The benefits of owning a recreational vehicle (RV) can look like a laundry list: quality family bonding time, proximity to nature, pet-friendly travel, not to mention the freedom of exploration at your own pace. Having an RV can also mean significant savings compared to the cost of a vacation with flights, accommodations, rental cars and dining out.
Those interested in RVing can find special show pricing on hundreds of brand-new units at the 62nd annual Fort Wayne RV & Camping Show, Feb. 2-5, Thursday through Saturday 11 a.m.-8 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m.-5 p.m., at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, 4000 Parnell Ave., Fort Wayne.
“Whether someone is looking for their first RV or their next RV, the Fort Wayne RV & Camping Show is a terrific opportunity for buyers to compare features, floor plans and RV types from a wide variety of manufacturers and dealers,” says Matt Rose, director of recreation vehicles for the Indiana Manufactured Housing Association – Recreation Vehicle Indiana Council (IMHA-RVIC). The show features a variety of recreation vehicles, including motorhomes, fifth-wheels, toy haulers, travel trailers and park model RVs. In addition, the vehicles span the gamut of manufacturers, models, floor plans, colors and sleeping capacities.
Whether someone wants to drive or pull their new RV, there is something at the show to fit every budget and camping style, including smaller, light weight RVs that cost around $200 per month, Rose says.
“There’s something for the first-time camper and the veteran RV owner,” he adds. “Dealers are ready for big sales and come prepared with show pricing. With so many dealers all in one place, it’s also a great place for buyers to negotiate their best price. Many of these RVs are priced at 20% to 25% below MSRP [manufacture suggested retail price].”
Rose has the following advice the help shoppers make the most of their time:
- Arrive early and plan to spend a few hours, since the Memorial Coliseum is wall-to-wall RVs with eight dealers displaying every type of vehicle.
- Determine whether you’d like to pull or drive your vehicle.
- Give some thought to the size vehicle you’d like and what features are important to you. “This will help you narrow down the dealers and types of RVs to spend time with,” Rose says.
The Fort Wayne RV & Camping Show is owned and produced by the IMHA-RVIC.
“We are the state manufactured housing and RV industry trade association based in Indianapolis,” Rose says. “We produce five RV and camping shows annually.
“This is the 62nd annual event in Fort Wayne and it’s better than ever,” Rose continues. “We have a great lineup of dealers, manufacturers, and every type of RV. All are on display and on sale, all in one place.”
Tickets for the Fort Wayne RV & Camping Show are available on Ticketmaster or at the door and cost $12 for adults, $10 for seniors ages 60 and older and $3 for children ages 5-12. Children under age 5 can enter free. A family day pass is available for two adults and up to three children for $25.
“An RV show like this one is not only a great place to shop for a new RV, but it’s also a great place to come out and ask questions if you are new or interested in the RV lifestyle,” Rose says.
For more information, visit rvshows.org. ❚