When is the Best Time to Buy an RV?

So you want to buy an RV…

And you want to know when is the best time to buy an RV.

Is it because you suffer from travel deprivation?

And do you have a passion for exploration and adventure?

Not just any adventure Nope…

Hiking, biking and canoeing is fun.

But..

How about a little white water rafting, kayaking or spelunking?

The type of adventures you’ve dreamt of doing … someday.

Maybe even something more exciting from your Bucket List.

Hang gliding, sky diving or hunting for the infamous D.B. Cooper and discovering the lost treasure.

Yea baby, that’s what we’re talking about.

And…

Would you like to getaway from the tourist destinations and crowds?

Where the pace is casual, meals are spontaneous and wait lines seldom exceed mom, pop and Fido.

It’s time to follow your passion and explore the world in an RV.

But…

Where to begin…

And, more importantly.

How to get the best RV at a great price.

Finding a great deal begins with a motivated seller and asking the right questions.

Are you ready to get started?

What motivates sellers?

What motivates sellers and why should we care?

Dreams, adventures and memories are anchored in time and objects.

Parting with the foundation of those memories can be challenging.

Sellers with strong emotional attachments are often reluctant to part with their cherished RV.

Often times these sellers are shopping the market for an eager buyer.

Hoping someone comes along and falls in love with the promises of freedom.

Someone that overlooks the flaws.

Someone who is willing to pay a premium to pursue their dreams.

Don’t let that someone be you.

Avoid the reluctant seller.

Your time is much to valuable to waste.

The motivated seller is preferred.

They are selling for good reasons.

One of my favorite questions to ask is “Why are you selling?”

A simple question that many sellers are not prepared for.

Listen carefully to the answer.

Are they upgrading?

If so, why? Is the RV to small, to big, lacks power or problematic?

Are they downsizing?

Are they uncomfortable driving this size of RV, have limited parking available or need to reduce expenses.

Then there’s the sellers that are experiences life changing events.

Could be health issues that prevent them from driving an RV.

Maybe they are getting out of the hobby.

Every seller has a reason.

It’s important to determine the reasons for selling.

Their reasons for selling are potential reasons for not buying this specific RV.

Ask the questions and listen to the responses.

Like a super detective.

Listen, observe and investigate the smallest of details like the super sleuth Sherlock Holmes.

What drives Spring time sellers?

Ahhhhhh, the end of another long cold brutally harsh winter.

Come on sunshine!

Soon we can drop the top and enjoy the warm breezes.

Car top that is…

It’s also the time people get excited to travel and explore.

The time of year when buyers are eager, anxious and their numbers are growing.

The ideal time of year to sell an RV.

And sellers are optimistic.

Optimistic their RV will sell quickly for top dollar.

It’s also the toughest time to negotiate a great deal.

And yet, good deals are out there so don’t let that stop you from pursuing the dream.

The primary springtime seller motivations are upgrading, downsizeing and change of use.

Be cautious when the seller has already purchased a replacement RV.

When the new RV is very similar to the existing one.

If they have the new RV ask to see it.

Ask what they dislike about the RV they are selling.

Ask what the like about their new RV.

The answers to “Why are you selling” should resemble the answers to the likes and dislikes questions.

Motivated spring sellers are:

Making a change
- Their wants or needs have changed
- They are upgrading, downsizing or have changed use (toy haulers come to mind)
Reluctantly exiting the hobby
- Driven by change of lifestyle and need to sell
Not using the RV often enough (often years)
- Storage costs, depreciation and deterioration are the primary motivators

Expect to invest a good amount of money on deferred maintenance items like tune ups, tires, batteries and license fees when buying in springtime.

Why would anyone sell during Summer?

Summertime is likely the worst time to buy an RV.

It’s peak travel season.

The weather conditions are ideal for travel.

The desire to go explore is high.

And the end of summer is fast approaching.

The available inventory will be at it’s peak during the summer.

Buyer emotions are high and sellers, especially dealers, will capitalize on your emotions to get going now.

Be careful when shopping for an RV during the summer.

Bring a friend that has no interest in buying.

A friend that will point out the bad things.

A voice of reason.

Motivated summer sellers are:

Exiting the hobby.
- Some discover the hobby is not what they expected and want out.
- Others have experienced a life change that limits their ability to travel.
Love the hobby.
- They have used the RV and want something different.

Expect to pay top dollar for a well maintained RV during the summer travel season.

When does buying in the fall make sense?

Fall is the end of the summer travel season and the most scenic time of year to travel.

It’s also the “Back to School” time of the year.

Family travel slows.

And its the time of year when Snowbirds begin migration plans.

Those fortunate enough to migrate south to avoid the harsh reality of winter.

Fall is the second best time to buy an RV.

Sellers are often very motivated to avoid the costs associated with winterizing and storage.

Motivated fall sellers are:

Wanting to avoid or eliminate the costs of winterizing and storage of the RV.
- These people often failed to consider everything involved with storing an RV during the off season (winterizing and storage fees)
Done with RV travel.
- Often these are family’s where the children have graduated school and moving away to college, getting married or just have other interests.
Ready to snowbird and want something better designed for long term living.
- These sellers have been traveling with the goal of semi-retirement or full retirement.

Expect to find eager sellers willing to negotiate.

Who sells in Winter?

Winter is the worst time to sell and the best time to buy.

December is the busiest shopping month of the year.

It’s also the biggest shopping season of the year.

Unless you’re the Bah humbug type.

So it’s reasonable that most people are reluctant to spend money on large purchases like an RV.

Which makes it the best time to buy an RV.

Motivated winter sellers are:

Shopping for buyers
- Often setting unrealistic prices
Eager to unload
- Lost their storage
- Need to sell for financial reasons
- Are experiencing a life change

Expect to find unreasonable sellers and motivated sellers.

What you should be looking at when you buy an RV?

Here are a few pointers for RV buyers:

Look for RVs that have been stored indoors when not in use.
- Look for signs of rodents (little black pellets inside cupboards and urine odor)
- Ideally the RV is plugged into a power source when not in use (maintains batteries)
- Good care during the off season is a good sign.
Pay attention to the environment
- Junk strewn about the place is a sign of someone who starts projects but fails to complete. (Common to find hasty and incomplete repairs on the RV)
- A well organized workshop and yard are signs of good caretakers.
Request that all systems be operational before inspecting the RV.
- Refrigerators need to time cool down so ask them to “Get it ready” as if they were leaving on a trip.
- Water tanks should be full and waste tanks should be empty.
- License tabs and road insurance needs to be current and active
Take your time
- Another set of eyes is a good idea
- Ideally an experienced RV owner
- Bring a flashlight, rags, coveralls and a notebook.
Consider hiring an independent RV inspector and mechanic for inspection
- This step should be after negotiating a purchase price
- And prior to purchasing
- The inspector will come to the seller
- A good inspector will be familiar with and test all the systems.
- Expect a report with pictures and details from the inspector

Get a glimpse of the RVs we have owned

Common buyer regrets…

Finding the best RV for your wants and needs is a journey.

It’s not uncommon for RV travel enthusiasts to change RVs.

Cautious owners begin with something small to test their comfort level.

Those who like the freedom but have limited time available for travel are often happy with small and simple RVs like a class C or small class A.

For those who fall in love with the freedom, discovery and frequent adventures the wants and needs are re-evaluated and changes made.

The anxiety levels with driving, maneuvering and maintaining an RV decrease and confidence grows.

And for those who just aren’t sure there’s the option of renting an RV.

Many of the RV dealers rent RVs and offer packages that include cooking and eating utensils.

Packages geared for the hesitant, cautious and “I don’t know” types.

And, when you talk to past and present RV owners they will share their regrets.

Here are 3 of the most frequently shared regrets from RV owners:

Buying to small of an RV
- Consider rainy days, morning routines and sleeping times
Buying an RV that needs repairs.
- Well cared for RVs sell at premium prices
- RVs contain all the systems of a truck and house
- All these systems are compact and access can be challenging
Not starting sooner (The #1 regret)
- Give yourself time to adapt, find your routine and settle into the lifestyle
- The freedom and slower pace can be intoxicating