You’ve spent many months dreaming of RV ownership and putting every penny you could save toward your future purchase. Now, you’re on the precipice of realizing your dream, and you couldn’t be more excited.
Hold it! Before you pull the trigger, consider that some months are better for purchasing motorhomes than others. Which month should you wait for?
You can score the best deals on a new RV during the slow season between October and February. The start of the season in September through November is another hot time, as is February and March when the new models debut. Dealers want old models off the lot and will sell them for less.
As you gear up to buy your wheels, continue reading for guidance on purchasing a great new motorhome.
RV Buying Secrets Revealed: Shop These Months to Save Some Dough
Mark your calendars! The following months are prime time for buying a motorhome and driving off the lot happy.
September to November
The kids are complaining about returning to school, the days are getting shorter, and the temperature is undoubtedly colder. Yes, fall is certainly here, meaning it’s time to buy an RV.
That’s right, as summer wanes into autumn is one of the best times for trailer shopping. This is when the active RV season ends in many parts of the country, so the last thing most people will think of is buying a motorhome.
Manufacturers might offer their stock at a discount, allowing you to swoop in and scoop up the deals.
However, if the price of new RVs isn’t exactly what you had hoped, never fear. You still have other chances to get a lower-cost motorhome.
October to February
If not by September, then certainly into October and November, most RV dealers consider the active season finished. Again, maybe that’s not the case in Florida, but it is for a lot of us elsewhere.
As you get deeper into the offseason, especially at the peak of winter in January or February, business is slow. You might be able to haggle a bit to get an RV off the lot, or you might find an awesome discount.
This is probably the best time of year to find a low-cost motorhome, so take advantage of it.
February to March
You have one more timeframe to consider, and it follows up very closely with the slow winter months. Between February and March, many new RV models are coming down the pike.
These months aren’t an exact science, so I’d recommend keeping your eyes peeled beginning in January so you don’t miss it.
Like any car lot doesn’t want much old stock, RV dealers don’t either. They want to sell the old motorhomes so there’s more room to park the new ones on their lot.
Now, don’t get me wrong here. When I say “old,” I’m not referring to an RV from 10 or 20 years ago. I mean a motorhome that’s a 2022 in 2023.
It’s not old by many people’s standards. Unlike buying a used RV from the prior year, these motorhomes have never been driven or lived in, so you’re getting them brand-spanking-new.
Is There an Ideal Day of the Week to Buy an RV?
You’ve got your month(s) planned to buy a motorhome. Now, it’s all about selecting a day, so let’s get to it.
RV dealers don’t operate on a nine-to-five, Monday-through-Friday schedule. They’re open on weekends. That’s when most of us have time to shop, so you can expect the lot to be busiest.
If you were hoping to haggle, you might be disappointed. There’s less opportunity with so many people around. After all, if you won’t pay the full price, someone else will.
That’s why the best day to shop is on Monday. Most salespeople are pleased with the money they made over the weekend and might be convinced to lower prices or accept a deal.
If you’re busy on a Monday, you can pop in between Tuesday and Thursday and should experience a similar result. The further you shop from the weekend, the better, so skip Friday.
How to Prepare to Buy a Motorhome
Knowing when to buy a motorhome is only part of the process. The following tips will help you set aside everything you need to drive your most spectacular vehicle yet.
Create a Budget
The price of a motorhome varies depending on the type. Travel trailers cost $10,000 to $100,000, and fifth wheels between $35,000 and $150,000.
Class A RVs are the most expensive at $100,000 to $300,000 and up. Driving off in a Class B will cost you between $80,000 and $180,000, while you must have at least $50,000 to $150,000 for a Class C.
I recommend researching specific makes, models, and manufacturers to gauge which end of the price spectrum your dream vehicle falls.
Besides the cost of the RV, you should also consider what you’ll pay for insurance. Assorted fees like closing costs will also rear their ugly heads.
Pick Your Features
What kinds of features do you envision when you close your eyes and think about your motorhome? Do you want heated seats, solar panels, roller shades, a full bathroom, or maybe a luxe feature like a fireplace?
Some RV features come standard, but the more luxury ones usually don’t. You’ll often pay per feature, which is something to consider when mapping out your budget.
New or Used? It’s Your Call
You must also choose whether to get your paws on a new motorhome or if used is okay.
There are positives and negatives to both decisions. For example, a new motorhome has never had another owner, so everything will be in pristine condition. It will have zero mileage and won’t need repairs for years (hopefully!). However, it’s more expensive.
Going used reduces your expenses. That said, you don’t get a new vehicle, so it will have mileage and maybe a few dings and scratches. The vehicle will certainly have undergone a repair or several and could have parts failure again.
Be Ready to Negotiate
You can talk down a seller, whether a personal seller or a professional dealer at a lot. You must know the asking price for the motorhome, then offer a figure that’s close to that original price but still a good deal for you.
The other side might amend your figure, so be ready to go back and forth before you can agree on an amount.
Tips for Getting the Best Deal on Your Motorhome
Do you want more tips for saving on your next RV? We hear you! Here they are.
Sign up for the Dealer/Manufacturer Email Newsletter
How will you know when the dealer or manufacturer runs an RV sale? You could stalk them on social media (un-creepily, of course) or subscribe to their newsletter or email alerts. You’ll be one of the first to know when the sale is happening, so you can be ready.
Be Friendly
It’s hard work selling an RV. A little bit of appreciation goes a long way, such as smiling and being polite. Your affable personality might put the salesperson in a better mood, and perhaps they’ll scrape a little off the cost of your motorhome.
Attend a Few RV Shows
Have you ever been to an RV show before? They’re a great place to see and buy a motorhome. Attend for at least a few days. On your first day, let yourself be wowed by all the shiny vehicles, narrowing down several favorites.
If you can wait until the last day, the sellers will be eager to accept a deal so they don’t have to take the RV back with them.
Bottom Line
Deciding when to buy an RV requires some forethought to ensure you get a great deal. Now that you know the secrets, you’re ready to save!