Tips for Attending an RV Show

Whether you’re an avid RVer, someone new to the lifestyle, or just interested in checking out the latest motorhomes and travel trailers, attending an RV show can be a lot of fun. After all, RV expos are a great place to see the newest vehicles firsthand, compare them to one another, and decide which models most fit your needs. You’ll also get the chance to explore the latest design innovations and industry trends, while chatting with knowledgeable sales staff and brand ambassadors.

On the other hand, if you’ve never been to an RV show before, it can all be a bit overwhelming. Even the smallest shows have rows and rows of vehicles on display, often requiring several hours just to get around to all of the models you want to see. Add in large crowds, a noisy environment, and overly enthusiastic salespeople, and it’s easy to get sensory overload.

But fear not! For the most part, RV shows are a celebration of RVing in all of its forms, with plenty to see and do. Beyond just wandering through dozens of new campers, you can also interact with vendors that support the lifestyle, attend educational seminars, and connect with fellow RVers, too. And if you happen to be in the market for a new RV, you can even save thousands of dollars off MSRP.

But before attending an RV show, we have a few tips that might help you get the most out of your time. Read on for more.

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Why Do You Want to Attend an RV Show?

Before you go to an RV show, ask yourself why you want to attend? If you want to go just to see some new vehicles, you’ll likely have a great time checking out the latest models. That’s especially true if there are some high-end luxury coaches on display. In which case, you can attend the event at your leisure, wandering through the expo hall or outdoor grounds, checking out any RV that catches your attention. Your goal is probably to have fun, enjoy the event, and come away more informed about RVing in general.

On the other hand, if you’re attending an RV show with plans of potentially purchasing a new RV, you’ll want to approach the event in a very different way. While you’ll still have a good time checking out a range of vehicles, you’ll mostly want to stay focused on the models that appeal to you and fit within your budget. Chances are, that will keep you plenty busy, as there could be dozens of options to explore. Even if you’re interested in a few specific models, there will likely be multiple floor plans to check out and—depending on the size of the show—it could take more than one day to see them all.

If you’re at the show to buy a new rig, be sure to give yourself plenty of time. Not only will you be exploring a number of RVs, you’ll also be talking to salespeople as you haggle over the price and discuss potentially trading in your current RV. At larger RV expos, like the Florida RV SuperShow or the Hershey RV Show, that could potentially take two or three days. So, be patient and give yourself plenty of time to collect all of the information you need. After all, buying an RV is a significant investment, and you’ll want to feel comfortable that you’re making the best decision possible.

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Dress Appropriately

When deciding which RV show to attend, check to see if the event is indoors, outdoors, or a mix of both. In each case, you’ll want to dress appropriately. That means cushy, supportive walking shoes and clothing that will keep you comfortable. Inside, the environmental conditions will be dry and accommodating, so dress for the season. If the show takes place outside, check the weather conditions and dress for the expected temperatures. If rain is in the forecast, bring an umbrella or rain jacket, because the show will go on even if Mother Nature isn’t as accommodating as she could be.

Make a Plan

Once again, if you’re attending the show without any intentions of buying an RV, you can feel free to wander around as you see fit. But if you are looking to purchase a new vehicle, it makes sense to come up with a plan ahead of time. This will help you use your time more efficiently, allowing you to stay focused on interacting with the brands you are interested in, while checking out the RVs that most meet your needs and budget.

Visit the website for the show a few days before you plan to attend. The site should have the hours that the show is open for each day of the event, and it will also list all of the brands and manufacturers who will be on hand. Some expos will even provide a map of where those exhibitors are located at the show, making it easy to track them down once you get there. This will help you make the most of your time, potentially keeping you from crisscrossing the expo grounds multiple times in search of a specific manufacturer. By carefully plotting out where each brand you want to visit is located, you can avoid wasting time by wandering aimlessly.

If you know the type of RV that you’re interested in—motorized vs. towable, for instance—you can further narrow down which brands and models are of interest before you arrive at the show. Check out the manufacturer websites to research the options that most make sense for your needs. You can further refine that search based on your budget, but keep in mind that you may be able to stretch your dollar further at the show. Many dealers are willing to price their models substantially lower at an RV expo as they look to move inventory while connecting with an engaged audience.

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Come Prepared

You can make the most of your time at the expo by being as prepared as possible. That means bringing all of the notes from your pre-show plan, including which manufacturers and models you most want to see. But it also includes having the information about your current RV close at hand, including make, model, floor plan, optional add-ons, and so on. This will speed things along if you are trading in that vehicle, and help the sales staff get you the best deal possible.

On that note, if you are trading in an RV, it also helps to have a good sense of the value of that vehicle ahead of time. Do some research online to see what your current model sells for at used RV sites or when buying directly from an owner. Some dealers offer tools to assist with that process, providing trade-in values for a wide range of vehicles. This can be helpful when attending an RV show, as you’ll have a better sense of your current rig’s worth. If you’re not happy with a trade-in offer from one dealer, see what you can get elsewhere or even consider selling it yourself.

Being prepared also means coming to the show with a notebook and pen—or a mobile device—so you can take notes. You’ll be seeing a lot of RVs and it can be incredibly overwhelming at times, with specific models sometimes blurring together in your brain. That’s why we prefer using our smartphone or a tablet, as you can not only take notes, but easily add photos, too. This will help you keep track of the vehicles that interest you the most, allowing you to come back to explore them further later in the day. It’ll also help you to eliminate models that may not fit your needs, helping you to further whittle down your choices.

Spend Time in Your Top Choices

Once you’ve narrowed your list of potential candidates for your next RV, spend some time in each model. Sit, relax, soak up the atmosphere, and thoroughly explore the floor plan. Take note of the things you like and don’t like about the specific models, and consider what each brings to the table. Don’t be afraid to hang out in the rig for as long as you like. This is a major purchase, and you want to make sure you’re making the right choice for you and your family.

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Be Ready to Wheel and Deal

After you’ve picked out a favorite model or two, it’s time to chat with a salesperson. Not only will these people be very helpful in answering any questions you have about an RV, they’ll likely be the ones taking you through the sales process once you’re ready to buy. At some shows, that process can involve some haggling on price, while other events will simply have “final pricing” already displayed on the vehicle. But the discussion will also include potential optional add-ons, trade-in pricing, delivery charges, financing options, and so on. In other words, it can take some time to figure out the final cost of the RV, often requiring some back and forth with the salesperson, even if haggling isn’t involved.

Keep in mind, until you’ve signed on the dotted line, you’re not committed to purchasing any RV. You can always take the offer sheet with you and think about it over lunch or even overnight. You can even chat with other dealers and manufacturers to see if they can match or beat the deal, allowing you to find the best all-around price possible. Always take your time and consider all of your options. When you’re ready, the sales staff will be more than willing to help you finalize the purchase.

Image: Bruce Challgren

Have Fun!

Perhaps the most important thing to keep in mind when attending an RV show is to have fun. That can be challenging sometimes, especially if you’re there to purchase a new camper and have spent all day wandering the aisles in search of the perfect model. But don’t let that stress you out so much that you don’t enjoy the event. After all, you are there to find a vehicle that will make your life more enjoyable. Enjoy the food, attend a seminar, catch some live music, chat with RV manufacturers, tour motorhomes and fifth-wheels that aren’t in your price range—all of that can be incredibly enjoyable, so savor it while you can.

And of course, many big RV shows actually have camping on—or near—the premises, allowing you to really immerse yourself in the expo experience. That’s a great way to meet other attendees, swap notes on your favorite vehicles, and more. If you have the time and inclination, bring your current rig and make a weekend out of the experience.

That’s it! Now go find an RV show near you and start planning your visit. We have a list of popular options that you can read up on here.

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