Our History

1984 — 2005

Chapter 01

The Early Days

Where It All Started: Building A Foundation One Family At A Time

Great American RV SuperStores opened its doors as Dixie RV SuperStores in 1984 in Hammond, Louisiana — a single dealership with a simple mission: help families find the right RV and treat every customer like a neighbor. In 1993, the company’s current CEO joined the business, followed by the current COO in 2000, building the foundation of the leadership team that still guides the company today. By 2002, the slogan “Helping You Retire One Weekend at a Time” had become the brand’s promise — and in 2005, Hap the Camper was born, giving the brand a face as welcoming as the people behind it.

2006 — 2020

Chapter 02

Growth Across The Gulf South

Expanding the Map: Serving the Gulf South from Louisiana to Alabama and Beyond

Through the 2000s and 2010s, the dealership steadily expanded — adding locations, service bays, and communities served across Louisiana, Florida, and Alabama. DeFuniak Springs, Florida opened in 2010, bringing GARV to the Panhandle. Calera, Alabama followed in 2017 — just 25 minutes south of Birmingham — and Grand Bay, Alabama opened in 2018, extending service to the Mobile market and Gulf Coast. By 2019, the company celebrated its 35th anniversary, closing the decade with more than a half-dozen locations and a reputation built on consistent, customer-first service.

2021 — 2023

Chapter 03

A New Name, The Same Promise

Becoming Great American RV: A Rebrand Built on 35 Years of Trust

In 2021, Dixie RV SuperStores officially became Great American RV SuperStores — a new name that honored the history while setting the stage for what came next. A new slogan arrived with it: “Making Memories One Weekend at a Time.” Two new locations opened that same year, and by the end of 2022, Hattiesburg MS, Tupelo MS, Huntsville AL, and Heflin AL had all joined the family — bringing Great American RV’s footprint to nine locations across four states. In 2023, Great American RV was awarded the Gaylord Maxwell Innovation Award for its innovative and creative business strategies.

2024 — Today

Chapter 04

Forty Years and Still Going Strong

Celebrating 40 Years: Four Decades of Families, Memories, and the Open Road

In 2024, Great American RV SuperStores reached a milestone few family-owned businesses ever see: 40 years in business. What started as one dealership in Hammond, Louisiana now spans nine locations across Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida — with over 2,000 RVs in inventory, 150+ service bays, a 4.9 Google rating, and an A+ BBB rating. The anniversary is a reflection of every family that trusted us with their first RV purchase, every service team that got someone back on the road, and 40 years of showing up for the communities we serve.