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In This Episode
It’s RV Show Season! …which always happens this time of year. Attending RV shows can be daunting and exhausting IF you don’t have a plan and go prepared. The RV Small Talk team has a few ideas, tips and tricks if you will, to help you enjoy an RV show and possibly get the most value from your time there.
Helpful Links for this Episode:
- Princess Craft RV (Website)
- RV Small Talk Facebook Page
- RV Small Talk Facebook Community
- Austin RV Expo (Website)
- nüCamp RV (Website)
- Texas Tiny Trailer Rally
- Texas Truck Camper Rally
Rv show survival guide
Rv shows are FUN! … and can be overwhelming, exhausting and confusing! We have some tips to make your RV show experience stress-free and a great adventure in discovering the latest models and accessories in the RV world!
Prepare!
- Don’t show up hungry! The food is expensive, not all that great, and interrupts the fun!
- Wear comfy shoes. Pretend it’s a long hike, because, well, that’s what it is!
- Dress in Layers… it could be hot or cold!
- Pack a few snacks, in case it’s a marathon show.
- Have a discussion on what’s important to you. Bigger bathroom? Walk around bed? Recliners? Fit in the garage? Storage location near your house? Outside Kitchen? Even if your not shopping, it makes it easier (and more fun) to find the perfect RV for your next adventure.
- Know your numbers.
- If you are towing, what is your vehicle rated to tow?
- Maybe a truck camper? Your truck payload is important! Trailer towing guides will get you the towing capacity, but you may have to google your vehicle specs to get a payload.
- Also, don’t forget to check the model number on your trade-in, if you have one. So many people can’t remember the exact model when asking for trade-in values!
Strategy.
- If you are just going to have fun at the show and see some cool stuff, then, by all means, wander aimlessly to whatever looks interesting at the time! If you are considering a purchase in the near future, keep the wandering in check and stick (mostly) to RVs that might work for you. There is so much to see at a show, and you will want to take advantage of the opportunity to compare them all!
- If you are shopping for a new RV, have a few parameters that you can give a salesperson. It might be weight, length, how many people you need to sleep, a certain layout you like, but whatever it is, be ready to offer 1 or 2 items that will give a salesman some direction so they can help you stay on track!
- Don’t be afraid to talk to a salesperson. I admit, some sales associates are a little overzealous, or even pushy, but most salespeople can direct you to RVs that might be interesting to you. If you find one that is really interesting, they can give you information that you might not even think to ask about!
- Just as important as asking for assistance, it’s important to know when to walk away. If your shopping with a partner, be ready to say to them, “I’m ready to move on. Are you?” That will cue the salesperson that they need to show you a different unit, or allow you to move on without them. If they say anything that makes you feel pressured, excuse yourself, and walk away!
- Be aware of buzzwords or marketing phrases. Some words like “lightweight”, “clearance”, “free” can get your attention. Even more influential are the made-up phrases meant to sound so high tech it must be a good thing, (whatever it is!). Phrases like “….” or “…..” sounds great, but if the salesperson can’t explain in plain English what it really is, then, well, it’s just something made up to make it sound bigger and badder than it really is. Trust me, there is nothing about an RV you can’t understand if it is just explained in plain English.
- Check out the details. Compare the quality build of the RVs you like by looking at the construction of the drawers, the trim on the walls, ceiling, corners… The cabinet construction, inside and out, finish out inside compartments, etc. With some close inspection, you will start to see clues of how well each RV is constructed.
- Pick 3. If you are shopping, compare each one to the last one you liked, and if it is the best one so far, it goes on top and the previous #1 moves to #2. If you’re not specifically shopping for a new rig, it’s still a great strategy to keep everything from simply running together. After walking through 50 trailers, trust me, you’ll be hard-pressed to remember your favorites without a tally system! It’s a great exercise for planning for the future!
Purchasing:
- This is where it gets tricky. What’s a fair price? Customers tell us that they read on the internet that a 25% discount is what they should expect. With RVs ranging from $10,000 to $300,000 at the show, there just isn’t a “one size fits all” answer here. Manufacturers don’t all have the same markup, they certainly don’t have the same discounts, and freight charges are based on distance from the factory. This all can affect the MSRP. It looks great at a show to have a higher MSRP price which in turn increases the discount! All of this to say, educate yourself on the price you are paying. The discount doesn’t really matter. So… that brings us right back around to “What’s a fair price?”
- If you find a trailer or motorhome at the RV show that you might purchase, check out some other dealers to see how the price compares. Of course, you’ll want to look online to compare as well. If it’s way off, ask why. Prices can vary if there has been a price increase from the manufacturer, different options are included, different freight fees, all of which make sense if someone can pinpoint that as a reason. If the dealer has too many of the same model or one that is older, it might be discounted more. Some prices listed include dealer prep, walkthrough, starter kit, batteries, and propane. Some don’t, and it gets added on. Our advice? Ask for a drive out price. Then compare!
- Now let’s talk about negotiating. You’ve found the trailer you love, so take a break, grab a coke, and sit down somewhere to consider your next move. Negotiating is part of our culture when it comes to buying a vehicle boat or RV. For some shoppers, it’s hard to feel like your getting the best price unless you get a price from several dealers and keep asking each one “can you beat this price” until they all cry UNCLE! If you are considering a high-end coach, this approach can make a significant difference in the price if you are willing to take the time and expense to travel. Even then, sometimes it’s not worth the money and hassle. For a more moderately priced unit, do your homework, compare pricing, and decide what you want to pay for the trailer. If your ready to purchase at that price, make the offer. You never know you might get it and if you don’t, you may get a counteroffer! A dealer will not be offended, and until you are told that it’s the bottom price, it’s not the bottom price.
- While we’re talking pricing, don’t listen to the “show prices today only” lines. Yes, dealerships do need to sell at a show to make it worth attending, but the price will be negotiable after the show as well. What you might miss out on, though, is any show giveaways like a free generator with your trailer purchase or a $500 gas card if you purchase at the show. Those kinds of promotions will go away after the show.
- Be sure to ask is there is a similar unit leftover from last year, a slightly used model, a demo, anything else back at the lot that might be interesting to you. That perfect RV might be sitting on the dealer’s lot!
- After all the walking, comparing, negotiating… don’t buy if you’re not sure. RVs are not cheap and making a purchase when your not ready can be expensive. Don’t feel bad about taking more time to consider what unit is right for you!
Final Thoughts
- Enjoy the show! Get excited! Make a day of it! If the time is right to get a new motorhome or trailer, that’s awesome, but if not, it’s a great place to check out what’s out there and explore the lifestyle.
- Don’t skip the booths and seminars! This can be the most educational part of the show. There’s accessories, gadgets, campgrounds, folding bikes, kayaks, all kinds of cool stuff to look at that will inspire you!
