America’s Largest RV Show is drawing strong attention from consumers as the 2026 event gets underway in Hershey, Pennsylvania, with manufacturers showcasing nearly 1,500 RVs and the latest 2027 model-year products.
The 57th annual America’s Largest RV Show opened to the public Wednesday, September 16, at the Giant Center in Hershey, bringing RV manufacturers, dealers, suppliers and consumers together for one of the industry’s largest annual retail events.
The five-day show runs through September 20 and features nearly 1,500 RVs from approximately 40 manufacturers, giving shoppers an opportunity to compare motorhomes, fifth wheels, travel trailers and other RV types in one location.
Strong Interest as Consumers Arrive
Early attendance and activity at the show point to continued consumer interest in the RV market.
Pennsylvania Recreation Vehicle and Camping Association Executive Director Heather Leach told RVBusiness that preliminary opening-day numbers were roughly in line with the previous year’s attendance, while favorable weather and excitement surrounding new RVs were helping create a positive atmosphere.
The opening day also comes at an important point in the RV industry’s annual product cycle. Hershey is one of the first major opportunities for consumers to see many of the upcoming model-year products in person.
The 2026 event is featuring 2027 model-year RVs, along with accessories, upgrades, campground information, vacation destinations and educational programming.
New RVs Take Center Stage
One of the major attractions at this year’s show is the large number of new and updated RVs on display.
Among the new products making their public debut is the Brinkley Model R fifth wheel, highlighting the continued emphasis manufacturers are placing on new floorplans, features and designs.
For shoppers, the scale of the show offers an opportunity to compare different RV categories and layouts without having to visit multiple dealerships.
That makes Hershey particularly valuable for buyers who are still deciding between options such as:
- Travel trailers
- Fifth wheels
- Class A motorhomes
- Class B motorhomes
- Class C motorhomes
- Toy haulers
- Smaller and more compact RVs
Buyers Are Looking Beyond Just Price
The show also provides an early indication of what consumers are interested in as they evaluate new RVs.
Manufacturers and dealers at the event have reported conversations with shoppers focused on specific features, floorplans and technologies rather than simply browsing the available inventory. RVBusiness reported that exhibitors were seeing consumers asking detailed questions about products and, in some cases, arriving with specific RV types or brands already in mind.
Technology is also playing a growing role.
Solar power, off-grid capability, innovative layouts and other features are among the areas receiving attention from shoppers.
That reflects a broader shift in what many RV buyers are looking for: today’s consumers are increasingly evaluating not just the size and appearance of an RV, but also how efficiently and conveniently they can use it.
Why the Hershey Show Matters to the RV Industry
America’s Largest RV Show is closely watched because it brings together a large concentration of manufacturers, dealers and consumers at an important point in the selling season.
The show has historically attracted tens of thousands of visitors. In 2021, attendance reached 61,320, making that year’s event the second-largest in the show’s history at the time.
Attendance subsequently settled at lower levels. The 2023 show attracted 45,535 visitors, while 2024 attendance increased to 47,879. The 2025 event recorded 45,813 paid attendees during the public days.
That history helps explain why attendance at Hershey continues to receive significant attention from manufacturers, dealers and industry observers.
A Look at the 2026 RV Market
The Hershey show arrives after a period of adjustment for the RV industry.
Earlier in 2026, the Florida RV SuperShow in Tampa generated strong attendance and positive feedback from several exhibitors. That event recorded approximately 70,100 attendees, up from about 68,000 the previous year, although it remained below the show’s record of more than 80,000.
The Tampa results, along with activity at other major RV events, have provided manufacturers and dealers with additional data points as they evaluate consumer demand during 2026.
Hershey provides another important opportunity to gauge that demand.
What Consumers Can Expect at Hershey
Beyond the RV displays, the 2026 show includes a wide range of products and services connected to RV ownership.
Visitors can explore:
- New RV models
- RV accessories
- Technology and upgrades
- Solar and power products
- Camping equipment
- Campground and destination information
- Educational seminars
- RV services and related products
The official show program also highlights the event’s large footprint, with nearly one million square feet of exhibition space and products from manufacturers and suppliers across the RV industry.
What the Opening Days Could Tell Us
While opening-day attendance alone cannot determine the direction of the overall RV market, the level of consumer engagement at major industry events can provide useful insight into how shoppers are responding to new products and current market conditions.
The Hershey show is particularly important because it allows manufacturers and dealers to interact directly with consumers who are actively researching their next RV.
For buyers, meanwhile, the event offers something equally valuable: the opportunity to compare a huge range of RVs, layouts, technologies and price points in one place.
As the show continues through Sunday, additional attendance and sales information should provide a clearer picture of consumer activity at this year’s event.
The Bottom Line
The 2026 Hershey RV Show has opened with a positive level of consumer interest, while nearly 1,500 RVs and a broad selection of new technologies and products are giving shoppers plenty to evaluate.
With the event continuing through September 20, the final attendance numbers—and feedback from manufacturers and dealers—will provide a more complete picture of how consumers are approaching the RV market heading into the fall selling season.
