When Should You Buy A Travel Trailer?

A travel trailer isn’t a cheap purchase so you should do some research before buying one. The best time to purchase a travel trailer is during the off-season. It’s during this time that both dealerships and RV owners offer their best deals to clear out some of the older inventory. 

At Howdy RV, we like to help our patrons make the best possible choices. That’s why we’ve compiled this guide about when is the best time to buy a travel trailer. When you’re ready to check out some awesome travel trailers for sale, visit us at our location in Mathis, Texas. We’re proud to serve the people of Corpus Christi and San Antonio. 

The Best Time To Buy A Travel Trailer

The best time to buy a travel trailer is during the winter, closely followed by the fall time. When it comes to financial savings, the worst time to buy a camper is during the spring and summer months. It doesn’t matter if you’re buying from a private seller or a dealership, you’ll probably get the best offer during the winter months.

There are a couple of reasons why private sellers prefer to sell travel trailers in winter. One of the reasons is that it’s their first year of owning an RV and they realized they aren’t going to be able to use it as they hoped. That’s when sellers are in a hurry to sell new-ish models. Another reason is that they want to upgrade to the newer models that’ll be coming out soon. When they sell the travel trailer, they can then use that money to make a new purchase as well as have space in the garage when they bring it home.

During the fall and winter months, RV dealerships see a definite drop in the sale figures. This results in them offering great deals to ensure that sales pick up the pace. During the summer months, RV buyers will flock to dealerships so they don’t have to give any additional incentives. Winter is a great time for you to catch some off-season discounts and make your travel trailer purchase a less costly one. 

Another reason to get a travel trailer during the fall and winter months is that your shopping experience will be less rushed. You’ll have way more time with the staff who won’t be juggling multiple customers and unable to give you their full attention. You can get all your questions answered and check the models in peace. 

Travel Trailers at RV Shows?

RV shows can be the best places to gather information and do your research about the various models available to you. They aren’t, however, the best places to actually make the purchase. Three are some disadvantages to buying travel trailers from RV shows. 

The first big hiccup is aligning your time of purchase with the dates of the RV show. You also won’t have the added advantage of off-season offers sweetening the deal. That’s not to say RV shows aren’t useful. You can check out a really wide range of models that’ll help you decide what you want in your travel trailer. You can familiarize yourself with brands and even talk to RV enthusiasts who’ll give you further advice.

Should You Wait for Newer Models?

There are some perks of waiting to buy a travel trailer until right before a new model is released. Whether you go with an RV dealership or a private seller, you can end up scoring a great deal if you wait until a new model is released.

Private sellers may be waiting for the latest and greatest model and hoping to sell their current one right before it comes out. That way, they can use the money from their sale to fund their next purchase. Waiting until this time can give you more options for used travel trailers from private sellers.

RV dealerships will often have good sales on older models right before they get the new model. They need to clear out their inventory to make room for the new model and they often provide good deals to incentivize buyers to get the older models. They get to clear out their inventory while you get to save money—it's a win-win!

We hope this guide helps you select the best travel trailer for you and your family. To get a tour of quality RVs for sale in Mathis, Texas, get in touch with us at Howdy RV. We also cover the areas of Corpus Christi and San Antonio.