Newbie Question: I read this topic posted here: Link that asked about best times to buy NEW. I have the same question; namely, what's the best time to buy, but I'm looking a USED fifth wheel for the purpose of going full time. The decision to buy USED has been made, because I want a quality brand for full-timing that I'm not willing to buy new. The "RV business" seems to follow the typical inventory cycle of NEW auto/ trucks - next year's new stuff out later summer/ fall, then concessionary pricing to clear last year's stuff, then RV shows Jan - March sponsored by manufactures, who subsidize dealers with more concessions to clear the lots of whatever is left of last year's NEW stuff. I attended a show in Greenville SC a month ago and visited dealers. Everyone says NEW unit sales are way up in 2014 year over year, which looks consistent with industry reports I've read and managements' discussion in public financials, like Thor. I'm guessing that the USED inventory levels match NEW sales, as folks trade out of existing units. Would this be correct? I have two issues; 1) should I buy USED this year vs. next to avoid higher prices next year due to an improving national economy, 2) whichever year I buy, where in the cycle should I buy - the frenzy of spring or sleepy winter. IF current NEW demand was pent-up during the recession, then the current USED inventory should be very high, offering good selection. For all I know, it's low, if a massive bulge of repossessed units has finally burned off; don't know. When I review today's blizzard of USED units on say RVTrader, etc., I have no way of knowing whether this is a buying opportunity or to wait. Money isn't the issue; ready to go. I'm in investment management, so I'd like to think I could time this $65-$70 purchase right. My fear is if I wait until winter, the USED inventory will be picked through and although price may be better, my selection will suffer. But I'm in no hurry and would wait if winter saves me money. Is competition in the premium USED units (Peterson, Redwood, NU WA, DRV, etc.)greater than more moderate priced lines? Thoughts?

We bought ours late last fall - folks don't want to store them over the winter, and might be more negotiable? But your best selection might be now - when folks have traded their older models for new during the Spring RV shows.

I wouldn't think USED and NEW inventory levels match as a lot of mid-level units get traded for premium level stuff as folks approach snow bird years. Hard to tell if there's a better time to buy. Would think there are a lot of units up for sale now as 1) there's likely snowbirds who have done their last pull 2) there are snowbirds who are prepping for something new before next season. They shopped the RV show, ordered and the new one is now being delivered. In my mind, waiting for fall is like investing when the market is at its peak, prices are high on premium stuff cause the seller knows the buyer wants to head to someplace warm quickly.

I think the best time to buy is when you find what you want at the price you are willing to pay. I don't think there really is a "season" to buy

Bought ours after the last long week-end in September. Dealer was itching to move it before the snow flew.....so we made a crackerjack deal on it! Our fist trailer we bought in the middle of winter. As the snow started piling up in the RV dealers lot....the price started to come down. Funny!

Best time to buy a premium USED fifth wheel? | Good Sam Community

21 Replies

Traveler_II
Explorer
Apr 10, 2014
If you are looking for a rig for full timing you want one designed for that reason. Many older couples that have retired and hit the road have rigs for this purpose. Your timing for these people will be somewhat different than for others. We found that when we have been down in Arizona at the end of the winter season and the snowbirds are thinking of heading home that they will put them on the market. We were staying this year in a big RV resort in Casa Grande, AZ and near the end of the season we started to see for sale sign popping up in the park. One thing you might try is to get some addressed of these big parks and ask the park managers to check their bulletin boards for rig for sale.
outwestbound
Explorer
Apr 10, 2014
B.O. Plenty wrote:
Finding the right used trailer is a lot different than buying new. You can buy new anywhere, but the right used one is only going to be available wherever you find that particular unit. If you're looking for a certain one you need to be ready to buy right then and there. It won't matter what time of the year it is. You may never find another just like it..B.O.

Thanks B.O. Good advice. I'm accustomed to defining exactly what I'm after, so I can strike quickly when the op presents. At this point, I'm not there yet in terms of exact models. I'm down to a handful of manufacturers and sorting models.

've been in real estate development for many years. I'm mostly a developer/ finance guy, but I do have a Florida general contractor license. In my current RV shopping process, I'm as guilty as any in allowing myself to get caught up in the flash and marketing sizzle of "packaging - counter surfaces, furniture, etc.". Because I intend to full-time, I have to make an effort to remain focused on the mechanical and construction aspects. It's very hard to give up "flash", for something you can't see in the frame, walls or roof!!

Given an all-in fifth wheel constraint of $60-70K, I did give up on buying new, because they simply aren't built well enough in that price range, despite how "flashy" they may be. It's also likely that I'm going to concede on length; coming down from 40 to the mid 30s so we can access a few more smaller state and national parks. We are in our early 50s and hiking, mountain biking and backpacking are huge on our list. Reducing size seems to help given my budget.
outwestbound
Explorer
Apr 10, 2014
The LeRoys wrote:
I also anticipate that you'll find the best USED deals AFTER the biggest RV show in your area. The best time to buy NEW is at the biggest show (RV SuperShow in Tampa is one of the biggest in the country), and after that show dealers have a lot of USED equipment they took on trade.

I see your point about shows. While I recently moved to South Carolina, I was born and raised in Tampa. I'm eye balling the Tampa show and the Hersey show and have no time line. When I attended an RV show in Greenville SC about a month ago, I polled the local dealers after that show and each had sold about 40-50 units, with about an 7% run off for folks who couldn't get financed. Anyhow, their lots were jammed with traded used units. Scaling up a small market like Greenville SC to the shows in Tampa or Hersey, I can see how this would be a great buying opportunity.
Veebyes
Explorer II
Apr 10, 2014
Boats, RVs, cars, women, maybe not women, a firm believer in getting quality slightly used over new junk that has to be fixed straight off the lot.

If a motivated seller can be found s with just the unit you are looking for, so much the better.

Picked up ours at the end of november 2006. It was 6 months used. Sticker price of the trailer was well over $100,000. Got the trailer AND the truck with 16,000 miles on it, for $80,000 WITHOUT any haggling over price.

Don't be in a rush to buy but be ready when your unit rolls in front of you.
The_LeRoys
Explorer
Apr 10, 2014
I would speculate that the best time to buy really varies by area and RV show schedule.

Up north people may want to get rid of them before winter. Down south you may find good deals before / after snowbird season.

I also anticipate that you'll find the best USED deals AFTER the biggest RV show in your area. The best time to buy NEW is at the biggest show (RV SuperShow in Tampa is one of the biggest in the country), and after that show dealers have a lot of USED equipment they took on trade.

Best time to buy anything is the last day of the month / quarter.
B_O__Plenty
Explorer II
Apr 10, 2014
Finding the right used trailer is a lot different than buying new. You can buy new anywhere, but the right used one is only going to be available wherever you find that particular unit. If you're looking for a certain one you need to be ready to buy right then and there. It won't matter what time of the year it is. You may never find another just like it..

B.O.
dezl_dr
Explorer
Apr 10, 2014
Just bought a high end Fiver, I think it's about finding one that meets your needs and price and buy it. Took us since last August.

I have camped in a 35 foot Challenger that was 37 long, (not sure how that works)been all over in state parks and never had a problem. I got turned around at the gate at some national park out west, forget which one. I was too long and yes she measured it. 50 foot max and I was 52.

I bought a 38 foot Elite Suites and a longer bigger truck. Now I can think of a lot of places this one won't go that I've been to.

Don't forget about the truck when thinking of how big a fiver to get. A CC long bed hooked to a wide body 38 foot coach that's over 13 feet tall is a lot of rig to get into tight spots.
outwestbound
Explorer
Apr 09, 2014
Earl E wrote:
I have found the good deals or better deals really have little to do with the time of the year and more to do with the dealer and when a particular rig has been taking up space for too long or when the dealer has too many used rv's on the lot and wants to make a deal to get rid of some.
Premium fivers tend to be sold by dealers that also deal in new premium trailers--so I'm not sure that makes a difference. Sort of buying a used Chevy or Caddy. Don't think you are necessarily going to get a better deal on the Caddy.

I tend to agree that when you find the one you want, buy it! Especially in Premium ones--if you pass one up for a few $1000 you may be a long time finding another one you like.

Thanks. Looking at your sig, I noticed you scaled down to visit smaller parks. I'm going round and round in my mind over this issue; big 38ish vs maybe 35. Do you think a 38-40 is much use in finding shady sites in state and national parks? I've been thinking if we got a bigger 39 say, then we could get a truck tent to hit little state parks. I haven't camped in a fifth wheel, so it's hard to judge, but I worry that we'd struggle (as a couple) in something 35 and full timing. Thoughts?
outwestbound
Explorer
Apr 09, 2014
avvidclif1 wrote:
Just remember, the RV is not an investment, except in enjoying it. The money put in never comes back. You will have to leave your investment management mindset at work when you buy..

Agree. These things are chain pulls. As an expense, I seek to minimize. I may have to limit being on the road to two years, so I've always figured the expense is just what I loose when I dispose of the equipment.

I was really surprised on the trucks. I analyzed about 20 used diesel 1 ton trucks from like autonatiion and carmax and compared those figures to a new RAM 3500. I'm not sure whether the RAM is cheap or diesel trucks hold value well, but there was only about $3,500 - $5,000 between used and new using comps built 2011-2013 with an average of 24,000 miles. Looks like the big hit will be the trailer.
C_Schomer
Explorer
Apr 09, 2014
I'd say right now is good. I was just at Yuma and there's lots of nice used ones in the papers. Snowbirds are pulling out and the dealers want their stuff gone. Craig