The 51st annual Valley RV and Camping Show wrapped up at South Bend’s Century Center this past weekend, bringing together RV shoppers, outdoor lovers, and dealers under one roof. The four-day event gave attendees the chance to explore hundreds of new recreational vehicles while taking advantage of special financing and year-end clearance deals. Here are the highlights from the RV show.
- The show ran from January 8-11, 2026, at the downtown Century Center and featured travel trailers, fifth wheels, toy haulers, and Class B motorhomes.
- Dealers offered discounts of 20-25% below MSRP on many units, with special financing packages available throughout the weekend.
- The event attracted both first-time buyers looking at budget-friendly options around $200 per month and experienced RVers checking out the latest models.
A Winter Tradition Returns to Downtown South Bend
The event marked its 51st year at the Century Center, making it one of northern Indiana’s longest-running RV shows. Located in the heart of downtown South Bend, the venue provided plenty of indoor space for shoppers to browse without worrying about January weather.
The show was hosted by the Indiana Manufactured Housing Association, Recreation Vehicle Indiana Council (IMHA-RVIC) and featured dealers from across the region. With over 75,000 square feet of convention space, the Century Center gave dealers room to display their inventory and RV manufacturers a place to showcase their newest models.
Attendees got their first look at recreational vehicles featuring everything from indoor fireplaces to outdoor kitchens. The variety on the floor ranged from compact, lightweight units perfect for weekend camping trips to spacious luxury fifth wheels designed for extended travel.
What Made This Year’s RV Show Stand Out
Show director Matt Rose noted that many RVs were priced at 20% to 25% below MSRP, making it one of the best times of year for buyers to negotiate. The show provided a great place for buyers to compare features, floorplans and RV types from different manufacturers, with so many dealers in one place.
Attendees weren’t just looking at entry-level campers. The show featured travel trailers, fifth-wheels, toy haulers and Class B motorhomes. There were options for every budget and camping style, including smaller, lightweight RVs that cost around $200 per month. On the higher end, luxury options like the Mercedes RV lineup attracted experienced travelers looking to upgrade their rigs.
RV manufacturer’s representatives were on hand throughout the RV show and dealers offered special financing packages. This let buyers ask technical questions directly and work out payment plans that fit their budgets.
Beyond the vehicles themselves, booth vendors exhibited representing campgrounds, RV parks and more, offering attendees information about places to take their new rigs once they drove off the lot.
Why People Keep Coming Back to this RV Show
The four-day event drew repeat visitors who return each year to see the latest industry offerings. For some attendees, it’s become a yearly tradition to check out what’s new in the RV world, even if they’re not in the market for a new vehicle.
One attendee, William Herbach, explained how he and his friends switched from motorcycles to campers a couple years ago, saying it got “a little more dangerous on the road with bikes so we went to campers”. Tim Daniels mentioned he and others go camping together at various locations throughout Indiana.
Dealers appreciate the repeat customers too. One dealer noted getting a lot of repeat people year to year, saying “just because you have an RV doesn’t mean you don’t look. That’s one great thing about RVing, you always want to look and see what’s new”.
RV sales increased during the pandemic, but the industry has returned to steady levels heading into 2026. That normalized market means better deals for buyers who know what they want.
Planning Your Next RV Purchase
If you missed this year’s RV show, don’t worry. The Valley RV and Camping Show comes back every January, offering shoppers an annual opportunity to see what dealers have in stock before the busy spring and summer camping seasons kick off.
Tickets were $15 for adults and $10 for seniors, with children 15 and younger receiving free admission. The event ran from Thursday through Sunday, with hours from 10am to 8pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and from 12pm to 5pm on Sunday.
Whether you’re looking for a basic travel trailer for weekend getaways or a fully loaded motorhome for full-time living, the show lets you compare options side by side. You can check out different floor plans, test out the beds and seating areas, and get a real sense of what living in each model would feel like.
The indoor setting means you can take your time without dealing with weather, and having multiple dealers in one place makes price comparison easy. Plus, the special show pricing and financing deals give buyers bargaining power they might not get shopping at individual dealerships throughout the year.
For anyone thinking about joining the RV lifestyle, events like this offer a low-pressure way to explore your options and talk to experienced owners about what works and what doesn’t. And for those already in the community, it’s time to catch up with fellow campers and dream about where your next adventure might take you.
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