RV and camping shows are great for someone who is new and old to camping and RVing. There are many good insights of how to get started and new and improved gear that is now available. RV and camping shows can be fun as well as something to do. RV and camping shows usually do cost money for admission as well as parking. You can look for deals and free admission through dealers, and the hosts’ websites. If you are thinking about purchasing it’s always a good idea to do some research ahead of time and write some ideas down about things you are looking for, as well as things you do not want.
Where to start?
The first thing is first finding an RV and camping show near you or one you are willing to travel to. Some shows will be bigger and better than others. The only way to find this out is to find out how many venders or coaches will be displayed. MARVAC (Michigan Association of Recreation Vehicles and Campgrounds) does an amazing show when they host it at the Novi Suburban Collection Showplace. There are 300 coaches on display with over 12 dealers plus more. PRVCA (Pennsylvania Recreation Vehicles and Camping Association) puts on the biggest RV and camping show in the United States which is called Americas Largest RV Show. There are over 1000 coaches on display with a lot of dealers from all over the United States. It is impossible to go through and remember all 1000 coaches. Do your research online and from there figure out what you are exactly looking for. Be prepared with a list of wants, needs, likes, dislikes, and don’t want before heading to a show. This will help you from going through unnecessary coaches. Sometimes it’s helpful to have to have some questions written down.
Tow vehicle.
If you are planning on buying or looking to purchase a coach in the future know your tow vehicle specifications. You will need to know how much your vehicle can pull, payload, and capabilities. On the manufacturing website for each coach, they will have the coach’s specifications. Never rely on the coach’s dealership to tell you that your vehicle can pull this trailer just fine. You must take the coach’s dry weight and add cargo capacity weight to give you the total coach’s weight (example: dry weight 12,000 lbs. and cargo capacity 2,500 lbs. your total coach’s weight is 14,500 lbs. This includes full tanks (black, gray, fresh, and propane)). One thing you will also have to watch, especially on fifth wheels, is the hitch weight. Your hitch weight needs to be less than payload wight (do not forget to add the fifth wheel hitch approx. 150 – 200 lbs.). Also be mindful of each person’s weight when traveling in the vehicle with a coach hooked up. Dealerships will sometimes not include this when figuring out what you can tow. Do your own homework to figure out all the weights and you can find these weights on the manufacture website, a sticker or tag on the coach and tow vehicle.
I have my list and at the show.
Wear comfortable shoes and ready to get exercise. I always find it better to start outside (weather depending) and one of the ends first. Jumping around rows and columns you will get confused about which coach you saw and went through. Take a brochure of the ones you really like and make notes. I like to take pictures or now with dealers doing walkthrough on TikTok I can reference back to it that way to see what it was like. After going through a handful of coaches they will start to run together.
Dealers… do I say more?
Dealers are looking for one thing to make a sale and that is it. They will tell you everything and anything you want to hear to make that sale. They will also leave out the important information to get you to sign today. If they only have that one coach in stock and it sells before you get to buy it, then it was not meant to be, and you will find another one that is right for you. Do your homework and sleep on it before buying. What seems good today, may not be the perfect coach tomorrow.
Show prices better?
Show prices sometimes (key word sometimes) tend to be better. If you find a coach that you really like but are not ready to buy, then do not buy it. It’s not worth going over your head in debt for. Prices seem tempting but there will always be another good price at another show. There are many RV and camping shows all throughout the year. In the beginning of the year, they are trying to sell last year’s models cheaper. Towards the end of the year, they are trying to get rid of the current year model coaches to get ready for the new year coaches.
I am going to buy, what do I need?
So, you did your research, and you know exactly what coach you want to buy. Be ready to put a down payment on a coach. Typically, they will want 10 to 20 percent down. Obviously, the more money down the lower your payment will be. Purchasing the coach will be like going to the dealership to buy it but possibly having a better retail price. Be mindful of dealership fees, and extended warranty (if you purchase the extended warranty); that nice price you see is to attract you to buying. The actual price will be more than the posted price. Also, the monthly payment posted is figuring with “X” amount down, a perfect credit score and a low APR percentage. Do expect to pay more than what you plan on, so you do not get sticker shock.
The perks besides coach prices?
There are many perks to going to RV and camping show besides looking to buy a coach. Sign up for giveaways! They will have giveaways for toys (golf carts, kayaks, etc.), camping at a campground, travel trailers, and many more. There will be many free brochures of campgrounds, stuff to do around a certain area or state, coaches (dealers and manufactures), and camping products. The RV and camping show will have many vendors come in and talk about their new products (solar, generators, awnings, etc.) for camping or coaches. Vendors such as private campgrounds will have information about their campground and things to do around their campground. RV and camping shows are one way to get a lot of information about everything outdoors, especially if you are starting out. They will have guest speakers and seminars on products or on how to.
Overwhelming!
RV and camping shows can be overwhelming. Remember do not let the dealers push you into something you do not want. If they want the sale, then they work for you otherwise walk away or go to another dealer (even if it’s another salesperson). Do not forget to have fun and learn lots. Talk to fellow campers and RVers for they are packed with information and key points.
What is your dream coach and why?
For questions and comments post below.
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