The Late Winter Guide to Buying an RV
Are you dreaming of hitting the open road, exploring scenic landscapes, and creating unforgettable memories? Buying an RV can be a thrilling adventure, but it’s essential to navigate this decision thoughtfully. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or a newbie to the RV lifestyle, this comprehensive guide will help you make informed choices.
Late winter and early Spring are the best times to buy an RV because dealers are well-stocked and busy summer demand has not picked up. If you shop and buy an RV early in the year, you have the best chance to get the perfect RV for you, and you might just get a deal too.
It is very important to understand what type of RV is right for you and what features are important to you. RV showrooms are not the best place to decide how many beds or slide-outs you really need. Even for first-time RV buyers, it is best to have some experience either through RV rentals or visiting a friend’s RV. Your tow vehicle is very important for RV shopping. Many RV purchases get put on hold for a year or two if the buyer realizes that the RV they want does not fit their current tow vehicle. If you start your RV shopping in the late spring, then decide you want a fifth-wheel trailer but you don’t have a pickup truck, then you are going to have a very difficult RV shopping experience.
Once you know what type of RV you are looking for, it’s time to start shopping. If you are definitely only considering a new RV, then your search is limited to RV dealerships. You might get lucky if you have multiple RV dealerships close to home, but chances are your search may lead you to drive 100 miles or more to visit multiple dealerships. Most dealers carry only certain models of new RVs, so a dealer near you might carry Sandpiper RVs, but you might have to travel a considerable distance if you want to see a new Airstream in the showroom.
RV shows are typically held throughout the winter at major convention centers throughout the country. These shows are the best opportunity to see a selection of RVs that fit your requirements from different manufacturers. If you are lucky at an RV show, you may find the perfect RV that meets your requirements and a dealer who is willing to make the perfect deal for you right there at the RV show. If you’re lucky enough to close the deal at the RV show, then all you need to do is take delivery and get ready to enjoy the fun. No worries if you don’t close the deal at the RV show. Make sure you get a business card or brochure from every dealer in the region to prepare for your search.
If you are very certain about the models and features that you want and you’re planning to buy new, then winter is a great time to approach a dealer about exactly what you are looking for. You might be able to negotiate a deal if you find what you are looking for on the dealer’s lot in the winter when business is slow for RV dealers. If what you want is not available on the dealer’s lot, winter is the best time to order your custom RV from the factory through the dealer. You may not be able to negotiate a great deal when you are ordering custom, but if you place your order in the winter you should be able to get exactly what you want when you want it. If you place an order in the Spring or summer, you should have realistic expectations that you won’t be taking delivery during this year’s camping season.
If your requirements are more flexible (color, floorplan, trim level, etc.) then you can be in a powerful position as a wintertime buyer. The key is “walk away power”. If your requirements are flexible and selection is readily available, you are easily able to walk away and go to the next dealer. This is especially true when you are willing to drive a couple of hundred miles to the next closest dealers.
If you are looking for a used RV in the winter, time is everything. You’ll want to setup search notification on popular apps or websites such as RV Trader, eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and Craigslist. When an RV is listed that meets your requirements, you will want to reach out to the seller right away. Speak to the seller on the phone before you do anything. This helps to establish that the seller is a legit, U.S. based seller, although you have not guaranteed that yet. You also need to establish with the seller that you are a legitimate (not a scam) and qualified buyer (which means you can afford the RV). Ask the seller three questions:
- Do you have the title, is the title clean (no liens, and not salvage), and are you the owner listed on the title? If the answer to any of these questions is no, then say “thanks anyway” and keep looking.
- Does the RV have any leaks or water damage?
- Where and when can we meet?
Again, timing is everything. If a clean RV is legitimately available and reasonably priced it will likely sell the first time it is shown to a qualified buyer. If the seller says the first time he could show it is Monday at 9 am, but you have work at that time and you could meet at 5 pm, that may be fine with the seller, but the RV may be sold before you ever see it.
When you go to see the RV, you will need a ladder, because the roof is your first thing to look at. Don’t waste your time admiring the floorplan or any of the features, start with the roof. Bring a ladder with you unless the RV has a built-in ladder. If you don’t have a ladder, ask the seller if he or she has a ladder available that you can use. Start by inspecting the roof for any obvious tears, and check the ”lap sealant” caulking at the seams. Push on it to make sure it is not squishy, and walk around the roof looking for any soft spots. If you find anything concerning, say “thanks anyway” and move on.
Next, look at the ceiling from inside every cabinet that is attached to the ceiling, starting with the cabinets in the front of the motorhome. This is where any leaking or staining from water damage will likely show. If you find anything, it’s probably time to move on from spending thousands of dollars on an RV that is already a few years old.
If the roof is fine, and the title is clean, and you like the floorplan, and you agree with the seller on the price, then you’ve bought yourself an RV!
