Are shows worth going to? It depends. If you're a total newbie and are just starting to dream about owning an RV but know absolutely nothing about them, then probably going to any show will be useful because going in and out of a variety of RVs will give you a better idea of what you want or need or like or dislike. For example, you might start out by thinking you want a Class C but find a trailer suits your needs better, or vice versa.
That said, the single dealer "shows" can be useful but you need to leave the credit card and money at home and perhaps be prepared for some high-pressure tactics. On the other hand, if you've been thinking about it for a while and have seen some RVs previously, then maybe you need to find one of the multiple-dealer shows that have a wider variety of RVs to peruse. Also, at the bigger shows they'll be more likely to let you take test drives without as much pressure to buy now. It's also a good opportunity to find out what different dealers say about the same coach or features or whatever. Shows are one way of doing research. Renting is another way. Book learning is great, but hands-on experience is always better. Of course, the real hands-on part is after you sign on the dotted line and are on your own!
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