52nd Annual Detroit Camper & RV Show Expects Big Crowd

Based on a host of favorable factors – including a rare override of a governor’s sales tax veto – officials at the Michigan Association of Recreation Vehicles and Campgrounds (MARVAC) are expecting a huge turnout for the upcoming Detroit Camper & RV Show, which is slated for Feb. 7-11 at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, Mich.

MARVAC Director Darren Ing said that the Jan. 17 vote by the Republican-led Michigan Legislature to override Gov. Rick Snyder’s veto of a speedier sales tax cut for those who trade in their car or RV for a new one represents a “huge win” for MARVAC, which had long championed the legislation.

“So let’s say you have a $50,000 trade-in on the purchase of a new $100,000 motorhome. You now only have to pay the sales tax on the remaining $50,000 after the trade-in. That’s a huge win for us, a huge win for our dealers and, more importantly, a huge win for consumers,” Ing said. “It’s perfect timing for our show. If there was any consumer who had been sitting on the fence about trading in their RV for a new one, now’s the time they should do it.”

Other promising factors are more familiar to the rest of the RV industry, Ing mentioned, such as strong consumer confidence, low interest rates, and the appeal of the RV lifestyle that has never been more popular. In addition, other RV shows elsewhere in Michigan and throughout the country have reported solid attendance and the recently completed Florida RV SuperShow, which also saw record attendance, also serves as a barometer of sorts for the Detroit RV Show, Ing pointed out.

“We’re anticipating a great turnout,” he said.

The show itself will feature more than 280 RVs and 50 brands on display – including folding campers, motorhomes, travel trailers, fifth wheel travel trailers, toy haulers and a park model – ranging in price from $6,995 to more than $400,000. In addition, dozens of exhibitors featuring parts and accessories, campground information, on-site RV financing and RV rentals promise to make this the complete RV show experience.

Another highlight are a wide range of seminars as well as a special appearance by “Under the Radar Michigan” (UTR) hosts Tom Daldin and Jim Edelman, who will discuss UTR and a drive they took in an RV for an upcoming episode. Also, consumers can pick up a copy of the 2018 “Michigan RV & Campgrounds” directory.

Show hours are 2-9 p.m., weekdays; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday. Adult admission (ages 13 and older) is $10; senior admission (55 and older) is $9; and children 12 and younger get in free. Parking is not included in show admission. Coupons are available at www.marvac.org, Pinterest, Tubby’s Sub Shops, Big Boy restaurants and in area newspapers.

For more information, including a rundown of the seminars, visit www.marvac.org.