The RV Show Buyer’s Guide: How to Find a Trustworthy RV Dealer

RV show with sales people talking to customers with text, "How to find best RV Dealer"

How to Spot a Great RV Dealer at a Show
(And Avoid the Shady Ones!)

RV shows are packed with dealers, all trying to grab your attention. But how do you know which ones will actually take care of you — and which ones just want a quick sale?

The last thing you want is to get caught up in high-pressure sales tactics or dealers who vanish the moment you need service after the sale.

Bish’s RV has been attending RV shows for nearly four decades, and we’ve seen every trick in the book. Some dealers go above and beyond for their customers, while others… well, let’s just say they’re more interested in making a quick buck than in taking care of you down the road.

We do whatever we can to be as transparent as possible and want to help you avoid the pitfalls— even if you don’t buy from us.

By the end of this article, you’ll know exactly what to look for at an RV show to separate the trustworthy dealerships from the ones that might leave you high and dry, so you can walk in with confidence and choose a dealer that will take care of you after your purchase.

Watch Josh the RV Nerd’s video for Tips on Avoiding Shady Dealers at RV shows.

How to Find a Trustworthy RV Dealer

RV shows are like a county fair mixed with a car dealership — exciting, a lot of stimulation, and packed with people trying to sell you something.

You walk in expecting to see the latest and greatest campers, but you also walk into a battlefield of dealers, all trying to win your business.

The problem? Not all dealers are created equal.

Some will take care of you long after the sale, while others will vanish the second your check clears. So how do you tell the difference?

Let’s break it down.

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First Impressions Matter: Look at Cleanliness & Setup

When you step into an RV, take a second to really look around. Does it feel ready for a buyer, or does it look like they just hauled it off the factory lot and shoved it into place?

Are the floors clean, or do you see sawdust, screws, or other factory leftovers?
Did they bother to set the dining table, fluff the pillows, or even straighten the chairs?
Does the whole RV feel staged and inviting, or like a rushed, half-hearted setup?

Key Takeaway: If a dealer can’t be bothered to make an RV look good while trying to sell it, do you really think they’ll go the extra mile for you after you’ve handed them your money?

Check the Driver’s Side of the RV

Here’s a sneaky trick: the door side of an RV — the one you first see — will almost always look spotless. That’s the showroom side. But what about the driver’s side?

Is it covered in road grime from transport?
Did they bother to wipe it down at all?
Does it look like they only cared about what you’d definitely see and ignored the rest?

Key Takeaway: If they’re cutting corners on a simple cleaning job, where else are they cutting corners?

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Are They Only Focused on Sales?

RV at show with a sign for repair service

Take a look at the dealership’s signage. Do you see anything about service, warranties, or customer support?

Or is it just SALE! DISCOUNTS! LIMITED-TIME DEALS! plastered everywhere?

Key Takeaway: A good dealership doesn’t just focus on selling — you’ll see signs or brochures about their service team, maintenance packages, and how they take care of customers after the sale.

If the entire vibe screams “BUY NOW! DON’T THINK!”, that’s a red flag.

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How Do the Staff Treat You?

You can learn a lot just by how the sales team interacts with people.

Do they greet you warmly, or do they ignore you completely?
Are they giving you space, or are they hovering like a seagull eyeing your fries?
If you say, “I’m just looking,” do they respect that, or do they keep pushing?

Key Takeaway: The culture of a dealership reflects in its employees. If they seem checked out, disinterested, or pushy, that’s probably the kind of service you’ll get down the road.

Can They Answer Basic Questions?

Rv salesman talking to customers about new camper

It’s wild how often this happens: someone asks, “Does this dinette turn into a sleeper?” and the salesperson just shrugs or doesn’t bother to show them.

Listen, if a dealer can’t be bothered to answer simple questions — or worse, they don’t even know—that’s a huge red flag. A good dealer should be:

Knowledgeable – They should know the features of the RVs they’re selling.
Helpful – If you ask a question, they should be happy to show you.
Patient – If they’re rushing you through answers, imagine what their service will be like.

Key Takeaway: You’re about to drop serious money on this thing—if they can’t even show you how a bed works, do you really trust them to take care of you after the sale?

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Is the Environment Fun & Friendly?

Bish's RV salesman with customers who are holding a large picture fram that says Go Play.

Camping is about having fun, right? Well, if the people selling the RVs look like they hate being there, that’s not a great sign.

Do the employees seem to enjoy their job, or do they look miserable?
Is there music, laughter, and energy, or does the place feel like a DMV?
Are the staff chatting, high-fiving, or joking with each other?

Key Takeaway: A fun, positive environment means people actually want to be there — and happy employees usually mean better service for you.

Engage With a Manager & Test Their Customer Service

Bish's RV at an RV show inside a building

Most RV shows have a manager’s desk somewhere — it’s usually off to the side, surrounded by tables acting like a customer corral. Swing by and ask a simple question, like:

“Hey, where are your toy haulers?”

Now, pay attention to how they respond:

Are they helpful and engaged?
Do they offer to send someone your way?
Or do they just grunt and point across the room?

Key Takeaway: The way leadership interacts with customers says a lot about how a dealership runs. If the people in charge don’t care, the employees won’t either — and that’s a problem for you down the road.

Make Sure You’re Buying from the Right Dealer

two Bish's Outfitters having fun at RV Show

RV shows can be overwhelming, and with so many dealers fighting for your attention, it’s hard to tell who actually cares about you and who just wants a quick sale. The last thing you want is to buy from a dealer that disappears when you need help later.

Now, you know the signs. Cleanliness, staff engagement, a focus on service — these little details reveal a lot about a dealership. If something feels off, trust your gut and keep looking.

At Bish’s RV, we don’t just sell RVs — we help people find the right camper, even if we aren’t the dealership they buy from . If you’re shopping, we’d love to help you find the best RV for the type of camping adventures you plan on taking.