Our Story | TowTally Camping

One RV, a Construction Yard, and a Crazy Idea

In 2011, Danielle and I decided to open an RV rental business in Redding, California. Neither of us had any experience in the RV industry. Danielle came from a banking background, while I came from the medical industry.

What we shared was a passion for the outdoors, camping, and the RV lifestyle. We loved the idea of building a business where customers were genuinely excited to see us because they were preparing for their next adventure.

We opened TowTally Camping in a construction yard with one rental RV. Our family thought we were crazy. Looking back, maybe we were a little crazy, but we believed in what we were building.

It didn't take long to discover that demand was greater than our supply. Unfortunately, finding a bank willing to take a chance on a brand-new RV rental company was nearly impossible.

We invested our savings and began offering RV consignment rentals, helping owners who were struggling with their RV payments put their trailers to work and recover some of their costs.

Before long, our rental fleet grew from one RV to 16.

I still remember delivering trailers to campgrounds around Shasta Lake, Whiskeytown, and sometimes all the way to the California coast.

There were countless late nights cleaning, preparing, and turning around RVs so the next family could begin their vacation on time.

It was exhausting, but there was something special about helping people create memories with their families.

Growing Together From the Beginning

In 2014, we hired our first RV detailer, Trisha. Her responsibilities included cleaning rental trailers, preparing units for customers, and yes, even emptying the holding tanks.

It wasn't glamorous work, but those early days required dedication, hard work, and a willingness to do whatever needed to be done.

One of the things we're most proud of is that Trisha is still with TowTally Camping today.

She's grown alongside our company and now serves as our Redding RV Service Advisor, helping customers navigate RV repairs, warranty claims, RV parts, and service needs.

Her journey is a special part of our history and a reminder of the people who helped build this business.

From RV Rentals to RV Sales in Redding

In 2014, I traveled to Elkhart, Indiana, the heart of the RV manufacturing industry. My goal was to find a manufacturer willing to sell us travel trailers for our growing rental fleet.

While there, I met another RV dealer who asked which brands we sold. I explained that we operated a rental company and weren't selling RVs at the time.

When I mentioned Rockwood RV and our interest in Cherokee RV, he challenged me to think differently. He believed strongly in Rockwood and encouraged me to start selling travel trailers.

His advice was simple: order a few units, sell them, reinvest, and gradually increase our inventory.

There was just one problem. Once again, we couldn't find a bank willing to finance our plans.

We applied to TCF Financial for RV inventory financing and were initially denied. I called the underwriter, Ryan, and asked what amount he might be willing to approve.

To our surprise, TCF approved our credit line. That small opportunity helped launch our journey into RV sales. One of the smallest credit lines in our industy.

We moved into the former Redding RV dealership location at 2425 Cascade Boulevard in Redding, California. The property needed plenty of work, but it gave us a place to begin.

That location is still part of TowTally Camping today.

We continued developing our relationships with Forest River, expanding our Rockwood offerings and adding Cherokee travel trailers.

Those early manufacturer partnerships helped shape the RV dealership we would become.

Wearing Every Hat

In the early years, Danielle and I did just about everything ourselves. There weren't separate departments for sales, service, accounting, and warranty.

Danielle sold RVs, processed DMV paperwork, managed the books, and cleaned trailers. I handled warranty claims, repaired RVs, and worked with customers on the sales lot.

I still remember crawling out from underneath an RV, brushing the dirt off my shirt and pants, and walking over to greet someone shopping for their next trailer.

In 2015, we hired our first RV technician, Brandon. It was another major milestone for our growing dealership.

I can still remember many of those early RV repairs we tackled together and the specialized technical training we received from industry leaders such as Forest River, Lippert, and Dometic.

We were continually learning, improving our skills, and building the knowledge and experience needed to support our growing customer base.

Just like Trisha, Brandon is still part of TowTally Camping today. From those early days working side by side to the experienced RV service operation we've built, Brandon has been an important part of our journey.

Looking back, it's incredible to see how far we've come from those days when we were wearing every hat imaginable.

Building a No-Pressure RV Sales Experience

In 2016, we took another important step forward by hiring our first dedicated RV salesperson, Joanna.

From the beginning, Danielle and I wanted TowTally Camping to offer a different kind of RV dealership experience.

We believed customers should feel comfortable shopping for an RV, asking questions, and exploring their options without the pressure often associated with vehicle sales.

Joanna helped us bring that philosophy to life. Our approach was simple: listen to customers, understand their needs, and help them find the right RV without high-pressure sales tactics.

As our dealership continued growing, we welcomed another dedicated RV sales professional, Joseph, around 2017.

Joseph brought another valuable perspective to our growing team, helping customers compare RVs, understand their options, and find the right trailer for their needs.

We're proud that both Joanna and Joseph remain with TowTally Camping today.

Joanna continues helping customers find their next RV while stepping in wherever she's needed throughout the company.

Joseph continues to be an important part of our RV sales team, bringing years of experience and product knowledge to the customers he serves.

Their longevity and dedication have helped us maintain the friendly, knowledgeable, no-pressure shopping experience we've believed in since the beginning.

Expanding Our RV Service Center and Growing Our Team

As our RV dealership continued to grow, so did the demand for service and repairs.

For years, we primarily serviced the RVs we sold. But our customers began referring family members, friends, and neighbors.

More and more people were asking if we could work on their RVs too. How could we say no?

In 2018, we expanded into a dedicated RV service facility at 18691 Old Oasis Road in Redding, California, just down the street from our Cascade Boulevard sales location.

Around 2019, another local RV dealership closed its doors after 35+ years.

While it was unfortunate to see another business close, it created an unexpected opportunity to welcome experienced industry professionals to our team.

One of those individuals was Cindy, who joined us as an RV Service Advisor.

Cindy brought a tremendous amount of industry knowledge and experience, with a strong background in RV parts, RV service, and RV running gears.

Her expertise helped strengthen our service operations and expand the knowledge and support we could offer our customers.

We're proud that Cindy is still part of TowTally Camping today, serving as an RV Service Advisor at our Anderson location.

Her years of experience, product knowledge, and dedication to helping customers continue to be valuable assets to our team.

Looking back, opening our dedicated RV service facility was about much more than adding another location.

It was about bringing together experienced people, expanding our capabilities, and building an RV service department that customers throughout Redding, Anderson, and Northern California could depend on.

Facing COVID and an Uncertain Future

When COVID arrived in 2020, Danielle and I genuinely worried that it might be the end of TowTally Camping.

We made difficult staffing decisions ahead of the shutdowns, expecting business to come to a halt. But some of our employees wanted to keep working, and an unexpected need began to emerge.

Healthcare workers began shopping for travel trailers so they could isolate away from their families. Other customers discovered RVs as a way to travel while maintaining their own space.

At a time when many large RV dealerships were turning away incoming inventory, we made a risky decision to accept additional units from manufacturers, including Rockwood, Cherokee, and No Boundaries.

Inventory shortages created extraordinary demand, and RV prices increased across the industry.

We were determined to continue treating customers fairly. We didn't believe a shortage justified taking advantage of people who simply wanted to enjoy the outdoors.

Although RV sales were booming, our rental business was changing. We had begun selling older rental units with plans to replace them, just as we'd done for years.

Unfortunately, replacement rental RVs became increasingly difficult to secure.

In 2022, we made the difficult decision to end our RV rental program.

Rentals were where everything began, and we still hope that someday we can bring them back.

Expanding When the Market Was Contracting

After the COVID boom, the RV industry changed dramatically. Sales slowed, interest rates climbed, and dealerships found themselves holding expensive inventory in a weakening market.

Like many independent RV dealers, we were selling some trailers below what we'd paid for them. The challenges after the boom were unlike anything we'd experienced.

Traffic at our north Redding RV sales location was slowing. We needed new opportunities to reach customers and keep our business moving forward.

In 2023, we opened a second RV sales and service location on Riverside Avenue in Anderson, California.

It wasn't an expansion driven by record profits. It was a decision driven by determination, necessity, and our belief that we could find a way forward.

In the beginning, many of the RVs sold from Anderson were sold at a loss as we worked to reduce inventory and adapt to the market.

But Anderson would eventually become something much bigger than an additional RV sales lot.

From RVs to Horse Trailers and Cargo Trailers

In 2024, our daughter became more involved with horses, and we decided to shop for a horse trailer.

We explored purchasing a trailer from a manufacturer in Idaho. That particular purchase didn't work out, but it sparked an idea.

As we researched horse trailer manufacturers, we discovered Trails West, number 1 selling horse trailer in the US.

Trails West had a history of selling horse trailers in the Redding area and saw an opportunity to return to the Northern California market.

We agreed to bring in our first load of six Trails West horse trailers. What happened next surprised us.

Customers traveling along Interstate 5 began noticing the horse trailers on our lot. They stopped to look, made offers, and before we knew it, all six trailers were sold.

Then something else happened. People driving by would mistake the horse trailers for enclosed cargo trailers.

They would exit Interstate 5, turn around, and come back to ask about the cargo trailers they thought they'd seen.

Some customers were convinced we had cargo trailers on the lot!

We listened. In 2024, TowTally Camping added Wells Cargo enclosed cargo trailers.

Customer demand helped us quickly grow our cargo trailer inventory in Redding and Anderson.

What started with shopping for a horse trailer became an entirely new direction for our business.

Adding Equipment and Dump Trailers

As our horse and cargo trailer business continued growing, we began hearing from contractors, business owners, and customers who wanted another option: equipment trailers and dump trailers.

I remember Danielle asking, "What are you doing? We sell RVs!"

My response was simple: "Yes, we sell RVs, but we need to diversify, just like the stock market." Our agreement, no boats, lol.

After considerable research and conversations with manufacturers, we added Diamond C equipment and dump trailers in 2025.

The new product line was a natural fit for customers looking for quality trailers for work, hauling, huting, and commercial applications.

Our first year with Diamond C brought special recognition: TowTally Camping received Diamond C's Rookie of the Year award.

We never set out to become a dealership offering such a wide range of trailers.

We simply kept listening to what customers needed.

The Community That Wouldn't Let Us Leave

In June 2026, TowTally Camping faced another unexpected challenge. A local automobile dealership made an offer on the property where our Anderson location operated on Riverside Avenue.

We needed to find a new home.

Initially, Danielle and I planned to close our Anderson location and move everything back to Redding.

But the community had other ideas.

We began receiving phone calls, emails, and text messages from customers, friends, and members of the community encouraging us to stay.

People even started helping us look for a new property. The City of Anderson also encouraged us to remain part of the community.

We hadn't fully realized just how much TowTally Camping had become part of Anderson. That support meant more to us than we can express.

Thanks to that encouragement, we decided to stay.

We relocated to 4987 South Barney Road, Anderson, California.

The new dealership gave us approximately five acres, compared with three acres at our previous location, along with additional office space and a much better layout for displaying RVs,travel trailers, horse trailers, stock trailers, cargo trailers, equipment trailers, and dump trailers.

What started as an unexpected relocation became an opportunity to build a better dealership experience for our customers.

To the Anderson community: thank you for reminding us why local businesses matter. We're proud to be here.

The People Behind TowTally Camping

While Danielle and I may have started TowTally Camping, we certainly didn't build it alone.

One of the things we're most proud of is the incredible team of employees who have helped shape our business over the years.

We're fortunate to have dedicated individuals who have been with us for many years, bringing experience, product knowledge, and a genuine commitment to taking care of our customers.

Some of our employees have been with us almost since the beginning. Trisha joined us in 2014, Brandon in 2015, Joanna in 2016, Joseph around 2017, and Cindy 2019 around the time of our service expansion.

Each came to TowTally Camping with different experiences and responsibilities, and all five continue to play important roles in our business today.

What began with Danielle and me wearing every hat has grown into a dedicated team of RV sales professionals, experienced RV service technicians, knowledgeable RV service advisors, pre-delivery inspection (PDI) technicians, and RV detailers.

Our team brings together years of hands-on experience, manufacturer training, and specialized product knowledge serving customers throughout Redding, Anderson, and Northern California.

Whether someone is shopping for their first travel trailer, preparing for delivery, or bringing an RV in for maintenance or repairs, we want them to feel confident they're working with people who understand the products we sell and service.

Over the years, our employees have experienced the same challenges and celebrated the same successes we have.

They've adapted to industry changes, stepped up during difficult times, and helped us build the reputation we're proud of today.

Danielle and I are incredibly grateful for the people who have chosen to make TowTally Camping part of their lives.

Our employees aren't just part of our business. They're part of our story.

Our Brands. Our Reputation.

One thing we've learned over the years is that not all RVs and trailers are created equal.

The manufacturers we choose to represent are just as important to us as the customers we serve.

We don't believe in carrying a brand simply to fill space on our lot.

We carefully evaluate the manufacturers we partner with, looking at construction quality, engineering, innovation, customer satisfaction, warranty support, and long-term value.

We're proud to represent some of the industry's most respected RV and trailer manufacturers, including the brands below.

Many of these manufacturers are recognized as leaders within their respective product categories.

Our goal has never been to offer the most brands. It's to offer brands we believe in, products we're proud to sell, and manufacturers willing to stand behind what they build.

After all, when a customer purchases an RV or trailer from TowTally Camping, they're putting their trust in us.

We take that responsibility seriously.

RV Sales, Trailers, Parts & Service in Northern California

Today, TowTally Camping proudly serves customers throughout Redding, Anderson, Shasta County, and Northern California.

Our RV sales departments offer new and used travel trailers, lightweight campers, and other towable RV options.

Our selection includes Forest River travel trailers and RVs from popular families such as Rockwood, Cherokee, No Boundaries, Surveyor, and R-Pod.

For customers who work or play with trailers, we also offer horse and stock trailers, enclosed cargo trailers, equipment trailers, dump trailers, and specialty hauling options.

From recreational RVs to commercial equipment, our goal is to help customers find a product that fits their needs.

Our Redding and Anderson teams help customers compare models, understand towing requirements, explore financing options, and make informed purchasing decisions.

Through our RV service, repair, and parts operations, we continue supporting customers after they take their trailers home.

The Next Chapter of TowTally Camping

After everything we've experienced since opening TowTally Camping in 2011, one thing is certain: we're not done growing, learning, or finding better ways to serve our customers.

As we look toward 2027 and beyond, we're excited about the changes taking place throughout our dealership and the RV and trailer industries.

We're continuing to expand our selection of quality RVs, cargo trailers, horse trailers, equipment trailers, and dump trailers while strengthening our relationships with the manufacturers we believe in.

We're also excited about new manufacturer-supported financing opportunities, including our Forest River Financing and Diamond C Financing programs.

These programs are intended to give customers additional purchasing options and greater flexibility when shopping for their next RV or trailer.

Available terms, eligibility, and offers vary by program.

Along with improved online shopping tools, financing resources, and an expanding selection of quality products, our goal is to make the buying experience more convenient, transparent, and enjoyable than ever.

But as much as the industry changes, some things at TowTally Camping never will.

We'll continue believing in honest pricing, carefully selected brands, knowledgeable employees, and treating customers the way we'd want to be treated.

TowTally Camping in Redding and Anderson, California

Whether you're shopping for a new RV, comparing cargo or equipment trailers, looking for a horse trailer, or scheduling RV service, our team is here to help.