Question Is there a better time of year to purchase?

[Bigdee183]

We are looking to buy our first travel trailer. I've been with friends that have had them in the past and know a little about them but have several questions. I grew up in the Oklahoma/Arkansas area. Boating season was May-September so May or before wasnt the best time to "Get a deal" on a boat. You could generally get a better deal in September or after because dealers wanted to unload their inventory or private sellers was tired of pouring money into something that they couldnt use until the next season. I was wondering if its the same so similar to travel trailers? I do live in Florida so it is year round season here but would travel out of state for a good deal.

Also, can you get a better deal at an RV show or just through the dealers lot?

Thanks!!

 

[tdkkart]

Right now, I would expect you to get your best deal on a motorhome in the south, seems like all the adds are in Florida, Texas, Arizona, California. Being in Iowa there's nothing here now for us, but when all the snowbirds come back I expect to see some decent stuff for sale.

 

[widdershins]

Shop around, do your research and be prepared to haggle. First TT we purchased new I got it for nearly 1/2 what the dealer was asking. How you might ask? Research. Local dealer said MSRP was 23k. I found the same TT in multiple states advertised as MSRP 16k-18K. So I contacted the actual manufacturer, who told me the MSRP should be $16,500. I offered the local dealer $14,200, got the usual "oh..I have to check with my manager"..and then.. OK.. That was in 2013, sold it last year for $10,500... (had many upgrades, and well taken care of).

I don't know that the where/when matters too much.

 

[Bigdee183]

Shop around, do your research and be prepared to haggle. First TT we purchased new I got it for nearly 1/2 what the dealer was asking. How you might ask? Research. Local dealer said MSRP was 23k. I found the same TT in multiple states advertised as MSRP 16k-18K. So I contacted the actual manufacturer, who told me the MSRP should be $16,500. I offered the local dealer $14,200, got the usual "oh..I have to check with my manager"..and then.. OK.. That was in 2013, sold it last year for $10,500... (had many upgrades, and well taken care of).

I don't know that the where/when matters too much.

I like to haggle. I kinda figure that since RV's can be used year around anywhere they probably isnt a better season to buy but I had to ask. I havent actually been to an RV show but I have been to boat shows that had "Boat show pricing" but I dont really think the price breaks was that much.

 

[tdkkart]

Considering that RV MSRP prices are basically ambiguous numbers, "RV show pricing" is pretty meaningless.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

You answered your own question! As was stated above people coming home after a trip that feel they have had enough, well opportunity knocks. End of season always in any market is good. .
Dealers in places like the desert SW move inventory around where they are most likely to sell, is a big, well advantage for a buyer.

 

[Dan_Frisbie]

I was told by my dealer/sales rep that after Christmas for a few months is the best time to buy used in Florida as many of the snowbirds are upgrading…

 

[sanda]

The last few vehicles I've purchased have all been via internet. I find what I want, find dealers who have them and start negotiating via email. Works great.

 

[Jireh Financial]

Sometimes the best time to purchase is when you find the unit you like. Where we live (MI) most units are in storage so that makes selling tough. We are looking to make a change with our motorhome this year. We can't even think about selling until we can get it outside for pictures. The market here heats up closer to April.
Let us know how we can help.
Ken

 

[Buster]

I was tracking prices the last couple of years to get a feel for the seasons. I purchased a used Class A diesel pusher from a private seller, so the market could be very different for a travel trailer.

I found the best deals seemed to be in the Feb through April time frame and they were all in the Southern part of the US from FL to AZ and in between. Prices up where I live seemed to be at least 10% higher all year long and supply was very limited.

I ended up purchasing in FL not only for the price, but as Jireh Financial mentioned above, I found one that checked all the boxes for us.