When Dave Chavers bought a small RV dealership and property in Opelika, Ala., to add a second spot in addition to the Dothan, Ala., location for the Bama RV brand, he had some pretty high hopes for the store.
But even the biggest optimist probably would have to admit to being surprised at the results some seven months later.
Chavers expanded the property from a little over three acres to right at 10 and has made the most of the extra space.
As a result, sales in the Opelika region have increased roughly 150% since that February acquisition.
“We figured we’d just get through the meat of the changeover and then the market took a massive dive so much so that the Camping World down the road from us just closed down,” he said. “And here we’re up 150% year over year and expanding and hiring people.”
Chavers couldn’t be more excited about Bama’s business model.
The dealership brand is partnering with Auburn University and Troy University on name, image and likeness (NIL) for some athletes including Auburn’s Heisman Trophy candidate quarterback Byrum Brown.
Bama also has been named to RVBusiness Top 50 Dealer list four years in a row.
Thanks to the success of the new location, Chavers also has been able to add to the staff in order to better serve the customers who have been rolling through.
The additional space has given Bama RV the ability to expand from three service bays to 12 in the near future.
“I don’t even know if they had tracked service in the past; they might have done about $100,000 last year and we had over $1 million in service last year in that area,” Chavers said. “In six months now we’ve done over $10 million and we’re pacing $20 million in that store. We are definitely grounded and got some traction.”
Chavers said he has sold RVs to senators, baseball players and football players and many of them get together for tailgate functions ahead of Auburn football games.
Bama looks to continue attracting high-end customers with an inventory that includes vehicles from Grand Design, Brinkley, Alliance and Keystone.
He said he has built the brand over the year by doing things the right way and taking care of customers and employees.
That includes taking care of their NIL athletes and their parents. Bama has partnered with Thor Motor Coach to provide a vehicle for Auburn to use for students on academic trips as well.
And it includes improving the overall look and feel of the 10-acre property.
“The community loves it,” he said. “We had the ribbon cutting with the Chamber. We had a congressman and senator come over and just comment on the great things we’re doing in the community. I mean, it’s pretty cool.”
Eventually, the hope is to get a left-turn lane created from the highway onto the property, which will allow for creation of an additional six to 15 service bays.
The community support also extends to people who are fleeing hurricanes further down on Alabama’s Gulf Coast.
Chavers said the two Bama RV dealerships have hookups for those looking for shelter during the storm. They also have generators, tank dumps and LP refill stations on site.
“We’re kind of a full-service stop for the community on things like that,” he said. “We even have two military bases we partner with.”
