Photos in “What Is an RV Rally?” by Tony Barthel. Lead image courtesy of Escapees RV Club.
“What is an RV rally?” you ask. You might as well ask, “What do people like to eat for dinner?” RV rallies come in many, many different sizes and types, with a broad variety of audiences and aims. But here’s the short answer: It’s when a group of people come together to celebrate the joy of RVing.
But just like at a buffet restaurant, there’s no way you can sample them all in one go. So how do you pick the ones that are right for you? Here’s how you navigate the smorgasbord of available events.
It’s the People
Let’s start with what I think is the most important reason to attend a rally: It’s the people that make it fun. I’ve been to a lot of rallies and it’s been true every single time. No matter what other factors are part of the rally, know that you will have things in common with everybody else who’s there. You’re all RVers!
So if there is ever a lull in the conversation — and there never is — you can always ask people what their favorite destination is, their favorite place to camp, why they chose the RV they did, where they recommend going, or even what the biggest mishap is that they’ve had on their RV adventure.
You’ll be making new friends every rally you go to. But also, the more rallies and events you attend, the more you run into the same people — and where better to catch up on their latest travels? Even when you’re out “in the wild,” it’s incredible how often you will spot a familiar face from a rally.
How RV Rallies Come Together
There are a number of reasons rallies are held. Larger ones will have something for everyone, while others might cater to a narrow niche. You’ll find ones for specific RV brands or models, or broader categories like travel trailers or bus conversions. Some focus on a particular lifestyle, such as the Rubber Tramp Rendezvous where thousands of people who live a nomadic lifestyle gather in the desert. They can be held by clubs, groups, manufacturers, businesses, or even religious organizations.
What Happens at an RV Rally?
No two rallies are the same, but you’ll generally find vendors, new RVs, and seminars, depending on the size and focus of the rally. Here are the most common elements we’ve found.
Vendors
The vendors are a big highlight for my wife and I. I can’t tell you how many things we’ve seen that are essentials — or just seemed like it at the time — that we absolutely had to have. You’ll find useful gadgets, upgrades, and much more.
New RVs
Many of the rallies we’ve attended have a lot of new RVs. In fact, a recent rally we went to may have been our most expensive trip yet: we are considering an RV we saw there. Talk about vendors!
Seminars
It’s not all shopping at a rally! I’ve attended workshops and seminars from companies like Lippert, Dexter Axle, and Coleman-Mach to learn more about the components in my own RV. I can now adjust slide rooms and re-pack wheel bearings and adjust brakes thanks to things I’ve learned at rallies. We’ve taught a lot of seminars at various rallies and will do so again at the forthcoming Family RV Association rally in Perry, Georgia, in March 2025.
Factory Technicians
Rallies held by manufacturers often have the draw of having factory service technicians on hand to perform work on RVs there. For example, the Forest River Owners’ Group rally has factory teams on site and they’ll do up to three warranty items while you’re there. Grand Design, Alliance, Winnebago, and many other brands hold similar events.
Group Meals
Many rallies have big group meals that are either provided as part of the entry fee, and some also have potlucks. Some have both. Beyond the food, it provides an excellent opportunity to sit down with old friend and new faces alike.
Excursions
Some rallies will feature excursions where you and a group of others venture out to a specific destination, activity, or event. In fact, as I write this, I am at FROGtoberfest in Amana, Iowa, where there is a big Oktoberfest celebration going on.
Where Do You Find These Rallies?
There are a lot of organizations that put on rallies and the more you go to the more you’ll find. But one of our favorites is the Family RV Association, formerly known as the FMCA. These rallies are open to RVers of all types and there are both major national rallies that attract well over 1,000 RVs to smaller regional events.
The Family RV Association also has local chapters as well as special interest chapters. For example, I love trains so I’m in the Golden Spike Chapter. But I’m also in a chapter of people — called the Frustrated Maestros — who show up to these conventions and play music.
Escapees is another big organization that puts on rallies and, like the Family RV Association, has a wide number of local chapters as well as chapters with specific interests called Birds of a Feather or BOF.
The regional chapters of any of these organizations are worth seeking out as you’ll find people who are in your neck of the woods and can help point you in the direction of larger things and events.
Your RV’s manufacturer may also have an organization that does rallies. For example, I own a Forest River Rockwood Mini Lite and Forest River has the Forest River Owners’ Group, or FROG. And, like Jeep owners, we do put plastic frogs on each other’s RVs. It’s silly but it’s also fun.
So What Is an RV Rally?
If you’re planning to attend your first RV rally — congratulations! You’ll meet a whole community of fellow RVers who love to travel and explore, and who will form a part of the fabric of your life on the road. Simply put, an RV rally is when a group of RVers come together to celebrate their shared interest and to make the RV experience ever better. And, it’s a great way to make your RV lifestyle even more enjoyable.
Don’t have an RV yet, but want to join the family? Get started with RV Trader! Be careful, you might just fall in love with RVing.