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The Ultimate Meridian RV Showdown: Your Complete Guide to Shopping at Bish's RV vs. Camping World

Shopping at Bish's RV vs. Camping World

Last Updated: February 2026

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction: Two Giants, One Choice 
  2. Pricing Philosophy: No-Haggle vs. Traditional Negotiation 
  3. Inventory & Brand Selection 
  4. Long-Term Perks: Diamond Club vs. Good Sam 
  5. Service Department Reality Check 
  6. Sales Experience: What to Expect 
  7. Pro Tips: Using Their Proximity to Your Advantage
  8. Which Dealer is Right for You?

Sources & Transparency Disclaimer: 

This analysis is based on 200+ verified customer reviews, and dealer website information.

Read full reviews of Bish’s RV of Meridian.

Read full reviews of Camping World Meridian.

Always do your own research.

1. Two Giants, One Choice

If you’re shopping for an RV in Meridian, Idaho, you’ve probably noticed something unusual: Bish’s RV and Camping World are literally neighbors on Overland Road. This proximity creates a unique opportunity for Treasure Valley buyers, but it also raises the question: Which dealership should you choose?

This isn’t a takedown of either dealer. Instead, this is a data-driven comparison designed to help you make the best decision based on YOUR priorities. We’ve analyzed hundreds of customer reviews, pricing structures, and service policies to give you the full picture.

Quick Quiz: Which Dealer Matches Your Needs?

  • ✅ Want transparent pricing with no haggling? → Likely Bish’s RV
  • ✅ Need the largest selection of parts/accessories? → Likely Camping World
  • ✅ Planning cross-country trips? → Consider Camping World’s national network
  • ✅ Prioritize free lifetime winterization? → Bish’s Diamond Club wins here

2. Is There a Big Difference in How They Handle Pricing?

Bish’s RV Pricing

No-haggle model with freight/prep included in the price.

Camping World Pricing

Traditional negotiation with potential for add-on fees.

Bish’s “Low Price is the Price” Policy

What it means: The price you see online at Bish’s typically includes freight and prep fees. This is significant because many dealerships (not just Camping World) add these as separate line items during the final paperwork.
Example from the data:

A customer noted: “The price we quote you includes all fees, so there are no surprises when you sign your purchase documents.”

The 72-Hour Return Guarantee
Bish’s offers a unique safety net: If you’re not satisfied with your in-stock RV within 72 hours, you can return or exchange it. (Note: Custom orders may be excluded, always verify details with the dealer.)

Camping World’s Traditional Negotiation Model

Camping World uses the car-dealership approach: The sticker price is a starting point. This can work in your favor if you’re comfortable negotiating, but it also means:

  • Potential for add-on pressure (paint protection, extended warranties, but more opportunity for negotiation)
  • Dealer Fees like freight/prep may appear late in the process

3. What Kind of Inventory and Brands Can I Expect at Each Lot?

Camping World: The "Amazon" of RVs

Camping World Meridian Side View

With 203 locations nationwide, Camping World carries:

  • Top Brands: Keystone, Forest River, Heartland, Winnebago
  • Massive retail store for gear and accessories
  • Larger volume of used RVs (100+ units at Meridian as of data collection)

When Camping World Makes Sense:

  • You’re looking for a very specific floor plan (like a rare bunkhouse model)
  • You want to browse camping gear in one trip
  • You travel cross-country and value their nationwide service network

Bish's Specialized Selection

Bish's RV Meridian

Bish’s focuses on deeper relationships with fewer manufacturers:

  • Jayco (150+ units in stock one of the largest Jayco dealers – as of data collection)
  • Alliance RV
  • Brinkley, Forest River, Keystone (in smaller quantities)

When Bish’s Makes Sense:

  • You want a Jayco (they’re a volume dealer with better pricing leverage)
  • You prefer a family-owned vibe over corporate scale

4. Which Dealership Offers the Better Long-Term Perks?

Bish's Diamond Club (FREE Lifetime Membership)

Included with every purchase:

✅ Free annual winterization (Huge value in Idaho winters worth $150-$250/year)
✅ Free annual inspections
✅ $30/hour discount on labor rates for service 

Real-World Value: Over 10 years of ownership, this saves $1,500-$2,500 minimum.

Read about Diamond Club on Bish’s website.

Camping World's Good Sam Program

This is a paid membership ($29/year) focused on:

  • Fuel/propane discounts
  • Access to thousands of campgrounds nationwide
  • RV ProCare savings (parts/service discounts)

Note: Good Sam is NOT automatically free with purchase it’s a 1-3 year complimentary membership included with select RVs.

Bish’s Diamond Club: Free lifetime winterization + annual inspections (Idaho-specific value).

Good Sam (Camping World): Paid membership for travel discounts (national focus).

5. What is the Service Department Really Like After the Sale?

This is where real customer experiences diverge significantly.

The Mixed Reality at Both Dealers

Bish’s Service Highlights:

Camping World Service Highlights:

  • National network: If you break down in Montana, there’s likely a Camping World nearby.
  • Priority scheduling for customers who purchased from them.

Your Action Plan: If you buy from any RV Dealer, hire an independent RVIA-certified inspector ($300-$500). Multiple customers who skipped this step discovered:

– Leaking roofs/windows

– Non-functional brakes

– Propane leaks

Never sign the final papers until you have personally pressed every button and inspected the roof, regardless of what the dealer says was “inspected”.

6. Should I Be Worried About "Sales Games" and Pressure?

The Finance Room Reality

Both dealers will offer add-ons (extended warranties, tire protection, etc.). Here’s how to navigate it:

Bish’s Approach (Per Reviews):

  • Lower pressure on add-ons (less opportunity for negotiation)
  • Most reviews describe Bish’s sales team as low-pressure. One customer said: “[they] patiently worked hard to find the Jayco trailer we wanted. The [salesman] was a joy to work with.”
  • This sentiment is generally shared across reviews, likely due to their RV Outfitter approach as opposed to an RV Salesman approach. The difference being Bish’s fits RVers to the RV they need as opposed to the RV they want to sell.

Camping World Approach (Per Reviews):

  • More pressure on add-ons (more opportunity for negotiation)
  • Camping World’s sales process varies widely by salesperson.
  • Some customers describe exceptional experiences. One said: “The [salesman] was kind, patient, and incredibly knowledgeable. He answered every question without pressure.”

7. The Proximity Advantage

Here’s the beautiful part about these two dealers being next door to each other.

You can use them against each other.

The Strategy:

  1. Get a written quote from Dealer A (including ALL fees and add-ons)
  2. Walk it next door to Dealer B and ask: “Can you beat this?”
  3. Repeat if necessary

One customer reported Camping World initially offered $10,000 less for their trade-in than Bish’s. After showing the Bish’s quote, Camping World matched it.

That’s $10,000 in your pocket just for walking 100 yards.

The Walk-Through Rule:

Press every button. Inspect the roof. Turn on the propane. Test the brakes.

Even if the dealer says it was “inspected,” verify it yourself.

Taking 30 extra minutes during your walkthrough can save months in service delays.

8. Which Dealer is Right for You?

Let me make this simple.

Bish's RV Meridian

Choose Bish’s RV if:

  • You want transparent pricing with no haggling
  • You value free lifetime winterization (saves $1,500+ over 10 years)
  • You prefer a family-owned dealership vibe
  • You’re buying a Jayco (they have 180+ in stock)
  • You plan to service your RV locally
Camping World Meridian Side View

Choose Camping World if:

  • You need the largest selection of brands and floor plans
  • You want a one-stop shop for gear and accessories
  • You travel cross-country (nationwide service network)
  • You’re comfortable negotiating (can lead to better deals if skilled)
  • You want Good Sam membership perks

The “Best of Both” Approach

Many savvy buyers do this:

  1. Test drive models at Camping World (larger selection)
  2. Get final pricing from both dealers
  3. Choose Bish’s for the purchase if pricing is competitive (to get Diamond Club benefits)
  4. Use Camping World’s retail store for accessories

Final Thoughts

Neither Bish’s nor Camping World is perfect.

Both have strengths. Both have weaknesses.

The real question is: Which one fits YOUR needs?

If you:

  • Get quotes from both dealers
  • Hire an independent inspector
  • Read your contracts carefully
  • Test everything during your walkthrough

You’ll be fine at either one.

The biggest mistake you can make is choosing a dealer based on emotion instead of data.

Do your homework. Ask questions. Take your time.

And remember: They’re next door to each other. You have all the leverage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Bish's charge hidden fees?

No. Bish’s “Low Price is the Price” policy includes freight and prep in the online price. You’ll pay tax, title, and a documentation fee.

Yes. Camping World uses traditional negotiation. The sticker price is a starting point.

Free annual winterization ($150-$250/year) plus free inspections and $30/hour service discounts. Over 10 years, this saves $1,500 to $2,500.

Camping World and Bish’s RV have a different selection of RVs. “Better” depends on the brand you are looking for.

Yes. Always. At both dealers. This costs $300-$500 and can save you thousands in missed PDI issues.