The Survival Guide For RV Shows

Observations made by Lug_Nut.     RV shows offer a great opportunity for a potential buyer to see many makes and models all at one location.  Additionally, they can be viewed in a comfortable environment regardless of the season or weather.  Consumers, however, must be careful not to get carried away with the sparkling bling and excitement that’s in the air at these shows.  There are many people that end up making a major purchase of a new rig that had no intention of doing so.  

 

For the manufacturers and dealers it presents a unique venue to show off their wares to perhaps thousands of people.  Though their cost for this temporary floor space and location is high, they often reap the rewards of new customers and sales they may not have got otherwise.

To lure these extra sales, all vendors use the “Show Special” offering.  This is a special price supposedly only valid during the show.  Generally, “Show Specials” were a product of the trade show industry involving the selling of inventory that was purchased and removed from the site, thereby saving the vendor the need to pack and move the item(s) themselves.  Well, while that might work with items suitable for cash and carry, it really does not apply to the average RV.  Even if you were to buy an RV that was on display, it is highly doubtful that you will be required to pick it up at the end of the show.  Therefore, in most cases, it is really just a sales ploy.  So don’t be pressured thinking you must make a quick decision.   It is highly unlikely that you can’t get that same special price a week or so later after the show.

There are several issues faced by someone making a fast decision at an RV show.  First, it is difficult to get reliable answers to specific questions.  Many of the sales people are not as knowledgeable as one may think.   Therefore, researching the information one requires may take considerable time.  To give you an example of this, back in 2002, I purchased a Newmar Dutch Star at a show.  I was dealing directly with the dealer owner.  He said he would sell me a unit in the color I wanted equipped identical to the one we were standing in for X dollars.  Upon starting to write it up, I noticed he had written Freightliner/Cat in reference to the chassis.  I told him he was in error, this unit was on a Spartan chassis and was in fact powered by an ISC Cummins engine.  No, he said, it is a Freightliner powered by a C-9 Caterpillar engine.  At this point, I took him back to the engine compartment, opened it and showed him.  It was a Cummins powered Spartan chassis.  So, as I said, don’t count on getting the right answers.

Okay, so you are going ahead and buying one at the show.  While you will be enjoying all the space you are seeing in a four slide rig, you had better see it in the travel position.  After all, your interior space with the slides in is what you will be travelling in.  Things like going to the bathroom, making a quick lunch and eating in a rest stop, all happen with the slides in.  So a reasonable comfort while in the travel mode is a requirement.  Have the dealer retract all the slides so that you can evaluate it yourself prior to committing to a particular floor plan.

Now, whether you are selecting a floor plan with a queen or a king sized bed, be sure to verify the bed length.  Two lengths seem popular, 74” and 80”.  The smaller size is a poor choice if you are over 5’ 10” tall.  You will find your feet sticking out the bottom on the shorter one.

So, don’t be swayed or rushed by all the excitement and glitter that comes with every RV show.  It’s a big purchase, not one to rush into.  If their “Show Special” seems just too good to pass up, slow down.  They will probably be all too willing to give you that same deal next week or even month.  If, on the other hand, you have an RV and have no intention of getting a new one, better take a pass on even going to a show.  You might end up buying a new one.  I know, I not only did it once, I did it twice. 

RV shows are great fun, but they can be dangerous to your bank account.  But, if you lose control and find an RV you can’t live without, just make sure it’s really the right one for you.  Enjoy!

Surviving An RV Show    –     Lug_Nut    –      Peter Mercer