California RV Show Returns

Above, motorhomes on display at the 2017 California RV Show. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One of the last things I did just before moving to New Mexico was to attend the California RV Show in Pomona in October 2017.

After this, the California RV Show was cancelled when COVID hit. It hadn't been held since, until this past week. 

According to the following article in Woodall's Campground Magazine, it was a big success.

They start the article with:

Despite rising gas prices and war, the California RV Show, held March 20-22, drew more than 20,000 paying visitors. The event, which took place at the Pomona Fairplex, was the first major RV show in Southern California in almost six years.

“Given there hadn’t been anything in California for years, I thought anything over 10,000 attendees would be a success,” said RV Supershows President Rob Lynch. “The fact that we exceeded my expectations by more than double truly excites me for the future. Pomona is back – Pomona’s back in a big way.”

Exhibiting dealers and OEMs included: Aboard RV, Airstream, Beaumont RV, Best RV Center, Blue Compass RV, Ford Motor Company (Towing Bootcamp), Galaxy RV, Giant RV, Marjon RV, Pebble RV, Rovikk, Sport Truck RV, The RV Super Store and Venture Explorers.

It is nice to see the California RV Show return.

To read more, go here. 

Tips For Attending An RV Show

Above, new motorhomes on display at the California RV Show. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Whether or not one is in the market to buy a new RV or just like to browse around and sit in on demonstrations of cooking gadgets, attending an RV show is a lot of fun.

If anyone hasn't been to an RV show, RV Lifestyle has an article with 13 pro tips for attending one.

They begin it with:

Jennifer and I love attending RV shows. We hit many of the biggest and best RV shows every year, and smaller shows, too. It’s a great way for us to stay up-to-date on the latest innovations in the RV community to share with our RV Lifestyle community.

We also attend RV shows because we really enjoy them! We often run into fellow RVers we’ve met on the road, and it’s a great place to make new friends, too.

I know the thought of milling through a crowded convention center and parking lot can seem overwhelming to some. After all, it’s not uncommon to have to wait in lines to enter new models or have to squeeze through to see new RV products.

But the crowds aren’t always that bad. Plus, there’s a great deal you can do to prepare for an RV show before you arrive and before every day you attend.

I will share those tips with you so you can make the most of attending an RV show.

To read more, go here. 

Before Buying, Go To An RV Show First

Above, RVs on display at the California RV Show in Pomona. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

In the market to buy an RV? What is the best way to compare RV brands and to check out different RV dealership?

The answer is simple: Go to an RV show first!

This is a topic in RVTravel and it is one that everyone who is considering buying an RV should do.

They begin with:

RV shows, like boat shows, are intended to introduce new model year RVs and help disseminate RV-related information to the consumer. These shows are typically scheduled during the slower time of the year, the winter months (though they do occur year-round), to help jump-start the RV dealer’s selling season. RV dealers from miles away bring their wares to these shows.

For the buyer, RV shows put everything you need to see and learn about under one roof, making it the ideal environment to conduct research and make informed RV buying decisions. I mentioned that RV dealers come from miles around – this includes local RV dealers from the area where you live. If possible, try to buy from an RV dealer within a reasonable distance from where you live. This makes it much easier to get service and warranty work done on the unit.

The most important concern is to only deal with a reputable RV dealership.

Even though I already have a motorhome, I still like going to RV shows to see the new models and to see what new gadgets there are available. Good deals on gadgets can be found at RV shows.

To read more, go here. 

RV Shows During A Pandemic

Above, the California RV Show in Pomona. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For the past few weeks, I've noticed some ads for RV shows around the country. This raised the question, "Can they hold RV shows during a pandemic?"

Apparently, I was not the only one wondering this as a new article is in RVtravel asking the same thing.

It begins with:

While performing research for this article I came across the heading “Despite a Global Pandemic, RV Shows Must Go On” in a blog post written by Kyle and Olivia Brady of drivinvibin.com. This is a thought-provoking statement, as many ponder the fate of 2021 RV shows during the ongoing pandemic.

Producing RV shows for a living, the topic of 2021 RV shows and what they will look like is of great interest to me.

I have corresponded with venues and other show promoters, and researched what different states are permitting. Following are insights into 2021 RV shows and what you will likely experience if you choose to attend one. Because, like it or not, the 2021 RV show season is about to begin.

To read more, go here. 

What To Look For In A RV Show

Above, the exhibit "tent" at the California RV Show in Pomona. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Right now, around the country it is RV show season.

Like anything else, some RV shows are better than others. Fortunately, RV Life has an article with a list of five things to look for before attending a RV show.

They start it with:

It seems like there is an RV show about every weekend this time of year. How do you know which one you should attend? 

The following are five things you should look for when deciding what RV show to attend this season.

Above, larger shows with more dealers attract factory representatives to answer questions. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To read more, go here. 

California RV Show Coming Up

Above, RVs on display at last year's California RV Show. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Although I have moved out of California, there is one event there that RV enthusiasts or those considering a RV purchase should attend.

And that is the California RV Show in Pomona at the Fairplex. RVs of all kinds are displayed by most RV manufacturers, so this is the perfect place to shop and compare.

I went last year and had a good time.

Above, a row of Winnebagos. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Here's when it happens:

Oct. 5-14: California RV Show – Pomona, CA 

Location: Los Angeles Fairplex, 2200 N. White Ave – Gate 9, Pomona, CA, 91768 

Hours: Friday (10/5) to Sunday (10/14):  10 a.m. – 6 p.m. 

Price: Adult general admission tickets are $13 online, or $15 at the gate. A multi-day pass is $23 online, or $25 at the gate. Children 12 and under, as well as active military personnel and veterans (w/military ID) get in free.

Younger Generations Discover "Glamping"

Above, the California RV Show in Pomona. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The RV industry is currently booming. It is about to set a record of over 500,000 units for the first time ever.

Retiring baby boomers and younger generations are getting into the RV lifesyle. They tend to go for towable RVs instead of motorhomes.

According to the Wall Street Journal:

For anyone who has gotten stuck on a mountain road behind a massive recreational vehicle, get used to it, there are a lot more on the highway. 

Recreational vehicles, ranging from bus-sized motor homes to retro trailers, have been a boom-and-bust industry since they first became popular in the early 1970s. Now a wave of retiring baby boomers and a surprisingly young new fan base have sent U.S. unit sales above their housing boom peak. Shares of the two leading manufacturers of RVs, Thor Industries THO -1.28% and smaller Winnebago Industries , WGO -1.37% each hit records last week. 

The fundamentals—fuel prices, interest rates, disposable income and demographics—all look solid. That has the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association projecting a further jump this year and next. Despite that, delighted investors might want to unhitch themselves from these stocks. When things go badly for the economy, they go very badly for RV makers. 

Shares of one-time industry leader Winnebago Industries plunged by 94% from peak to trough in the first 1970s energy crisis and by 78% in the second one. A lack of easy credit and consumer confidence can be just as devastating. Shares fell 92% between their housing boom peak and housing bust trough, while wholesale RV shipments fell by two-thirds.

To read more, go here. 

The 2017 California RV Show

Above, shopping for a new RV? This is a good place to start. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

"Life isn't fair. The fair's in Pomona!" - Lee Sholem, Adventures of Superman Director.

Indeed it is! I spent nearly three hours today at the Los Angeles County Fairgrounds (known as the Fairplex) in Pomona for the 2017 California RV Show.

There were RVs of every size and description from motorhomes, travel trailers, pop-up trailers, truck campers, toy-box trailers and fifth wheel trailers.

Above, the show has grown since the last time I attended. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

All the big manufacturers were represented. The show has grown considerably since the last time I attended, at least about 13 or so years ago. It has grown so big that there was a golf cart shuttle service (many were sponsored by RV Trader) to take people around the show.

Above, inside the "big tent". Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For myself, I was mainly interested in seeing what RV parks and resorts were there as well as accessories. As for RV parks and resorts, there were plenty in the big tent. As far as accessories, not many. At least none that I was interested in. That was disappointing.

My only purchase were some jewelry and eyeglass cleaners. Plus, a Coke from Pink's food trailer.

Above, Pink's was one of the refreshment stands available. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The starting time for the show was 10:00, but I got into Pomona at around 9:00. I spent about a half hour at a local Subway restaurant. Following that, I headed to the parking area for the RV show. After parking (I got a good parking spot close to the show entrance), I noticed people were being let in at 9:30. So I headed to the ticket booth and was let in.

Above, the new Winnebago Revel Class B. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

At that time, there wasn't too much of a crowd. So I bee-lined it to the big tent. 

Above, the 2018 Minnie Winnie 22R. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the interior of the 2018 Minnie Winnie 25B. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the 2018 Minnie Winnie 25B. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After perusing the vendors in the big tent, I then wandered around (KOA Kampgrounds sponsored a free Ferris wheel for the kiddies) and headed over to the Winnebago area. I looked over the new 2018 Minnie Winnies, the new four-wheel drive Class B (the Revel) and the new entry-level Class A (the Intent). 

Above, the 2018 Winnebago Intent. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the interior of the 2018 Winnebago Intent. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the Intent's outside galley. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I wandered around to see other brands of RVs, such as Jayco, Fleetwood and Coachmen. 

The show was much too big to see everything. The best way to do so is to decide what brands one wants to see and particular models. At least the free shuttle would help getting one from one dealer to another.

Above, some Class A motorhomes were like small apartments. This one has a fireplace. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Another interesting item that I saw was an old, beat-up travel trailer. It was actually part of a display for a vendor called Vintage Camper Trailers. They specialize in restoring vintage campers and put out a magazine for vintage camper fans such as "collectors, restorers, admireres and dreamers."

Above, an old trailer at Vintage Camper Trailers. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This little jaunt to the California RV Show whetted my appetite for a few years. It was fun to browse around. If anyone is thinking on buying a new RV, going to one of these shows will be a big help in the decision-making process. I noticed a lot of "sold" signs on RVs at the show.

Above, a Jayco Class C. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Oh, yes. Sierra got something from the show too: a little football from the KNX-1070 Newsradio booth.

Above, an aisle in the Winnebago area. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The show runs through tomorrow.

California RV Show and Others Coming Up

Fall is not too distant in the future, which means RV shows will be held around the country.

If one is interested in buying a motorhome or trailer, seeing what's new and available in one location is quite handy.

The California RV Show will be held October 6 - 15 at the Fairplex in Pomona. I am going to try to attend this one. Along with RVs, accessories and other vendors usually set up booths.

Do It Yourself RV has a list of RV shows and they begin with:

Fall RV shows are coming up soon.  They’re fun to attend even if you’re not looking to buy a new rig.  You can get a sneak peek at the latest 2018 models and find end-of-the-year deals if you are considering upgrading your home on wheels.  Acres of RVs, trailers, fifth wheels and more are on display, as well as a variety of seminars and new camping products. 

These are fifteen of the annual RV shows that are set over the next couple of months.  Check out if any of these events are close to your neck of the woods and be sure to add them to your calendar.

To read more, go here. 

California RV Show Around The Corner

Although it is still early August, autumn is just around the corner and that means that RV show season will be starting soon.

The big one to attend is the California RV show. It is the 64th annual show. I used to go to it when it was held at Dodger Stadium back in the 1980s.

It will be held at the Fairplex in Pomona October 7 to October 16. As I have a clamp-out the weekend of the 7th, I will probably go mid-week or during the final weekend.

Besides RVs, the show will also have RV parts, accessories, vacation packages, services and "just plain fun stuff!"

There will be sports celebrities giving free autographs such as James Worthy, Eric Dickerson, Bobby Grinch, Steve Garvey and more.

The show's website is here.

Mark your calendars!