EXPERT TIPS FOR BUYING AT A SHOW
We asked our team – who have walked hundreds of miles at shows over the years – for their tips on making the most of your visit
Wear decent footwear
Yes, a motorhome show is all indoors on flat surfaces. But you’d be amazed how much distance you will cover traipsing around looking at new models. One year a colleague of mine clocked up 13 miles on her FitBit in just one day! Make sure your shoes will be comfortable during that time.
Bear in mind that sales agents who approach you on a stand usually do not work for the manufacturer, but for one of its dealers. They might be able to offer you a great bargain, but if their dealership is right at the other end of the country, this could cease to be a bargain if anything goes wrong.
Peter Baber, Reviews editor
Dealer specials
Look out for dealer specials over the standard model range. For not much more than the standard price, you can get your hands on some great extras. This means things such as upgraded soft furnishings, solar panels and awnings.
Andrew Jenkinson, Contributor
Research your dealer
Do your homework on any potential dealership. We’ve bought several new models from an excellent dealership 70 miles away from us who I totally trust, so I’m happy to do the travelling. We’ve also bought one from a poor dealer half that distance away, so I speak from experience.
Nigel Hutson, Contributor
Decide your route
Plan your route around the show to avoid endless doubling back. Before you arrive, visit the show’s website and download a list of exhibitors and a layout plan (and see p109). Highlight stands you are interested in and go through them hall by hall. If you arrive as the show opens, start in the hall furthest away.
In addition, if you are planning a change of vehicle, consult all aboard to find out what they like best about your current one and make sure those models on the shortlist for your next ’van are similarly equipped.
Then ask them what else they would have liked to see in your current ’van and try to accommodate as many of those requests as possible/affordable.
Gentleman Jack, Contributor
Get in touch early
Consider approaching dealers and/or manufacturers in advance of the show with specific questions about models you’re interested in. That way, you’ll be better prepared and able to spend your time at the show viewing the ’vans and, of course, taking advantage of those excellent show prices.
And in my opinion, food outlets at shows can be a bit hit and miss – the quality varies, queues are long at peak times and prices are invariably high. Take a packed lunch and be properly refuelled for the afternoon.
Paul Critcher, Deputy editor
Draw up a list
Make a list of all the things that are essential to you, in a grid with the model name next to them, and score each one on merits in that department (and any special show offers). By the time you’ve done the rounds, this should make it easy to shortlist your favourites for a second viewing.
Back this up with loads of photos. If you see a ’van you want to shortlist, start with a pic of the information and tech spec board (usually found near the door), so you’ll know which ’van the photos relate to. Over lunch, you can delete pics of ’vans that fall off the list.
John Sootheran, Contributor Raise the roof
Thinking of an elevating-roof camper? Ask the stand personnel for permission to raise and lower the roof and convert seat(s) to bed(s). On some ’vans, these operations require Herculean effort, others are easy-peasy! Make sure you have sufficient ‘oomph’ and the reach.