Driven for memories. ClickIt RV serves customers across the Inland Northwest.

What a long strange trip it’s been for Daniel and Randy Arrotta.

The Spokane brothers have endured incredible emotional trials and built a successful recreational vehicle empire across the Inland Northwest. They, along with David Kissee, own four ClickIt RV dealer locations — the largest being in North Spokane.

“We’re in the memory-making business,” said Kissee. “People take our vehicles on trips across the country.”

Added Randy Arrotta, “Our customers are generational now. You have mothers and daughters coming in to buy an RV. It’s pretty special.”

All three owners credit their success to automotive legend Lee Iacocca’s principles of customer service.

“It’s all about treating the customer right,” said Daniel Arrotta. “We are disciples of Lee Iacocca. We went through the Chrysler training program and the concept of having a 5-star dealership.”

Five-star dealer designation is a program that individual dealerships maintain high customer service standards as part of an overall sales strategy.

“We treat our customers the way we would want to be treated,” said Kissee. “It really is about family for us.”

The Arrotta family has overcome devastating pain. The brothers were orphaned at the age of 5 and 3 when their parents were murdered in Montana in 1964. They and their five other siblings were raised by their grandparents, not knowing who killed their parents — or why.

“It definitely affected me,” said Daniel Arrotta. “I made a lot of bad choices." When his daughter Shayla was diagnosed with a fatal disease at age 3, Daniel changed his ways.

“I gave my life over to God,” he said. “Everything we do now has God in mind.”

Now a devout Christian, Daniel has co-written a book, “Divine Healing, God’s way” that chronicles his struggles, his daughter’s physical disability and his journey of faith. Shyla is now 10 years old and doing well.

ClickIt RV is very active in the community — donating money to numerous charities across the area including the Shriners and the Make-A- Wish Foundation.

“I believe in giving back,” said Daniel Arrotta. “When you give back, it comes back to you in many different forms.”

Kissee added, “We set out to do the right thing because we’re in a position to be good stewards of the community.”

Not your grandpa’s RV

ClickIt Rv sells almost every kind of recreational vehicle under the sun, including RVs, Fifth Wheels, Travel Trailers, Toy Haulers, Pop Ups and Motor Homes. The genesis of the ClickIt RV name stems from an online sales model. Customers can build their ideal RV by pointing and clicking desired options — in effect creating a virtual showroom.

“Our customers’ demographic ranges from Baby Boomers to Millennials,” said Randy Arrotta. “The economy is doing well, which means people are looking at RVs. It’s easy to finance one and it allows people to enjoy traveling this great country of ours.”

Today’s recreational vehicles are a far cry from those on the road 30 years ago. Everything from materials to amenities have been upgraded. For example, manufacturers have made Fifth Wheels stronger and lighter.

“It means you don’t have to have a monster truck to pull them,” said Daniel Arrotta. “They are lightweight aluminum bodies, which means it’s much easier for a young family to have a vehicle that can tow one.”

Consumers are demanding technology be integrated into RVs — meaning some models come with an I-pad to control everything. They’re also wanting to bring the indoors to the great outdoors.

Outdoor entertainment

Now, campers can enjoy their favorite movie or TV program by the campfire while they’re roasting marshmallows. With the push of a button, a big screen TV can descend from the body of the RV.

If you don’t have a campfire, no problem. RV models have outdoor fireplaces to go with power awnings and LED lighting.

“You can recreate your home entertainment in the great outdoors ,” said Randy Arrotta. “All at the push of a button.”

Forget the long, long trailer

The 1953 comedy classic film featuring Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball showed how difficult it is to navigate mountain roads with a Fifth Wheel trailer. Today’s technology, would not lend humor to the same situation.

“Many rigs now come equipped with backup sensors and cameras,” said David Kissee.

”This helps alert drivers when they’re, say, about to go crashing over a cliff or crunch something while backing up.”

Park it where?

Customers who purchase RVs are often confronted with an age old question: “Where am I going to store it?”

ClickIt RV has answers. The dealership offers storage facilities for people who buy recreational vehicles. It includes delivery and pickup service.

“You can build these fees right into the financing,” said Daniel Arrotta. “So many times homeowners live in neighborhoods that have restrictions on RVs. Instead of hassling with those, people should store them with us. We also offer summerization and winterization of the vehicles.”

New designs

The RV industry has changed the layouts of many vehicles — maximizing every square inch of space — to meet the growing demands of Baby Boomers who use motorhomes to travel across the country. It’s also looking toward the future as young families discover the ability to drive away from it all.

There are bigger seating areas and improved kitchens. The cheaper plastics from yesteryear have been replaced by high-end wood and tile.

“It really is like a home,” said Kissee. “There’s nothing like the smell of a new RV.”

For more information: http://www.clickitrv.com/

By MARC STEWART

Staff writer

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