Attending RV Rallies and Events

RV rallies and events bring together RV fans from all types of life who love recreational vehicles. These meetups focus on community, let people build connections, and provide access to resources – making them super valuable for the RV lifestyle. From national rallies with thousands attending to local club gatherings, there are exciting chances nationwide for RV owners to get involved and engage with each other.

Why Go to RV Rallies and Events

Getting into RV rallies opens up attendees to many personal and practical benefits. From making new friends to learning expert technical stuff, RV parties let both social bonding and hands-on education happen.

Bonding and Community

One of the main benefits of RV rallies is the chance to grow personal connections and networks within the RVing community. By mixing with fellow owners from different backgrounds and regions, attendees make new friends and gain contacts to turn to for tips later on. RV parties provide a welcoming social environment perfect for strengthening community ties.

Sharing Tips with RV Fans

In addition to new friendships, rallies also let attendees tap into decades of collective technical knowledge from veteran RV travelers. At seminars, workshops, and casual hangouts, RV experts share hard-earned wisdom on maintenance, driving tips, favorite campsites, accessories, and much more. Having direct access to this expertise helps attendees get the most out of their rigs.

Access to New Stuff

The vendor exhibits and trade shows coinciding with bigger RV events give attendees a look at all the latest gear, gadgets, and tech for RV living. Attendees can get hands-on with new products and check out RVs they might not see otherwise. Services for RVers also exhibit at rallies, giving owners easy access to mobile repair people, insurance brokers, detailers, and other specialized businesses.

Fun Times

Fun is always on the schedule at RV rallies too! From group campfires to dance parties, rallies build leisure time into the schedule for owners to enjoy each other’s company. Events may also organize group trips to local points of interest and attractions. The shared recreational experiences help make connections between attendees.

Types of RV Parties

RV meetups come in all forms, ranging from small informal gatherings to major national conventions. By checking out different types of rallies, fans can find events matched to their specific interests, budget, and travel capabilities.

National and International RV Rallies

Some of the biggest RV rallies in the world bring together tens of thousands of attendees at major convention venues across the country. These giant meetups generally last several days up to a week and need registering in advance. Well-known examples include The National RV Rally (formerly called Family Motor Coach Association International Convention aka FMCA) and America’s Largest RV Show. Popular regional rallies include the Florida RV SuperShow and California RV Show. RV fans find these monster rallies rewarding for their unmatched scale, lots of programming, and huge vendor exhibits. However, navigating crowds this big can be hard for some.

Regional and Local RV Events

For RVers looking for smaller, cozier gatherings closer to home, regional and local RV rallies are perfect. These community-driven events cater to RVers from a particular state or cluster of states. Attendance is typically a couple hundred to a few thousand owners. Regional rallies offer easy networking and entertainment without the crowds, travel costs, and planning of massive national events. Many local RV clubs and chapters also organize informal meetups, camping weekends, and annual celebrations for members only. These low-key, community-focused events help RVing friends stay connected.

Special Interest Rallies

Niche RV rallies bringing together owners united by a particular interest attract enthusiasts from around the country. For example, all-vintage RV rallies (for rigs at least 25 years old) like the Antique Trailer Club Meets provide a place for restoring, showing off, and maintaining classic RVs together. Other specialized events appeal to family-friendly travelers, RV boondockers, rally racers, or particular brands/types of rigs (like Airstreams or Toy Haulers). Specialized rallies let travelers connect over niche aspects of the RV hobby.

Getting Ready to Attend

Going to RV rallies takes some basic preparation and planning. Following key steps ensures a smooth, rewarding rally experience.

Finding Upcoming RV Rallies

Many RV media, club websites, tourism boards, and camping blogs have online listings of upcoming rallies by region. Lists are also in Trailer Life magazine and MotorHome Magazine annually. Checking these resources provides an overview of major rallies. For local events, Facebook groups and online RV forums are great places to find area-specific announcements.

Signing Up and Paying Fees

Well before the event, attendees should visit the hosting organization’s website to register and pay any fees. Most big rallies use an online signup system. Registration typically includes a spot for attendees’ rigs, often with full or partial hookups (water, sewer, electric). Any other rally activities, vendor exhibits, and seminars usually cost extra. Understand fee structures during registration to estimate total costs.

Camping Logistics

Overnight accommodations are key for multi-day RV rallies. Attendees bring their rigs and camp out in assigned areas alongside other RVers for the rally’s duration. This communal environment makes socializing easy. RV parks next to the venue sometimes keep spaces for rally overflow camping when main spots fill up. Some rallies also offer no-hookup “dry camping” for self-contained rigs. When getting a site, RV owners should ask about reservations and hookup capabilities.

What to Expect at RV Rallies

While schedules vary, most RV rallies center activities around a few common elements – learning sessions, socializing, entertainment, and access to products/services.

Educational Seminars and Workshops

Sharing know-how is central to RV rallies. Seminars by expert RVers cover essential technical topics like fixing common mechanical issues, RV driving abilities, understanding vehicle systems, and DIY maintenance. Lifestyle tips provide advice on cooking, organization hacks, photography, pet travel, and changing up RV interiors. By participating, attendees pick up new skills for improving their trip.

Vendor Trade Shows

The trade shows at big rallies let attendees check out innovative RV products not usually at dealerships. Exhibitors include manufacturers showing off new models plus vendors of accessories, systems, gear, parts, and services tailored specifically to RVers’ interests. Test driving rigs and talking directly with brand reps help buyers make smarter future purchase decisions.

Group Activities

RV rallies know that while learning matters, fun with friends makes the event awesome! Organized activities let attendees mingle and relax together during free time. Potlucks, ice cream socials, dancing, campfires, crafts, sports, happy hours, karaoke, and sightseeing trips are common. Kids’ programs with games and crafts keep little rally-goers happy too.

Entertainment

Lively evenings are standard at RV rallies, with music, dancing, movies, comedy, game nights, and talent shows. Door prizes and giveaways add excitement too. Some rallies offer group day trips to experience popular regional attractions, restaurants, museums, hiking spots, or shopping centers together.

Getting the Most Out of It

How much attendees get out of RV rallies depends on how actively they participate, beyond just observing. Making an effort pays off hugely in relationships, knowledge, and enjoyment!

Join In

Joining fully into activities with a friendly attitude expands bonding chances. Mingling with various groups widens connections. Taking part gets you more insights and ideas from everything offered while sharing your own experiences contributes back to the community. The more engaged rally-goers are, the more they take away.

Build Connections

Making acquaintances and exchanging contact information helps transform rally bonds into lasting relationships. Getting to know others personally anchors you within the supportive RV community during future travels.

Join Clubs and Interest Groups

Many RV clubs seek new members at rallies. Browse their materials to identify groups matching your niche RV passions for year-round enrichment opportunities beyond the rallies themselves.

Keep Learning After the Event Ends

The personal growth catalyzed by RV rallies continues long after driving off. Reflecting on insights gained combined with leveraging connections sustains rally momentum for ongoing engagement year-round.

Review and Apply Lessons

In the afterglow following a rally, spend time thinking through your experiences. Review materials collected and jot down useful takeaways to transform concepts into action items improving your RV journey. Applying just one new tip keeps the learning momentum going!

Stay Connected

Follow up with new friends via social media, meetups, calls, and informal gatherings. Maintaining bonds creates helpful channels for trusted advice or insider perspectives down the road.

Plug Into the Community Year-Round

Look for ways to stay involved virtually through forums, regional clubs, volunteering groups, and RV publications. Continuing participation bonds enthusiasts to a supportive network extending infinitely beyond rallies’ temporary confines.

Tips for First-Timers

While RV rallies promise great experiences, newbies may feel overwhelmed. However, some preparation and smart scheduling ease the way for an awesome introduction to these community treasures!

What to Bring

Confirm hookups and space size to know what adapters to pack. Stock up on enough food, water, propane, and medications to be self-sufficient. Maps help navigate huge grounds. Review schedules to plot a personal agenda with must-see events and downtime. Business cards and linked social profiles ease networking. Portable chairs, shade tents, ponchos, and décor enhance comfort and personalization.

Pacing Yourself

Huge rallies have hundreds of sessions, but first-timers needn’t do everything! Use the schedule to identify relevant “anchor” happenings, filling free time spontaneously exploring. Swap mobile numbers with new friends to coordinate meetups to share discoveries. Build in extended midday breaks to recharge energy. Pacing yourself maximizes enjoyment and retention!

Networking for Introverts

Initiating conversations can seem intimidating. However, the welcoming RV community eases social connections. Volunteering gets people collaborating. Offering help when others need it breaks the ice quickly with new acquaintances. Pets and cute campsites also draw friendly visitors. Distributing business cards encourages future follow-ups. Soon, initial awkwardness shifts into familiarity cementing rally bonds!

Top 5 RV Rallies You Can Join 

Quartzite Sports, Vacation, and RV Show (Quartzite, AZ)

Billed as the world’s largest RV gathering, Quartzite brings together over 750,000 RVers, vendors, and RV enthusiasts. Tour hundreds of new models, connect with industry experts, and join thousands of fellow RVers in the Arizona desert for one of the most influential events in the community. It’s an overload of information but an epic rally.

Escapees RV Club Annual Escapade (Lebanon, TN)

The longest-running US rally, Escapade offers programming for all RVing experience levels. Spend 5 days learning maintenance tips, safety basics, and lifestyle advice through seminars, workshops, and boot camps. Then unwind at evening socials, street fairs, or the kids-only kidscapade.

Xscapers Annual Bash (Lake Havasu, AZ)

Catering to young RVers, this event taught by the Escapees RV Club offshoot covers technical topics like solar power, internet connectivity, and boondocking along with rig care guidance. But there’s plenty of partying with live music, entertainment, and relaxed social gatherings where community members can kick back.

Fulltime Families Family Reunion Rally (Madison, FL)

Everything at this rally helps families adjust to full-time RV living. Attend hands-on activities, parent discussions, and specialized sessions on RV maintenance, trip planning, and small space organization. Kids enjoy crafts, games, and shopping at a special marketplace created just for them.

Direction Wide Open RV and Motorcycle Rally (Bandera, TX)

Blending RVing and biking, this unique Texas rally offers the usual RV seminars plus guided motorcycle rides, bike shows, vendor exhibits, and live music. Created by RV and motorcycle lovers, it welcomes both communities for an open, lively festival celebrating life on the road, no matter how many wheels you ride.

Wrapping Up

Attending RV rallies, whether small impromptu campouts or mammoth nationwide conventions, represents a thrilling rite of passage for embedding fully within the recreational vehicle lifestyle. Surrounded by fellow adventurers and experts with insights to share, first-timers quickly grasp that RV living signifies much more than a mode of travel – it’s an entirely welcoming community and way of life unlike any other!