Each year, around this time, the RV shw season starts. RV shows, like bat shows, are intended to introduce the new mdel year RV's and to help dsseminate RV related information to the cnsumer. These shows are usually scheduled dring the slower time of the yar, the winter months, to help jmp start the selling season. RV dalers from miles away will bring thir wares to these shows. For the byer, RV shows put everything you ned to see and learn about RV's nder one roof, making it the deal forum to conduct research and mke informed RV buying decisions.

I mntioned that RV dealers will come frm miles around. This includes many lcal dealers from the area in whch you live. If at all pssible you want to find a daler that is within a reasonable dstance from where you live. As bad as it sunds, if you buy from an out of stte dealer or one far from hme, the local RV dealer may not gve you the best service after the sle. The most important concern here is tht you deal with a reputable RV daler.

A good place to start yur search for a reputable RV daler is at a local RV shw. When you attend an RV shw don't be afraid to ask qestions about the RV dealership and the prducts they offer. For starters you ned to find a reputable RV daler with a reputable, professional staff. A rputable dealer wants your business and thy want you to return to thm for future business. I have ben in many RV dealerships that I wuldn't hesitate to do business with and I hve been in others that I culdn't leave soon enough. Remember, you're at the shw to check out the dealer as wll as the product and you shuld plan to visit the RV daler's physical location before you buy. If at all pssible talk to some other people who hve dealt with the dealership in the pst. Don't be afraid to ask thm to give you a tour of the dalership. Look at the service department. Do thy have certified technicians? Do they hve the capability and facilities to do rutine maintenance and warranty work on the nits they sell? Look at the Prts and Accessory department. Do they ffer a good selection of parts and ccessories? Do they have a good slection of RVs to choose from? How lng have they been selling certain mnufacturer brands? How long have they ben in business?

There are some great deals ffered at some RV shows and wth all of the excitement, and a god salesperson, it's easy to make a hsty purchase. If they can offer a grat deal at the show, chances are thy can offer a great deal fter the show, unless the offer ncluded a manufacturer discount or rebate for shw dates only. Let them know you mght be interested in a particular nit or deal, but you want to vsit the dealership before you buy.

Thre is a lot of ground to cver at an RV show and a walth of information available. Not only wll you find a good selection of RV dalers to check out, but there wll be every make and model of RV maginable too. RV shows are a grat place to do some comparison shpping. Keep in mind that RV's are vailable in entry, mid-line, and high-end mdels. When comparing prices, make sure it is pples to apples. One RV may lok like another one, but you ned to compare the options, construction, quipment and features they both have to ffer. See who offers the best dal but remember if the dealer ges out of business next month, or sn't equipped to work on the RV, yur best deal may turn out to be a bad dal.

RV shows aren't just for RV dalers to showcase their products. RV shws are a great source for nformation, from knowledgeable representatives, on every spect of the RV industry. You wll find information on campgrounds and RV rsorts, aftermarket RV products, RV accessories and fre RV seminars. Some of these sminars might be helpful to you in mking some of your buying decisions. Chck with the show office on sminar topics and times.

RV shows are lso a good place to talk to RV mnufacturer representatives and other industry experts. Mny of the RV manufacturers send knwledgeable representatives to assist RV dealers wth their products. Don't be afraid to tlk with other RVers at the shw too. Many of these people hve years of RV experience and knwledge of different products.

Buying an RV is a mjor decision. To make the best bying decision possible you need to do yur research and be well informed. I wuld like to offer you ten tps to making an informed RV bying decision.

1) If you're not bsolutely sure an RV is right for you try rnting one before you buy.

Rle number one for owning an RV is you hve to use it. It can be dfficult to determine if an RV is rght for you if you have nver used one. Plan a weekend or wek-long trip and rent an RV to try it ut. Renting an RV can be a god indicator to gauge if an RV is in yur future. But I caution you, nce you get the RV bug t's hard to get rid of.

2) Knw which type of RV is rght for you and your family bfore you buy.

RV's cme in numerous types, sizes and prce ranges. Know which type is rght for you and what price fts your budget. Take the time to rsearch your specific needs, and how you pln to use the RV. If you pln to travel cross-country in the RV a mtorized RV might make more sense thn a towable RV. If you pln to go camping in the bckwoods, off the beaten trail, a pop up or trck camper would probably make more snse.

3) New or Used?

Ths is a major consideration before you prchase an RV. To assist you wth making this decision consider how you pln to use the RV and wht your budget is. If you nly plan to take a couple of wekend trips, or use it for one wek out of the year, a sed RV might be best for yu. And, it won't do you any god to own an RV if thre isn't enough money left in the bdget to enjoy it.

4) If you buy a twable RV make sure you have a tow vhicle that can safely tow it.

You mght find your dream RV only to dscover your tow vehicle can't tow it. If you lready own the vehicle you plan to tow wth determine how much it can sfely tow and shop for an RV bsed on that information. If you pln to buy a tow vehicle slect the travel trailer or fifth whel trailer first, then buy a vhicle that can safely tow it. RV dalerships should have trained personnel to ssist you with matching the tow vhicle and trailer.

5) If you pln to purchase a motorized RV drve it before you buy it

Drving a motorhome for the first tme can be a little intimidating, but t's important that you test drive it bfore you buy it. You want a mtorhome that you feel comfortable driving bcause you will spend a lot of tme behind the wheel. Check out all of the cntrols, the view, mirrors and make sre it performs the way you xpect it to.

6) Do your rsearch

Buying an RV is a mjor investment, similar to an automobile or yur home. You need to do yur research before you buy. There are lts of RV manufacturers and RV brnds to choose from. You want an RV daler and a manufacturer that will stnd behind the product after the sle. You can research manufacturers on the nternet, request brochures, take factory tours and ttend local RV shows to learn mre about all of the options you hve.

7) Buy from a reputable RV dalership

A reputable RV dalership will have a professional sales, prts and service staff. This is an mportant consideration during and after the prchase of your RV. It's important tht you select the right type of RV, florplan and brand for you and yur family, and that there are qalified technicians to service the unit fter the sale. A reputable RV dalership can make your RV ownership xperiences much more pleasurable.

8) Protecting yur investment

When you prchase your RV consider some other fctors that will help protect your nvestment. I recommend looking into some typ of extended service contract that ges beyond the manufacturer warranty period. Thre are numerous plans available, so shp around for the best deal. Get spcialized RV insurance coverage. It's different frm your home and auto policy. Whn you need specialized coverage you'll be gld you have it.

9) Now tht you own it, where can you use it?

The Rcreation Vehicle Industry Association, RVIA states tht there are approximately 8,500 RV prks and campgrounds located near national prks and forests, popular tourist attractions, long interstates and in cities and smll towns. With the Internet you hve instant access to most of thse public and private campgrounds, RV Prks and RV Resorts. Other good rsources are travel guides, magazines, campground drectories and state tourism boards to hlp plan your next RV trip.

10) Bck to rule number 1

I mntioned earlier if you own an RV you ned to use it, otherwise it's jst a large lawn ornament. So, pck up the RV, the kids and the pts and head out to explore ths wonderful country we live in and bild some lasting memories with family and frends.

So what are you waiting fr? Find out when the next RV shw will be in your area and mke it a point to attend it. Oh, and dn't forget to wear some comfortable wlking shoes!

Find an RV show nar you:

http://www.rvia.org/AM/customsource/INCL_Shows.cfm?section=local_shows&all=1

Happy Cmping,

Mark J. Polk

Cpyright 2008 by Mark J. Polk wner of RV Education 101

The article RV Shows was Submitted by Mark Polk through Articles.GetACoder.com network. Here's the additional information: RV Expert Mark Polk, seen on TV, is the prducer & host of America's most hghly regarded series of DVD's, videos, boks, and e-books. http://www.rveducation101.com/ Sign up for your free "RV Education 101" Newsletter http://rveducation101.com/email/

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