(Frisco, Tx.) – New RVers can now enjoy a nice camping experience for their first trip in their new rig as soon as they leave the dealership.

New RV Customers often have questions after their walk-thru orientation at an RV dealership, and with the excitement of their new RV purchase, it’s fairly common to forget the simplest of operating instructions once on the road.

Thousand Trails camping resorts have developed the Maiden Voyage program to help RV dealers assist their new buyers. This program pairs campgrounds with local RV dealers, to offer a free weekend of camping at a nearby Thousand Trails location, or any of the 81 locations in North America. “It’s a gift dealers can take all the credit for giving their customers,” said Jerry Gelinas, senior vice president of marketing.

Once the new RVers arrive at the campground, the Thousand Trails staff will assist them in parking their RVs, hooking up utilities, sewer system, and a multitude of tasks that experienced RVers carry out, which may be foreign to new users.

Thousand Trails can book customers into a campground closest to the dealership. That way, should something go wrong with the unit, the dealer can repair it quickly.

“It’s in everyone’s best interest to help new RV owners get comfortable with their RVs,” said Gelinas. “They often have lots of questions, especially when they pull into a campsite. The more they are comfortable with their RVs, the more they will use them and the longer they will continue to take RV vacations.”

Dealers wishing to tap into a more formal arrangement with Thousand Trails can offer their customers up to 30 free nights of camping.

Gelinas said there is one other opportunity for local RV dealers — on-site service. “At almost every one of our RV parks, we have an independent contractor who fixes RVs by driving around in his pickup truck,” he explained. “Our members really like the ‘house-call’ service they provide.”

“We are encouraging dealers to bring their service trucks to our campgrounds,” he added. “It’s a good opportunity for them to make some money doing minor RV repairs, but it also attracts potential customers to their dealerships.”

For more information on Thousand Trails’ free camping promotions, dealers can call Jim Henderson, vice president of marketing, at (214) 618-7209.

About Thousand Trails
Founded in 1969, Thousand Trails, LP is one of the largest and most successful private camping clubs in the country. Member families enjoy more than 81 membership-based campgrounds in 23 states, the result of combining strong systems like Thousand Trails, NACO, Leisure Time, Mid-Atlantic, and Outdoor World. With more than 30 years of experience in family camping, they are committed to providing the highest quality private camping - clean, safe, affordable, and fun.

Properties are known as "preserves," because Thousand Trails protects the nature and beauty of the environment for their members' enjoyment.