Buying a travel trailer is quite an expenditure, and even if you’ve got the ready cash, it can be hard to part with so much money when you’re not sure if you’re getting a good deal. But you can save some money if you know where to look and, more importantly, when to look for a travel trailer. RV dealerships and private sellers alike often provide better deals during the off-season in order to shift old inventory and make room for newer models.
When’s The Best Season?
The best season to buy a travel trailer is during the winter, although fall is a close second. If you buy during the spring and summer, you’re going to end up paying more. Private sellers are more motivated to sell their campers during the winter because they may have decided the RV life wasn’t for them and want to unload their rigs as soon as they can to make space in their garage. Or maybe they’re looking to trade up to a different model and they need both the money and space that will be achieved by selling their older camper.
Dealerships often see a dip in their sales numbers during fall and winter, so they’ll make more deals to you in order to increase their sales. During summer, it’s easy to get customers in the door, but not so much in the middle of winter! You’ll get more time with the staff to get all your questions answered when you buy during the off-season, too.
Should I Buy From An RV Show?
One place that people may want to buy an RV from is at an RV show. We think it’s a great idea to attend these shows during the shopping process to get an up-close look at a variety of models and learn about different brands. However, actually buying your travel trailer at a show can present a few issues.
For one thing, the show may not line up with when you want to get your travel trailer, so waiting around for it wastes valuable travel time. You also won’t get any off-season deals. But you can still get a better idea of what you’re looking for by walking around an RV show, taking notes or photos and asking questions, so definitely go to one!
Is It Better To Wait For New Models?
Yes. If you wait until just before new models are released, you’ll find a sudden uptick in great deals from private sellers and dealerships alike. Moving older inventory becomes a necessity to make way for the latest releases, so dealerships are much more likely to give you great deals to take their products off their hands. Private sellers know that they can also benefit from waiting for the release of a new model, since they may want to fund their next camper purchase with money from selling the former. You’ll probably find a boost in your available options from either type of seller, too, since more and more used travel trailers will appear on the market.
This information is for educational purposes. VIARV shall not be responsible nor retain liability for RVer’s use of the provided information. Prior to making any RV service decision, you are advised to consult with an RV professional.