Buying a travel trailer: (The Ultimate Guide)

Travel Trailers or RVs are vehicles equipped with all the modern conveniences of a house. They are great for families looking to take a road trip together and could save money on vacations down the road.

However, the initial cost associated with purchasing one is pretty steep, especially for a family. So to ensure you get the best deal you possibly can, here are:

7 things what to look for when buying a travel trailer that will help you to save money on buying an RV.

1) Don’t limit yourself to local dealerships

Southern states and Indiana are the home of RVs as most manufacturers of these products are located in the region. Thus, if you don’t live in these areas, by the time the RV gets to your local dealership its price has been marked up to take into account the expensive freight costs associated with transporting the vehicle from the South to whatever state you live in. The dealership in the south and Indiana have lower freight costs, thus their trailers are cheaper than those at your local dealership. Buying from the south could save you money, and your first road trip could be driving it home.

2) Shop used first

On average, RVs are traded in or sold after only 3 years of use. Thus, there is a market of used 3-year old trailers that are up for grabs. Shopping for a used RV in good condition is a great way to get a fairly new RV for a lot less money. So when you are RV shopping, start by exploring your used RV options first. If after exhausting your used options you haven’t found the right one, then you can try looking at new RVs.

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3) Play dealerships against each other

Negotiation is the key to getting the best deal possible on an RV, and a good negotiation technique is to get dealerships to bid against each other. To do this, start by shopping around and finding trailers that you like at separate dealerships. Then go to the dealership with the more expensive trailer and just be honest. Let them know you’re ready to buy, but that there is another trailer at another dealership for less money, that meets all the criteria you were looking for. This gives you leverage and increases your chances of getting a better deal.

4) Don’t commit after just one trip to the dealership

It’ll take more than one trip for you to make up your mind as to which trailer you want to buy, not to mention negotiation is all about timing so buying on your first trip doesn’t leave much room for negotiation.

Salesmen/ women will always be out to sell you an RV on your first shopping trip as they know it’s easier to get you to impulsively purchase a shiny new toy at the price they want. However, by taking some time to really consider, you get to see more options and improve your chances of getting a better deal.

5) Ask a question, read the fine print

Never take the price tag on an RV at face value, always read the fine print, and always ask questions as many dealerships offer add-ons that come with the trailer; for instance, a dealership may offer free storage for a year.

While some may have fees and other expenses not included in the quoted price; for instance not including the sales tax in the figure. Another aspect to take into account is that there may be missing parts not included in the sale of the trailer, for instance, a dealership may be selling you an RV without a hose or a battery. All of these are figures you need to account for before committing to buy an RV.

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6) Check out RV Shows

RV shows are not only venues for dealerships to showcase their stock, but they are also showing off their trailers because they want to sell them. They’re also more likely to strike a favorable deal with you as the freight costs to return them to the dealership are unappealing.

Even if you’re not buying, RV shows are a good place to ask some professionals any questions you may have, and gaining some solid expertise that you can use to your advantage when picking out and negotiating on an RV.

7)What is the best time of year to buy a travel trailer?

Wait until the end of the season.RV dealerships operate on monthly and yearly schedules wherein they are given a specific quota for the number of RVs they should sell either every month or every year. Thus, knowing the schedule your dealership is on could get you a really good deal as when their deadline begins to loom they become a bit more eager to start getting rid of merchandise. This is using leverage you could use to negotiate the best price possible for your RV.

Now that you’re equipped with these tips, go do your research, negotiate the best deal possible and enjoy your trip.

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What should I look for when buying a travel trailer?

You should look for the features that you want in a travel trailer and find one that will meet these expectations. You will need to do some research. You should also make sure that the trailer will have enough space for you and your family. You will need to have room to store your travel gear and food. You will also want to check the licensing requirements to make sure you can drive the trailer that you are purchasing.

What is the best travel trailer for the money?

When looking to purchase a travel trailer the Airstream is one of the best. This has all of the features that a person would expect in a home while allowing them to have a smooth ride. The Grand Design RV is another top trailer. This is one of the most comfortable to travel in and also has all the features of the home.

How much should I pay for a travel trailer?

When looking to pay for a travel trailer the cost will vary from $11,000 to $35,000. The 24-foot travel trailer is on average $23,000. The piece will depend on the size of the trail. If a person is looking for luxury features the price will be higher.

What is the best-used travel trailer to buy?

When looking to purchase a used travel trailer there are a lot of factors to look at. Dutchmen are one of the best brands as it is built to last. They are also said to be comfortable. The condition and the usages of the trailer will also play a factor in this decision.

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What are the worst travel trailers?

Some brands have poor reputations when it comes to travel trailers. Hurricane is said to be one of the worst brands. They have been known for poor quality and poor craftsmanship.

What is the best month to buy a travel trailer?

The best time to purchase a travel trailer is in October or November. This is off-season and dealerships are not making a lot of sales. They are willing to negotiate the price. Also, this is the time before the newer models hit the market so dealerships are willing to bargain.

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Buying a travel trailer: (The Ultimate Guide)