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BeerBrewer's avatar
BeerBrewer
Explorer
Sep 21, 2018

RV show Travel Trailer pricing

We attended our first two RV shows in Hersey PA and another near Baltimore over last week. As we expected the pricing at the two shows seemed rather similar. We heard from almost every salesmen at both show say that "these prices are rock bottom". As a general rule is that true? Meaning, I'm sure that someone somewhere can haggle a really low price, but overall where the prices that we saw at the show really "rock bottom" or were they business as usual?

I ask this question because we saw a number of TTs that we liked and we were even tempted to make a purchase, but we didn't. Well since we've gotten home we started looking for "new-ish" (2016 and up) used trailers, similar makes and models to the new ones we saw at the show, and the used trailer pricing isn't that much lower than the what we saw at the show.

The really annoying part in all this we both happen to like two brand new TT models, so finding a used model like them isn't possible and we may have want to buy new. If we do how much off of MSRP can we expect to get? For instance we saw a trailer with a MSRP of $30,500 selling for about $24,000, plus almost $2000 for delivery, dealer prep and a battery. Is charging for delivery and dealer prep normal in this industry? Frankly it really really rubs me the wrong way, almost feels like a "scam".

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  • Walaby's avatar
    Walaby
    Explorer II
    Sep 21, 2018
    Alot of people say start at 30-35 percent off MSRP, because 'MSRP' is varies wildly.

    I think that really depends on the market in your area. I don't think show prices are rock bottom, but I suspect, depending on the show, they may be harder to negotiate because of the captive audience. Salesman may simply stick to their guns because there's always someone else coming around.

    If I found one at a show, that I wanted, I would figure out where the dealer is, and go to his lot either after the show, or maybe even during. Start at something below show price and go from there.

    I agree with seaeagle. Used ones are nearly the same price as new ones, primarily because the owners are upside down.

    Mike
  • seaeagle2's avatar
    seaeagle2
    Explorer
    Sep 21, 2018
    Remember when you're looking at 1 or 2 year old used trailers, a lot of times the owner is underwater and owes more than its "worth", and you may get a new trailer cheaper.
  • rose090999's avatar
    rose090999
    Explorer
    Sep 21, 2018
    For whatever it's worth, some of the dealers that were at Hershey are advertising "RV Show" pricing through this weekend.
  • wanderingaimles's avatar
    wanderingaimles
    Explorer
    Sep 21, 2018
    Consider checking online for the models you were interested in.
    www.rvtrader.com for example.
    You will find a wide range of advertised prices, and as you visit dealers websites you will also find that the fees also vary widely.
    As you noted, dealers may charge for delivery, as well as fees for,,
    Dealer prep as high as $750
    Pre delivery walkthrough $450
    Documentation fees $399

    What was presented as a great deal, gets right back at full MSRP.
    Check dealers programs, some offer no fee or no add on pricing, ask any dealer your talking to what their fees are before you ask a units price, so you know where they are going.
    The straight up dealers are proud of their structure, most clearly mark it on their website, use that info to make an apples to apples comparasion.

    And the general consensus in here seems to be that 25=30% off MSRP is the norm.

    Good luck

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