If you are looking to find unbiased help when it comes to RV shopping or maintenance, you are in luck. Entrepreneur and founder of the first and only female-owned RV company in the US, Gigi Stetler, has got your back. Her brainchild, The RV Advisor, is an innovative platform designed to connect millions of RV owners, dealers and service centers nationally.
What is The RV Advisor?
First and foremost, The RV Advisor is a member-only educational resource. Unlike other membership services, it is a completely independent and unbiased platform that is not affiliated with or designed to drive sales to any specific RV company. Its goal is to help consumers navigate the vast network of RV-related businesses across the United States. The RV Advisor simplifies the decision-making process for buying and finding a place to repair your RV with customized matching, reviews and recommendations.
Why RVers Need an Advocate
Gigi Stetler knows about working against the odds. She’s worked in the male-dominated industry for over 30 years. Of the many things she’s learned about the industry in all that time is that RV buyers need someone to watch their back. After only working in RV sales for a short while, Gigi realized that the lack of knowledge of customers was overwhelming.
Unfortunately, the RV sales industry has its unscrupulous side. With so many dealers, variations of contracts and lending and long waits for repairs, there’s no one holding dealerships responsible for customer service. “Someone has got to revolutionize this industry or people will stop camping," predicts Gigi.
Speaking of watching your back, one person who understands this concept and the importance of doing so is Hall of Fame Quarterback and former Miami Dolphins player Dan Marino. Gigi has personally known Marino for over 20 years, and upon learning of Gigi’s righteous efforts he has signed on as the company’s National Spokesperson. Dan wholeheartedly believes in The RV Advisor’s mission to offer unprecedented protection to RV owners. He plans to make RVers aware of the key services offered by Gigi via various mediums such as cable TV, internet, and sponsored events.
As her knowledge of the industry grew, Gigi became the go-to source for family and friends for advice on contracts, warranties and maintenance. As her network grew, so did the demand for her advice. “Most of the knowledge that's out there is not really from an expert,” explains Gigi, “That kind of knowledge that's out there on YouTube on how to quickly fix things and stuff like that– nobody's really disclosing how the industry actually works.” The RV Advisor site is how Gigi can spread her advice to a wide range of people.
The RV Advisor is your one stop resource for all things RV! Above is a group shot of the team (LEFT TO RIGHT: Daniel Cooke, Dan Marino, Gigi Stetler, Thayer Nagib, Florencia Viera, and Lucas Alvarado).
How is The RV Advisor Different from Other Membership Sites?
There are several memberships that offer discounts on camping and restaurants in the RV world. What makes The RV Advisor different is that it is not affiliated with a company in any way, not even Gigi’s personal RV dealership. It’s the “Angie’s List” of the RV world. “The RV industry lacks an independent informative and educational platform,” says Gigi. The RV Advisor is here to educate new and potential RVers on the ins and outs of buying and owning an RV. “I want to arm you with the most knowledge that you can possibly gain prior to a purchase,” says Gigi.
Inside Knowledge to Share
While searching on The RV Advisor one can expect to find insider information unbeknown to the average shopper. For example, did you know that factories and dealers do not seal the seams of travel trailers or RVs prior to purchase. Why is something like this important to know? “In your owner's manual, or on the home page of the manufacturer,” says Gigi, “It tells you that you need to make a complete seal in 90 days after purchase.” But what if your trailer or RV has been sitting on the dealer’s lot for an additional six or eight months before you even purchase it? “If there’s a leak in six months, or eight months, or nine months, your warranty is voided,” reports Gigi. “Dealers should be sealing it, but many of them don't.”
Another piece of advice that most owners are unaware involves the warranties on the appliances in their RV. All appliances, including the water heater, water pumps are covered by the manufacturer’s appliance warranty. Don’t waste your time taking your trailer to a repair shop when your water pump breaks. “Your owner’s manual will advise you on how to file a direct claim when needed,” says Gigi.
With personal one-on-one advisors and a database of knowledge, The RV Advisor is a resource for all the tips or “secrets” on RV purchasing and ownership.
Benefits of The RV Advisor Membership
For $25 a year membership fee, you will gain 24/7 live help and access to a plethora of non-biased advice in the form of valuable content and even legal help. Members also receive discounts on RV parts, maintenance, repair and insurance, RV campsites, restaurants, amusement parks and access to a community of RV owners. The reviews are by actual RVer’s and the reports maximize your RV ownership experience. Other perks of membership include:
• Direct access to our RV experts for any questions about RV's.
• Recommendations about the best roadside assistance, insurance and warranty programs.
• Learn the value of tire and wheel protection.
• Virtual Mechanical Diagnosis: one-on-one mechanical assistance with certified RV mechanics.
• Where to find the best RV maintenance and mechanical service centers.
• Find certified RV dealers and service centers.
If you would like one direct advisor all the way through the process to help when purchasing a rig, there’s Gigi’s Personal Service. This service minimizes the hassle of your buying and/or ownership experience with expert advice and legal help. Take the first step by visiting TheRVAdvisor.com.