Surrounded by countless new RVs, product releases, dealers, brands, industry reps, influencers, and fellow RVers — not to mention some of the best deals available — attending an RV show puts you at the epicenter of the buying experience, with everything you need to find and buy your perfect RV in one location.
But all of those elements squashed together in a maze of RVs, lined up in a warehouse or parking lot with sales personnel readily available? It’s tough to know where to start and where to invest your time — which is your most important resource at any RV show.
Attending an RV show with the intent to buy can be a big undertaking, especially if you’re unprepared. This RV buying guide for RV shows will help you use your time efficiently before, during, and after the event to find your ideal RV at the best possible price.
Before the RV Show
Attending an RV show is a great way to learn about the latest RV models from manufacturers and dealers in every available RV category. At most shows, you can tour a wider selection of brands and models than you would at a dealership to compare units side by side.
Get the most out of this all-in-one event by narrowing your search. Identify categories and features of interest beforehand, and learn about the dealers, vendors, and models likely to be at the show. Most major RV shows will offer information about what to expect — exhibitor lists, event maps, activities, and more. Use these resources to prepare and develop a preliminary plan.
Know What You’re Looking For
But first: do you know what you’re looking for at an RV show?
If the answer is no, there’s nothing wrong with casting a wide net. Use the RV show as a general learning experience to tour units and learn what you like. In the meantime, take a look at this primer to learn which RV type might be best for you.
If you, like many, have a general idea of what you want — a new Class C, say — use the show to explore select units and then narrow your search. The best strategy is to learn about the model-year selection beforehand. Explore floorplans, RV roundups, and brand overviews, reading about as many units as possible. Then, use the RV show to explore units in person.
Here are a few items you can research and then inspect in person:
- New, notable features mentioned by the brand or manufacturer
- Bathroom size, including shower door, stall height, shower head, toilet, and storage
- General storage, including pantry/kitchen, bedroom, living area, and outdoor/passthrough
- Appliances: refrigerator size/capacity, microwave, washer/dryer prep, etc.
- Hide-a-bed, Murphy bed, bunk-size, or other non-standard sleeping areas
- General layout: door type and locations, closet placements, kitchen setup, slide-out locations
- Control panels, cockpit (if applicable), any notable tech or digital features
- Details like lighting, cabinetry and hardware, materials used
At the very least, attend RV shows with a set idea of your requirements and limitations, such as:
- Must-have amenities
- Required sleeping capacity
- Size limitations or needs
- Price limits
- Your towing capability
It’s still fun to peruse the latest releases in other RV categories and see concept models when available — so build out time in your schedule for general exploration.
Know the Value of Your Trade-In
If you currently own an RV, its trade-in value is a key factor in getting the best price for a new RV at a show. It’s your primary negotiation tool, so having it in your back pocket before attending a show is critical. Use an industry-trusted tool like the Good Sam Valuator to present any dealer with an approximation of your vehicle’s value. This easy, free tool is a great resource, and, at shows where Camping World and Good Sam attend, you’ll generally find a Valuator portal available for public use.
Bring the Right Documentation & Information
The value of your trade-in is a great place to start, but here we provide a general checklist of documentation and info to bring with you.
- A valid driver’s license.
- The information from your existing RV if you’re interested in trading in for a new model. This includes the year, make, model, condition, and trade-in value using a tool like the Good Sam RV Valuator.
- Pictures of your trade-in RV (if applicable). Bring at least 3-4 photos of the outside and another 4-5 of the inside.
- Tow vehicle information (year, make, model, and/or vehicle identification number – VIN). Use Camping World’s Towing Guide to check towing capacities before visiting an RV show.
- A credit card to put down a deposit on your new RV.
Check out the video above to learn more about the buying process at an RV camping show, but don’t forget that the process may vary slightly from dealer to dealer, show to show.
Learn more about preparing your RV for sale and maximizing its trade-in value.
At the RV Show
At a multi-day event, it helps to make assignments for each day. Split the days up by your overall RV list use the first day to explore and the following days to narrow your choices and possibly purchase. Models at RV shows are typically organized by brand or dealer, so organizing your visit by these categories can help you browse more efficiently. But if you don’t have an agenda, you’re more likely to waste time deciding where to start.
How To Tour Multiple RVs
With a plan in hand, take your time to tour every RV you want to see. It’s easier to narrow down your choices after a thorough first pass instead of needing to revisit units again and again. Walking takes time.
Here are some other helpful tips when touring:
- Take notes of your first impressions, even if it’s a voice recording on your phone.
- Take pictures to help you remember layouts and features. (Just label the units correctly).
- Make note of prices, price asterisks*, or other notable selling information.
- If a unit is especially busy, skip it and come back. That’s easier than rushing a tour.
- Collect contact information from reps and dealership personnel.
- Don’t get stuck in conversations with reps – the goal is to see as many units as possible.
What to Bring With You
Again, the more preparation, the better, which includes the items you bring to the show. Every expert attendee’s setup is different, but consider equipping yourself with some core show items:
- A pen and paper to record your favorite makes, models, floor plans, stand-out features, and locations on the show grounds.
- A tablet or smartphone app to take pictures, notes, access online reviews, and check RV values.
- A portable battery to charge your phone or tablet. (In areas where Wi-Fi is in high demand, your phone battery may drain faster than usual).
- A backpack with plenty of room for RV literature (and water, snacks, rain jackets, etc.)
How To Evaluate An RV
You can learn a lot about an RV with a physical inspection. And that’s key: physically explore every part of the RV. Walk into the bathrooms and closets, sit on the couches and chairs, stand at the sink, open multiple cabinets, shift your weight, run your hand over fabrics and laminates, and stand in the shower.
Evaluate your general impressions: colors, layout, feel, lighting, and comfortability. Inspect for details: room heights, damage or cosmetic issues, possible manufacturing mistakes, and small design details that often don’t get as much attention.
Other important tips:
- If any literature is available on the unit, grab copies.
- Take pictures of your favorite amenities and features.
- Consider interior and exterior storage and amenities.
- Identify strange design or layout features.
What Is Special RV Show Pricing?
You’ll hear much about special show pricing at most RV trade shows. You will see and hear that all RVs are on sale at many shows, which is true in many cases. Be sure to inspect the mark-down on these RVs and compare them with information you find online.
Not all mark-downs are created equal, and you should have a wealth of knowledge about the lowest possible price available for a given unit, depending on where you are in the country.
Extra Fees? – Use listed mark-down prices as a ballpark guide, but investigate further to find out if any extra fees are associated with purchasing at the show. These don’t necessarily mean a bad deal, but you shouldn’t be surprised.
Transportation Costs – Dealers pay transportation costs to get their RVs to a show, and there’s a bit more urgency to sell units at a lower price later in the show. This increases the likelihood of your favorite unit getting bought before then, but it’s a tactic many use to get lower prices on show RVs.
Negotiation – The more research you’ve done, the better you’ll do at the negotiating table. Again, what you do before the show helps you have the most success when buying an RV at a show. You’ll be prepared to make informed, level-headed decisions despite the show’s high energy. Shows are exciting for attendees and dealer personnel alike. No harm in that. But you will benefit by having done pre-show research.
Take A Break
Anyone who has attended an RV show will tell you there comes a point in the day, weekend, or week when you’ve toured so many RVs that they all begin to blur. You reach your saturation point, and it’s typically not helpful to continue browsing RVs after that.
But the day is not lost. Simply take a break.
RV shows shouldn’t be all business. Whether you’re shopping for a new RV, upgrading an old model, selling your RV, or learning about the latest innovations in RV design and camping gear, don’t forget to have fun. RV shows often include live auctions, RV giveaways, kid’s play areas, product demonstrations, educational seminars, food trucks, live entertainment, community areas for meeting fellow RVers, and more.
Other General Suggestions
Attending RV shows is a craft. The more you do it, the better you’ll get. Whether you’re buying, trading in, or exploring RV retail products, here are a few additional recommendations:
- Wear comfortable shoes. You will walk quite a bit.
- Break up your activities — look at RVs or products one day and attend seminars the next.
- Bring snacks and water. Food vendor lines get long, and you don’t want to miss out on seeing all the RVs on your list because you were waiting in line for food.
- Take precise notes and photos. Include the exact model and configuration, length, price, and what you like.
- Collect contact information. Business cards are still useful for following up with sales representatives or vendors you connect with.
- Make a shortlist of favorite RVs each day. Consult that list as your interests change over the course of the show.
Is Financing Available at RV Shows?
Pay attention to the tents near a batch of units. These typically house members of a dealership’s financial team, and they come prepared with the equipment and processes you’d expect to see at a dealership — including RV financing.
Wrapping Up
Whether you decide to buy an RV at the show or not, the experience is beneficial days or weeks later. You get a great lay of the land regarding RV options, trends, and models. You see first-hand what features and layouts you prefer. And you gain valuable experience researching and often negotiating various RV prices. If you plan to continue RVing, all of this will be helpful ongoing knowledge to build upon.
Where Can You Find Camping World at RV Shows in 2024
As you prepare your 2024 RV shopping calendar, here’s an overview of the events where Camping World reps will be waiting to help you find and purchase your dream RV:
Ultimate RV Show
Some RV shows are little more than a collection of RVs sitting in a parking lot. We think RV shows should be fun, educational, exciting to explore, and excellent opportunities to connect with other campers. With that in mind, Camping World and Good Sam will present the Ultimate RV Show in multiple locations this year.
Here are some things you might find at The Ultimate RV Show:
- VIP Areas. Register early to receive a complimentary gift bag, retail product discounts, VIP Lounge access, refreshments, and a chance to win an RV!
- RV Valuation. Find out what your current RV is worth if you’re ready to sell and upgrade to a new model.
- RV Giveaways. Enter for a chance to win a brand-new RV.
- New and Used RV Inventory. Walk through RVs of all shapes and sizes to get a good idea of what it would be like to live and vacation in them.
- Kid Zones. Inspire the next generation of campers to discover the joys of RVing.
- RV Retail Spaces. Get the latest on innovative new RV accessories and camping gear.
- Design Specialists. Consult an expert about upgrades you want to make to your RV.
No matter where you live, odds are we’ll be in your neighborhood sometime this year. See us at one of the following events:
Multi-Dealer RV Shows
You’ll find us among other RV dealers at shows nationwide in 2024. From Ohio to Oregon, you’ll find Camping World representatives eager to help you browse new and used RV inventory at an RV show near you this year, including, but not limited to, the following:
- Ohio RV Supershow
- Central Indiana RV Show
- Utah’s Sportsman Vacation & RV Show
- Northwest Sportshow
- Portland RV Show
Discover the multi-dealer RV shows you can find Camping World at in 2024.
Manufacturer Shows
Manufacturer shows present RV models and prototypes that haven’t even hit the market. Camping World will be present at multiple shows across the country this year, but here are the primary two not to miss:
- Florida RV Supershow
- Hershey RV Show
Are you getting excited to see what the RV landscape looks like in 2024? Wet your whistle and begin preparing with some of these collections of new models to look out for in the coming year:
- Editors’ Choice: Our Favorite RVs From The Hershey RV Show
- A First Look at the Brand New Eddie Bauer RVs
- The Best Travel Trailers Under $20,000
Which RV show are you most interested in attending this year? Tell us in the comments below!
