Campers Inn and Lazydays: The Past, Present, and Future (with Ben Hirsch)

What this episode covers

On this week’s episode of The RV Atlas Podcast, we sit down with Ben Hirsch, COO of Campers Inn, for a fascinating behind-the-scenes conversation about one of the fastest-growing family-owned companies in the RV industry. This episode goes far beyond sales numbers and dealership locations. We talk about: The family story behind Campers Inn The evolution of their RV dealerships Why customer experience matters more than ever The future of Lazydays in Tampa And how the RV industry can continue serving families for generations to come If you’ve ever bought an RV, shopped for one, or wondered what’s happening behind the scenes in the RV business right now, this episode offers a rare and thoughtful perspective. To listen to our interview with Ben Hirsch please click on the media player above--or subscribe to the RV Atlas podcast wherever you get your favorite show! The Campers Inn Origin Story: Four Pop-Up Campers and a Big Idea One of the best moments in the episode is hearing about how Campers Inn got started. Ben shared the family story about his grandparents visiting an RV dealership decades ago to shop for a tent camper. His grandfather—a machinist still wearing his work clothes—felt dismissed and judged by the dealership staff. On the drive home, he made a bold statement: “If that’s all it takes to be in the RV business, I think we can do it better.” Soon after, the family purchased four folding campers and opened the very first Campers Inn location in Acton, Massachusetts. That founding story still shapes the company culture today. Campers Inn: A Third-Generation Family Business Ben is part of the third generation working in the family business, alongside: His uncle Jeff His father David Several cousins Even his wife, who works in HR But before joining Campers Inn full-time, Ben served in the military after graduating from West Point. He spent eight years in the Army flying Black Hawk helicopters and leading troops—an experience that he says shaped his leadership style and ability to stay calm under pressure. That long-term perspective and disciplined leadership style clearly influence the way Campers Inn approaches growth and customer experience. From 6 Dealerships to More Than 50 When Ben joined the company in 2013, Campers Inn had six locations. Today, the company has: More than 50 dealerships Locations in 22 states Multiple Airstream dealerships Motorhome-only locations Traditional towable dealerships Luxury-focused stores Entry-level focused stores Despite the rapid growth, Campers Inn remains 100% family-owned. Ben emphasized that the company intentionally avoided outside investment so they could continue growing at a pace that made sense for their culture and long-term goals. Why Campers Inn Focuses on Different RV Segments One of the most interesting parts of the conversation was hearing how Campers Inn structures its dealerships differently depending on the market. Rather than trying to sell every possible RV brand at every location, they intentionally focus stores on specific customer segments: Entry-level RV buyers Mid-range “meat and potatoes” RVers Luxury buyers Ben explained that this allows teams to become true specialists while also simplifying service and training. It’s a strategy designed around improving the customer experience—not just maximizing inventory. Why They Still Believe in Pop-Up Campers Jeremy was especially excited to hear that Campers Inn still sells pop-up campers...