About Us

My grandfather (Ron Claudon Sr.) started working at the Auburn Buick Center in 1949 while still attending Auburn High School. He worked his way up to shop foreman. It was there that he met Frank Lee, the sales manager, and Floyd Miller, the bookkeeper. In 1960 they all went to work at Valley Garage in Kent. In 1961 they bought the dealership and that was their first year together selling Mercury cars and GMC trucks.

In 1964 they bought the Ellis Garage in Auburn at our current location. We sold six of the first ten Winnebago Motorhomes ever built. We were the number one GMC truck dealer in the country in 1969 and 1970 selling regular cab trucks for $1,995. They were 3-speed manuals with no options, in fact the heater was an extra cost item.

My dad (Ron Claudon Jr) spent many years working in and out of the dealership. Cleaning floors, washing cars, working in construction, going to college, and banking. Finally came home to the AUBURN store in 1983 and he later became a partner and Dealer in 1993.

We lost Floyd in 2006 and my grandpa in 2009. In 2009 Frank’s son-in-law, Tony Weeldreyer, and Ron Claudon Jr started selling RV’s again. Tony has years of experience working in the RV business getting his start at Valley I-5. We became a Jayco dealer and currently have Valley RV Supercenter in Kent, just a block away from where it all started in 1961.

Dad still lives in Auburn with my mom Lorianne, they will be celebrating 41 years of marriage this year (2023). As of January 2022, I've purchased shares of the dealership, and I am currently the General Manager. I began my career at the dealership washing the shop floors on weekends as a middle schooler. Since then, I have worked as a Service Advisor, in the Office, and as a Sales Representative. My best role since then is being a dad to my three amazing kids with my wife Amanda. Jaclynn, my older sister is an educator, teaching at Auburn Mountainview High School. Nicole, my younger sister spent time selling cars and working as a finance manager. However, she has moved to the East Coast with her husband in the Navy and her growing family. 

Needless to say, Auburn has been home to my family for as long as I can remember. Maybe this is why a few years ago we came up with our current tagline “Where we treat you like a neighbor, not a number”... It’s also why so many local drivers turn to us when choosing a work-ready GMC Sierra 2500HD or a fully loaded 3500HD. From spec’ing out diesel towing setups to helping first-time truck buyers, we know these trucks inside and out. Or maybe because our employees take such good care of our customers. Then again it could be because they are sure I probably will run into them at the grocery store someday.

Thanks again. I'll see you in the Valley,

Bryant Claudon

General Manager