RV Dealer, Fredericksburg, VA|RV Sales & Service (2024)

FAQs

Is it better to buy an RV from a dealer or private? ›

Buying a Used RV – Private Sales

Let's start with why you would want to buy a used RV privately rather than from a dealer. The most obvious reason is you may save some money. When a dealer makes an offer to purchase or trade in a used RV, they are going to offer them a wholesale trade in value.

RV shipments rocketed north of 600,000 in 2021, a nearly 40% jump from the year before. They moved down to a historically strong, but noticeably smaller, 493,000 the next year, according to data from the RV Industry Association. By 2023, orders fell back to Earth — hard — clocking in at a mere 313,000.

It doesn't matter what month it is. There are people ready to buy RVs every day and now is the perfect time for you to sell yours because there's less inventory in the marketplace so your RV will get more attention.

Ask the Experts

The first thing you'll do when determining your RV trade-in value is consult NADA, the National Automobile Dealers Association. Similar to the Kelly Blue Book for cars, the Dealer NADA RV price book is often consulted by dealers looking at purchasing your RV.

Are RV good value? Financially, no. Just like most cars, planes and boats they depreciate rather quickly. If you are looking for housing or shelter that doesn't lose about half it's value in less than a decade, buy a traditional home.

The slow season for RV sales begins at the end of September. That said, we recommend waiting until at least October. During October and November, sales nosedive, leading to some pretty good discounts. December and January are even slower, making them the best time to buy an RV.

What's the best day of the week to shop for RVs? You may find that the best time to buy RVs is during the week. Dealerships tend to attract more customers on the weekends. Weekdays come with lower levels of competition, which means it will be easier to get one-on-one time with a salesperson.

RV Manufacturers Discount RVs in the Fall and Winter

To keep sales going, these manufacturers often give dealerships discounts in the fall to encourage the dealers to increase orders. Buying an RV during the slow season means you may be able to pick one with extra features for a lower price.

Kelley Blue Book is a trusted resource for determining the value of traditional automotive vehicles. However, unfortunately, they do not offer a dedicated valuation service for RVs on their website or in their printed guides.

Is there a nada for RVs? ›

NATIONAL AUTOMOBILE DEALER'S ASSOCIATION (NADA)

Through the NADA website (part of J.D. Power), there's a wealth of information about RV prices and market value. NADA guides offers a catalog you can search to find prices for all kinds of RVs - from motorhomes to trailers to fifth wheels and more.

In order to determine the worth of your RV consider the following: NADA Value - it's like a Kelly Blue Book for RVs. It is used by banks and dealers to determine the national value of your RV.

If you can wait until mid to late fall, you'll find it's the best time to buy an RV. You'll have a far better selection of both new and previously-owned rigs once the camping season ends. Plus, you'll enjoy the added benefit of physically shopping for RVs among fewer crowds and with more attentive salespeople.

When you finance your purchase instead of liquidating assets or paying cash, you maintain your personal financial flexibility. Plus, your RV may qualify for some of the same tax benefits as a second home mortgage.

If you are looking for the best place to buy a used RV, Oregon, and Texas are good places to start. They have a variety of good RV dealerships and lower taxes attached.

CON: RVs Can Be High-Maintenance

You need to keep on top of cleaning, which includes dumping RV waste. You also need to make sure fluids are topped up and tires are inflated. Then, of course, there could be occasional repairs that need doing. Make sure that you're prepared for all this.