You’ve probably heard the saying that the best lessons come from stories around a campfire, right? Well, RV Wingman Alan Warren just delivered exactly that in his latest video about the truth behind RV sales. This isn’t your typical “top 10 RVs to buy” video—it’s something way more valuable.
Warren shares powerful life stories that teach you how to spot the difference between a pushy salesperson who just wants your money and a genuine dealer who actually cares about your RV dreams. Think of it like learning to fish: you could chase after all the little fish splashing on the surface, or you could be smart and patient to catch the big one. The best part? These lessons work whether you’re buying an RV, a car, or even choosing which friends to trust.
According to the RV Industry Association, RV shipments reached 333,733 units in 2024, but sales to actual buyers dropped by over 10% compared to previous years. That means dealers are getting more desperate, and you need to be smarter than ever. Ready to learn how to avoid getting “hooked” by fast-talking sales tactics? Let’s dive into these campfire wisdom lessons!
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1. The Fishing Lesson: Don’t Be the Small Fish That Gets Caught
Warren tells an amazing story about fishing that perfectly explains how RV salespeople work. When fish are feeding, all the small, hungry fish swim to the surface making a big splash, trying to grab the bait. But guess what? The big, smart fish stay down below, waiting patiently. They don’t waste energy chasing everything that floats by.
Here’s the RV connection: During COVID, RV dealers were like fishermen at feeding time—customers were everywhere, and dealers could charge whatever they wanted (even more than the sticker price!). Those customers got “hooked” with expensive loans they can’t afford now. Today’s smart buyers need to be like those big fish—stay calm, don’t jump at every deal, and wait for the right opportunity.
| Small Fish Buyers (Easy to Hook) | Big Fish Buyers (Smart & Patient) |
|---|---|
| Rush to buy without research | Take time to compare dealers |
| Fall for “buy today” pressure | Walk away from pushy tactics |
| Sign contracts without reading | Review every document carefully |
| Accept first price offered | Negotiate with confidence |
The Reality Check: According to industry reports, many buyers during the 2020-2022 RV boom are now struggling with loans they can’t afford. Their credit is damaged, and they’re stuck. Don’t let that be you! Be the big fish that thinks before biting.
2. Joe Girard: The Legend Who Sold 13,001 Cars Without Pressure
Warren shares his experience meeting Joe Girard, the world’s greatest car salesman according to the Guinness Book of World Records. Between 1963 and 1978, Girard sold an incredible 13,001 vehicles—that’s more than 2 cars every single day for 15 years! His best year? He sold 1,425 cars in 1973 alone.
But here’s the kicker: Girard didn’t use high-pressure tactics. Instead, he listened to his customers. If someone had tennis rackets in their car, he’d talk about tennis. If they had baby bottles, he’d ask about their kids. He was honest, consistent, and genuinely cared about people.
The RV Lesson: When you walk into an RV dealership, you should feel like the salesperson is listening to YOUR needs, not reading from a script or pushing you to “sign today.” Good dealers like those at Cheyenne Camping Center (mentioned in the video) follow Girard’s approach—they build relationships, not just transactions.
Watch Out For: Dealers who demand you text them, call them repeatedly, or pressure you to put down a deposit “just to present an offer.” These are red flags that they’re fishing for small fish, not serving smart buyers like you.
3. The BB Gun Sharpshooter: Focus Is Everything
Here’s one of the coolest stories from the video. Warren met an old man at a sports show who could shoot a BB out of the sky with another BB gun. Sounds impossible, right? This guy was so focused he could hit a tiny moving target that most people couldn’t even see. It took years of practice, patience, and dedication.
Translation for RV Buyers: Finding the right RV and the right dealer requires laser focus. You can’t just look at pretty pictures online or walk onto the first lot you see. You need to:
- Focus on your actual needs (not just what looks cool)
- Research dealer reputations carefully
- Practice saying “no” to add-ons you don’t need
- Take your time to learn about RV quality issues
The North American RV market was valued at $19.83 billion in 2024, which means there are thousands of options out there. Don’t get distracted by the surface splashing (fancy marketing). Focus like that sharpshooter on finding quality, value, and honest service.
4. Slow Down or Get Hooked: The Fast-Talk Trap
Warren warns that most people (including himself) want the “easy, fast, quick” solution to everything. But there’s no shortcut to making a smart RV purchase. Chain store dealers have systems where salespeople must make X number of calls per day and send X number of texts. They’re trained to “blow you up” with pressure tactics.
Here’s the uncomfortable truth: This approach works on impatient buyers. If you want instant answers and quick decisions, you’re exactly the customer these dealers are fishing for.
The Smart Approach: Warren says you need to “take a deep breath” and slow down. Don’t expect him (or any good advisor) to tell you “turn left here, say this when he says that.” Life is more complicated than a recipe. Every RV purchase is different based on your budget, lifestyle, and needs.
| Fast-Talk Dealer Tactics | Your Smart Response |
|---|---|
| “What will it take to get you in this RV today?” | “I need time to think and compare options.” |
| “This price is only good for the next hour!” | “Then I’ll find a dealer who respects my timeline.” |
| Texting/calling you constantly | Set boundaries: “I’ll contact you when ready.” |
| Pressuring you before you’ve inspected the RV | “I need a full pre-delivery inspection first.” |
Did You Know? According to consumer reports, complaints about RV dealer tactics have increased significantly since the market cooled down. Dealers are desperate, which makes them more aggressive. Your best defense? Patience.
5. Kevin Fraser’s Regular Updates: Why Industry Insight Matters
Warren announces something exciting in this video: Kevin Fraser from Cheyenne Camping Center will appear on the channel every 4-6 weeks to discuss where the RV industry is headed. Fraser is described as having one of the most trusted voices in the RV world.
Why This Matters to You: Understanding industry trends helps you make better buying decisions. For example, knowing that 2024 saw mixed results (some price ranges dropped over 20% while shipments increased 6.6%) tells you that certain RV types might be better deals than others right now.
Fraser’s insights will help you understand:
- When is the best time to buy (seasonally and economically)
- Which RV types hold value better
- What problems the industry is facing (quality issues, supply chain, etc.)
- Where prices are heading
The Reality: RV sales in 2024 dropped 10.2% year-over-year for actual buyers, even though manufacturer shipments increased. This disconnect means dealers have more inventory than buyers right now—which gives YOU more negotiating power if you’re educated and patient.
6. Dr. Charles Stanley & Life Wisdom: It’s Not Just About RVs
Warren mentions listening to cassette tapes (yes, those ancient things before streaming!) from Dr. Charles Stanley, a wise speaker who taught life lessons that applied to everything—not just religion or sales. Warren also references his Amway friend who shared inspirational content about being a good human being.
The Connection to RV Buying: The best lessons aren’t always directly about RVs. They’re about character, patience, honesty, and relationships. When you approach buying an RV with these values, you’ll naturally avoid the dealers who lack them.
Think about it: Would Joe Girard pressure you into buying a car today? Would that BB gun sharpshooter tell you there’s a quick trick to become an expert? Nope. They’d both tell you to put in the time, learn the craft, and do it right.
Your Takeaway: Don’t just look for “which RV should I buy?”—ask yourself “which dealer treats me with respect?” and “am I making this decision from wisdom or impatience?” The RV industry has an overall economic impact of $140 billion and supports nearly 680,000 jobs. With that much money involved, plenty of people will try to separate you from yours. Choose wisdom.
7. The Resources Page: Your Secret Weapon Against Bad Dealers
Throughout the video, Warren repeatedly tells viewers to scan the QR code or check his resources page (link in video description). He promises it will help you “save money and make better decisions.” This isn’t just a sales pitch—it’s a curated list of trusted dealers, lemon law help, and educational resources.
Why Resources Matter: Remember those small fish thrashing at the surface? They’re not checking resources—they’re just biting whatever looks shiny. Smart buyers do homework. They read reviews, check dealer reputations, learn about common RV problems, and understand their legal rights (like lemon laws).
What You Should Research:
- ✅ Dealer reviews from multiple sources (not just their website)
- ✅ RV brand quality ratings and common issues
- ✅ Your state’s lemon law for RVs
- ✅ Financing options beyond dealer financing
- ✅ Pre-delivery inspection checklists (essential!)
- ✅ RV ownership costs (insurance, maintenance, storage)
Here’s a Sobering Stat: Used RV sales declined 12.14% year-over-year in December 2024. That means if you buy wrong and need to sell quickly, you could lose a huge chunk of money. Do your research before you buy, not after!
Conclusion: Be the Big Fish, Not the Catch
Warren’s campfire stories teach one essential truth: success in RV buying comes from patience, wisdom, and character—not from rushing to grab the first shiny deal that floats by. The RV industry is full of salespeople thrashing the water trying to hook desperate buyers. But you? You’re going to be like that big fish down below, watching carefully, learning, and only biting when the conditions are perfect.
Remember, the greatest salesman in history (Joe Girard) succeeded by being honest and listening. The sharpshooter succeeded through focus and practice. And Warren himself succeeded by slowing down and thinking differently. You can too.
Visit RV Wingman’s resources page, take your time, find dealers who respect you, and make your RV dreams come true the smart way—not the fast way.
SOURCES
- RV Wingman – “REVEALING THE TRUTH ABOUT RV SALES & LIFE LESSONS” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIsFBO7iRto
- RV Industry Association (RVIA) – 2024 RV Shipments Report – https://www.rvia.org/reports-trends
- BISHS Insurance – “RV Sales and Shipments: 2024 Report” – https://www.bishs.com/blog/rv-sales-2024-report/
- Consumer Affairs – “RV Industry Statistics 2025” – https://www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/rv-industry-statistics.html
- Wikipedia – “Joe Girard” (World’s Greatest Salesman Biography) – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Girard
- Better Marketing – “How the Greatest Salesman of All Time Sold 13,001 Cars in His Career” – https://bettermarketing.pub/how-the-greatest-salesman-of-all-time-sold-13-001-cars-in-his-career-d60f15b17ff
- MPR News – “The Death of the World’s Greatest Car Salesman” – https://www.mprnews.org/story/2019/03/12/the-death-of-the-worlds-greatest-car-salesman
- Automotive Hall of Fame – “Joe Girard Profile” – https://www.automotivehalloffame.org/honoree/joe-girard/
- RV Travel – “How to Avoid RV Dealer Sales Fraud in 2025” – https://www.rvtravel.com/avoid-rv-dealer-sales-fraud-2025-1203/
- Statistical Surveys – “State of the RV Industry – February 2025” – https://www.statisticalsurveys.com/2025/04/11/state-of-the-rv-industry-february-2025/
- Emergency Assistance Plus – “RV Statistics for 2025: Key Insights and Future Trends” – https://www.emergencyassistanceplus.com/resources/rv-statistics/
