RV dealer Scott Nielson opened his first RV dealership in 1997. After building it into a success over the course of two decades, he sold Nielson RV to Camping World in 2021. Today, he is back in Southern Utah with a new dealership and renewed energy.
“The decision to sell was mainly about timing,” Nielson said. “After running the business for so long, I wanted to step back and explore other opportunities, but I stayed involved locally to help with the transition.”
At the time of the sale, Nielson said his dealership had grown into one of the region’s leading RV dealerships, with roughly $50 million in annual revenue.
Nielson said it only took a few short years out of the industry to realize he wasn’t quite done with RV sales. When the non-compete clause he signed with Camping World expired, Nielson was right back at it.
“I missed the industry and the community, and when the non-compete period ended, I saw a real opportunity to do things differently and serve customers in a more personal way,” Nielson said. “Now felt like the right time to jump back in.”
Nielson’s new endeavor, Glampers RV, is scheduled to hold a Grand Opening at a 15-acre commercial site in St. George, Utah this fall. Nielson said the brand-new flagship dealership is just minutes from the former Nielson RV site.
“I’ll be focusing on different brands at Glampers RV to avoid any conflicts with the exclusive agreements my old dealership still holds,” Nielson said. “The goal is to offer options that complement what’s already available in the area and give customers a unique selection, especially geared towards the glamping and entry-level market.”
Glampers RV will carry Forest River, Coachmen, Jayco, KZ and Highland Ridge.
The dealership is currently operating out of the 54-acre Nielson Commerce Complex in Hurricane, Utah and the office is already open for business.
Glamping is a portmanteau of “glamourous” and “camping.” The word represents luxury camping and/or bringing many amenities of urban life to the outdoors.
“Glamping and the RV lifestyle have grown a lot in recent years, and I wanted to tap into that market,” Nielson said. “The idea was to create a dealership that not only sells RVs but also offers a full glamping experience — everything from travel trailers to luxury campers, plus all the extras that make camping easy and fun for families new to the lifestyle.”
Nielson said he is excited to get going again and to continue helping people access the outdoors.
“Glamping RV is about more than just sales,” Nielson said. “We are focused on making camping accessible and enjoyable for everyone, whether you’re a seasoned RVer or just looking to try it out.”
