RV show success — shop smart.
A RV shows are happening around the country. No matter where you are on your RV journey — dreaming about your first rig, thinking about upgrading, or making the leap from towable to motorized — an RV show is the perfect place to research floor plans and explore pricing.
So how do you get the most out of an RV show visit? Here are our 5 tips for RV show success…
1. Have a plan
Think about what you want to accomplish at the RV show. Are you looking for a lightweight towable that can be hauled with the family SUV? Or are you checking out the differences between Class C and Class A floor plans? Knowing your plan ahead of time will help you stay focused and feel accomplished at the end of the day.
2. Keep track of your research
Many people are frustrated to find they can’t remember a specific model or floor plan that they found at an RV show. There are many ways to keep track of the rigs you explore. Some people take pictures of models with their cell phones and write corresponding notes in a phone app. Other shoppers come prepared with a notebook or clipboard for recording RV information and writing pros and cons lists. Also make sure to nab brochures whenever they are available. These will help jog your memory when everything seems like a blur at the end of the day.
Plan your RV show visit to avoid information overload. Photo: Welcomia/Getty Images/iStockphoto
3. Talk to a Manufacturer’s Representative
Manufacturers often send their own representatives to the shows to help support RV dealers and educate customers. Take advantage of these knowledgeable folks. They work for the company that built the RV, so they can usually answer even your trickiest questions about weight, build, and available features. If you are one of those shoppers with a million and one questions, find a manufacturer’s representative and start chatting.
4. Make time for seminars
Many RV shows offer educational seminars with leading experts in the RV and camping industry. These are a great opportunity to learn more about towing capacity, travel destinations, or maintenance requirements. Look at the schedule in advance so that you don’t miss out on a topic that is relevant to you.
5. Wear comfortable shoes and bring your own water
It might surprise you how much walking people do at RV shows. And it also might surprise you how expensive those bottles of water are. Be prepared with your most comfortable shoes and your own refillable water bottle, especially if you have lofty goals for your RV research and plan on touring a ton of rigs.
RV shows are a fantastic place for consumer education and shopping, so check out a local one this winter! Find your next RV at an RV show near you.