brother Matt, animated, and endlessly entertaining, Matt's instructional walkthrough videos were legendary. He had an ability to make people laugh while teaching them the ins and outs of their new Rv. Customers loved him, employees adored him, and together with Don, they formed a dynamic duo that brought joy to everyone they encountered. Matt made the technical seem trivial, the complex seem simple, and the boring entertaining.

Mark, the ever-professional anchor, was the third pillar of this triumvirate. With his trusty BlackBerry in hand, he was the business-savvy mastermind who ensured that everything ran like clockwork. His sharp mind and keen eye for detail kept the wheels turning, and his professionalism was the glue that held the whole operation together. Mark was the silent guardian, the watchful protector, ensuring that the empire their father built stood strong against time and change.

Strollo isn’t the only lost artifact of a golden era of the Rv industry. Another Don used to stalk the campground on Florida Ave. off I4 in Seffner Florida. A myth and legend in the Rv industry, he built an Rv dealership for campers, and built careers for employees that had better wages than most physicians. Lazydays is not even a mirage of its self. Looks like a Harley Davidson superstore now. To understand the fall, one must look at examples like Lazydays RV under the leadership of Don Wallace. In the 1990s and early 2000s, Lazydays RV was the epitome of success in the RV industry. Wallace led the dealership to become the largest single-site RV dealership in the world, with annual revenues soaring past $800 million by the early 2000s. The company expanded its footprint, capturing a significant market share and building a reputation for exceptional customer service and extensive inventory. However, the recession of 2008 and subsequent economic challenges hit Lazydays hard. Sales plummeted, and the dealership faced financial turmoil. Without the steady hand of a visionary leader like Wallace, the company struggled to regain its former glory. By 2010, Lazydays filed for bankruptcy, a contrast to its heyday under Wallace's leadership.

The RV industry has always thrived under the guidance of strong leaders named Don—visionaries who understand the market and have the charisma to drive growth. Don Strollo at RV One Superstores and Don Wallace at Lazydays are prime examples. Another such figure is Donny O’Banion, CEO of Motor Home Specialist, With a keen eye for innovation and a relentless drive to push the boundaries of what was thought possible, O'Banion revolutionized the motorhome industry, turning it on its head and leaving traditionalists scrambling to catch up. Under O'Banion's leadership, the Motorhome Specialist brand became synonymous with excellence, a byword for luxury and innovation that raised the standard for the entire industry. But those days are a distant memory now. The RV industry has become a soulless, mechanized wasteland, absent of the human touch that once made it great.

The year was 2019, and the RV industry was basking in its golden age. The highways were alive with the hum of adventure. Don Strollo, the maestro behind RV One Superstores, had orchestrated a symphony of success. Dealerships were multiplying like wildflowers in spring, and the sales figures were nothing short of astronomical.

Newmar, a name synonymous with luxury and reliability, was at the forefront of this renaissance. Their classic Dutch Star motorhomes were flying off lots faster than dealers could restock them. These behemoths of the road, with their plush interiors and cutting-edge technology, were the epitome of travel comfort. Customers were ecstatic, their dreams of the open road realized in leather and chrome. The Dutch Star wasn't just a motorhome; it was a statement, a testament to the good life.

Dealerships were thriving. Profits were soaring, and the atmosphere was electric with ambition and optimism. Sales teams couldn't keep up with the demand, and service departments were bustling with activity, ensuring every new owner was ready for their grand adventure. It was a time of plenty, a time when the future seemed bright and boundless. Back then, walking into an RV dealership was like stepping into a carnival. There was an energy, a buzz, a sense of excitement that was infectious. It was a well-oiled machine, a perfect blend of showmanship and substance.

RV shows were packed with eager buyers, and the buzz around new models and features. Innovations in solar power, energy efficiency, and smart home technology were revolutionizing the way people thought about mobile living. The RV lifestyle was no longer just a retired couple's dream; it was an emerging trend embraced by young families, digital nomads, and adventure seekers alike.

Families were swapping their suburban routines for weekends on the road, retirees were fulfilling their lifelong dreams, and digital nomads were finding the perfect balance between work and wanderlust. The RV had become the ultimate symbol of freedom and flexibility. And through it all, the industry was thriving. Manufacturers were pushing the envelope with new designs and technologies, dealerships were cashing in on the growing demand, and customers were happy, hitting the open road with smiles on their faces.

But then came the dark years, the COVID era—a time best skipped over like a bad dream in terms of quality. Fast forward to 2022. The world had changed, and the RV industry, once a roaring beast, had been brought to its knees. Supply chains choked, manufacturing stalled, and consumer confidence plummeted. By today, 2024, the RV industry is a shadow of its former self. Dealerships struggle to move inventory, sales numbers have dipped. Customers, wary of economic uncertainty and rising costs, are holding onto their wallets. The dream of the open road has been replaced by the harsh reality of tightened budgets and cautious spending.

The carefree days of 2019 seem like a distant memory.

Manufacturers are scrambling to adapt, but the road to recovery is rough and unforgiving. Innovations in solar power and sustainable living, once hailed as the future, now seem like distant promises of dwindling resources. The attraction of the RV is still there, but it's muted, like a faded postcard from a better time. The industry is trying to find new ways to attract customers, but the challenges are immense.

RV industry is a ghost town, haunted by the memories of its golden age. The employees, once vibrant and enthusiastic, now shuffle through their days, disillusioned and disengaged. They might as well be robots, reciting the same tired lines, pushing the same uninspired products. The customers, seeking adventure and escape, find only disappointment and disillusionment. The atmosphere is sterile, the excitement long gone. The poor travelers walk the aisles with vacant stares, their dreams of the open road dulled by the monotony of the experience. The industry is adrift, a ship without a captain, lost in a sea of mediocrity.

The supply chain disruptions that began during the pandemic have left a lasting impact. Components are harder to source, production costs have skyrocketed, and delivery times have stretched from weeks to months. Dealers, once flush with inventory, now face empty lots and frustrated customers. The once-bustling showrooms are quiet, with sales staff struggling to make sales.

The freedom once promised by the RV lifestyle feels like a relic of a lost era. The industry, battered and bruised, fights to stay relevant in a world that has moved on. The open road remains, but it's lonelier now, dreams deferred and adventures postponed. The spirit of adventure that once fueled the industry's growth is still alive, but it's been tempered by the struggling economy of a changed world.

As the industry try’s to figure out these uncertain times, there's a chance of hope. Some consumers are still drawn to the promise of freedom and independence that an RV offers. They are the trailblazers, the ones who, despite the challenges, are willing to take the risk and hit the road. For them, the open road still holds the promise of new adventures and unforgettable experiences. Customers and professionals alike are crying out for a resurgence, a return to the golden era. They are starved for the days when buying an RV was more than a transaction—it was an experience.

The RV industry needs a revolution, a return to the days when innovation was the norm and not the exception , when customer service was an art and not a chore, and when the RV itself was a symbol of freedom and exploration, not just a vehicle. The industry is on life support.

We need a catalyst, a spark to ignite the flames of change. Someone like Don Strollo. He was the alchemist who could turn lead into gold, transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary. His departure felt like a vacuum, a black hole sucking the life out of the industry. The RV world is adrift, a ship without a rudder, lost in a sea of mediocrity and complacency. Six months have passed since that Don stepped away, and the decay is evident. The RV industry needs a thorough cleansing to purge the stagnation and bring back the innovation and excitement that Don embodied. It's not just about selling RVs. It's about selling dreams, about providing a gateway to adventure and exploration. It's about creating an experience that customers will remember for the rest of their lives. It's about building a community, a family, a tribe of travelers and explorers who share a common passion for the open road.

The industry needs change. The customers need change. The RV industry is ready for a revolution. It's ready for a return to the days when buying an RV was an adventure in itself, when the dealerships were fun and exciting, when the employees were passionate and engaged. It's ready to bring back the magic, the excitement, the sense of adventure that once defined the RV experience.

Let's turn the tide. Let's bring the innovation back. It’s time to hit the gas and never look back