America's Largest RV Show in Hershey: How to Get Your RV Trip-Ready

America's Largest RV Show runs September 16–20, 2026 — Wednesday through Sunday — at the Giant Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania, rain or shine. It's the 57th year of the show, and the Giant Center sits about 20 minutes from our shop in Grantville, right off I-81 Exit 80.

Show hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, according to the organizers. That's a long day on your feet across a very big building, so plan your visit around the models you most want to see.

Big — genuinely. The show puts roughly 1,500 RVs from 40 manufacturers on display across nearly a million square feet, which the organizers describe as 33 football fields of campers (America's Largest RV Show). You'll see 2026 and 2027 models, from small towable travel trailers up to big Class A diesel pushers.

It isn't only rigs for sale. There are accessories and upgrades, campgrounds and vacation destinations, and seminars run by industry experts. The show draws close to 60,000 visitors most years, and it's presented by the Pennsylvania Recreation Vehicle and Camping Association (PRVCA), whose proceeds help fund RV technician training. Whether you're shopping, comparing, or just window-browsing the lifestyle, there's a lot to take in.

Yes — give it a pre-trip once-over, especially if it sat through a Central PA winter. Don't assume the rig is ready just because the mileage is low. A few things are worth checking — or having checked — before you point it toward Hershey:

• Tires — set cold pressure to your RV's placard and the tire's load rating, not the max on the sidewall, and not a single number that supposedly fits every rig. RV and trailer tires also age out and can fail from sitting, not just from miles. Follow the tire-care guidance from USTMA and NHTSA.
• Wheel bearings and brakes — these work hardest under a loaded trailer, so a bearing repack and brake check before the trip beats a roadside surprise.
• Slide-outs and leveling — cycle them fully so a stuck room or jack doesn't ruin setup.
• Generator, appliances, and A/C — run the generator under load and make sure the rooftop A/C still cools.

If the rig feels off or you'd rather have a pro look it over, our RV repair and motorhome chassis service covers tires, brakes and bearings, slide-outs, generators, and coach electrical. Have safety-critical systems inspected before it gets worse — not after.

Plenty of people drive home from Hershey having bought a camper — and a new trailer is only as safe as the truck and hitch behind it. Before you tow anything home, confirm your tow vehicle's rated towing capacity, payload, hitch rating, and tongue weight in your owner's manual and against current NHTSA towing-safety guidance. There's no single capacity — or trailer tire pressure — that fits every setup.

Once you know your numbers, the hardware has to match: the right hitch, a brake controller wired to your truck, trailer wiring and connectors, and weight distribution where it's needed. Flat-towing a car behind a motorhome adds a tow bar, a base plate, and a supplemental braking system. We handle all of it as an authorized Etrailer.com installer and Lippert partner, so the setup is matched to your specific truck and trailer and wired correctly — not guessed at in a parking lot.

If you're in Hershey, Hummelstown, Harrisburg, Lebanon, Palmyra, or Annville, the show lands right at the start of camping season — a good cue to wake the rig up. De-winterize the water system, check the batteries and tires after months of sitting, and look over the brakes before the first real trip.

We're a short hop away in Grantville, right off I-81 Exit 80, so it's an easy stop on the way home from the Giant Center. We also offer RV and boat storage near Hershey, and the same techs watching your rig can check tires, batteries, and brakes while it's parked. When the season winds down, plan to winterize before the first hard freeze so the water lines, pump, and water heater don't get damaged over the cold months.

Tickets are sold online only and emailed to you, and kids 12 and under get in free, according to the show. Buy through the official site — the organizers warn that third-party sellers charge more and admission isn't guaranteed on those. Ticket prices change year to year, so check the official ticket page for current pricing before you go.

A few practical notes: daily parking is free in designated lots, the show runs rain or shine, and pets aren't allowed unless they're fully enclosed in a carrier or stroller. Limited overnight RV spaces are handled by phone and aren't reserved. Wear comfortable shoes — remember, it's 33 football fields — and give yourself more time than you think you'll need.