This story originally appeared in RV Executive Today’s December 2019 issue.
Ron Shepherd exchanged the automotive industry for the RV industry in 1990 when he became partners with an experienced RV dealer. The two grew their dealership from a mom-and-pop operation with $2 million in annual sales to one of Tulsa’s premier dealerships. Shepherd eventually left to set up his own dealership, Camperland of Oklahoma in Tulsa, which celebrated its 15th birthday this year. Along the way, he helped found the Oklahoma Recreational Vehicle Association, serving as its president. In addition to serving on RVDA’s board of directors, he has chaired the Convention/Expo Committee.
Q: Describe Camperland of Oklahoma’s customer demographics.
A: It was predominantly boomers before, but now we’re selling to a lot of younger families, in keeping with national statistics that show millennials are now the largest segment. A new trend we’re seeing is boomers who are trading down and buying smaller units. We’re not selling big motorized units—our focus is on towables—and people aged 35 to 55 are our biggest demographic group.
Because of where we’re located, another pretty good-sized segment for us is the pipeline people, welders and other folks being sent out to the oil fields in Montana, North Dakota, Texas and Oklahoma.
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