Last updated on January 14th, 2026 at 05:00 pm
RV Shows are a great opportunity to view the various classes and models of recreational vehicles offered by Florida dealers without sales people dogging your every move.
We offer several good tips on buying an RV lower in this story.
2026 RV Shows in Florida
January 8-11, 2026. Don Garlits Museum of Racing RV Show. A wide selection of new and pre-owned adventure vehicles and motorhomes! Free admission and parking. Hours: 9 am-6 pm. 13700 Southwest 16th Avenue, Ocala, FL 34473.
January 13-18, 2026— Florida RV SuperShow in Tampa Bay. Billed as the largest RV show in the nation, this “SuperShow” features a wide array of RVs from major manufacturers. Wed-Sat: 9 am-6 pm; Sun: 9 am-4 pm. 2-day Admission: $15. Pre-sale tickets available early December. Onsite camping. Florida State Fairgrounds, 4800 U.S. 301 North, Tampa FL, 33610. Nearby camping: Best camping near Tampa Bay
January 29-February 1, 2026 — Fort Myers RV Show. Multiple dealers, seminars, vendors. Hours: 10 AM–5 PM (Thu–Sat), 10 AM–4 PM (Sun). Admission: $5 Adults; Kids 16 & Under Free; Discounts for Seniors (Thu only), Military & First Responders. Parking is free. Jetblue Park, 11500 Fenway South Drive, Ft. Myers, FL 33913. Nearby Camping: Koreshan State Park is Florida’s strangest historic site
February 5-8, 2026 — Jacksonville RV MegaShow Jacksonville Equestrian Center, 13611 Normandy Boulevard, Jacksonville, Florida 32221. Multiple RV dealers, vendors. Nearby Camping: The Talbot Islands
February 19-22, 2026 — West Palm Beach RV Show, South Florida Fairgrounds, 9067 Southern Boulevard, West Palm Beach, FL 33411. Multiple dealers, vendor booths. Indoor RV Show. Admission free. Parking free. Email: info@frvta.org. Nearby Camping: Dupuis preserve excels for nature, free camping
March 5-8, 2026 — Ocala RV Show. Florida Horse Park, 11008 County Road 475, Ocala, Florida 34480. Multiple dealers. 4 days (Th-Sat) 9 a.m.-5 pm. (Sun) 10 am-4 pm. Admission $5. Parking free. Nearby Camping: Rainbow Springs for kayaking, camping
March 19-22, 2026 — Orlando RV Show. Osceola Heritage Park, 1875 Silver Spur Lane, Kissimmee, FL 34744. Nearby Camping: Best camping within an hour’s drive of Orlando
May 1-3, 2026 — Florida Outdoor Expo. Exhibitors displays for Archery, Backyard Living, Biking, Boating, Camping, Fishing, Motorsports, Watersports. General Admission: $14. Friday, 12p-6p; Saturday: 10a-6p; Sunday, 10a-5p. South Florida Fairgrounds, 9067 Southern Boulevard, West Palm Beach, FL 33411.
June 18-21, 2026 — Tampa Bay Summer RV Show. 4 days (Th-Su) 9 am-5 pm. Admission $5. Parking is $10 for cars, $16 for RVs. Onsite camping. Florida State Fairgrounds, 4800 U.S. 301 North, Tampa FL, 33610. Multiple dealers. Nearby camping: Best camping near Tampa Bay
2025 dates TBA. Fort Myers End of Summer RV Show. Prices are slashed on a huge selection of top-name new and used adventure vans and motorhomes. FREE Parking and Admission! Trade-in’s welcomed. Financing available. Lee Civic Center, 11831 Bayshore Rd., North Fort Myers, FL 33917. Nearby Camping: Koreshan State Park is Florida’s strangest historic site
2025 dates TBA. Jacksonville Fall RV Show. Jacksonville Equestrian Center, 13611 Normandy Boulevard, Jacksonville, FL 32221. Nearby Campgrounds: Camping near Jacksonville on breathtaking beaches
2025 dates TBA — Daytona Beach RV Show. FREE Parking & Admission. Thurs-Sun, 9 am-6:30 pm. Daytona Beach Internatinal Speedway, 1801 W International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach, FL 32114. For more info: (800) 269-4583. Nearby Campgrounds: Campground options for events at the Speedway
2025 dates TBA — Tampa Bay Fall RV Show. Three local dealers. Onsite camping. 9:00 am – 5:00 pm (Thursday – Saturday); 9:00 am – 4:00 pm (Sunday). Admission $5. Florida State Fairgrounds, 4800 U.S. 301 North, Tampa FL, 33610. Nearby Campgrounds: Best camping near Tampa Bay
2025 dates TBA — Fort Myers RV Show. Discover and compare a wide selection of high-quality brands of motorhomes and adventure vehicles — all in climate-controlled comfort. 9 am-7 pm daily. Lee Civic Center, 11831 Bayshore Rd., North Fort Myers, FL 33917. Nearby Campgrounds: Waterfront RV camping with the Corps of Engineers
2025 dates TBA — Vero Beach RV Show. Shop and compare a wide selection of premium new and used motorhomes, adventure vehicles, and trailers at discounted show prices. Trade-ins are welcome. Daily: 9am to 6:30pm. Indian River Fairgrounds, 7955 58th Ave., Vero Beach, FL 32967. Nearby Campgrounds: Two outstanding campgrounds at Sebastian Inlet
2025 dates TBA — West Palm Beach RV Show. South Florida Fairgrounds, 9067 Southern Boulevard, West Palm Beach, FL 33411. Nearby Campgrounds: Jonathan Dickinson State Park: A Florida treasure
2025 dates TBA — Ocala RV Show. Pre-owned adventure vehicles and motorhomes. Free admission. Free parking. 9 am-7 pm daily. World Equestrian Center, 1750 NW 80th Ave., Ocala, Florida 34482
FAQ: Your questions answered about RV Shows in Florida
What is an RV show?
Multiple local dealers gather on common ground, often at fairgrounds, convention centers or large parking lots at shopping malls. The purpose is to gain exposure to more people than might ordinarily visit their sales lots, from beginners and the curious to veterans and full-timers. The larger shows include vendors selling RV accessories and supplies.
Who goes to RV shows?
RV shows are not just for beginners. Experienced RVers are always looking to upgrade or upsize. As a result, you’ll see a broad mix of attendees. Newbies should keep in mind it’s possible, even likely, they’ll be back in a few years to upgrade, and dealers know it.
What different types of recreation vehicle at RV shows?
There are seven classes of recreation vehicles that you’ll find on display at most RV shows:
Pop-up Tent Camper — A step up from tent camping while still appealing to ‘purists’, the tent camper has collapsable sides that fold into a trailer box. The are lightweight with a low profile and can be towed behind almost any vehicle, including compact cars equipped with a Class I or II trailer hitch. Although minimal amenities, some tent campers are equipped with a mini-kitchen with refrigerator, limited storage and a few even have toilets, but don’t expect much more. Popular with beginners.
Travel Trailer — A tiny house on wheels, the Travel Trailer is the most common recreational vehicle. They come in many sizes (15-35 feet in length) and require a Class III or IV hitch on your vehicle. It’s critical that you match the gross vehicle of your trailer to the tow capacity of your tow vehicle. Smaller trailers (14-20 feet) are single axle, while trailers more than 20 feet in length are usually dual axle, the advantage being stability and road safety. The advantage of a travel trailer is the ability to set it up once and leave it at your campsite while you wander off in your tow vehicle. Travel Trailers come in many configurations: bunk beds, full baths, rear or front living areas with muliple convertible beds, some even have slide-out kitchens with an island!
Fifth Wheel — A Fifth Wheel is an oversized travel trailer with a “fifth wheel” coupling that mounts on your tow vehicle above the rear axle. In most cases, the tow vehicle is a heavy-duty pickup truck. Typically, Fifth Wheels have all the amenities of home, including a large master bedroom with an en suite bath, fully equipped kitchen, slideouts, living room and dining area.
Toy Hauler — A large travel trailer or Fifth Wheel with a garage in the rear for carrying motorcycles, golf carts, bicycles and other toys. Most will have a queen-size bed that can be lowered from the ceiling to create a bedroom once the garage is emptied, and the garage door converts to an outdoor deck. The compromise you make is that living area is reduced considerably, eliminating a dining area, for example.
Class A Mobile Home — Literally a decked-out bus with all the comforts of home. They are very popular with entertainers on tours, full-timers and seasonal travelers who migrate with the weather, often towing a small car for convenience when they reach their destination. Motor homes are at the luxury end of the recreational vehicle market and often cost in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Class B Van — Compact and versatile, the Class B is your classic van with a raised roofline to provide headroom. Very compact but convenient for short weekend hops or long-distance touring. Some are luxurious and expensive ($100,000 and up), but simpler van conversions can be found in the $40,000 to $100,00 range.
Class C Cab-over — Typically built on pickup truck chassis with bunk over the driver’s cab, the Class C is a popular, self-contained option for frequent travelers. In addition to the bunk above the cab, the Class C universally has a dining pod that converts into a full-size bed, sometimes on a slide-out. Surprisingly spacious, enhanced by the open cab with high-end swivel drivers and passenger seats. The downside is having to disconnect and reconnect your hookups every time you want to leave your campsite, and the storage tanks for black water, gray water and fresh water are small.
Can I get a good deal at an RV show?
The short answer is YES. Dealer markups are high, so they have lots of room to bargain. They don’t want to haul their gigs back to the dealership unsold. If you’re ready to buy, make your best deal and compare offers. Don’t be too eager, but it does pay to show some interest.
Before you go to an RV show…
… Line up your financing in advance. Many dealers offer financing at competitive rates, but you should be ready with your own.
… Make a list of what you need in your recreational vehicle and set priorities. Everything is a compromise. You won’t always get what you want for the price you’re willing to pay, but you can come close.
… Have a storage plan before you buy. Know your zoning laws. If you can’t park the RV at home, research the cost of storage lots. Storage is a major expense that could actually cost more than RV loan payments.
… Talk to your insurance agent in advance. Insurance can add significant unplanned costs, especially in a hurricane zone.
RV Jargon
Awning: A powered rollout awning on most new recreational vehicles to provide shade and protection from rain.
Blackwater: Wastewater from the RV toilet.
Blackwater tank: The tank that stores the blackwater, which is usually separate from the greywater tank, which stores shower, sink and dishwater. On small RVs, they may be combined into one tank.
Brake controller: A device used to control the electric brakes on the trailer from your tow vehicle.
City water hookup: A fitting on the outside of the RV for connecting a hose for fresh water from an external, pressurized, supply.
Diesel pusher: A motorcoach with its engine in the rear, instead of the front.
Dry docking (aka boondocking): Camping in an any area without water, electricity and sewer hookups.
Dry weight: The weight of your RV from the factory plus dealer options. Usually includes appliances, but not always.
Dump station: A place where waste-water tanks can be emptied. Most campgrounds (not all) have at least one.
Electric trailer brakes: On travel trailers and fifth-wheel trailers, usually over a certain weight, a supplemental system of stopping the rig is needed.
Freshwater tank: Storage tank for fresh water when “dry camping” or on the road.
Full hookup: A campsite featuring water, electric, and sewer connections. At many private campgrounds, a cable TV connection will also be available.
Full-timer: A person who lives 100% of the time in the RV.
Garage: Storage area built into the recreation vehicle for toys, hoses, tools, chairs, portable grills, tables, etc.
Graywater: Waste water from the sinks and showers.
Gross vehicle weight: The weight of the trailer plus its load capacity (your stuff). Also known as wet weight.
Landing gear: These are powered jacks on fifth wheels that lift the trailer off the coupler from the pickup truck bed. During travel, they retract into the trailer.
Levelling jacks: Common on motorhomes, these are powered jacks that help level the recreational vehicle, not to be confused with Stabilizer Jacks that keep trailers from rocking.
Newbie: A first-time buyer. We were all newbies once, so be kind. :-)
Rig: Jargon for recreational vehicle.
RV mattress: Often a “Short Queen” on small- to medium-sized rigs. An “RV Short Queen is 60 x 74, compared to a 60×80 standard queen. Similarly, an “RV Short King” is 70-72 x 74; an “RV King” is 70-72 x 80. The “shorts” feel even shorter when the headboard is curved at the front of the trailer. I’m 6’1″, and my feet hang over the foot of our short queen.
Sewer hose: An expandable hose that connects the RV’s blackwater/greywater outlet to a sewer hookup at the campsite or dump station, often stored in the rear bumper while traveling or when hookups are not available.
Shore power: Electrical hookups in campgrounds. Most are 30 amps (common power supply for trailers and Class C’s) and 50 amps (common for motor homes). Almost all also have a secondary 15-amp (normal household current for pop-up trailers).
Slide-out: A powered unit that slides out when the recreational vehicle is stationary to create more interior space, usually a dinette but sometimes a living area, kitchen or bedroom.
Toad: A vehicle towed by a self-contained motor home.
Tongue jack: The tongue jack raises and lowers the trailer when you hitch up, and it’s the primary support for your trailer at your campsite or in storage. It also adjusts your trailer’s pitch for leveling. Most trailers have electric jacks these days, but many still have hand cranks. My first trailer had a hand crank, but I soon replaced it with electric.
Tongue weight: The downward force exerted on the hitch at the trailer tongue, so know the tongue capacity of your tow vehicle, and compare it to the trailer’s tongue weight, before you buy.
Umbilical cord: The electrical cord that connects the RV trailer to the towing vehicle (car, van, SUV, or truck).
Wallydocking: Drydocking in a Walmart parking lot. Not all Walmart parking lots are open to overnight RV stays, but many 24-hour stores do. If you see a cluster of RVs in one corner of the parking lot, it’s probably OK. If in doubt, check with the store manager.
Weight distribution hitch: A special hitch on travel trailers that evenly distributes the gross vehicle weight on the wheels of both the tow vehicle and the trailer. Often misstated as a stabilizer or sway bar, although it does help control trailer sway and stabilize.
Wet bath: A bathroom where the sink and toilet are inside the shower stall. The smaller the trailer, the more likely you’ll have one.
Wet weight: Salesmen use this term loosely, but it means the same as gross vehicle weight.
Winterize: The maintenance of an RV’s water system to protect it from damage during cold winter storage.
For more terms, visit Wikipedia > Recreational Vehicle Terms
Things to consider when buying an RV
Storage Tanks — Most RVs have a fresh water tank, a gray water tank (for showers, sinks and dishwater) and a black water tank (for you know what). Smaller rigs may combine gray and black water in a single tank. Many RVers just use rest rooms at campgrounds, reducing the need for large tanks, but your indoor lavatory is extremely convenient and could get a lot of use. Gray water tanks fill up fastest, so you want a larger tank, if possible. Pay attention to the specs on the rig you plan to buy and match it to your needs.
I’m looking at travel trailers. How much can I tow?
Your tow vehicle is critical, and you won’t always get a straight answer from salespeople. I found that out when I bought my first travel trailer.
There are two critical factors: Gross vehicle weight and tongue weight, and your tow vehicle must match or exceed the trailer’s. Both specifications will be printed on a label on the outside of the recreational vehicle.
There are two weights listed for your trailer: The dry weight as it left the factory and the gross vehicle weight, which includes everything you carry — clothing, TVs, bicycles, pots and pans, plates and utensils, food, bottled water, coffee makers and appliances not factory installed. Roughly figure 500 pounds per person in additional weight. (Yes! 500 pounds!)
The tongue weight is the maximum weight the hitch on your tow vehicle can support, and it varies from vehicle to vehicle. Some salesmen will point out “a cushion” built into a vehicle’s towing capacity. This might be true, but don’t buy it.
My personal recommendation is to leave a 1,000-pound cushion between the gross vehicle weight of the trailer and the towing capacity of your vehicle for extra pulling power needed for steep mountain grades.
Have you ever seen the movie “The Long, Long Trailer” staring Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz? The movie was made in 1953, but it still has legs.
What else will I want to buy?
Once you buy your recreational vehicle, you’ll discover hundreds of accessories you’ll want to make life easier, and there will likely be dozens of vendors at RV shows ready to take your money — including the dealer who is selling you the RV.
One of the most common accessories from the dealer will be a weight distribution hitch for travel trailers, which distributes weight evenly between all the wheels on your tow vehicle and travel trailer. If your travel trailer weighs more than your tow vehicle, you should probably buy it.
Here are a few more accessories you’ll want to buy:
A portable waste-water tank to empty your gray-water tank without having to disconnect and move your RV every time you need to go to the dump station. Your RV’s black-water tank will usually last 4-6 days, but gray-water tanks fill up in 2 days if you’re not careful. You’ll find these on Amazon or at any RV parts and accessories outlet.
A pop-up canopy is a great accessory, especially if you have kids and need more cover for the tribe than your RV awning will provide. Here’s a lightweight canopy we like from EZ-Up, who set the standard. I bought my first EZ-Up more than 20 years ago.
Collapsible chairs fold up and can slide into narrow spaces, such as your RV’s storage “garage.” You will be spending most of your time outside, and this Coleman collapsible is the gold standard. It’ll be the go-to chair for visitors to your campsite, so buy more than one.
A folding table is a must. Perfect for portable gas grills, use as a side table or backup for those times you encounter a grungy campground picnic table.
Resources: Florida RV Trade Association, RVShare.com, rvlifestyle.com
