The RV market is still going strong, especially in the used and rental markets. Even as RV sales dipped in 2023, sales are still up from 2017, indicating a positive movement in overall RV sales. RV inventory is also expected to increase. While around 300,000 RV units shipped in 2023, those figures are expected to rise to the mid-300,000s for 2024.

The consumer segments interested in purchasing RVs have expanded as well. According to an Integrated Dealer Systems survey, the demographic most interested in purchasing an RV lately has been families with young children at 34%. After that 28% were Millennials/Gen Z and then retirees at 25%.

While there’s still been plenty of interest in new RVs, with the increase in RV costs and interest rates, consumers are veering toward buying a used RV. RV dealers are also taking on RV financing as part of their business model. People opt to rent instead of buy RVs. The RV rental market is growing. According to Wakefield research, 61% of people planning leisure travel in 2023 wanted to take a road trip or vacation in an RV.

With the used RV dealerships and RV rentals market heating up, protecting your inventory is even more important than ever. Here’s how RV dealers and rental companies can use GPS as part of their technology strategy to create smoother RV sales and protect their assets.

Easily find and track inventory on your lot

The right technology has helped improve RV sales. RV dealers already know that cybersecurity and mobile-friendly websites are important to running their business. A GPS management system can add another layer of security and efficiency to your business while protecting your assets.

Having a GPS tracker for each RV can help properly track your inventory. You’ll know exactly where your RV is, whether it’s getting serviced, on the lot or out for test drive. That decreases time spent searching the lot or tracking down RVs. With an RV GPS app, you can pinpoint the exact RV location.

A GPS tracker can also protect your RVs from being stolen off the lot. According to a Gitnux marketing report, 34% of RVs that are stolen are never recovered. If an RV rental or used RV is stolen, a GPS device like PassTime’s TRAX device includes real-time location tracking so you can pinpoint the RV location and quickly retrieve it, ensuring you don’t wind up in the 34%.

The RV GPS app can also help protect your RVs from costly hail or weather damage. If you see a storm rolling in, you can use the app to find your assets and get them to shelter before major damage occurs.

Protect your RV investment once it drives off

GPS is a great way to stay on top of inventory at the RV dealership or rental location. But having a GPS is even more important when the RV drives off the lot. Knowing how to find your financed RV or RV rental is important to your bottom line. Here are a few ways GPS can protect your assets:

• Track locations in real-time. With RV rentals, you should always know where your assets are. GPS devices include tracking data to find assets in real time. Geo-fencing can also alert you if the RV leaves a specific area.
• Make RV repossession easy. PassTime’s TRAX SI GPS also has starter-interrupt features. You can use the RV GPS app to prevent the RV from starting, ensuring the RV can’t drive off if the owner is behind in their RV financing payments.
• Track your RV anywhere with dual-location technology. PassTime’s 4^th-generation battery-powered GPS device, Encore, offers dual-location technology, which combines GPS and cellular technology to help you find your RV anywhere, even where GPS might fail, like parking garages or major building obstructions. Now Encore offers 150% greater signal capacity, accuracy and performance than the previous generation.
• Protect your GPS. With PassTime’s Select GPS device’s tow and tamper detection feature receive alerts when someone tries to remove the GPS device or if the vehicle is being towed. It can help prevent GPS tampering if someone is trying to steal the RV or wants to remove the GPS before their RV is paid off.
• Take advantage of stealth GPS options. Encore is the size of a deck of cards for easy hiding in the RV. It can be placed under the dash, under seats or hidden practically anywhere a deck of cards can be placed.

Save money with GPS devices

Most rental companies, car dealers and RV dealers understand that GPS is necessary to protect their vehicle inventory. GPS assets like Encore can track a large RV inventory affordably. You can also save money by reducing staff time on collecting payments.

GPS can help improve payment options. PassTime’s Elite GPS allows RV dealers to send payment reminders to owners of financed RVs. These automated payment reminders can keep payments on track and remind consumers to work with RV dealers and financers if they fall behind.

Find the right GPS fit for you

You can find an easy, affordable way to protect your RV inventory. To learn more about our GPS options and what PassTime can do for you, contact us today to get a free quote.