A Family Affair

        In 1959, Charles W. Thompson owned his own wholesale candy business. He had purchased a travel trailer and saw an interest in people wanting to rent this new recreational vehicle. The RV industry was in its infancy. And so began the change to Thompson & Sons Trailer Sales. Charles and his two sons, Gene and Jim began renting and selling travel trailers at 15th and Washington in Davenport, IA.

        Within two years, business had grown and Thompson & Sons moved just west of Davenport on Highway 61. They quit renting in the 1960's when sales increased and devoted all their time to sales and service.

        It was from the start and still is a family owned and operated business. Charles, Gene and Jim, along with their wives, Mary, Jeanette, Darlene, and sister Mag spent countless hours running the business for decades. Charles retired in 1975 and Brother Gene in 1987. Jim with his wife Darlene continued to grow Thompson & Sons Trailer Sales, bringing in all five of their children throughout the next 10 years to help with the growth of the company.

        In 1993, with an expansion of Highway 61 looming, Thompson & Sons relocated 1/2 mile west from the existing location. In 1995 Jim and Darlene retired. All five children Ann, Jill, Mark, Tim and Brad now run Thompson & Sons Trailer Sales L.C. It has grown to be one of the Midwest's largest dealers of Recreational Vehicles. Even since the move to the new location in 1993, Thompson & Sons L.C. could not keep up with the tremendous growth, expanding four times over the next 14 years to a 32,000 square foot building, with an indoor showroom and 15 service bays. With all five of Jim and Darlene's kids working together and their spouses; Dawn, Brandy, Larry and Paul and also nieces and nephews working at the business, it truly makes it a family affair. Thus in late 2005, Thompson & Sons Trailer Sales L.C. became Thompson & Sons Family RV L.C.

       On January 1, 2008, Thompson & Sons Family RV merged with T & T Storage Company to become Thompson Family RV L.C.  With the ownership now in all 5 siblings of Jim and Darlene, Thompson Family RV L.C. has made a new commitment of a new 22,000 sq foot service addition and more acreage.  This brings the total RV Dealership building 55,000 square foot on over 17 acres with 47 employees.          

        Throughout all of it this growth, Thompson Family RV L.C. still maintains the family commitment of caring for all customers through honesty and integrity.  Our motto is to treat the customer like they would like to be treated.

        Thompson Family RV L.C. is honored to have received many awards over the past 50 years for sales and customer satisfaction.

In 2003, Thompson Family RV was awarded the first ever Jayco Inc. Founder Award.  The award is presented to a Jayco Dealer whose ownership and management consistently reflect a dedication to outstanding sales and customer support, and which most embodies the spirit of the founders of Jayco.

In 2009, Thompson Family RV was honored by the Greater Iowa, Quad Cities and Siouxland Region Better Business Bureau with its 2009 Integrity Award.  This award is bestowed on companies whose business practices and related activities in the community exemplify the highest standards of business ethics and conduct.

Also in the fall of 2009, Thompson Family RV was the recipient of becoming one of

RV Business Magazine Top 50 RV Dealer in the United States and Canada. 

RV Business Announces 2009 Top 50 Dealer Awards

August 31, 2009
RV Business today (Aug. 31)  announced selections for the 2nd Annual RV Business Top 50 Dealer Awards, which are based on the nominations of North American RV manufacturers and are to be presented on the evening of Wed., Oct. 7, at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas during the annual RV Dealers International Convention/Expo.

A volunteer panel of industry veterans concluded its review of dealer applications on Aug. 21 at the RV/MH Hall of Fame in Elkhart, Ind., keeping a keen eye on dealers’ overall focus on professionalism, association activities, civic involvement, best practices and consumer care.

“We had an overwhelming response from our manufacturer nominees this year,” said Goldenberg. “The number of applicants received was about 40% more than what we had in 2008. Before judging even started, we considered this year’s program a success, and that was largely due to the many quality dealerships submitting applications. Because there were so many worthy RV dealers who applied, it was a much more difficult selection process this time around, and, unfortunately, we weren’t able to include everyone who applied.”

“The judges did take a very good look at all the application materials dealers sent in, and it was a very close race,” adds BJ Thompson, president of BJ Thompson Associates Inc., whose Mishawaka, Ind.-based agency oversees the application process for RVB. “We encourage all participating dealers, whether they were selected or not, to reapply next year.”

The following U.S. and Canadian retailer is a recipient of the 2009 RV Business Top 50 Dealer Awards

Thompson Family RV, Davenport, IA