HERSHEY, PENNSYLVANIA
September 13-17, 2023
Giant Center

Ticket on Sale in June
Industry Attendees

Seminars

PRVCA is pleased to offer two days of training specifically designed for the RV industry. From RV equipment and electricity to customer service and warranty administration, there’s a session to help dealers offer the best service to their customers.

Monday, September 12, 2022

Dometic Refrigerators and Furnaces

10 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Champions Club
6 CEU Credits | Member Cost: FREE; Non Member: $50 (Lunch included)

Dometic Refrigerators and Furnaces
This training session is designed to educate both seasoned and new RV technicians on troubleshooting and repairing Dometic refrigerators and furnaces efficiently. The class will introduce new technology and products as well as common issues experienced in the field. A general knowledge of basic electricity and how to test equipment is recommended but not required.

Dometic logo

Horizon Global: REESE Towing Systems

10 a.m. – 12 Noon | Power Play
2 CEU Credits | Cost: FREE

In this seminar Horizon Global will review the installation and set-up of the updated REESE Sidewinder short bed truck 5th wheel trailer towing solution, REESE Goose Box, REESE PRO, REESE Dual Cam II weight distribution and sway control systems, and REESE M5 fifth wheel hitches. This seminar will also review the updated under bed and above bed 5th wheel rail and bracket installation kits, including the new REESE MAX DUTY kits for ½ ton pick-up trucks.

REESE logo

Dexter Axle: Servicing RV Axles, Spring Suspensions and Electric Braking Systems

10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. | Press Room/Hallway
Credits: 4 CEU; Cost: Members: FREE; Non members: $30 (lunch included)

Learn about commonly used RV axles and suspensions, including a presentation of theory and hands-on practical training with spring axles and electric drum brakes.  The instructor will include technician safety; component identification; wheel bearing and electric drum brake service; spring suspension operation, introduction to torsion axles, proper trailer loading, alignment troubleshooting, and more.

Dexter Axle

Coleman Mach

10 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Green Room
Credits: 6 CEU; Cost: Members: FREE; Non members: $200 (lunch included)

Coleman Mach Wall Thermostats and Zone Control
This comprehensive course covers the complete line of Coleman-Mach Climate Control Thermostats, including units still in service, yet out of production.  Topics will include trouble shooting, diagnostic and repair, as well as recognizing when to replace.  Then the course will instruct on recognizing when the problem lies in the thermostat, or when it lies elsewhere in the climate control system.

Basic AC Training
This is a basic level course covering the fundamentals of Coleman-Mach air conditioner diagnostics and repair. We will begin with an overview of AC components, internal structure and general operation of an air conditioner cooling circuit. The course will instruct technicians on basic trouble shooting, problem identification and how to determine when to repair and when a replacement unit is the best option. If the unit needs replacing, the course determining the Coleman-Mach unit to best replace an outdated model. Additionally, the session will detail where to find an AC model number and a what model numbers reflect when selecting a replacement.

When the unit needs replaced, this class will inform techs about the best of replacement options.  In addition, techs will learn the best thermostat for use in new unit installations. The differences between thermostats will be reviewed, and how correctly match the thermostat to meet the system and RV owners’ needs, and which have the best features for their application.

Coleman-Mach

MorRyde

1 p.m. – 2 p.m. | Power Play
Credits: 1 CEU; Cost: FREE

MorRyde Products
Attendees will learn the fit, application and tech tips for MorRyde products.

MORryde Interantional

Steele Rubber Products

3 p.m. – 4 p.m. | Power Play
Credits: 1 CEU; Cost: FREE

Sealing Solutions that Move You
Steele Rubber Products produces the industry’s highest quality seals and weatherstripping for RVs automobiles, and watercraft. Providing custom sealing solutions and retail-ready product lines help businesses answer their customer’s needs while maintaining profitability and simplifying inventory management.

Steele Rubber Products logo

Tuesday, September 13, 2022

RV Electricity for Technicians and Campgrounds

10 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Champions Club
Credits: 6 CEU; Cost: Members: FREE; Non members: $40 (lunch included)

Presented by: Mike Sokol, RV Electricity

This session is tailored to both RV technicians and campgrounds and will provide advanced troubleshooting techniques for Lithium vs FLA and AGM batteries, selecting inverter and generator power including solar panels and charge controllers. It will also focus on campground pedestal testing and maintenance including load balancing of campgrounds, hot-skin voltage causes, testing and repair.

Mike Sokol

Xantrex Inverters and Chargers

10 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Power Play
Credits: 3 CEU; Cost: Members: FREE; Non members: $25

This seminar will cover three parts of energy – generation, storage, and conversion. This class will discuss how to design and size the correct solar array, in addition to troubleshooting solar energy. Learn all about the storage of lithium batteries by discussing the advantages of lithium-ion batteries, sizing your lithium battery bank and troubleshooting energy storage. Finally, you will learn about inverters and chargers, and answer what is an inverter, why use an inverter, and how to install and troubleshoot your inverter.

Mike Sokol

Dexter Axle: Servicing RV Axles, Spring Suspensions and Electric Braking Systems

10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. | Press Room/Hallway
Credits: 4 CEU; Cost: Members: FREE; Non members: $30 (lunch included)

Learn about commonly used RV axles and suspensions, including a presentation of theory and hands-on practical training with spring axles and electric drum brakes.  The instructor will include technician safety; component identification; wheel bearing and electric drum brake service; spring suspension operation, introduction to torsion axles, proper trailer loading, alignment troubleshooting, and more.

Dexter Axle

Cummins: RV generators and engines

10 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Green Room
Credits: 4 CEU; Cost: Members: FREE; Non members: $30 (lunch included)

Come see what is new with Cummins and learn proper maintenance and operation of generators to share with your customers. In this seminar, Cummins experts will share commonly used tools and systems to enable technicians to diagnose generators and engines. Live demonstration of new products will also be available. Cummins.com

Cummins logo

Marshall Excelsior Corporation: LP Gas Systems, Regulators and Hoses

1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. | Power Play
Credits: 1 CEU; Cost: FREE

In this seminar, you will learn why one size regulator doesn’t fit today’s RV needs and demands. Learn about high pressure and high capacity regulators, how to connect gas grills to the camper or motorhome, measure BTUs and inches of water column to make the proper adjustment, and proper procedure for testing an LP system.

MEC

WFCO

3 p.m. – 4 p.m. | Power Play
Credits: 1 CEU; Cost: FREE Exclusive to WFCO Converters, Auto-Detect is a new Patent Pending technology that will detect lead acid or lithium-Ion batteries and automatically change the charging profile based on the battery. Auto-Detect enables RV owners to optimize their batteries without needing to change out an entire converter or operate a manual switch for battery type. .

WFCO

Micro-Air

3 p.m. – 4 p.m. | Green Room
Credits: 1 CEU; Cost: FREE

Micro-Air EasyStart 364 soft start for RV A/C and EasyTouch RV WiFi Thermostat

Learn how to present Micro-Air products to customers and the showcase the solutions they bring to the RV with discussion of performance, compatibility, and installation techniques. Learn how the EasyStart permits starts on low power sources like inverters in solar arrays, small generators, and how the Bluetooth version can communicate information to owners remotely via Wi-Fi, email, and text alerts.

The EasyTouch RV thermostat allows remote control by smartphone app, providing 21st century technology and can repair some of the problems left behind by OEMs in their 20th century thermostats.

Micro-Air

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Tobin Agency

The Tobin Agency has specialized in Recreational Vehicle Insurance since 1975. They are a family owned agency with strong ties to the RV lifestyle.

When you call the Tobin Agency for a quote or to service your existing policy you will speak to a "live" licensed insurance producer with an understanding of RV Insurance. Call Tobin Agency to experience the "Tobin Touch"!

Matt 'RV' Misener Sales Manager, Steele Rubber Products

With an extensive background in sales and customer service, 'RV Matt' has cultivated a reputation of finding solutions for your sealing needs. Despite his title, he enjoys helping in the design and innovation of new products. A father of four daughters, he enjoys family time, outdoor sports and helping his community.

Fantasy RV Tours

FANTASY RV TOURS is among the world’s most distinctive RV tour companies, providing sought-after RV vacations to exceptional destinations. With more than 20 years in the RV industry, Fantasy is one of the global leaders in RV caravan travel.  The company joined with CREATIVE WORLD TRAVEL in 2005, which has shown RVers new ways to vacation since 1970.

Up Close RV

When Colonel Michael Lockwood was serving in the military he lived in an RV and often found it difficult to find nearby, long-term campground space. As he commuted more than an hour to work, he saw abundant space in homeowners' driveways and thought it would be great to be able to rent space to park his RV. After a more than 40 years in the Army, Lockwood retired and decided to help fill the need for more RV space by starting Up Close RV. MIchael and his team are experienced RVers who know all about the great experiences and the obstacles RVers can face. They can help new RVers prepare for life on the road.

Chris DoughertyTechnical Director, RV Enthusiast magazine

Think about your favorite teacher in high school–that’s Chris. He’s friendly, even tempered, and very, very knowledgeable. A Recreational Vehicle Dealer Association (RVDA) and RVIA certified RV technician, Chris was a student of, and mentored by, his friend Gary Bunzer, the RV Doctor. He wrote for a number of RV sources before spending the past few years as the Technical Editor for Trailer Life and MotorHome magazines. A lifelong RVer, including 10 years as a full-timer, Chris has owned or worked on every type of RV from pop-up to bus conversion. Chris and his wife, Karen, currently travel with a fifth wheel or truck camper.

Gardens RV Village

James “Tim” T. Wilson is the principal broker for Gardens RV Village, an RV retirement community located in Crossville, Tennessee.

For RV enthusiasts who live in The Gardens motorcoach retirement community, traveling and exploring this incredibly beautiful, diverse and bountiful country is a prominent focus in lives. There’s also a lot of fun to be had at home in their Tennessee haven. Gardens homeowners find their days surprisingly full as they cram in everything from pot luck dinners, games and bridge tournaments to RV campouts.

Life in The Gardens has been compared to when you’re in grade school and you finally get out for summer recess: It’s more than just a retirement community on top of a mountain. It’s the closest-knit group of the most caring and loving people you’d ever want to meet.

Greg DewaltPRVCA Education Director

Greg Dewalt is education director at the Pennsylvania RV and Camping Association, where he leads the education program for the association's members. He operated his own consulting and training business for 20 years, assisting RV dealers with training programs, customer care and increased profitability. 

As a high school student, Dewalt performed pre-delivery inspections (PDI) and worked on trailer hitches at his family’s RV dealership. After eight years of service in the U.S. Army, he returned to the family dealership. Overall, he has more than 37 years of experience working in the RV industry on both the dealer and manufacturer side of the business.

Dewalt earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the U.S. Military Academy and continued his education in sales, management, parts, service and as a Master Certified RV Technician.

RV Safety and Education Foundation

Not often does an entity come along that positively impacts all segments of a given industry equally. The RV Safety & Education Foundation, RVSEF, does that within the RV Industry. Thanks to the RVSEF, headquartered in Merritt Island, FL, today’s coaches are much safer.

The brainchild of John Anderson, A ‘Weigh We Go now RVSEF, first appeared in 1993 when John discovered that many RVs leaving the factory were decidedly overweight; many even before the owner loaded it. With product and personal safety at risk, John pushed on and began weighing RVs of all types in order to record and analyze the extent of the issue. Weighing is still one of the main tenets of RVSEF activities to this day and it still gathers data at many RV shows, conventions and rallies across the country. 

Today, RVSEF works closely with the RV Industry Association (RVIA) and the RV Dealer’s Association (RVDA) in coordinating safety programs. Not to be construed as a consumer advocate, RVSEF is decidedly and purposely, a “safety advocate” and a champion for all involved in the RV lifestyle. Its efforts and dedication have improved the products created by RV builders as more manufacturers became aware of weight limitations and most now design their coaches with weight distribution and cargo carrying capacities in mind. 

Steven RayePhoenix Fire and RV Training

Steven Raye has been a volunteer firefighter for more than 40 years and has worked his way thru the ranks to Chief Officer and trustee of his fire company.  Presently, he is on the board of directors for The Sussex County NJ Fire Training Academy. 

In 1973, Raye took over the management of the service department for the RV dealership his father had started in 1960.  Through his years at the dealership, he served on the Board of Directors and was a Trustee for the education fund for North Hampton Community College Bethlehem, PA and Board of Advisors RV training North Hampton Community College, and the National Recreational Vehicle Training Institute at Northampton Community College, for the Pennsylvania Recreation Vehicle and Campground Association (PRVCA)

He owns and operates Regins RV Service, an on your site service company, and Phoenix Fire and RV Training. He maintains his Master RV Service certification through continuous training and education, just as he has done since the first issuance in 1998 and is a member of the Society of Certified RV Professionals. 

Tom RomeroNational Accounts and Training Manager for REESE (Horizon Global)

Tom Romero has 40 years of experience in the RV, marine and automotive aftermarkets. He joined REESE (Horizon Global) in 2001 and has been with the company for 20 years, providing sales and technical training on REESE towing products.

His passion is to provide RV towing education to everyone from the dealers to the consumers so they can enjoy the best RVing experience.

The Flipping NomadCortni Armstrong

In her mid twenties, Cortni Armstrong was desperately trying to save her Dad's businesses after he suffered a stroke. Meanwhile, her lease was coming up for renewal and she found out that all of her roommates had made plans that didn't involve her. With no salary to back her up, a family friend helped Cortni move into an RV.  At first she was embarrassed and felt like it was her rock bottom.

A year later, Cortni had embraced the lifestyle and grew to love living tiny. The only problem was she didn't love the interiors offered in stock RVs.  Cortni took matters into her own hands and renovated a basic RV into her tiny dream home on wheels.  That experience made her think that maybe other people don't like the stock interiors either, and that there might be an opportunity there.  Thus, The Flipping Nomad was born.

Freedom in a CanShari Galiardi and David Hutchison

As engaging professional speakers and life-long educators, David Hutchison and Shari Galiardi bring stories from their mid-life adventure to large industry travel shows, intimate college campuses, open "tiny houses" in REI parking lots, and a growing online audience. Travelling with their vintage camper for more than nine years and 150K miles to 49 states, 8 Canadian provinces, more than 100 National Parks & Monuments, and countless other public lands, they have pursued what it means to live the good life and sustain it. As presenters, they “are consummate story-tellers, skillfully weaving practical know-how, sustainability tips, stories and images… guaranteed to change the way you think about your everyday way of being in the world," B. Beaulieu. The couple writes about all things camping and off-grid living for The Dyrt’s online magazine, Renogy Solar, and Northwest RVing. 

Randy SobelRV Electricity

Mike Sokol has been a live-sound, recording, and design engineer for over 38 years as well as a musician for 50 years who has run sound for thousands of Worship, Music, and Political events. In addition to teaching audio production at all levels, he’s been a contributing editor for magazines such as Church Productions, EQ, Electronic Musician, and Mix, as well as a technical consultant to Apple Computer and Microsoft. During the past ten years he’s presented over 600 seminars and Hands-On Workshops across North America at Churches, recording schools, universities, and professional audio organizations such as the Audio Engineering Society, the Society of Broadcast Engineers and NARAS (Grammy Awards Group).

Randy SobelPresident, Sobel University

Randy Sobel is president of Sobel University, which has developed RV sales and management training that currently reaches 500 Dealerships in the U.S and Canada. In more than 28 years, Sobel has presented numerous times at the RVDA, RVIA, 20 Groups, State and Provence Associations meetings as well as most Factory Dealer meetings. His training material has changed drastically over the years to stay current and relevant. Sobel still trains in two RV Dealerships most weeks as well as holding University courses in Tacoma and Atlanta.