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Topic: Heading out to the RV show (Read 3 times) previous topic - next topic
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Heading out to the RV show
Yahoo Message Number: 49332
On Sunday, I'll take my teenage son to the big RV show in Boston as one more step in the process of persuading him that hitting the open road would be a Good Thing. He's homeschooled, about to take the GED but too young for college (aiming for fall 2006), so this year would be the perfect time for first-hand lessons in geography, history, nature, auto mechanics, human relations, etc., etc.
 Since I'm 99 percent convinced that I'll end up with a LD, Sunday's excursion is mainly out of general curiosity, to check out features and floorplans and, yes, upholstery and other decorating ideas.
 I really, really want to ask the sales reps some pointed questions about construction, features, etc. that will highlight the differences between LDs and their own products.

Any suggestions for any of these efforts would be most welcome!

Thanks

Joanne LD wannabee
Re: Heading out to the RV show
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 49334
Don't be sold on the fluff!

Some of the RVs you'll see will have "more modern" construction and features. Stuff like welded aluminum frames etc. slides, ducted air conditioning etc. At first blush, most will look good on the surface, for that's what's most important for curb appeal and to attract impulse buyers. Look a little deeper, though, and you'll often find shoddy workmanship beneath the pretty interior.

This is not to say that LDs are perfect, they aren't. I've found a one or two instances of split wood stringers and stripped out screw holes. But most importantly, and
bumper
"Yonder" '05 MB
"WLDBLU" glider trailer
Re: Heading out to the RV show
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 49337
wrote:

"I really, really want to ask the sales reps some pointed questions about construction, features, etc. that will highlight the differences between LDs and their own products."

In my experience, *most* salespeople/reps (at RV shows or on dealer lots) know little or nothing about the products they sell, or worse, actively mis-represent their product's construction, features, weight, capabilities, quality control issues, etc.  I have attended several RV shows over the years, and confess to "baiting" more than a few of these salespeople with questions (cheap entertainment on a slow Saturday) just to see what their responses will be. I have heard *many* stunningly egregious lies (fueled by plain ignorance of their product or by a deliberate intent to hoodwink and make a sale) flow smoothly from the lips of these folks while gullible RV-seekers who haven't done their homework absorb every word as gospel.

By all means, go and look and ask and listen, but don't expect most of the over-cologned, capped-teeth guys in the team polo shirts to know their behinds from third base when it comes to the rigs they're hawking!  Keep a tight hold of your wallet, and steel yourself against being swayed by any emotional appeals or promise of deals, "show prices", and bashing of other manufacturers' products.
RV salespeople aren't in the business of protecting their potential customers from themselves; their job is to sell that shiny thing sitting on the floor, and it matters not one whit that it's an overweight, poorly designed and constructed piece of junk *and* completely wrong for your RV style.

Oh, I did so enjoy going to those shows, but my "snake oil forbearance" was a bit higher in those days!  Have fun, Joanne!

Joan
2003 TK has a new home
 
Heading out to the RV show
Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 49339
Quote
In my experience, *most* salespeople/reps (at RV shows or on dealer lots) know little or nothing about the products they sell, or worse, actively mis-represent their product's construction, features, weight, capabilities, quality control issues, etc.

Oh, isn't this the truth?!
 When we were first searching for our first RV, we were told time and time again that we could pull *anything* with the 1-ton pickup we had -- even a 40' Teton we looked at (which probably had a GVWR of 20,000# or more).
 Then, last winter, while we were looking for a motorhome, we stopped at one of the dealers here in Q to look at a Bigfoot Class C.
 While I think Bigfoot makes a nice product, we happen to be in one that had a huge rear *garage* which had ramps to drive an ATV up into it.  When I opened a cabinet door and read that the CCC was 600-something pounds, I made the comment that once someone drove an ATV up into the garage, that would pretty much take care of that 600 pounds.  But I was assured by the sales woman that, since, the rig had a TOW rating of 5,000#, there'd be plenty of left-over capacity!  I tried to explain to her that the weight of an ATV would come out of the GVWR (thus reducing the 600 pound CCC by whatever the weight of the ATV was) and not the tow rating, but she still insisted she was right.   Unfortunately, her misinformation means that some poor, unknowledgeable, person who buys that unit and relies on her statements, will more than likely be running around grossly overweight!

Linda & Earl 2004 23.5'  Red TK From Quartzsite, AZ
Linda Hylton