The Ultimate Off-Season RV Buying Guide

If you live in a cold climate, RVing might not be at the forefront of your mind currently. The winter months are some of the slowest for the RV community. While some campers enjoy a winter trip, most prefer to wait for warmer weather.

But did you know that winter can be the perfect time to make a purchase on an RV? Some of the best sales and RV buying experiences happen between November and March!

There are many benefits to planning ahead and buying during the slow season. Here are six reasons why the RV market is better during the cold months. If you’re not up for an icy adventure, now may still be the best time for you to buy an RV. You can take advantage of these perks and plan an RV trip for later in the year after it warms up!

Less Competition

One of the most convenient aspects of buying an RV during these chillier winter months is the lack of competition. Most campers don’t venture out in their RVs in the cold weather and unreliable road conditions. Because of this, RV purchases are minimal during the winter months as people focus on other indoor activities, holiday celebrations, or other types of vacations.

If you think ahead, you’ll find significantly less competition in the RV market during this time of year. Purchasing your RV a few months before you take it on the road has some great benefits (as well as some challenges, that I’ll discuss too). 

This usually allows you to see a bigger selection of RVs without being intercepted by another buyer. The quieter market can create a better shopping experience for the careful decision-makers and deliberate researchers.

If you want to be even more competitive, try to schedule your shopping on weekdays instead of weekends. Just like stores or shopping malls are quieter during the week, looking at RVs while most others are working decreases the competition even more. However, private RV sellers might have work or school schedules to accommodate. It’s important to be mindful of everyone’s availability during negotiations.

Lower Prices

For many people in the market for an RV, price is one the biggest things they must consider. Most sellers price RVs lower during the winter, because of the reduced number of sales. This is another reason to look at RVs now instead of waiting for the warmer weather. Getting started early, months before peak camping season, can save you some good money.

When shopping for an RV, it is crucial to be prepared for the additional costs of RVing, after the initial purchase of the vehicle. Some campgrounds have fees for parking an RV. If you have a self-propelled vehicle, you’ll need to pay for gas as you travel, not to mention water and electricity as well. It is also likely your RV will need repairs sometime down the line. Finding an RV for a lower initial cost will free up the rest of your budget to go toward future RVing adventures!

An Easier Time for Private Sellers

If you’re looking for an RV that fits a more modest budget, consider buying from a private seller. Used RVs are significantly cheaper than new ones, because recreational vehicles depreciate very quickly.

Buying from a private owner is usually even cheaper than buying used from a dealership. Individual sellers are often less likely to upsell their vehicles. This also gives you a more personal experience viewing the RV. Ask the seller to show you any upgrades or modifications they had done, and ask why they liked them. They should have maintenance records for you to examine from the vehicle’s history. In addition, private sales often offer a more relaxed and flexible process of negotiation.

Winter can be the best time to buy an RV from a private seller! The colder season is a good time for selling too. RV owners who made the decision earlier in the year, that it was time to sell their vehicle, may have taken a final summer trip before moving on. These sellers will have spent fall and winter preparing their RV for sale and spreading the word that it’s available. They will be ready to show off their RV and appreciate your business.

Finding Financing

Luckily, winter can be a more convenient time to get a loan for your new RV. Since recreational vehicles are a significant investment, financing is an important decision. Buying an RV in the coldest time of year can be a strategic decision in this area as well. Many financing companies will be happy to have your business during the slow season. 

If you want to streamline the process, start your financing preparations early. Before you even begin shopping for an RV, you can check your credit score and get pre-approved with your bank. The purchasing process gets easier the more prepared you are going in.

Do your research early and figure out your budget before you start looking. Once you know which vehicle is yours, you can finalize the loan. Try checking out this application from Sea Dream when you’re ready.

What’s your Plan for Winter Storage

Now, buying an RV in the winter brings the added challenge of winterizing and storing your vehicle. However, this challenge isn’t bad if you are prepared.

You will need to find a safe place to park your RV, until the time of year when you plan to travel. Some campers park their RV on their own property during the winter while it is not in immediate use. If you want to go this route, you should always check if you have a neighborhood association and if their policies allow this. You don’t want to upset your neighbors or create a stressful situation where you have to rehouse your RV in a hurry! You will need to have enough room on your property to park your vehicle and keep it out of everyone’s way.

You can set yourself up for success by having a parking spot and a plan for your RV before you purchase it. With the right prep work, being an RV owner is a very rewarding challenge. Being prepared is important regardless of what season you choose to buy in. Make sure you keep your vehicle safe and in good condition, until the season when you’re ready to take it on the road.

Gives you Time to Plan

While storing your RV for the remaining cold months might feel inconvenient, it can actually be beneficial to have these months to plan your RV trip. Some RV parks are booked months in advance, so staying on top of your itinerary is important. Even more so if you want to travel during busy seasons (like summer) or stay for extended periods of time (anything more than a couple weeks).

Popular destinations are likely to fill up fast, even if you are trying to book six months or more down the road! But you can’t make reservations until you’re sure of where you want to make them. Once you own an RV, you will be able to determine exactly what you are looking for in a camp, regarding water, sewer, and electrical hookups, and how much space you need. Campers planning a summer trip will find their options much more open if they acquire their RV before spring.

Knowing which vehicle you will be traveling in also allows you to research its specific features. You might go RV shopping with a specific model in mind and end up falling in love with something different. Once you pick an RV to bring home, you can map out the best trip for you.

Gives you Time to Know your RV

There are other reasons why knowing your exact vehicle often makes the planning easier (and more fun). You can experiment with how to pack most efficiently in your RV and how much fits inside.

Packing in an RV, even one of the bigger ones, can take some creativity! Use your prep time to narrow down your packing list if you need to and adjust where everything belongs. If you have a travel trailer, you will need to have a well-thought plan to keep your things secure while you drive. You can contain smaller items in bins, secure things with bungee cords, and Velcro others in place. RV-specific latches for drawers and cabinets are available to buy as well. If you have a self-propelled RV, you can do some research on its gas mileage and test drive it short distances before you leave, to determine how often you’ll need to make stops.

Ready to Start the RV Buying Process?

With these six perks in mind, are you ready to start looking? Check out National Vehicle’s online marketplace to get started!

Winter doesn’t have to be an uneventful or boring season for RVers. Now is a great time to start your journey!