Camping World’s Big Expansion: What It Means for You and Your Next Adventure

The Excitement of Expansion

Imagine the open road, the freedom of RVing, and the thrill of exploring new destinations. Camping World’s acquisition of Hitch RV might look like a boost for the RV community, expanding into Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. On the surface, it promises new doors for adventure-seekers, potential job opportunities, and a broader reach for RV enthusiasts ready to hit the road.

Marcus Lemonis, CEO of Camping World, talks about welcoming Hitch RV into the family as if it’s all about growth and bringing the joys of RVing to more people. If you’re a new RVer, this can sound great—more locations to explore, more inventory, and theoretically more resources and services. If your an experienced RVer, this can be seen as a bad thing...

The Concerns Beneath the Surface

But there’s no denying Camping World’s reputation among many RVers, which isn’t always glowing. They’ve been criticized for sluggish repair timelines—some folks report waiting months for service. When a major player swallows smaller dealerships, that can translate to fewer alternatives, less competition, and, sooner or later, higher prices. Sure, in the short run you might see more convenient locations, but long term? The market could get less diverse, and you might feel it in your wallet.

All this consolidation means local dealerships could struggle to stay afloat. That’s bad news for consumer choice and innovation—smaller shops often bring fresh ideas and personalized care. If they start disappearing, we lose that healthy competition that helps keep costs reasonable and quality high.

Balancing the Scales

Despite these valid concerns, Camping World’s move to integrate Hitch RV’s team could still create job opportunities in Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. Supporting local workforces is always a plus, and having a bigger footprint might, at least initially, give RVers more touchpoints for purchases or service.

However, it’s wise to remain vigilant about what happens next. Consolidation might streamline some processes, but it can also squeeze the market. When one name dominates, prices can climb and service can lag even further—concerns many RVers already have about Camping World. So, while this expansion could make it easier to find locations near you, keep an eye on how it affects the wider RV landscape and your future adventures.

Source: Camping World