For years, we have heard that the Florida RV Super Show in Tampa FL is a must visit for all RVers. And for years, we've thought, "That's nice, but it's just another RV show. We'll think about going if we ever happen to be in Tampa one January."
Now that we own an RV lot in a motorcoach resort in South Florida, we found ourselves about 3.5 hours away from Tampa in January. So, okay, why not go see what all of the fuss is about.
W.O.W. We arrived in Tampa on the Monday before the RV show started and camped onsite at the fairgrounds for a week. We had no idea what to expect and we were amazed by the Tampa RV show experience.
In this video, we share the experience of visiting the Florida RV SuperShow for the first time. And, yes... this show is an experience! The Tampa FL RV super show is not only the largest RV show in the United States (according to their website)... the Florida RV Supershow is an event that should absolutely be experienced by every RVer.
We met people from all over the United States and Canada at this show, many of whom fly in or drive to Tampa every year to attend the show. And after attending this huge RV show in Tampa, we can definitely understand why so many folks travel here every year for this RV show. It's not just another RV show!
To see more of our experience at 2024 Florida RV Supershow, check out our post about Wingin' It in Tampa!
We learned a lot during our first visit to the Florida RV SuperShow. Here are some key things to know to prepare for your trip to this massive RV show...
Some say that the Florida RV SuperShow in Tampa is the largest RV show in the United States. Other folks say that the Hershey RV Show in Pennsylvania is the biggest RV show in the country. Either way, Tampa's January show is HUGE! Be prepared for a lot of walking and standing. This is not the time to break in new shoes. Wear your most comfortable walking shoes and be prepared to take it all in.
It's a good idea to form a game plan before the show by studying the list of exhibitors and presenters and learning a bit about the show layout.
Early on in the week, we had the opportunity to visit with our friend Robert Morales (aka Traveling Robert) and his wife Ily. When we asked them what to expect from the show, Robert told us to be prepared for any weather. It might be 90 degrees or 40 degrees. It might be sunny, rainy, windy or all of the above. And you might just get four seasons worth of weather all in one week. We recommend wearing layers so that you are comfortable no matter what the week brings.
Whether you are camping with one of the many RV clubs, or on your own, there are a good number of camping spots circling the show at the Florida State Fairgrounds. It's so nice just to get up in the morning and walk into the show without having to battle traffic (or avoid traffic leaving the show at the end of the day). And it's great to be able to easily take a break for lunch or just to rest back at your RV during the day. If you want to save your steps for exploring the show, just hop on the free shuttle to ride through the parking lot and be dropped off right at the entrance gate.
Oh, and by the way, it's not all dry camping here. Some onsite RV campers had 30amp electric hookups. And if you are camping with an RV club, many of those clubs have social gatherings in the evenings. These socials are a great way to meet new friends and get ideas of more fun and interesting things to see at the show.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you plan to camp on site during the Florida RV SuperShow in Tampa, be sure to do your research well ahead of time so that you are prepared to sign up as soon as camping reservations open up. This event is basically a very popular super rally and typically fills up quickly. Parking is on grass. Some areas are shaded by trees. You will be directed where to park upon arrival based upon your reservations and the group you are camping with.
For 2024, adult admission to the Florida RV SuperShow was $15 per person. BUT, unlike other RV shows we've been to, that $15 admission pass is good for 2 days! There are no one-day only admission options, which equates to a free second-day return for anyone who wants more than one day to explore the show. We absolutely recommend making use of both days included on the ticket. There is so much to see!
First responder and military discounts are available every day. Senior citizens receive discounts on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Children under 16 are free.
If you are not camping at the Florida State Fairgrounds, be prepared to pay to park. In 2024, parking fees were $10 per day for a standard vehicle or $16 per day for an RV (not camping, just parking for the day). Both cash and credit cards were accepted for payment.
Tip: Long lines can form early in the day. To avoid delays, consider arriving early to be parked and ready to enter when the gates open, or perhaps, a bit later to allow that first rush of visitors to get in and parked before you arrive. Saturday was the busiest day overall, but of course, that could be weather dependent.
There are restrooms scattered all around the fairgrounds facility. These are not porta-potties. The fairgrounds has modern restroom buildings around the show and also within the major buildings. Surprisingly, with the crowds of visitors, finding a clean restroom here was never a problem for us.
If you are new to RVing, looking to buy a new RV, or would just like a refresher, be sure to check the daily seminar schedule. This show has a building dedicated to daily seminars and several of the RV manufacturers and vendor booths offer free educational seminars throughout the show as well.
If you are a fan of an RV YouTube channel or other social media content creators, you will find a lot of them here! Each year, this is a meeting place for RV content creators of all types and a great opportunity to visit with your favorite creators face to face. Many creators host official meet and greets either in the official show Social Media Meet and Greet Building or with their partner manufacturers or vendors. Others just wander the grounds, so keep your eyes open for your favorite folks!
Whether you are looking at travel trailers, a fifth wheel, or any type of motorhome: Class A, Class B campervan, Super C or Class C motorhome, you can find your favorite floor plan at this show. You can even catch a glimpse of the ultra high end luxury recreational vehicles like Prevost coaches here.
And it's not just an opportunity to meet with local dealerships, be sure to visit with manufacturer representatives and executives as you explore. The Florida RV Trade Association has done a great job of building a show that is a phenomenal resource for all types of RVs. It is easy to get all of your questions answered by experts during this event.
Check the interactive map provided by the FRVTA before and during the show so you'll know where exhibits are located. You can search by name or RV type to find what you are looking for.
Yes, there are a ton of RVs to see during this show, and you might be tempted to spend your time running all over the grounds looking at every RV at the show. But this show is about a lot more than just RVs. Set aside time to take in the live music and roving daily entertainment.
Do not miss the booth exhibit halls for RV accessories, tours, caravans and RV resorts that bring information to the show. We guarantee that you will discover something at this show that you did not know existed. You can learn about volunteering or sign up for an Alaskan cruise!
We had our Blue Ox towbar serviced while we were at the show. Check the schedule of your favorite service providers and safety vendors to see about service or installation.
And our favorite thing about the Florida RV Super Show (some folks call it the Tampa RV Show or the Tampa RV Supershow) is the people. This show is a huge gathering of RV enthusiasts, full-time RVers and everyone interested in the RV lifestyle.
Even if you already own your next RV, this show is a great place to spend a couple of days immersing yourself in the RV community, checking out your dream RV or discovering the latest innovative RV products, all in a super fun environment. Whether or not this is America's largest RV show, it is an absolute must-see show.
Visit the FRVTA website for details, show dates and admission / parking fees for future annual events.
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Hey y'all! We are Native Texans and (since 2018) Full-Time RVers sharing the adventures, challenges, and joys of RV life as we travel. We love camping and hiking in State and National Parks, discovering history, visiting interesting and quirky places, and exploring small towns. We're on a mission to experience life, not just live it with our dog, Star, and our cat, Astro. You can also find us on our original RV travel website, RVTexasYall.com. Thanks for joining us as we RV America Y'all!
