Ketelsen RV
Ketelsen RV is a family-owned, multi-location RV dealership founded in 1962, selling new and pre-owned recreational vehicles from eleven brands across six Iowa and Kansas locations, with integrated financing, parts, service, bodywork, and the Camp KRV loyalty program serving Midwest retail consumers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1962
- HeadquartersDe Soto, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Ketelsen RV does
Ketelsen RV is a privately held, family-owned recreational vehicle dealership founded in 1962 in Marion, Iowa by Johnny and Marge Ketelsen and currently operated under second-generation owner Gary Ketelsen. The company sells new and pre-owned RVs across six product categories (travel trailers, fifth wheels, toy haulers, truck campers, livestock trailers, and certified pre-owned) carrying eleven manufacturer brands including Alliance RV, Grand Design, Forest River, Coachmen, Heartland, Keystone, KZ, Highland Ridge, Jayco, Gulf Stream, and Bontrager Outdoors. Six physical locations in Hiawatha (headquarters), De Soto, Elk Run Heights, Dewitt, and Goddard, Kansas, plus a dedicated body shop in Urbana, Iowa, support direct-to-consumer sales of $14,000–$165,000 units with bundled financing pre-qualification, trade-in programs, parts and accessories (Thetford, Suburban, Furrion, Maxx Air, Dicor, Rhino Flex, Coleman-Mach, Lippert), in-house service and repair across twelve enclosed oversized bays, bodywork, and extended service contracts (RV Americare, SafeRideRV, Multi Seal).
Revenue is generated through hardware sales (new and used RV units, parts, accessories), transaction-based financing referral fees, managed services via service contracts, and a recurring-style loyalty program called Camp KRV. The go-to-market is omnichannel retail: physical showrooms drive the majority of conversion, supported by an interactive website with inventory browsing, financing applications, an RV tow guide tool, a content blog, organic social (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, X), and a sponsored podcast, 'The Curious Camper.' Customer acquisition relies on regional brand recognition (62+ years operating, recognized in 2010 by RV Business Magazine as one of the '100 Most Influential People in RV History') and dealer-network affiliation (Priority RV Network), targeting families, outdoor enthusiasts, adventure / toy-hauler buyers, existing RV owners needing service, and budget-conscious or luxury RV shoppers across the Midwest.
Ketelsen RV is a traditional asset-light retail business with no proprietary technology platform, no disclosed AI/ML capabilities, no external institutional funding, and a stated headcount of 11–50 employees. Recent strategic activity has been inorganic: the May 2023 acquisition of Paine's RV and the April 2024 acquisition of the former Kamper's Korner roughly doubled the Iowa footprint over 12 months, indicating a roll-up posture within the regional dealer market.
Ketelsen RV firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Ketelsen RV
- Legal name
- Ketelsen RV
- Website
- https://ketelsenrv.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1962
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Ketelsen RV is a family-owned, multi-location RV dealership founded in 1962, selling new and pre-owned recreational vehicles from eleven brands across six Iowa and Kansas locations, with integrated financing, parts, service, bodywork, and the Camp KRV loyalty program serving Midwest retail consumers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Ketelsen RV is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- De Soto
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices6 records
Markets served
Ketelsen RV business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- New RV Sales: Sale of new recreational vehicles from multiple manufacturers including travel trailers, fifth wheels, and toy haulers. Revenue generated through mark-up over wholesale/manufacturer pricing.
- Pre-Owned RV Sales: Sale of used/pre-owned RVs taken as trade-ins or purchased separately. Typically offers discounts off original MSRP.
- RV Financing: Financing services to help customers purchase RVs. Partners with lenders to provide credit applications. Generates revenue through financing origination or referral fees.
- Parts and Accessories: Sale of RV parts, accessories, and add-ons. Stocks parts from brands including Thetford, Suburban, Furrion, Maxx Air, Dicor, Rhino Flex, Coleman-Mach, and Lippert.
- Service and Repair: RV service and repair including general coach work, bodywork, hitches and wiring, accessory installations, detail and reconditioning. Service departments at multiple locations with twelve enclosed oversized service bays.
- Service Contracts: Extended warranty and service contract offerings through RV Americare, RV Americare Protected, Multi Seal, and SafeRideRV programs.
- Camp KRV Loyalty Program: Free membership program offering discounts on parts and services, early access to new inventory, special promotions, and free care packages for members.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | New RVs - Full MSRP pricing with available dealer discounts |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Pre-Owned RVs - Discounted pricing based on condition and age |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Monthly | Financing - Monthly payment estimates |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels10 records
Ketelsen RV product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Ketelsen RV is a multi-location RV retailer that sells new and pre-owned recreational vehicles (travel trailers, fifth wheels, toy haulers, truck campers, and livestock trailers) from approximately eleven major manufacturers. The dealership complements vehicle sales with in-house financing, parts and accessories, RV service and repair across twelve enclosed service bays, a dedicated body shop, extended service contracts, and the Camp KRV customer loyalty program.
Product overview
Ketelsen RV is a multi-location RV dealership operating as a single unified business offering recreational vehicles across six product categories (Travel Trailers, Fifth Wheels, Toy Haulers, Truck Campers, and Livestock Trailers) along with pre-owned inventory. The product portfolio spans nine major RV brands including Alliance RV, Grand Design, Forest River RV, Coachmen RV, Heartland, Keystone RV, KZ, Highland Ridge RV, Jayco, Gulf Stream RV, and Bontrager Outdoors. These brands encompass approximately 50+ distinct product lines ranging from entry-level travel trailers to luxury fifth wheels. The business complements its vehicle sales with integrated services including RV financing, maintenance and repair facilities, parts and accessories sales, extended service contracts, and the Camp KRV loyalty program. The company operates from six locations across Iowa and Kansas with a state-of-the-art body shop in Urbana, Iowa.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Camp KRV: Loyalty program offering unbeatable savings on parts and services, first look at RVs and products, and special Camp KRV promotions. Members receive free AC inspection and camp KRV care package.
Products and services
- Travel Trailers
- Fifth Wheels
- Toy Haulers
- Truck Campers
- Livestock Trailers
- Pre-Owned RVs
- RV Financing
- RV Service & Repair
- RV Parts & Accessories
- RV Service Contract
- Camp KRV Loyalty Program
Quantifiable outcome
- 62+ years in business as one of Midwest's oldest RV dealers
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Ketelsen RV
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Ketelsen RV technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Ketelsen RV partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators6 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Ketelsen RV competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- Tom Raper RV: Family-owned RV dealership group with locations across Indiana and Ohio. Similar operating model and product offering to Ketelsen with comparable scale and customer profile.
- Bish's RV: Family-owned multi-location RV dealer in Idaho, Montana, and surrounding Mountain West states. Similar mid-sized regional dealer model with comparable brand mix and after-sales services.
- McClain's RV SuperStore: Family-owned multi-location RV dealer serving Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Texas with similar product and service portfolio. Comparable in scale and operating model though geographically adjacent rather than overlapping.
Direct peers
- General RV Center: Family-owned multi-location RV supercenter with 15+ dealerships across the Midwest, Southeast, and East Coast; direct comparable in scale, multi-rooftop model, and brand portfolio.
- Wilkins RV: Multi-location RV dealer network across the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic sharing the same inventory platform technology; directly comparable in product mix, pricing model, and DTC service offerings.
- Camping World Holdings: Largest US RV retailer with hundreds of locations; multi-brand dealership with sales, service, parts, and financing. Direct competitor in the same multi-rooftop RV dealer category serving similar consumer base.
- RV One: Multi-location RV dealer chain in the Southeast offering new and used RVs from major brands. Direct competitor in the multi-rooftop dealer category.
- Lazydays RV: Major multi-location RV dealer chain offering new and pre-owned RVs across multiple regions. Operates in the same dealership category with similar product mix and customer profile.
Market position
Strengths3 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Ketelsen RV social profiles
Digital presenceKetelsen RV financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Ketelsen RV leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Ketelsen RV funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Ketelsen RV M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Ketelsen RV
What does Ketelsen RV do?
Ketelsen RV is a multi-location RV retailer that sells new and pre-owned recreational vehicles (travel trailers, fifth wheels, toy haulers, truck campers, and livestock trailers) from approximately eleven major manufacturers. The dealership complements vehicle sales with in-house financing, parts and accessories, RV service and repair across twelve enclosed service bays, a dedicated body shop, extended service contracts, and the Camp KRV customer loyalty program.
Is Ketelsen RV a public or private company?
Ketelsen RV is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Ketelsen RV founded?
Ketelsen RV was founded in 1962. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Ketelsen RV based?
Ketelsen RV is headquartered in De Soto, United States, in the North America region.
How does Ketelsen RV make money?
Seven revenue lines are on record. New RV Sales are the primary driver. The others are pre-Owned RV Sales, RV Financing, parts and Accessories, service and Repair, service Contracts and camp KRV Loyalty Program.
Who are Ketelsen RV's main competitors?
Regional players on record are Tom Raper RV, Bish's RV and McClain's RV SuperStore. Direct peers are General RV Center, Wilkins RV, Camping World Holdings, RV One and Lazydays RV.
Does Ketelsen RV have an API?
No public API is recorded for Ketelsen RV.