Anyone have advice on the best way to navigate my way around a huge RV show? I'm hoping to attend the upcoming show in Hershey, PA, but I will only have 1 day to attend and it's a 3 hour drive to get there. It will be way too exhausting and time consuming to go up & down every aisle. There are also only specific brands/models that I want to look at. Do I need to obtain a list of exhibitors and call each one to ask if they're bringing that brand? Or is there any other way I can find what I'm looking for without walking the entire show?
Thanks,
Workinrvers said
05:05 PM Aug 18, 2013
they should have an exhibitor map to help you narrow down your tour. Most will post them online so start there first. Most of the shows we have been to the dealers tend to bring 1 or 2 of each "type" of RV they sell, a couple of 5ers, some tow behinds, pop ups or motorhomes. We usually bypassed the week end type rigs and headed straight for the ones we thought we would be interested in, this saved us time but unfortunately not a lot of walking since the dealers were spread over a wide area.
Maybe a little research of the dealers on line will help you narrow down your search and shorten your walking a little. Give the dealer a call and see which models they will be bringing and also ask them if a factory rep will be there. Get to know the factory rep, if there is one there, of the make you are serious about. Never hurts to have that connection if you buy their brand.
Happy shopping,
Phil
Terry and Jo said
09:02 PM Aug 18, 2013
A little bit of "Google-Fu," or should I say "Bing-Fu" brought me some information about the show that might be beneficial for others. Obviously, since we're still working, already have our RV, and are over 1000 miles away, I doubt we will attend. But, here is what i found:
On the manufacturers, dealers, and booth vender lists, their names appear to be active links, although some are simply to manufacturer websites that are available otherwise. One would have to get the name of the dealer involved and see if they have a number or other contact information to call to see what brands/models will actually be at the show.
Everybody have fun....
Terry
GENECOP said
11:31 PM Aug 18, 2013
It will be pretty easy, step 1 Get the map.....Step 2 Get your bearings.....step 3 visit the exhibitors that you are interested in.....now that being said, leave yourself a little time to visit exhibitors that catch your eye...but where not on your list...Have fun.
bigboomer said
12:22 AM Aug 19, 2013
Cheryl,
We will going again this year to Hershey but only on the first day. As Gene and Terry have said get the vendor location map and start with the vendors you have interest in. You can do the Hershey show in a day if you stick to what you are looking for and don't get caught up going in everyrig. We have bought there before when it was still the Harrisburg show and good deals can be had. If you have a select number of rigs you want to look at you will help yourself. Make sure you have a good idea of all the options and costs your looking at for all your selctions so you can easily compare. Putting a spreadsheet together ahead of time will keep your head from spinning. Don't be afraid to ask a dealer that if were to order a rig would you get the same deal....answer should always be yes.
We will be there the first day, Wednesday.
Good luck,
Les
Bobbi said
06:26 AM Aug 19, 2013
We went last year, and are looking forward to going this year again. Are we there yet? You will receive a map that will help tremendously. I *think* it showed areas for the different manufacturers. We were able to see everything we wanted to see in one day, and we also have quite a drive to get there. However, we only got to see the RVs and never made it to the camping supply vendor area in case you are interested in doing that. Having said that, we mostly wandered around to take in all the different types of RVs, as we were still unsure as to the type of RV we wanted. Now we pretty much have a short list, so things will go much faster.
If you haven't been there before, I suggest bringing your own food and drinks. That's what we are doing this time. We were shocked at how expensive the food (and water was $3 a bottle) was, both inside and outside. If you have a bottle with you, you will be able to go inside for refills at the water fountains.
Also on the website under the Exhibitor Information link is a list of all manufacturers that will be there, which includes their block number. Taking note of which blocks you want to navigate to ahead of time will save you some time.
Have fun!
-- Edited by Bobbi on Monday 19th of August 2013 06:28:30 AM
Edit by moderator: Activated link. Terry
-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Monday 19th of August 2013 07:10:08 AM
cherylbrv said
01:42 PM Aug 19, 2013
Thanks, all, for the replies. The Exhibitor Info on the website will hopefully be the most helpful, although right now it doesn't look like we'll be going as DH doesn't really want to make the drive and we're not ready to buy yet anyway. Mostly, I still continue to do my research and found a few new floorplans I like, so the purpose was really just to take a better look up close & personal, especially if DRV and Holiday Rambler will be there.
Bobbi said
03:09 PM Aug 19, 2013
cherylbrv wrote:
Thanks, all, for the replies. The Exhibitor Info on the website will hopefully be the most helpful, although right now it doesn't look like we'll be going as DH doesn't really want to make the drive and we're not ready to buy yet anyway. Mostly, I still continue to do my research and found a few new floorplans I like, so the purpose was really just to take a better look up close & personal, especially if DRV and Holiday Rambler will be there.
I still recommend going even if you are not ready to buy. We were not ready to buy last year when we went either. The reason I recommend still going is that there are things you only realize when you are inside the RV. In fact, every time we have gone to look at RVs, we realize something we hadn't realized beforehand. That has been extremely helpful to us, and some of the campers on our list were promptly removed once we had a chance to be inside. There is only so much research you can do online, but the experience of being inside the RVs of your interest - and even ones that you were not considering before - cannot be duplicated online and can actually help you make your list much faster. Being inside, you get a better feel for just how small a shower really is, for example, (my fiance is 6' 2", and we've learned that a standard corner shower is really small for him), or how under-insulated a unit is when even with the a/c on, it's still uncomfortable, if the kitchen is actually much "tighter" than it appeared in pictures, that a dark-colored RV is only going to make cooling the RV that much harder in the dead of summer, or that you really do or do not prefer an island kitchen.
The RV show is a chance to see so many RVs in one place, which saves you from driving all over to see what you are interested in also, and you could see something that you were not considering before that is even better than what you were considering. The latter actually happened to us.
cherylbrv said
03:31 PM Aug 19, 2013
I absolutely agree with you Bobbi! I have been to quite a few RV shows already (at the Hershey show in 2011 when RV Dreams had their rally near there), and every year in Edison NJ (comparatively small show) and in Atlantic City. The big ones are definitely better. I will continue to work on my husband to make the trip!
Bobbi said
04:31 PM Aug 19, 2013
cherylbrv wrote:
I absolutely agree with you Bobbi! I have been to quite a few RV shows already (at the Hershey show in 2011 when RV Dreams had their rally near there), and every year in Edison NJ (comparatively small show) and in Atlantic City. The big ones are definitely better. I will continue to work on my husband to make the trip!
I see. Well, give him a good "workover" and remind him of all the benefits, which he has apparently forgotten....lol! :>)
LibertyLinda said
04:01 AM Aug 20, 2013
As I said in another area, we went to Hershey show for 2 years in a row in the name of research and to phyically see rigs we thought we were interested in. We found the shows a good place to start. Then if possible, see the rig you think you want not at a show. There are so many people and it is difficult to navigate and spend time really checking out rigs. If you can not go, perhaps you have a dealer nearby to see what interests you in a more relaxed scenario. Anyway, given that, we chose our Trilogy by going to the Hershey show and getting it from a dealer two states away. (See our blog/web site for that journey).
Happy hunting!
kb0zke said
11:17 PM Aug 20, 2013
We weren't able to attend any really big shows, but we did attend the one in Springfield several times. Each time we were a little farther along in our research and were therefore able to ask more focused questions. Since there are only so many ways one can arrange the interior of a box to make a living space it really doesn't matter whether you are looking at a 34' cheapie or a 34' full-timer's dream when it comes to deciding what floor plans will (and will not) work for you.
One other advantage a larger show will have is that you can more easily compare the different classes of coaches. Although people can, and do, full-time in all sorts of vehicles, we decided that we were going to limit ourselves to 5'ers, travel trailers, and motor homes. We could, therefore, walk past most of the other types of vehicles, although there were a few teardrops that were just so neat that we had to spend at least a couple of minutes looking at them.
Finally, you may meet some dealers that sound like people you can do business with. You may also meet some that you never want to hear from again. Both bits of information will help you. Unless you decide on a coach that is only sold factory-direct you will be able to find another dealer to work with if you don't happen to like the one at the show. Also, unless you are already full-timers, you are probably better off buying a coach from a local dealer. There are many threads on that topic. If you are a full-timer who is buying new it probably doesn't matter where you buy from. The dealer probably won't be handy when something goes wrong and you will just have to deal with it at that time.
Enjoy the show. Some day we will be able to attend it, too.
NurseJudy said
06:16 PM Aug 28, 2013
Cheryl, we are from NJ also and going to the Hershey show. We are planning to spend 3 days there so we can see everything. We have only been to one other show (Edison NJ) several years ago, and that was just to "have something to do on a Sunday in January". We were not even considering any type of RV lifestyle at the time. We are now planning to full time in about 2 years, after we get our last child out of college. We are spending this time looking for the right 5er and doing our due dilligence. I have developed a spread sheet to help us narrow down our search, and after reviewing the list on line, it looks like many of the "final" candidates will be represented in Hershey. I hope we will come away with more knowledge and not just more confusion :) We would really like to purchase our unit in about a year so we can "get a feel" for the lifestyle before we go full time. I hope this show meets all of our expectations and I hope you will be able to get out there. It's really not that far! Good luck!
A fellow Jersey Girl, Judy
cherylbrv said
06:47 PM Aug 28, 2013
Good luck, Judy! I have gone to the Edison show a few times, but as you say, it's really just a time passer; nothing really significant to see and you can get through the whole place in a few hours. Hershey and Atlantic City are much larger and better represented!
Where in NJ are you? I'm in the central area - Union County near Scotch Plains.
LibertyLinda said
11:25 PM Aug 28, 2013
Welcome NurseJudy!
I too am a nurse, and I was born in NJ
The Hershey show helped us a great deal when we were researching. Wow, that seems so long ago - we are planning on putting house up in spring and taking off then.
Which 5ers are you looking at? Feel free to take a look at the one we chose on my web/blog- I did videos on it as well.
Best of luck on your journey - there is no right or wrong "way" or choices, but only YOUR way
bigboomer said
07:11 PM Aug 29, 2013
Linda,
Love your blog! We too were from NJ and are now happy residents of SD.
Les and Sue
LibertyLinda said
11:56 PM Aug 29, 2013
Les & Sue,
Thank you so much! We can NOT WAIT!
NurseJudy said
07:47 PM Aug 30, 2013
I'm even more central, near Princeton. Been here all my life! Can't wait to see the entire Country.
Anyone have advice on the best way to navigate my way around a huge RV show? I'm hoping to attend the upcoming show in Hershey, PA, but I will only have 1 day to attend and it's a 3 hour drive to get there. It will be way too exhausting and time consuming to go up & down every aisle. There are also only specific brands/models that I want to look at. Do I need to obtain a list of exhibitors and call each one to ask if they're bringing that brand? Or is there any other way I can find what I'm looking for without walking the entire show?
Thanks,
Maybe a little research of the dealers on line will help you narrow down your search and shorten your walking a little. Give the dealer a call and see which models they will be bringing and also ask them if a factory rep will be there. Get to know the factory rep, if there is one there, of the make you are serious about. Never hurts to have that connection if you buy their brand.
Happy shopping,
Phil
A little bit of "Google-Fu," or should I say "Bing-Fu" brought me some information about the show that might be beneficial for others. Obviously, since we're still working, already have our RV, and are over 1000 miles away, I doubt we will attend. But, here is what i found:
Pennsylvania Recreational Vehicle and Camping Show website home
Under the link for "Public Information," I found this link to the show maps, to include indoor and outdoor locations:
Giant Center (indoors?)
Outdoor Displays
This link appears to show the list of manufacturers and dealers, and I'm presuming the "Block #" is related to their locations on the maps:
Manufacturers and Dealer Displays
Then the "booth vendors" are listed here:
Booth Venders
On the manufacturers, dealers, and booth vender lists, their names appear to be active links, although some are simply to manufacturer websites that are available otherwise. One would have to get the name of the dealer involved and see if they have a number or other contact information to call to see what brands/models will actually be at the show.
Everybody have fun....
Terry
Cheryl,
We will going again this year to Hershey but only on the first day. As Gene and Terry have said get the vendor location map and start with the vendors you have interest in. You can do the Hershey show in a day if you stick to what you are looking for and don't get caught up going in everyrig. We have bought there before when it was still the Harrisburg show and good deals can be had. If you have a select number of rigs you want to look at you will help yourself. Make sure you have a good idea of all the options and costs your looking at for all your selctions so you can easily compare. Putting a spreadsheet together ahead of time will keep your head from spinning. Don't be afraid to ask a dealer that if were to order a rig would you get the same deal....answer should always be yes.
We will be there the first day, Wednesday.
Good luck,
Les
We went last year, and are looking forward to going this year again. Are we there yet?
You will receive a map that will help tremendously. I *think* it showed areas for the different manufacturers. We were able to see everything we wanted to see in one day, and we also have quite a drive to get there. However, we only got to see the RVs and never made it to the camping supply vendor area in case you are interested in doing that. Having said that, we mostly wandered around to take in all the different types of RVs, as we were still unsure as to the type of RV we wanted. Now we pretty much have a short list, so things will go much faster.
If you haven't been there before, I suggest bringing your own food and drinks. That's what we are doing this time. We were shocked at how expensive the food (and water was $3 a bottle) was, both inside and outside. If you have a bottle with you, you will be able to go inside for refills at the water fountains.
Don't forget to go to the web site and print off a $1 coupon. http://largestrvshow.com/PRVCAHome/AmericasLargestRVShowPublicInfo/tabid/59/Default.aspx
Also on the website under the Exhibitor Information link is a list of all manufacturers that will be there, which includes their block number. Taking note of which blocks you want to navigate to ahead of time will save you some time.
Have fun!
-- Edited by Bobbi on Monday 19th of August 2013 06:28:30 AM
Edit by moderator: Activated link. Terry
-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Monday 19th of August 2013 07:10:08 AM
I still recommend going even if you are not ready to buy. We were not ready to buy last year when we went either. The reason I recommend still going is that there are things you only realize when you are inside the RV. In fact, every time we have gone to look at RVs, we realize something we hadn't realized beforehand. That has been extremely helpful to us, and some of the campers on our list were promptly removed once we had a chance to be inside. There is only so much research you can do online, but the experience of being inside the RVs of your interest - and even ones that you were not considering before - cannot be duplicated online and can actually help you make your list much faster. Being inside, you get a better feel for just how small a shower really is, for example, (my fiance is 6' 2", and we've learned that a standard corner shower is really small for him), or how under-insulated a unit is when even with the a/c on, it's still uncomfortable, if the kitchen is actually much "tighter" than it appeared in pictures, that a dark-colored RV is only going to make cooling the RV that much harder in the dead of summer, or that you really do or do not prefer an island kitchen.
The RV show is a chance to see so many RVs in one place, which saves you from driving all over to see what you are interested in also, and you could see something that you were not considering before that is even better than what you were considering. The latter actually happened to us.
I see. Well, give him a good "workover" and remind him of all the benefits, which he has apparently forgotten....lol! :>)
As I said in another area, we went to Hershey show for 2 years in a row in the name of research and to phyically see rigs we thought we were interested in. We found the shows a good place to start. Then if possible, see the rig you think you want not at a show. There are so many people and it is difficult to navigate and spend time really checking out rigs. If you can not go, perhaps you have a dealer nearby to see what interests you in a more relaxed scenario. Anyway, given that, we chose our Trilogy by going to the Hershey show and getting it from a dealer two states away. (See our blog/web site for that journey).
Happy hunting!
One other advantage a larger show will have is that you can more easily compare the different classes of coaches. Although people can, and do, full-time in all sorts of vehicles, we decided that we were going to limit ourselves to 5'ers, travel trailers, and motor homes. We could, therefore, walk past most of the other types of vehicles, although there were a few teardrops that were just so neat that we had to spend at least a couple of minutes looking at them.
Finally, you may meet some dealers that sound like people you can do business with. You may also meet some that you never want to hear from again. Both bits of information will help you. Unless you decide on a coach that is only sold factory-direct you will be able to find another dealer to work with if you don't happen to like the one at the show. Also, unless you are already full-timers, you are probably better off buying a coach from a local dealer. There are many threads on that topic. If you are a full-timer who is buying new it probably doesn't matter where you buy from. The dealer probably won't be handy when something goes wrong and you will just have to deal with it at that time.
Enjoy the show. Some day we will be able to attend it, too.
A fellow Jersey Girl, Judy
Where in NJ are you? I'm in the central area - Union County near Scotch Plains.
Welcome NurseJudy!
I too am a nurse, and I was born in NJ
The Hershey show helped us a great deal when we were researching. Wow, that seems so long ago - we are planning on putting house up in spring and taking off then.
Which 5ers are you looking at? Feel free to take a look at the one we chose on my web/blog- I did videos on it as well.
Best of luck on your journey - there is no right or wrong "way" or choices, but only YOUR way
Linda,
Love your blog! We too were from NJ and are now happy residents of SD.
Les and Sue
Les & Sue,
Thank you so much! We can NOT WAIT!
I'm even more central, near Princeton. Been here all my life! Can't wait to see the entire Country.
Judy