Those rip-off RV shows......

treeguy64

treeguy64

Hari Om, y'all!
Location
Austin, TX.
Janet and I decided to check out Austin's biggest RV show, this morning. Hundreds of great looking units, all open, all with electricity on, unlike visits to dealerships where so many are locked up, no power, plastic wrapping on tables, chairs, mattresses, etc.

Anyway, I found one I really like. Just like all other units, there, it had a big sign letting me know that the 'Special Show Price" would be good only until tomorrow night. Also, the unit came with a "Lifetime, Bumper to Bumper Warranty!"

So, my guard was now up. I've bought many, new RV's. Something seemed fishy about that warranty and special price. I let a show floor hustler try to hustle me, then. We talked, he gave me a form to fill out. From the VIN I gave him, he came up with my "Great, one-time, only, deal!" He was going to give me $10G's less than what I paid for my RV, two years ago, and sell me the new unit for $13G's below MSRP. Wow, right? Lifetime warranty included? Come on.....

He wanted a deposit. I told him I'd have to sleep on it.

Well, upon getting home, I found the exact unit, online, for $7G's LESS than that (not so) great show price. Additionally, the show lifetime warranty was through a third party provider, and those warranties are, typically, not worth the paper they're printed on.

No deal!

Be careful if you go to an RV show, and get hustled. I strongly suggest you never buy off that floor. I'm sure glad I didn't!
 

Oh, yeah, the RV and Boat Show prices seldom are THAT great a deal. They're banking on you getting over excited and having the overpowering urge to BUY.ONE.RIGHT.NOW!!! without sitting down and thinking calmly about it. I'm rather embarrassed to say been-there-done-that.....

Believe me, show up at the dealership a week after the show and ask for the same price and you'll most likely get it.
 
treeguy64 said:
Janet and I decided to check out Austin's biggest RV show, this morning. Hundreds of great looking units, all open, all with electricity on, unlike visits to dealerships where so many are locked up, no power, plastic wrapping on tables, chairs, mattresses, etc.

Anyway, I found one I really like. Just like all other units, there, it had a big sign letting me know that the 'Special Show Price" would be good only until tomorrow night. Also, the unit came with a "Lifetime, Bumper to Bumper Warranty!"

So, my guard was now up. I've bought many, new RV's. Something seemed fishy about that warranty and special price. I let a show floor hustler try to hustle me, then. We talked, he gave me a form to fill out. From the VIN I gave him, he came up with my "Great, one-time, only, deal!" He was going to give me $10G's less than what I paid for my RV, two years ago, and sell me the new unit for $13G's below MSRP. Wow, right? Lifetime warranty included? Come on.....

He wanted a deposit. I told him I'd have to sleep on it.

Well, upon getting home, I found the exact unit, online, for $7G's LESS than that (not so) great show price. Additionally, the show lifetime warranty was through a third party provider, and those warranties are, typically, not worth the paper they're printed on.

No deal!

Be careful if you go to an RV show, and get hustled. I strongly suggest you never buy off that floor. I'm sure glad I didn't!
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What type of RV are you considering?
 

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C'est Moi said:
Looks like all the kitchen countertop space is wasted by the placement of that loveseat in the Keystone. :unsure:
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I sold that thing the first week I had it. I replaced it with a single, contemporary recliner, Scandinavian. I actually wrote the company about that exact issue of blocked counter space. I'm a guy who needs to maximize my counter space, since I'm always prepping and cooking. That dual recliner placement was crazy!
 
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We have a 2005 Cardinal 5th wheel. Two swivel rockers/recliners and a table with 4 chairs. So no loveseat or banquette. I do wish it had more counter space as well as a bonafide pantry, but we've worked that out.

Some of the new motor homes are in the million dollar range... always makes me wonder what their bricks and sticks homes look like! Ours is quite presentable and plenty comfortable, but we're definitely not among the Richie-Riches of the RV parks!

p.s. @treeguy64, why were you considering replacing a TT that's only two years old?
 
StarSong said:
We have a 2005 Cardinal 5th wheel. Two swivel rockers/recliners and a table with 4 chairs. So no loveseat or banquette. I do wish it had more counter space as well as a bonafide pantry, but we've worked that out.

Some of the new motor homes are in the million dollar range... always makes me wonder what their bricks and sticks homes look like! Ours is quite presentable and plenty comfortable, but we're definitely not among the Richie-Riches of the RV parks!

p.s. @treeguy64, why were you considering replacing a TT that's only two years old?
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Janet thinks she could spend a longer time, more comfortably, in a slightly bigger RV, with slide-outs on opposite sides, to give more walking space, inside, when open. Since we'll be checking out a number of towns, and spending a few weeks at each, she's concerned she may get a bit claustrophobic.

Also, that new unit was very cool. I also appreciated the extra room, especially with the kitchen area island, and the larger bedroom.

At this point, I don't want the extra weight that new unit would give me, to tow. We'll be fine, I think, once we hit the road. If not, we can always take occasional breaks in hotels or airbnb's.
 
treeguy64 said:
Janet thinks she could spend a longer time, more comfortably, in a slightly bigger RV, with slide-outs on opposite sides, to give more walking space, inside, when open. Since we'll be checking out a number of towns, and spending a few weeks at each, she's concerned she may get a bit claustrophobic.

Also, that new unit was very cool. I also appreciated the extra room, especially with the kitchen area island, and the larger bedroom.

At this point, I don't want the extra weight that new unit would give me, to tow. We'll be fine, I think, once we hit the road. If not, we can always take occasional breaks in hotels or airbnb's.
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RVs are so well-appointed with the emphasis of fitting more into less space, that you don't even realize how actually small they are on the inside. No space is wasted. Lots of clever storage. We did move one of our free-standing recliners out, though, as we just didn't need two of them. It gave me room to fit in a little computer table and stool that slid in under that table, so that I didn't have to use my laptop on the dining table. We also took out two of the dining chairs and that helps with the room, too. We have a couple of stools to use when we have company over.
 
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I don't know why they don't sell RVs unfurnished. It seems like every RV owner I know has removed the original furnishings and replaced with something they'd rather have. We took the uncomfortable FlexSteel sofa out of ours and replaced it with a La-z-boy.
 
C'est Moi said:
I don't know why they don't sell RVs unfurnished. It seems like every RV owner I know has removed the original furnishings and replaced with something they'd rather have. We took the uncomfortable FlexSteel sofa out of ours and replaced it with a La-z-boy.
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A guy I know bought a completely restored Airstream trailer.....[chassis & shell]....He then outfitted it with [I believe] four Lazyboy recliners , that he strapped to anchors when towing. Finished the Kit/bath as he liked, and that was his camper. He did a great job with the floor/walls.....built a really nice kitchen counter/wet bar......It turned out nice, for about a third the price new, even used.
 
C'est Moi said:
I don't know why they don't sell RVs unfurnished. It seems like every RV owner I know has removed the original furnishings and replaced with something they'd rather have. We took the uncomfortable FlexSteel sofa out of ours and replaced it with a La-z-boy.
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Ours came with pretty comfy stock furniture, couch included. As far as we can tell, nobody has ever pulled out the sofa bed and actually slept on it. (One owner before us.)

Speaking of the fold out couch, here's a question for RVers - do you ever host overnight company in your RV? We haven't, but would be comfortable with our kids or grands staying the night. A friend's general rule for hosting inside their RV is
6 for drinks and snacks
4 for dinner
only themselves for overnight

We've comfortably had a total of 8 humans and 3 small dogs for drinks and dinner (inside) on more than one occasion. Of course, these were all close friends/family.
 
RV shows are great place to get idea's ... And you may get a deal if you play your cards right... but you better know your numbers and do your dealing the afternoon of the last day....
TreeGuy, Are you considering your camper access while closed and traveling too? Its amazing how many campers you cant even use the bathroom on the road if needed.. Our Hybrid has a similar U-Dinet, We make up for traveling, makes quick overnight stops a breeze with no setup. still have access to Bathroom, Kitchen without dropping beds or running the slide out...
We are currently searching for a toyhauler.... Missed having the Roadking when we went to Maine last year....
 
old medic said:
RV shows are great place to get idea's ... And you may get a deal if you play your cards right... but you better know your numbers and do your dealing the afternoon of the last day....
TreeGuy, Are you considering your camper access while closed and traveling too? Its amazing how many campers you cant even use the bathroom on the road if needed.. Our Hybrid has a similar U-Dinet, We make up for traveling, makes quick overnight stops a breeze with no setup. still have access to Bathroom, Kitchen without dropping beds or running the slide out...
We are currently searching for a toyhauler.... Missed having the Roadking when we went to Maine last year....
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I've never owned an RV that didn't allow me to hit the head, or galley, while traveling. That Puma I liked, at the show, was one that gave very limited access to the galley when the slide-outs were closed. The head was accessible, as I saw it.

Interesting trend: Some of the two-door models now have one of the outside doors opening into the head. Struck me as odd, initially, but then I thought it was a good idea, for quick access while traveling.
 
Our 5er has an L-shaped couch that's a queen-sized hide-a-bed. Instead of a regular mattress, it has a very comfortable air mattress with a built-in inflator/deflator. That allows room for two big drawers under the couch, which helps with storage.

We've had as many as three extra people staying with us. It gets crowded but as long as it's a week or less, it's OK.

It's having only one bathroom that makes it hard. Luckily, the bathroom can be accessed from both the hallway and the bedroom, so that makes it easier. We stay in RV parks, though, so there's always the bathhouse available.
 
Our bathroom is easily accessible when the slides are in. This body sometimes gives very little advance notice about pressing bathroom needs so having a personal portable potty has been a godsend on more than one occasion.

Yes, @jujube, I was thinking of the bathroom situation and that I'm a very early riser. Our bathroom is upstairs, adjacent to the bedroom. When camping I rarely sleep until 5:00. Each evening I set out my toothbrush, toothpaste, and warm clothing in the downstairs area of our 5er.

I get up, use the toilet, then close the pocket door at the top of the stairs. I wash up n the kitchen sink, put on sweats, sometimes kick on a portable electric heater, and settle down with some coffee and the internet or a book until it's light out.

Hubby and the dog are accustomed to my middle-of-the-night meanderings and no longer notice my minor disturbance in the force.

If somebody slept downstairs I'd be stuck in bed until they started to awaken.
 
The most "extra" people we've ever had for dinner in the RV was two. For larger numbers, it usually turns out that people gather at the picnic table outside. We've never had anyone sleep in the RV except us two.

We have a motorhome, so no problem being self-contained while traveling. It's great pulling into a rest area, making lunch, watching the news on TV and even taking a short nap without ever having to step outside if we don't choose to. (Though we always do unless it's raining; husband likes to do a "walk around" and look at the tires, walk the dog, etc. at each stop.)
 

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