It’s been two months since we left for our long journey to Wisconsin. Now the heat wave that hit Dallas while we were gone seems to be subsiding just a bit and the rain, after two weeks, finally stopped. This seems like a good time to visit Dallas Market Hall and see what’s new for 2019 at the Dallas RV show.
This is the second RV show this year, the first being in February. Tickets typically run $13.00 per person with $2.00 discount tickets online. Surprisingly, on the first day of the show, the ticket price per person was $10.00 . The parking at Market Hall is free and you’ll know why when you get inside their lot – it’s pretty shabby. Due to the discounted prices at the show, this may be the best $13.00 you will ever spend.
Plan to spend at least three hours if this is your first RV show…there are an incredible amount of trailers to visit. Remember that if you are looking to buy a trailer, you really ought to go with a list of items that are “must haves”. If you don’t take that list, chances are you are going to miss something that was really important to you, like a pantry, or a place for a garbage can. For a pretty comprehensive list on what to look for when you are buying a trailer look at our previous blog: https://traveltrailernation.com/2016/11/10/buying-a-new-travel-trailer/
As we have mentioned before, there really is a travel trailer for everyone at the RV show. No matter what your budget or what tow vehicle you have, you will find something you like. I have to say there were a few models there that really surprised my from a pricing standpoint.
This show isn’t just travel trailers, it runs the full gambit of the RV lifestyle. Everything from huge motor coach models down to the smallest camper, they are all here. Don’t think smaller means less expensive, there are some pretty expensive small trailers out there. Take for instance the Airstreams tiny basecamp model – $33,988.00 dollars, and that’s already discounted by $4,398.00.
Airstreams small model – big price
Airstream’s base camp model travel trailer
While this Basecamp model is very attractive, I don’t know many people that would pay $34,000 on a trailer that small. You can buy a lot more trailer for that kind of money, but I’m sure this trailer has a following. One thing I will say about airstream, they don’t have a lot of space but the construction is top-notch.
Now for a nice entry-level trailer for a small family, there are many choices. Take for instance the Keystone Hideout. This trailer comes in under $15000.00 with a bunk house and a queen bed. Even though it is on the small side, you are getting all the amenities and it only weighs 3700 pounds.
The Keystone Hideout
Keystone Hideout Queen Bed
The Keystone Hideout Dinette
Keystone Hideout Kitchen/Bunk Area
This is just an all around nice trailer for a family that does not want or need a lot of space but still wants a decent bathroom, a nice bunk area, and a trailer light enough to tow with an SUV. Let’s face it, 3700 pounds is a very towable unit.
Tired of the show inside? There’s a lot more RV’s outside!
One of the things that was a little disappointing this year was the lack of Manufacturing Representatives at the Thursday show. It may just be that they plan on being there Friday through Sunday, but it would have been nice to have talked to a few. Really, we didn’t see anything at this years show that seemed like something new and inventive. We did see that the stairs on many models have changed to the fold up rigid steps, which is an improvement but I don’t really want that mess in my trailer. It was nice to see that Jayco has gone to the Goodyear Endurance tires, and we wish every manufacturer would. There also seems to be a big emphasis on the blue LED lights…I have to say that’s getting a little old.
You will here some experts say “Never buy an RV at an RV show”. Their words are really aimed at first time buyers that go to a show and get seduced into buying an RV, without any knowledge. Once these buyers get the RV and start using it, they find they made some fundamental mistakes in what they really needed in an RV. However, if you are in the market for a new RV and you really have done your research, the pricing seems to be quite advantageous.
In the market for a new RV?…Go to the show!
If you want to learn more about things to consider when buying your first Travel Trailer click here.
The Dallas RV Show – 2018
It’s been two months since we left for our long journey to Wisconsin. Now the heat wave that hit Dallas while we were gone seems to be subsiding just a bit and the rain, after two weeks, finally stopped. This seems like a good time to visit Dallas Market Hall and see what’s new for 2019 at the Dallas RV show.
This is the second RV show this year, the first being in February. Tickets typically run $13.00 per person with $2.00 discount tickets online. Surprisingly, on the first day of the show, the ticket price per person was $10.00 . The parking at Market Hall is free and you’ll know why when you get inside their lot – it’s pretty shabby. Due to the discounted prices at the show, this may be the best $13.00 you will ever spend.
Plan to spend at least three hours if this is your first RV show…there are an incredible amount of trailers to visit. Remember that if you are looking to buy a trailer, you really ought to go with a list of items that are “must haves”. If you don’t take that list, chances are you are going to miss something that was really important to you, like a pantry, or a place for a garbage can. For a pretty comprehensive list on what to look for when you are buying a trailer look at our previous blog: https://traveltrailernation.com/2016/11/10/buying-a-new-travel-trailer/
As we have mentioned before, there really is a travel trailer for everyone at the RV show. No matter what your budget or what tow vehicle you have, you will find something you like. I have to say there were a few models there that really surprised my from a pricing standpoint.
This show isn’t just travel trailers, it runs the full gambit of the RV lifestyle. Everything from huge motor coach models down to the smallest camper, they are all here. Don’t think smaller means less expensive, there are some pretty expensive small trailers out there. Take for instance the Airstreams tiny basecamp model – $33,988.00 dollars, and that’s already discounted by $4,398.00.
Airstreams small model – big price
Airstream’s base camp model travel trailer
While this Basecamp model is very attractive, I don’t know many people that would pay $34,000 on a trailer that small. You can buy a lot more trailer for that kind of money, but I’m sure this trailer has a following. One thing I will say about airstream, they don’t have a lot of space but the construction is top-notch.
Now for a nice entry-level trailer for a small family, there are many choices. Take for instance the Keystone Hideout. This trailer comes in under $15000.00 with a bunk house and a queen bed. Even though it is on the small side, you are getting all the amenities and it only weighs 3700 pounds.
The Keystone Hideout
Keystone Hideout Queen Bed
The Keystone Hideout Dinette
Keystone Hideout Kitchen/Bunk Area
This is just an all around nice trailer for a family that does not want or need a lot of space but still wants a decent bathroom, a nice bunk area, and a trailer light enough to tow with an SUV. Let’s face it, 3700 pounds is a very towable unit.
Tired of the show inside? There’s a lot more RV’s outside!
One of the things that was a little disappointing this year was the lack of Manufacturing Representatives at the Thursday show. It may just be that they plan on being there Friday through Sunday, but it would have been nice to have talked to a few. Really, we didn’t see anything at this years show that seemed like something new and inventive. We did see that the stairs on many models have changed to the fold up rigid steps, which is an improvement but I don’t really want that mess in my trailer. It was nice to see that Jayco has gone to the Goodyear Endurance tires, and we wish every manufacturer would. There also seems to be a big emphasis on the blue LED lights…I have to say that’s getting a little old.
You will here some experts say “Never buy an RV at an RV show”. Their words are really aimed at first time buyers that go to a show and get seduced into buying an RV, without any knowledge. Once these buyers get the RV and start using it, they find they made some fundamental mistakes in what they really needed in an RV. However, if you are in the market for a new RV and you really have done your research, the pricing seems to be quite advantageous.
In the market for a new RV?…Go to the show!
If you want to learn more about things to consider when buying your first Travel Trailer click here.
john.martini.patterson@gmail.com
September 14, 2018
Blog, Industry Commentary
Airstream, Keystone, RV manufacturers, RV Show, Travel Trailer, travel trailer blog, Travel Trailer Nation, travel trailer nation blog