Monday, April 9, 2018

Parking Lot Sleepover, Bitter Cold, CanAm Driving Test and Seminar Day, Dinner with Friends

So, on Sunday, Apr. 8th when we woke up at 6:30, we prepared ourselves for a bit of a ‘work’ day. The fun type of work. Volunteer. Bill was up and showered and we had a hot drink together. Today was the last of three Seminar days for our RV dealership, CanAm. These are the folks who we deal with for rv’s and have bought 3 fifth wheels from them. Now they are friends.

Bill and I, among others, are CanAm Friends and that just means we help out with RV shows and this type of ‘customer’ day. Sometimes we have tips for new rvers and other times we pick up our own tips from staff as well as customers. We all have experiences to share. CanAm has been doing a Driving Seminar Day for 17 or 18 years and it is very successful. People come from all over Ontario to sign up for free driving tests, pulling whatever type of rv/tow vehicle arrangement is available.

With some sun and some clouds, they begin setting up the test vehicles
Some people have never owned a trailer before, therefore never pulled one. Often, they have a trailer but want to trade up to bigger or downsize to small or maybe just go from a travel trailer to a fifth wheel. CanAm has about 10 options and you can test drive each one, if you wish. 

Bill was driving this Dodge Caravan (!) today pulling a 23' Lance
travel trailer
After an hour and a half of driving, Andy Thompson, one of the owners, gives a talk on anything you can think of about travelling with an rv. 

Sorry for the blur
Speaking from his own and others’ experiences, he can offer valuable information.
Bill, today, drove the Dodge Caravan pulling a 23’ Lance. He drives, turns around and the customer drives back. I stay inside, where it is warm. I’m only there as one of 3 greeters. We meet people when they arrive and hook them up with their salesperson before they can sign up for the test drives. It is a pretty easy day and I can pop back and forth to check on Clemson in the meantime. After the first talk, there is a lunch break and then the afternoon session of driving goes on for another hour and a half before Andy talks ‘Towing’.

they have a City of London Police officer on standby
to slow down the traffic along the busy highway for
frequent exits and entrys
such a pleasant young man
The day went well, lots of chatting and lots of busy-ness. I believe they ‘entertained’ approximately 80 customers and everyone seemed happy and talkative about the upcoming season. Bill had 8 test runs by the end of the day and at 3:45 we went back out to feed Clemson. We had been invited to visit our good friends, Kathy and Derrick across the city and for dinner so we left the Suite by 4. We sure don’t miss the driving in this big city. Trying to take the most practical route, we still on a late Sunday afternoon took 30 minutes to arrive at their beautiful home.

It was a hopping place today
Great hugs all around (we love these guys) and we sat down and caught up. There is always lots to talk about and when we need to chatter about something in particular, they are the best listeners. Derrick had prepared lasagna and Kathy whipped up a Caesar salad and garlic toast. Yum yum yum. The wine was flowing and Bill and I really relaxed. Then out came a delicious apple crisp with a scoop of ice cream. Great meal!
A huge Congrats to Kathy who has set a retirement date and to their 16 year old grandson who has been drafted into the OHL! Terrific news!



Always an enjoyable evening with these two
We left around 8:30 and home on time to catch American Idol before I crawled (it felt like it!) up to bed at 10. It was a wonderful day, first full day back in Canada. I hope yours was a good one as well.


Thank you for stopping by today! I love to hear from you and will respond to every post in time.


14 comments:

  1. Wow ... I've never heard of a dealership allowing you to drive the rigs around. Look inside, yes, but drive ... no way!! And seminars? Our dealerships only give away hot dogs. They could take a lesson from you.

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    1. I know and I agree. Everything is free all customers have to do is sign up and you can drive as many options as are available. :)

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  2. Glad to hear you three are home and back into a routine already.

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    1. Thanks Doug. Anxious to get up to the Ridge at the end of the week but there are a lot of things to take care of here in London before we do. This was our home for over 30 years.

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  3. That is a great service CanAm is providing. Very smart so there will be less problems along the way and it makes for satisfied customers that keep coming back again and again. Not all RV owners know about swaying, how to avoid it, the potential of overloading their rigs, and many other things that come with experience and knowledge of studying these subjects. You guys are also great ambassadors for that company and I am sure they appreciate you!

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    1. Yes, it is a great service. Customers are repeat customers. Andy Thompson, one of the owners, writes articles in RV magazines on towing and is quite well known all over. ;)
      Thank you, we can talk like the best of them on something we know and like. :D

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  4. What a wonderful service Can Am provides and how wonderful for the help of volunteers like you and Bill. I"m sure they appreciate the help as much as you appreciate the chance to help.

    Congrats to both your Grandson and your friend. Exciting times ahead for both.

    I can believe you were tired, that's a pretty full day!!

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    1. CanAm does well to inform new customers and it is appreciated for sure. Doesn't mean there aren't still complaints when repairs take longer than expected like any other dealer. :) They are very open about their appreciation for our help, Bill's especially.
      It was a full day but a good one!

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  5. What a great day, I can see that would be fun! Very nice that you get to do that and it is much appreciated. Love that Bill gets to do the driving and teaching..takes patience I'm sure. Congrats to your friends and their grandson! Awesome!

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    1. Thanks guys, it was a full day. Bill loves doing it and everyone loves him and his advice too.

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  6. I too am impressed that CanAm offers such a wonderful opportunity to their customers.
    I think it would be great to meet with folks like you and Bill do through the company. It has to be a win-win for everyone involved.

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    1. We do enjoy meeting new people and talking about the lifestyle. Who better to talk about it than someone who lives it! :)

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  7. Sounds like had a fun busy day there with a place that you enjoy and friends that your deal with.
    Then a wonderful dinner out, perfect!

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    1. It was a fun day and topped it off with a wonderful dinner with friends.

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