It’s 2018 RV Show Season!

It’s Time to Attend the 2018 RV Shows!

RV Shows are a great place to begin your search for local reputable RV dealers.  Local RV Shows are generally scheduled for January and February in the Northwestern PA and Eastern Ohio when dealerships are slowest. 

RV Shows provide you the opportunity to see newest models and talk to dealerships that you may not have heard of, and reduce your expenses and time by not having to drive to many different dealerships. 

It’s one stop RV shopping.  As a customer you can see and compare prices of like models, brands, layouts, and more with one stop shopping.  There is always a huge range of quality and prices. 

Finding the Right RV

When comparing units, make sure you’re comparing the prices of like models of differing brands.  One RV may look like another one, but you need to compare the construction, included equipment, options, and features they both have to offer. See who offers the best deal but remember if the dealer isn’t reputable or isn’t equipped to work on the RV, or is located too far away to conveniently return the RV for service, your purchase may not turn out to be the best deal.  Don’t be afraid to talk with other RVers at the show. Many of these people have years of RV experience and knowledge of different products and dealerships.  Most will be honest and tell you when and where they’ve gotten the best deals & service.   

Buying an RV from a local reputable dealer insures you the best possible service, convenience, and shortest distance to travel for maintenance, repairs, & warranty work.  It is always a good idea to visit the dealership’s physical location before you buy, check out their service department, service hours, etc.  In addition, many RV dealers offer show discounts and sometimes manufacturer rebates are available.  So not only do you save money with the one stop shopping, but there are huge savings in the purchase prices!  RV shows sometimes include educational seminars, entertainment, and raffles for door prizes, free RVs, and more!  So there are a lot of potential gains to attending!  Show specials also sometimes include discounts or coupons from campgrounds.  So, your new RV sometimes comes with savings to use it, too!

Special Camping Deals

For more information about local RV Dealers who have partnered with campgrounds in Western PA who offer over $1,000.00 in free Camping with the purchase of a new RV from those dealerships in a Very Special Camper (VSC) Discount Offer, visit our website at: http://meadvillekoa.com/discounts/

Campgrounds and RV Parks Featured

RV shows aren’t just for RV dealers to showcase new and used RVs.  RV shows offer a wealth of information on the whole RVing industry.  Most campgrounds or RV resorts are slow or closed for the winter.  RV shows allow campgrounds to showcase new activities, special events, new amenities & extended stay (aka seasonal camping) availability to potential campers.  Make sure you stop by their booths and find new places to explore and exciting things to do with your family this summer!   

Other Camping Accessories 

You can also find information for aftermarket RV products, RV accessories, RVing insurance, Camping or RVing Clubs, Discount Clubs, pick up brochures, camping directories for your state and other states, or the free KOA directory for the whole USA and Canada and more!  

Tent Camping and Cabin Vacations Information

You don’t even have to own an RV to enjoy camping or go to the RV Shows!  Even if you don’t intend to buy an RV, you can learn about cabin camping or pick up information about campgrounds for tent camping! 

Many people think of a camping vacation as ‘roughing it” with a tent, on the ground, in the rain, and a less than pleasurable vacation.  This is no longer the case.  For about the price of a hotel room, most campgrounds are now offering cabin rentals.  Prices for the cabin rentals vary by campground and the amenities offered.  “Camping cabins” are generally the least expensive because they offer the fewest amenities.  They are generally one room with beds and a table.  Cottage Cabins sleep 2-4 people may offer kitchenettes, or a few more amenities. Deluxe cabins are lodges with deluxe facilities like multiple bedrooms, full kitchens, and bathrooms.  There is no requirement to own an RV to have a family fun camping vacation!  You can enjoy the luxury of RVing with a camping vacation in a cabin and not miss any of the campground recreation programs and planned activities! 

Why not pack up the family for a fun winter-day activity and attend one of the local RV shows in your area.  Invite a friend to come along, and enjoy a day of looking forward to a summer camping season filled with friends & fun at these RV Shows!

RV Show Dates and Locations

Pittsburgh RV Show January 06 - 14  At David Lawrence Convention Center, Pittsburgh, PA!  See their website for show hours, admission prices, parking, and discounts offered at:  http://www.pittrvshow.com/!  Check them out on Facebook (they raffle off free tickets)!  And follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/MeadvilleKOA, for a chance to win free tickets too!   

Cleveland, Ohio RV Super Show, January 10 – 14, at the I-X Center, Cleveland, OH.  Info on show hours, admission, and parking fees along with discount coupons for admission available on their website at: http://www.ohiorvshow.com/!

Erie RV Show Feb 10 - 13 At the Bayfront Convention Center, Erie, PA!  The show entrance is family affordable and the parking is free, but the limited floor space limits the number of dealers and RVs on display! For more info see their website online at:  http://www.eriepromotions.com/RV/eri/default.aspx

We invite you to attend any and all of these RV Shows!  Stop by the KOA Kampgrounds booth and pick up some brochures, a KOA directory and a KOA bag!  Tell folks in the booth that you received your invitation to the RV Show from Meadville KOA Campground!  We hope to see you there!    

By Robyn Chilson

Robyn and her husband Tim Chilson, are CPO campground owners who own and operate Meadville KOA.  You can reach her at 814-78-3251.

Affordable Vacations Despite High Gas Prices!

In May 2007, the gas prices were at about $3.23 per gallon.  This year, prices are at almost $1.00 more per gallon.  But even at a $1.00 more per gallon, what does that mean to your travel budget for camping?  If your tow vehicle or motor home gets 10 miles to a gallon of gas or diesel, and you take a 50 mile trip, your total trip cost increase will be only $10.00 more!  If your tow vehicle gets better mileage, your cost increases will be even less!  

High gasoline prices historically cause Americans to make modifications to their travel plans but generally won’t cause them to cancel. So, here are some tips on how to still have a great summer and not let the price of gas ruin your vacation. 

Cook & eat at the campsite or RV!  Cooking over the fire is a favorite of campers and RV’ers, but even if cooking on the fire isn’t your thing, cooking and eating at your RV will help you save enough money on your vacation to pay for the gas price increase and allow you to afford the same vacation you took last year. 

Stay in a Cabin!  Not owning an RV isn’t the end of your camping experiences especially if tent camping is out of the question for you.  Most campgrounds have cabins that provide non-RV owners a fun camping experience at a very affordable rate.  The cabins are about the price of a hotel stay, but they have a wide range of amenities.  Camping cabins can be very basic (just beds and a table); kitchenette cabins provide the ability to cook indoors; and deluxe full service cabins have multiple rooms, kitchens, and bathroom facilities.  You can drive the vehicle that gets the best mileage, cook at the campground over the campfire to save money on meals, and enjoy a fun and affordable vacation with your family.    

Take only one vehicle to the campground or on vacation!  Coordinate schedules and carpool!  It saves you gas and reduces consumption!  Reducing consumption makes the price go down.  If everyone would lower consumption, our high fuel prices would come down.

Stay Closer to Home.  Rethinking your vacation location may pay back big dividends!  Save the cost of travel fuel by RVing and camping closer to home.  Not only do you save money on gas and wear and tear on your RV but you also spend less time traveling and more time having fun with your family!

Stay Longer once you get there.  Instead of making four, 2-day camping trips with the RV this summer, make three (3), 3-day stays.  You get an extra day of camping in, and the travel expense for only 3 trips!  It saves you money on the gas and again uses less gas, but that’s not all many campgrounds offer lower prices during the week.  So not only do you save with less travel but you also save on the stay costs too!

Become a Seasonal for the summer at your favorite campground!  To really save money on fuel and get the maximum use of your RV this summer, why not park the RV for the whole summer?  It’s a great way to think locally and act globally, and it’s a great way for your family to enjoy camping every weekend at the most affordable rate.  It maximizes your family’s enjoyment and minimizes the cost.  Most families can camp for the whole summer for less then a one-week vacation at Disney or at the seashore!

You don’t have to spend all that money on fuel to still enjoy a great vacation!  You can plan a great vacation by utilizing any one or more of these tips!  And, there are so many fun things to do and see right here in NW PA, you don’t have to go a long way to get away!

By Robyn S. Chilson

Robyn & Tim Chilson, CPO, Own and Operate Meadville KOA Campground in Meadville, PA.  You can contact her at 814-789-3251.