The best time to buy an RV from a dealer and owner is during the off-season. Private owners know that they are going to have to winterize it and store it. Instead of the hassle of winterizing and removing it, and having to pay to store the RV or trailer in the off-season, they may try to sell it quickly for what they can get for it.

Dealers know that they will do much better if they can increase their cash flow in the off-season and unload some of their excess inventory. Reducing your inventory allows you to cut your interest expense over the next 5-6 months.

The absolute best time to buy an RV from a dealer is about two weeks after it cools off and buyer traffic has dropped considerably. On the first day of snow, you could go to a big dealership and be the only one. Another time to buy from a dealer might be at an RV show or during a dealer lot promotion. RV dealers are prepared to sell as much as they can and you just might get a bargain.

The worst time to buy a new or used RV is just before you are ready to go on an RV trip. You are more eager to buy than they are to sell. If you tell them that you are planning to go to Disneyland next week and that you need it for the trip, they may decide that you are an overeager buyer and try to get as much as they can for the sale. It’s usually best not to say anything so as not to sound anxious.