About General RV

What began almost 50 years ago as a "mom and pop" family business, has reached heights that few businesses ever dream about, much less dare to achieve. To be recognized as not only one of the leaders, but number ONE in your field, is truly an honor! In 2001, General RV Centers reached that pinnacle when Statistical Surveys, Inc. announced that General RV became the largest volume RV Dealer in the country. Since 2001, General RV has opened seven new super stores in Grand Rapids, White Lake and Birch Run, Michigan - North Canton, Ohio - Jacksonville, Florida - Salt Lake City, Utah and most recently in the Chicago, Illinois area, and has continually remained one of the top 4 RV dealers in the country.

But how did this Michigan success story start? In 1962, Abe Baidas took his family on a camping trip out West. That trip became the impetus for a business that would grow beyond his wildest dreams. By renting camping trailers from his gas station, he watched his idea blossom into what it is today. What nearly five decades ago was essentially a three-man business now employs around 400 people. For the first 10 years, the direction and growth of the company rested in the hands of Abe and his partner and son, Dick. Over the next 30 years the business continued to grow and prosper under the leadership of Abe’s sons, Dick and Rob. A third-generation Baidas, Dick’s son, Loren, joined the management of the company in 1999. Dicks son-in-law Wade Stufft joined the business in 2003.  

In 2006 the General RV Family suffered a devastating loss with the unexpected death of Dick Baidas at the age of 58. His positive impact on the RV industry, his success in business, his character and the respect from people who worked with him exemplifies that honesty, integrity and hard work certainly pays off. In 2007, Dick Baidas was nominated for the RV Hall of Fame for his positive impact on customers, employees, dealers and manufacturers. In 2009 he was inducted into the RV Hall of Fame.

Today Rob, Loren, Wade and hundreds of dedicated employees work together to continue to grow and improve General RV Center. General RV’s 10 Super Store locations, with over 130 service bays and a multi-million dollar parts inventory now include Wixom, Brownstown, Wayland/Grand Rapids, Mt. Clemens, White Lake and Birch Run in Michigan, North Canton/Akron in Ohio, Orange Park/Jacksonville in Florida, Draper/Salt Lake City in Utah and Huntley/Chicago in Illinois.

After starting out with only camping trailers, or pop-ups as they are commonly referred to, General RV now carries a full line of recreational vehicles, including luxury diesel pusher motor homes! In the 60s, the company’s sales reached approximately 200 units per year. This year, sales are on track to exceed 6,000 RVs. General RV outsells it’s nearest competitor in the State of Michigan nearly 6 to 1. When you come to one of General RV’s locations you will see the nation’s leading brands including Winnebago, Coachmen, Starcraft, Tiffin, Fleetwood, Forest River, Keystone, Thor, Jayco and Prime Time Mfg., just to name a few. General RV Center doesn’t just display great products, they are the top in sales and have earned multiple awards for service and parts. You will find the best selection of pre-owned RVs as well! Looking to the future, General RV developed a website that allows buyers to "virtually" see the entire inventory on line. General RV continues to invest in new service technology to provide improved service to our customers.

Despite its enormous accomplishments and size, General RV remains a family business. It is still very much a family oriented dealer, as evidenced by the number of its customers that started out in a pop-up and are now driving a motor home from General RV. It is not unusual to see grandchildren of customers getting their first RV from the same salesperson who sold one to their grandparents! The Baidas family has always remained focused on their number one asset, their customers! Over 500,000 satisfied General RV customers can't be wrong. And someday, there may very well be a fourth generation of Baidas' carrying on the tradition that Abe Baidas started nearly half a century ago.

In 2010 RV Buisness put out a list of the 100 Most Influential People in the History of the RV Industry and The Baidas Family has had the privilege of being part of this historic list. This list is compiled of individuals and families that altered the direction — even slightly — of an entire industry by what they did or didn’t say over their careers, by the way they conducted themselves in commercial and association venues, by the examples and ethical standards they set, by the genius they displayed in inventing new products and services and, more than anything else, by the leadership they brought to the table.

General RV now offers Same Day Service, on-the-spot financing and In-Stock parts and accessories. There is over 20,000 square feet of parts and accessories for ALL major brands of motor homes, fifth wheels, camping trailers, travel trailers, truck campers, and used RVs.

General RV is a Grand Rapids RV Dealers, Kalamazoo RV Dealers, Lansing RV Dealers, Flint RV Dealers, and Cleveland RV Dealers that has outstanding selection of RVs at all of our locations! No matter which location you choose, you have over hundreds of RVs to pick from.