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Tips for RV Shows from an RV Pro

Feb. 1 2022 Events By Price Right Auto & RV

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Doug Collins, owner of Price Right RV Dealerships in Michigan, shares his tips on how you can make the most out of your visit to an RV Show. A 25-year RV industry veteran, Doug has participated in many RV and auto shows over the years. Says Collins, “Purchasing an RV should be a fun experience for your family. Attending an RV show is a great way to see many different options in one place, and to find the dealership that will be the right fit for you.”

Here are Doug’s top 8 tips for getting the most out of your time at an RV show:

  1. Start with a plan. How will be using your RV, how often, and for what duration? Will you have hookups at a campground or will you be off the grid without hookups? Who will be camping with you? What type of vehicle do you have to tow it and what is the towing capacity? What is your ideal budget?
  1. Wear comfortable shoes and dress in layers. Most Michigan RV shows are inside of large venues, such as the MSU Pavilion in Lansing or the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi. Plan on doing a good amount of walking, so wear your favorite comfy shoes. Also, it’s common for there to be temperature fluctuations at the shows, so plan on being able to remove a layer if you’re breaking a sweat.
  1. Stay focused. It’s easy to get overwhelmed with the number of options at an RV show.  Narrow your focus to the floor plans that will suit your family the best (Refer back to the plan you created in step #1 above, which will have helped you decide if you need a bunkhouse, front living room, toy hauler, or one of the many other RV layouts.)
  1. Make notes, take photos and lots of questions. After walking into thru 10+ floorplans it’s easy to get them mixed up. "Which one had the big outdoor kitchen that we loved?" "I really liked that one with the massive pantry…which floorplan was that?" That’s where your notes and photos will come in handy.
  1. Don’t be shy. There will be plenty of manufacturer reps and dealer salespeople available to answer your questions. Let’s admit it, we’ve all been somewhere where we didn’t want to make eye contact with a salesperson because we don’t want to be “sold to”. The guys and gals at the shows are there to help you narrow down your search, and they’re the experts. Think of them more as a resource for you. Let them point you in the right direction, and don’t be afraid to ask a question even if it seems like a stupid one…we’ve heard it all and there are no stupid questions.
  1. Create your "short list." After your initial exploration it’s a great idea to take a break, get a snack from the concession stand, and review your notes. Cut your choices down to as few as possible based on your needs and budget.
  1. “Camp” in the top 3. Once you’ve created your short list, take your top 3 picks and spend some quality time in each one. Do you love the colors, the wood tones, the sofa? Are you settling on anything or are you feeling confident that this is “the one”? Unless you’re the kind of person who enjoys doing an interior makeover, you’ll have this décor for as long as you own the camper. Is the kitchen/bedroom/living area laid out in a way that you feel works for you? Does the furniture fit you both physically and aesthetically? Take some time to look inside the cabinets and storage compartments inside and out.
  1. Pull the trigger with the right dealer. Have you narrowed your selection to your favorite one? Congratulations! Take advantage of show pricing and start the process. Your salesman should be informative and straightforward with answers to your questions. Pricing should be easily understood and transparent. At Price Right, we take pride in being one of the only dealers with no hidden fees.  The dealer you choose to purchase your RV from will be the dealer you will need to count on when service is needed, so this should be a strong consideration. Purchasing and owning an RV should be a fun experience for you and your family.

We hope you found this list to be helpful, and we would love the opportunity to talk with you more about your RV options. We know you have plenty of choices when it comes to RV dealers, but we are proud to say that there’s no one like us in this business if you value authenticity and integrity. We hope to see you soon at Price Right RV in DeWitt or Sterling Heights!