You’ve decided to buy an RV, but it’s so overwhelming. Since it’s a significant financial decision, everyone wants to score the best bargain of the year. Besides choosing the right state to buy and register an RV, buying a camper at the suitable time can save you a handsome amount of money.
When is the best time to buy an RV, and what is the right price to pay for it? The best time is when the price is down, and there are several times of the year when you can strike a good deal.
Contents
Best Times to Buy an RV
Buying an RV is the best option to feed your adventurous soul. But timing is the key to saving money on your new rig. However, there are several considerations to keep in mind before purchasing one. To avoid splurging, you have to plan ahead and discover the best time of the year.
When is the best time to buy an RV? Keep reading to learn the strategies we’ve found through our research.
1. Buy During The Fall
After all the outdoor adventures and festivities in summer, most people head home. So, it’s evident that RV sales start to trail off when the warm months are over.
Fewer and fewer people walk into the RV showrooms, so dealerships offer handsome discounts to boost the waning interest. So, fall could be the best time to buy a camper trailer though you can wait till the end of September for the slow season to kick off officially.
2. Wait Until Winter
Wait until the winter sets in if you don’t have your heart set on a specific model. The cheapest month to buy an RV is from December to January. You will get the steepest discount during this time. Why? That’s because many dealerships have already sold their best inventory and are desperate to make some sales.
This season is also great for taking advantage of year-end clearance sales. Less interest from buyers will give you negotiation power for extra accessories or upgrades.

What is the best month to buy an RV? RV dealers consider the fall and winter as slow seasons. Discounted prices during these months are a typical year-to-year activity. So, the period between the end of September and February is undoubtedly the best time to buy an RV.
3. Buy After the Release of A New Model
It’s like what you see with cars. When a new model comes out, the dealer dumps the old one. When a new model year is released, dealers need to clear out their inventory to make room for the new ones. They offer hefty discounts on the old models to get them off their lot.
This is the best time to buy a new RV without paying the full price. The changes in features and designs from one year model to the next are minimal. There won’t be any drastic difference between the two models’ overall functions.
If you don’t care about having the latest upgrades, you can save thousands of dollars on your next RV purchase by shopping around during this time.
4. Grab Amazing Discounts at RV Shows
Suppose you’re an avid recreational vehicle enthusiast. In that case, you probably know that the best time of year to buy an RV is from the RV shows. The biggest show in the country is held every year in Hershey, Pennsylvania. This is an excellent place for people interested in buying a new motorhome for full-time RVing.
Salespeople offer crazy discounts at these shows because their bosses expect them to meet or exceed their sales goals. When you have a clear idea about the type of RV you want, use this opportunity to negotiate a much better price. In Particular, you will get substantial price cuts on the show’s last day.
People attend these shows to learn about new RVs and explore their options. So, the salespeople there will be a little more open to bargaining than they would be in your local dealership.

5. Look Around on Holiday Weekends
Every year, dealerships around the country provide huge discounts on their RVs during the holiday weekend. This is the best time to buy a motorhome if you miss the fall or winter session for some reason.
The type of deals and discounts vary from one dealership to another. In general, you can expect to get at least a 20% to 30% discount on the original price. Many dealerships have sales around Memorial Day weekend, so plan your purchase timing accordingly. Dealerships want to clear out inventory in time for summer and other popular sales events, so you will get some good deals then!
7. Line Up the Purchase with Local Weather
The best time to buy a used RV is when the weather in your area gets extreme. Do you live in a hot climate zone like Texas, Arizona, or Florida? Then, you will find plenty of used rigs hitting the market before the summer sets in. The weather becomes so hot during these months that people go back into their households after selling the trailer.
You will find the opposite scenario in states where the winter gets really cold. The best time to buy camper in states like Alaska, Minnesota, and the Dakotas is just before winter. The weather becomes so cold that people don’t live in their trailer during that time.
Buy an RV at a low price before the summer or winter (depending on the state you live in) and store it somewhere until the weather improves.
Conclusion
So, the short answer is, you can get a good deal any time, but mostly when the weather is cold. Finding an RV is much like any other purchase, such as buying a home or car.
You should set a budget and stick to it while looking for deals online and visiting dealerships. Act fast once you see what you want, because these sales don’t last long!
The best way to save money is to be patient and not get too wrapped up in the sense of urgency. Don’t get caught up in the hype that “now’s the time.” Instead, wait until prices are low to avoid paying more than what you should.
If buying used then the fall is the best time to buy a camper. They don’t want to pay storage all winter so the prices are better.
We bought ours in August and it was very hard to find one because they were getting sold before we could get to the dealership or person’s house. We bought a used 2011 Coleman. We got lucky because it was in great shape. But Be careful and inspect with a fine tooth come. I know a lot of people with horror stories of unseen damage after purchasing. Good luck.
We got ours between Christmas and New Years. Dealer wanted to make final sales to hit his numbers and we got our toy hauler at a wholesale price.