Great deals on RV purchase in Arizona: True or Not

True to a point, last winter we decided that we had had enough of towing and started a search for a fifth wheel to leave down in AZ. We had a budget - under $20,000 and after much searching finally found one that we purchased in April. At times I was discouraged as some of the units for sale were in terrible condition, dirty and in some cases with mold. We found that the big RV dealers where quite expensive and add to the fact you have to pay sales tax I didn't really find too many deals. We did end up buying privately and stayed well within budget but of course there were things that still needed fixing.

So yes you could probably get a good deal but be prepared to look. Some of the trailers on consignment lots were about the worst that we saw and if you check Craigslist some of the prices are just questionable. Our search was in the Yuma area.

Good luck.

Supply and demand. More units for sale equals lower prices.
But you can still find units for sale any place in the US if you aren't in a hurry to get one.
It would also seem to make sense to buy in the spring in Phoenix and in the fall in the northern states.

I forgot to mention; I have a neighbor who just retired here from Arizona where he made his living hauling and moving RV's for owners. I would bet that he knew of a lot of RV deals in the area. You may want to contact a business like that and hire them to find a deal for you down there. An offer of a commission, like a realtor would get, may be a way to save you weeks of searching for a good deal.

My point was two fold; if a brand new RV was selling for the same price a USED RV sells for, imagine the discount a used one needs to be priced at to sell in that market. The other point was; I too THOUGHT I was in the market for a used RV until I realized I didn't need to settle for used when new was being discounted so heavily.

OP; do yourself the favor and when you shop for an RV, consider the option of buying new in Arizona. Instead of writing a check for, oh I don't know, at least $15,000 on something that has no warranty or recourse when you discover the faults of a used RV. You might just have to write a monthly check for under $250, keeping your cash flow viable, and have a full warranty. After all, every USED RV is going to need something soon; batteries, tires, roof maint., etc. Those are going to inflate the cost of your used purchase after the initial purchase; getting the RV to a point where you are confident it's not going to break down some where and spoil your trip or... worse; cause an accident and endanger your or your family's life.

I know several people who have gone down to the lower Rio Grande Valley in April - and bought an RV - almost always a 5er. Fewer MH and TT are for sale in comparison.

Most take about two or three weeks in that area while shopping. They go to several big RV parks and ask about rigs for sale from people getting out of the RV lifestyle. They don't got to RV dealers because the prices are very similar to other areas in Texas.

It is sometimes called Widow Shopping.

They have made some great deals buying from the individual owner who is either not willing to pull the 5er up north or pay to have it pulled up north. Actually few 'deals' are from widows because used RV dealers have taken to purchasing those units quickly.

skipro3 wrote:
I contacted every Lance Camper dealer in California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington and Arizona for a quoted out-the-door price for a 2012 Lance 855S camper. The dealer in Tucson was the cheapest by over $5,000 compared to the closest competitive bid. No one could come close to their price. It was worth the 900 mile drive to Tucson to save that kind of dough, even though it was July and 109 degrees.

****EDIT****
Oh, I forgot; add Idaho to that list of states I checked Lance dealers for prices.

But it's a dry heat!:R

While there may well be a slightly depressed market where there is a plethora of RV's, the cost of travel probably will more than negate any savings realized.

skipro3 wrote:
I contacted every Lance Camper dealer in California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington and Arizona for a quoted out-the-door price for a 2012 Lance 855S camper. The dealer in Tucson was the cheapest by over $5,000 compared to the closest competitive bid. No one could come close to their price. It was worth the 900 mile drive to Tucson to save that kind of dough, even though it was July and 109 degrees.

****EDIT****
Oh, I forgot; add Idaho to that list of states I checked Lance dealers for prices.

You done good......however,

The OP is looking for a *used* RV..:S

~

Chuck:
"Deals" can be anywhere!
You just have to be at the right place at the right time.

IMO your best bet is where the most re-sale RVs would be located.
That would be big cities with good year-round weather (like So.CA or AZ). Good weather = more RVers.

However - unless you can spend a lot of time looking for the "right one"- you may end up with someone else's "problems".
And - the grass is always greener.........

"Skipro" is correct - *if* you are willing to order a *new* RV - it pays *you* to shop (via internet) as far as you're willing to travel.
(Of course - some believe a local dealer will provide better service for any problems, fixits, etc.)

Good luck with your search!

~

I contacted every Lance Camper dealer in California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington and Arizona for a quoted out-the-door price for a 2012 Lance 855S camper. The dealer in Tucson was the cheapest by over $5,000 compared to the closest competitive bid. No one could come close to their price. It was worth the 900 mile drive to Tucson to save that kind of dough, even though it was July and 109 degrees.

****EDIT****
Oh, I forgot; add Idaho to that list of states I checked Lance dealers for prices.

I would say yes to that question. I went to school with a guy who makes his living doing just that. brings them up here and makes any repairs they might need and resales them. also know a woman in this area that does this also. the guy goes to Florida and drives them back for resale. just look around and you will find one you like.