Camping World RV Sales technicians enjoy their careers

When the economy changed more than three years ago, Tom Fragale looked West to expand his horizons as a recreational vehicle technician. Now, the energetic former New Yorker said he wouldn't trade a thing working for Camping World RV Sales at 13175 Las Vegas Blvd. South.

"I love it out here," said Fragale, who is so well-schooled that there isn't anything he cannot fix on an RV. "I grew up in the snow and I had enough. I had submitted my resume online and only a couple of days later, (Camping World Service Manager) Ray Arbesu called to see if I was interested in working in Las Vegas."

He said the RV business definitely includes hard work and provides daily challenges, but the rewards are big whether it's working on an 18-foot Fleetwood Pioneer trailer or the 42-foot Prevost luxury RV that sells for $1.5 million.

No assignment is easy, but for specialists like Fragale, there is also a sense of satisfaction in knowing that he has established an answer and made a customer happy .

"We do have a lot of repeat customers and I have worked on the same coach many times," said Fragale, 52, who relaxes by riding his 2009 Yamaha 950 V Star. "We sometimes see people who are upset because something has gone wrong right when they're starting to go on vacation and it's nice to get them back on the road again.

"These are houses on wheels, so it takes specialized technicians to keep everything in order."

Another key element to working as a technician in the RV business is that they can make a respectable living doing something they love.

"We can make good money," Fragale said. "However, you must know what you're doing to work in this business, that's for sure. We are often taking classes online just to keep up with all the changes in the RV business. This industry seems to change on a daily basis, so there's no time to sit around. Besides, learning is also part of the fascination I have for the business.

"This is a very promising career for those who want to work, especially young people. The motorhome business has survived some tough times and those owning an RV will always count on their coach to get them on the road for relaxation. But in most cases, the owners also need people like us to keep them going."

Dave Scott, who has been technician for six years at Camping World RV, says the industry has been good to him, too. He is now the store's designated technician for the RV rental division.

"I came here never having worked on an RV and knew little or nothing about them," said Scott . "I have gone from knowing nothing about RVs to being Recreational Vehicle Industry Association certified. I honestly wish I had gotten into this industry earlier."

Arbesu lauds his staff of 12 technicians and especially has good things to say about Fragale.

"He's an excellent worker," said Arbesu . "We can count on him and he's always here to not only get the job started but also get it done, too."

For more information , call 702-896-9000 or visit www.campingworld.com.