Whether you own an RV or are still dreaming of one day owning one, attending RV shows can be a fun way to spend a day. There are camping and RV shows that are held all over the country every year. They allow you the chance to tour through the new RV models, see what the camping world has to offer and connect with others in the world of RVing.
If you’ve never been to an RV show before and are interested in attending one, here are some things to keep in mind.
1. Dress appropriately
RV shows can be expansive and if you plan on spending the day there you’ll most likely cover some ground. Make sure you find out the details of the show before you go including if it’s being held indoors or outdoors. This will help you to choose clothes that you’ll be comfortable in for the temperature.
You also want to wear comfortable shoes, whatever that means for you. You’ll be going up and down out of RVs and possibly covering a large area so you don’t want your feet to tire out before you’re ready to head home.
2. Think about you’re looking for before you go
You will see some amazing RVs at an RV show and there will be a big range of features and prices. If you are getting more serious about buying an RV, think about what your needs are before you go to the show.
It’s easy to get carried away and mix up what your needs are from all the other cool things once you’re there in person seeing all that the RV world has to offer. Because of this, it can help to keep a list of the things that you’re looking for in an RV and what your needs are. This will help to keep you focused and stop you from talking yourself into something you don’t actually need or want.
3. Set a budget
Just like getting carried away with what type of features you need in an RV it’s also easy to start to stretch your budget when you see something that’s pretty cool. So, make sure you know exactly what your top dollar price is and then don’t allow yourself any wiggle room above that.
It’s always best to establish your budget before you leave home. This is when you will be in the most control of your emotions and less likely to choose a higher number than you should.
4. Ask plenty of questions
RV shows are not meant for you to simply walk around and look at things. This is the perfect time for you to test things out, see how things work, and get all your questions answered.
Don’t be afraid of looking stupid. There are no silly questions. The vendors at these shows enjoy talking about RVing and are happy to answer your questions. They would rather you strike up a conversation with them then walk away not having your questions answered.
5. Take notes and pictures
After you spend an entire day, or even just a few hours, looking at different RVs, it’s hard to remember the details of each one. And, it’s incredibly easy to get the details mixed up between multiple RVs.
Use your phone and take plenty of pictures but don’t just rely on those. You’ll also want to take notes and keep track of your thoughts and feelings about each one. If you don’t want to carry around a notebook or spend a lot of time tracking your notes in your phone you could simply record as you walk through the RVs that you like while pinpointing the things that stand out to you.
Have fun
This isn’t an official tip, but remember to have fun at the RV show. It’s OK if you aren’t quite ready to buy one yet. Still go and look around. Educate yourself on the different types of RV, their features, and what ones are the best fit for your needs. This will motivate you, even more, to continue working towards purchasing your own.
RV Shows coming to California
Here are a few shows that you can check out around the state.
- The Real RV Show in Sacramento on March 12-15th
- Central Valley Sportsman Boat & RV Show in Bakersfield on March 13th – 15th
- California RV Show in Pomona on October 2nd – 11th
You don’t have to wait
If you’re ready to start looking at RVs now, you don’t have to wait. Come down to one of our Sky River RV locations and start your search.
