5 Things to Check Before You Buy an RV

August 18, 2026
By: Team Keystone

Buying an RV at an RV Show? Check These 5 Things First

RV shows make comparison easy. They also make it easy to get distracted by décor, discounts and features you may never use.

What Should You Look for When Buying an RV at an RV Show?

Focus on five things: floorplan, usable storage, construction, weight and towing requirements, and owner support.

The best RV is not the one that looks best at the show. It is the one that works when you are camping.

1. Test the Floorplan

Do not just walk through. Use the space.

Sit at the dinette. Stand at the kitchen counter. Step into the shower. Lie on the bed. If you camp with family, bring everyone inside and see how the space feels.

Check:

  • Seating and sleeping space
  • Bathroom size
  • Kitchen workspace
  • Room around the bed
  • Traffic flow
  • Access with the slides closed

Can you reach important areas such as the refrigerator, bathroom or bed during a travel stop?

RV Show Tip: Photograph the model number before taking interior photos so you can match each photo to the right RV later.

2. Check the Storage

Open the cabinets, drawers and exterior compartments.

Picture where your chairs, hoses, tools, cookware, food, clothing and other gear will go. Make sure the things you use most are easy to reach.

Also check cargo carrying capacity. Just because your gear fits does not mean the RV is designed to carry all of its weight.

RV Show Tip: Think through campsite setup. Where will your most-used gear go, and how easily can you reach it?

3. Look Beyond the Décor

Similar-looking RVs can be built very differently.

Ask:

  • How are the walls, roof and floor built?
  • What materials and insulation are used?
  • Can plumbing and electrical components be accessed for service?
  • What testing or quality-control processes happen during production?
  • What is standard and what is optional?

Open doors, drawers and exterior compartments. Look at how accessible components are installed, protected and reached for service.

Ask this: “What is one important construction feature on this RV that I cannot see?”

4. Verify the Weight

Do not rely on someone simply saying your truck can tow it.

Maximum tow rating alone does not determine whether an RV and tow vehicle are an appropriate match. Your vehicle's configuration, payload rating, passengers, cargo, accessories and equipment all matter.

Know these RV weight terms:

  • GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating): Maximum allowable loaded weight of the RV
  • UVW (Unloaded Vehicle Weight): RV weight before cargo and certain other items are added, based on the manufacturer's stated measurement conditions
  • Cargo Carrying Capacity: Additional weight the RV is designed to carry, based on manufacturer specifications
  • Hitch Weight: Weight placed at the hitch under the manufacturer's stated measurement conditions

Compare the specifications for the specific RV with the ratings for your specific tow vehicle. Account for passengers, cargo, accessories, equipment and other added weight.

If you are unsure how the numbers work together, verify them using the RV and vehicle manufacturers' specifications before buying.

RV Show Tip: Photograph the model information and weight label so you can verify the numbers before signing.

5. Ask About Owner Support

Buying takes a day. Ownership lasts for years.

Do not just compare warranties. Compare what happens when you need help.

Ask:

  • What does the warranty cover and for how long?
  • Where can warranty and service work be completed?
  • Who do I contact for help?
  • Are manuals and troubleshooting resources available online?
  • Are mobile service options available?
  • Can owners complete eligible repairs themselves?
  • Is there an owner community or a way to connect with the manufacturer?

The answers can tell you a lot about what ownership may look like after you leave the dealership.

Keystone Owner Support

Keystone owners have access to resources designed to support them throughout RV ownership, including:

  • Owner Relations: A dedicated team that helps owners with questions and connects them with appropriate support resources
  • Mobile Service Technicians: Service options that can help bring qualified assistance closer to owners where available
  • DIY Program: Resources that may allow owners to complete eligible repairs themselves with guidance and support
  • Private Owners Forum: A community where Keystone owners can connect with other owners and engage with Keystone teams, leadership and Owner Relations
  • Online Owner Resources: Manuals, how-to information and troubleshooting tools to help owners understand, maintain and troubleshoot their RV

Ask to see these resources before you buy. Owner support should be useful, visible and easy to access.

Before You Sign

Make sure you can answer these questions:

  • Does this RV fit how we camp?
  • Can everyone use the space comfortably?
  • Is the storage practical for what we bring?
  • Can we reach key areas with the slides closed?
  • Do we understand how the RV is built?
  • Have we verified the RV and tow vehicle weight ratings?
  • Do we know what is standard and what is optional?
  • Do we understand the warranty and service options?

Take notes. Take photos. Verify the details.

Choose the RV that still makes sense after the show is over.

Frequently Asked Questions About RV Shows

What should I bring to an RV show?

Bring your phone for photos and notes, your tow vehicle information if you are shopping for a towable RV, important measurements and a list of must-have features.

Should I know my towing capacity before an RV show?

Yes. Know your specific vehicle's towing, payload and related manufacturer ratings before shopping for a towable RV. Maximum tow rating alone does not determine whether a particular RV and tow vehicle are an appropriate match.

Can I buy an RV at an RV show?

Participating dealers may offer RVs for purchase at the show. Before signing, verify the exact model, included equipment, weight information, warranty, price and purchase terms.

What RV information should I photograph at the show?

Start with the model number. Then photograph the weight label, important specifications, features you want to remember and the interior. Photographing the model identification first makes it easier to organize and compare RVs later.