Suncoast RV Trailer Sales Carves Its Niche In The RV Market
Park model RVs make up about 1% of the RV market. They are very different from motorhomes, travel trailers, and other RV types, but their fans are passionate about their perks, and you’d be hard-pressed to find bigger park model fans than the staff at Suncoast RV Trailer Sales. Since its founding in 1978, Suncoast has specialized in park models and travel trailers. “There are not too many dealerships that have carried park models as long as we have,” says Office Manager Brad Hamilton. “We bought some of the very first models our manufacturers produced.”
The employees at Suncoast RV Trailer Sales aren’t just experienced in selling park models; they use them. “We stay in them. I have my own park model at my own campsite,” says Hamilton. “We know that lifestyle. We know what it’s like to have a secondary place to get away, and we want it to be reliable.”
High Quality, Low Pressure
Suncoast RV Trailer Sales' location in northern Indiana puts it right in the heart of where most of its RVs are manufactured. The family-owned company carries models from four manufacturers, choosing high-quality units at the price point their customers want.
“Our primary goal is to make the camper happy and give them what they want at the price they want,” says Hamilton. “We are one of the only non-commissioned dealerships they will find. When they come in, they’re not going to deal with a pushy salesman. I don’t make commission on anything I sell. We’re not going to breathe down their backs. That’s not the way we roll.”
Nationwide Reach With RVUniverse
Advertising its inventory with RVUniverse enables Suncoast RV Trailer Sales to reach a nationwide audience, especially through online listings on RVUniverse.com and exporting those listings to Facebook. That leads to sales far beyond the dealership’s local area in Pierceton, Indiana.
“We are among the few who are willing to help coordinate and deliver to the 48 contiguous states,” Hamilton says. “We have arranged transport from Delaware, New Jersey, Florida, out to Washington state at the Canadian border, and California. They choose us, even that far away, because even after freight, we offer a better price.”
Hamilton credits their RVUniverse sales representative, Cody Heidenreich, with helping them find success through the RVUniverse platform. “Any time I call, he answers, unless he’s already on the phone, and then he returns my call within the hour,” he says. “Anything we need, he takes care of it. The customer service is second to none.”
A Helpful Host
In addition to listing its inventory on RVUniverse.com, Suncoast RV Trailer Sales reaches buyers through its RVUniverse-hosted website (SuncoastRVTrailerSales.com). After years with another host, the company moved to RVUniverse for the price, the SEO opportunities, and the service.
“I was just a number there,” Hamilton explains, referring to the company’s previous website host. “RVUniverse has the Midwest mentality. They care about their people. I don’t have to give my customer ID number when I call. I tell them my name, and they immediately know who I am.”
When Suncoast RV Trailer Sales changed its website host, it decided to rebuild the site completely. Hamilton says the company is very happy with their new website. “I would do it again in a heartbeat. It’s never easy to change web hosts. It’s not an overnight process, but RVUniverse made it very, very easy. I would recommend them to anybody, even one of my competitors.”
Staying The Course
Suncoast RV Trailer Sales hopes to continue on the successful path they’ve been on for the last 48 years and offer their expertise to customers interested in park models in a zero-pressure environment. “We’re a small mom-and-pop shop. We were built on trust, loyalty, and customer service,” says Hamilton. “And we stand behind what we sell.”
A version of this article first appeared in Sandhills Magazine. You can find current and back issues in the Sandhills Magazine Archive.