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

Distributors know they’ll be much better off if they can increase their cash flow in the off-season and offload some of their excess inventory. Reducing your inventory allows you to cut your interest expense for the next 5-6 months.

The absolute best time to buy an RV from a dealer is about two weeks after it cools down and buyer traffic has thinned out 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 ready to sell whatever they can and you might just walk away with a bargain.

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