Tom Johnson's History

A business venture begins....

In 1967, an outdoorsman and a school principal named Tom Johnson decided to forgo his career in the Marion, NC school system to pursue a new business he was passionate about: RVs and the RV lifestyle. What began with five pop-up campers sold and serviced out of Tom's front yard has evolved into one of the largest and most respected RV dealerships, campsites and RV service centers in the nation - Tom Johnson Camping Center. Although the company outgrew its initial humble location, its staff remains true to the original passion and foundation established in its home-grown beginnings: at Tom Johnson Camping Center, customers are family. Commitment to quality and customer satisfaction are the cornerstones of the Tom Johnson Camping Center philosophy - and this philosophy is the difference our customers see and experience every day.

Growing with the times...

The original Tom Johnson Camping Center location in Marion, NC opened in 1987; people responded to our down-home approach and focus on customer service, and business flourished. The Rally Park was added to this facility in the 1990s for RV conventions and groups, and it is also home to one of our two "family reunions" - our customer appreciation Annual BBQ which draws nearly 6,000 people each year. In the summer of 2000, a second Tom Johnson Camping Center location was opened in Concord, NC to ensure the best customer service to our NASCAR clientele, along with our other customers in Charlotte and Eastern North Carolina. This site is home to our newly introduced customer-appreciation event, the Annual Spring Fling, which offers the same familyfriendly food, fun and entertainment as our Annual BBQ. As the years passed, Tom Johnson Camping Center has evolved and expanded, but it remains family-owned and operated, and we continue our dedication to providing the superior level of service and quality our company is renowned for.

An example of this unparalleled service can be found in our recent expansion of the Marion, NC location. To best serve our customers, we expanded our service capabilities, opened a new Customer Service Lodge and a luxury campground in fall of 2006.

The tradition continues....

Today, Tom Johnson Camping Center has 300 employees, nearly 200 acres spanning two convenient locations with a variety of luxurious amenities, 69 service bays operated by master certified RV technicians and one of the largest, most comprehensive stock of RV products, parts and accessories in the nation. Visit one of our locations to enjoy the expertise, quality and selection of a large, nationally renowned dealership, coupled with the charm and award-winning service of small, family-owned company. Experience the Tom Johnson Camping Center Difference.

It is with great pleasure that we inform our "family" that Tom Johnson Camping Center has received the first-ever Dave Altman Award as the Nation's Premier RV Dealer. The award is the highest honor bestowed on a dealership as part of the RV Business Top 50 Dealer Awards and recognizes the exceptional business operations, customer service, and professionalism of our dealership.

The award was presented on September 24 at a gala awards dinner in Las Vegas during the Recreational Vehicle Dealer Association's (RVDA's) Annual Convention and Expo. The names of the first 45 honored dealerships were announced in alphabetical order before the five blue-ribbon dealers were announced. A special presentation was then held for the recipient of the Dave Altman Award, honoring the best of the best - Tom Johnson Camping Center.

Every RV dealer boasts that they are the best something. However, few back that up with more than words. In order to separate yourself from the pack, you need to be open to doing things that your competitors cannot do or will not do. Tom Johnson Camping Center recognized this from day one and spent the ensuing 40+ years backing it up with hard work and an unsurpassed commitment to customer satisfaction. This award validates those years of hard work and commitment and we hope that you will continue to shop with us, so that we can maintain our status as the Nation's Premier RV Dealer.