Chemo RV has been helping people get their families into the great outdoors for nearly 40 years.
The business is growing, with new store construction planned for Quesnel and an RV storage expansion in 150 Mile House.
Owner Jason Bell said that the larger facility will make them a true one-stop shop. “Parts, sales, rentals, service, storage, tune ups, winterizing, upgrades — it’s all here, and there’s nothing we can’t do within reason,” he said.
Also new at Chemo RV are units with a toy hauler box for people to bring things like quads and dirt bikes when they go camping.
“We also have the Avenger, a new line of travel trailers this year with all new layouts and floor plans,” Jason explained.
The RV lifestyle has become quite prevalent in the past 10-15 years, according to Bell, who said it’s a fairly inexpensive choice.
“You can buy a travel trailer and finance it here with low payments for a long period of time. And it’s an easy get-away in this part of the world: you can hitch up Friday after work and disappear until Sunday afternoon with not a lot of added expense. There are so many options here; you can drive a half hour or an hour and be at a hundred different lakes.”
He noted that one dramatic change he has seen is accessibility when it comes to purchasing a used or new RV.
“It’s much easier: you have a lot of financial avenues now. It’s like buying a car; you can do it all here,” he said. “We find the best rates for you — something that fits into your budget and your lifestyle.”
He said that technology has also definitely changed RVing.
“People want Bluetooth, USB, fireplaces, LED lights, MP3 — everything powered. It’s a very techie industry that fits with our newer customers. The average 30-something now compared to the average 30-something 10 years ago has changed dramatically,” he said.
“People want internet and satellite TV when they go camping.”
The upcoming generation is changing, however, Bell says.
He read recently that people want both plugged and unplugged when it comes to technology.
“When they go camping they want to be unplugged: we have a lot of people who want to go off-grid, so we sell a lot of solar inverters and big battery systems so they can go to places where they don’t need power and can be self-sufficient for days or weeks at a time,” he said. “We get both kinds.”
Chemo RV does new and used sales, rentals, repairs, parts and storage. There are three journeyman techs in the 150 Mile House location and one journeyman and two apprentices in Quesnel.
“When it comes to finding the right RV for you it’s a matter of deciding what you’re going to do with it,” Jason explained.
“The weekend warriors want smaller: they want to be outside, and the ones taking a motorhome to live in for work or heading south for months at a time want something bigger.
“We will help you find what fits your life and your budget and your family,” Jason said.
He said they share inventory with Quesnel, giving people more convenient options. “Everything on our lot is ready to go within the hour. We want to get you on the road and out where you want to be,” he continued.
In almost 40 years, Chemo RV has had two owners: Jack Bell and his son, Jason. “The proof is in the pudding,” Jason continued. “We won’t sell everybody and that’s OK. We have many repeat, satisfied customers and meet new ones all the time. When people think of RVing, we want them to think of us and know we’re here to help — we want people to leave here happy.”
For more information about Chemo RV phone 250-296-4411, find them at Chemo RV on Facebook or visit their website www.chemorv.ca.