Portland Fall RV show is coming up in 4 weeks and I am going to be a serious shopperI know from past experience that Apache sells there and they carry the models/brands I'm looking at (specific Nash and Outdoors RV travel trailers 25-27' with bunk beds - these have wet weights of 7000-10,000 lb).What is a good/fair price if I am to buy at a show? I have read anything 30% off MSRP or better is a good price. Obviously I'm hoping to get a good deal on a 2017 to save the dealer the trouble of storing it all winter long.What else would I need to know/do in advance? I have a new tow vehicle (new RAM full ton with CTD payload is 3900 lb) but it doesn't even have a hitch yet as I'm starting from scratch - so let me know what I would need to do in advance to drive home with a trailer that week:- what kind of hitch to buy;- does the WDH come attached to the hitch I buy or the trailer I buy;And what kind of options I'd be looking for to pick up at the show itself or negotiate into the total price.Anything else I need to know about buying at a show?

"does the WDH come attached to the hitch I buy or the trailer I buy;"Read online for an hour about WDHs then come back with questions. You don't have the basics.

Just head on down to the dealer because you'll get a better deal there. Special show prices are almost never special. Floor space at event centers is expensive and someone has to pay for it. The dealers are not, you are.

I agree with Ralph.. Plus, at the show there's been hundreds of folks walking through the trailer, opening cabinets, opening doors, etc etc etc...Never know what might be broken.If you buy at the show, I suspect you have to do your own PDI.. maybe they will have a tech. If anything has to be fixed, they have to haul it to the dealer anyways. I don't think you'll get any better deal at a show. Use the show to figure out what you want, then go visit the dealer after the show. Bet you he will still give you the same price.Mike

if your new at buying get a friend to go with you,

What price at an RV Show (Portland fall show)? | Good Sam Community

Lwiddis
Explorer II
Aug 20, 2017
"does the WDH come attached to the hitch I buy or the trailer I buy;"

Read online for an hour about WDHs then come back with questions. You don't have the basics.
Ralph_Cramden
Explorer II
Aug 20, 2017
Just head on down to the dealer because you'll get a better deal there. Special show prices are almost never special. Floor space at event centers is expensive and someone has to pay for it. The dealers are not, you are.
Walaby
Explorer II
Aug 20, 2017
I agree with Ralph.. Plus, at the show there's been hundreds of folks walking through the trailer, opening cabinets, opening doors, etc etc etc...Never know what might be broken.

If you buy at the show, I suspect you have to do your own PDI.. maybe they will have a tech. If anything has to be fixed, they have to haul it to the dealer anyways.

I don't think you'll get any better deal at a show. Use the show to figure out what you want, then go visit the dealer after the show. Bet you he will still give you the same price.

Mike
midnightsadie
Explorer II
Aug 20, 2017
if your new at buying get a friend to go with you,
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Aug 21, 2017
He's new. A babe in toy land.
schlep1967
Nomad
Aug 21, 2017
If you think the dealers really want to sell a trailer at the show, just wait to see how bad they want to sell one a month later. Go to the show. Look at all the trailers and write down the info of the exact model you want. Go home and start looking on the internet for that model and compare prices. Don't be afraid to make some phone calls and when on the phone let them know you will call them back after you check prices elsewhere. They will most likely tell you to let them know if you get a better price. They will beat it.
Ralph_Cramden
Explorer II
Aug 22, 2017
schlep1967 wrote:
If you think the dealers really want to sell a trailer at the show, just wait to see how bad they want to sell one a month later. Go to the show. Look at all the trailers and write down the info of the exact model you want. Go home and start looking on the internet for that model and compare prices. Don't be afraid to make some phone calls and when on the phone let them know you will call them back after you check prices elsewhere. They will most likely tell you to let them know if you get a better price. They will beat it.

I have a friend who is an RV dealer. Its a small mom and pop operation started by his late father in the early 1960's. His prices are pretty much no haggle. If your interested in a particular unit he pulls out his book and the price is the price, and its typically a great price. His business is built on the service and used side more than it is on the new side.

His show prices are typically $1K more than the price you can walk in and buy off the lot for. It costs a lot for that expo center floor space at those shows, and to transport units there and bring home ones that do not sell. The dealers do not pay for any of that, the purchaser does.
Expyinflight
Explorer
Aug 22, 2017
We got a great price...35% off sticker...at a show. Had shopped this dealer for quite some time and they knew we were serious buyers.

Made the deal at the show, but we wanted a different color interior.
They had one that had just arrived at the dealership. They got it ready, and called us. When we arrived it was plugged in, awning out, with the air and TVs on. We were invited to inspect it and all systems thoroughly, by ourselves. We asked for roof vent covers to be added before delivery. They agreed. After another PDI the following day with one of their techs, we wrote the check, signed the papers, and drove away. A surprising easy and no stress experience.
rvshrinker
Explorer III
Aug 24, 2017
Definitely a newbie. I know what units I'm looking for and I've read but never owned, driven, towed, etc. And I'm no good at negotiating and tend to be too trusting.

Any extremely experienced RV owners/buyers want to negotiate my rig for me for a small fee?
Txsurfer
Explorer
Aug 24, 2017
Lwiddis wrote:
"does the WDH come attached to the hitch I buy or the trailer I buy;"

Read online for an hour about WDHs then come back with questions. You don't have the basics.

Dang pretty sure this the beginning RV section cut the guy some slack..