best time to buy new-April, May, June or July?

[cbird]

Well we have narrowed down the type of pop up we want and the towing package we will need. Most likely it will be a Fleetwood Seapine...We would like to use the camper for a late August vacation, but prefer not to buy before April. Any particular reason to suspect the dealer will be more interested in negotiating in spring vs. middle to late summer, or vice versa?

Hoping to benefit from previous haggling experiences....

Thanks

[tlhdoc]

Fleetwood offers a special each winter/spring January 1st to March 31st.  This year it is trade in a tent for $500 off.  It would be worth buying a very cheap tent to trade in, if you didn't have a tent you wanted to get rid of.  The shopping season really gets busy in April so the prices go up about then.  If you don't want to buy until closer to your trip, you might get a good deal on a 2006 when the 2007 models start to come out.

[massatari]

I just got a great deal on a fleetwood trailer and even used the tent trade in as $500 towards my deposit.  Plus, they didn't even ask for the tent!! off season shopping I guess you could call it.

[beacher]

Fleetwood dealers start recieving the new next-year's models in late June to mid-July.  So, if they have any remaining current-year inventory in June through August, (when most people have already purchased their PopUps for the years vacation trips), they will be motivated to sell them.

If you wait until June or July you can get a great deal.  But, you risk that a smaller dealer won't have any to sell you.  So..... then you will be encouraged to pay a premium for next year's model!

Waiting works really well in an area like Southern California where we have about 10 dealers to chose from between Ventura and San Diego, and they all might have excess inventory!

BTW, some dealers are giving a free Carrier A/C or $500 for their Spring sale.  The tent or A/C deal may be regional.

[cbird]

Fleetwood dealers start recieving the new next-year's models in late June to mid-July.  So, if they have any remaining current-year inventory in June through August, (when most people have already purchased their PopUps for the years vacation trips), they will be motivated to sell them.

If you wait until June or July you can get a great deal.  But, you risk that a smaller dealer won't have any to sell you.  So..... then you will be encouraged to pay a premium for next year's model!

Waiting works really well in an area like Southern California where we have about 10 dealers to chose from between Ventura and San Diego, and they all might have excess inventory!

BTW, some dealers are giving a free Carrier A/C or $500 for their Spring sale.  The tent or A/C deal may be regional.

You have hit upon exactly what I am worried about-wait too long and we miss out because none are left on the lot. If that happened we would be dissappointed but not devastated, one more year in the tent is fine. I actually think there are alot of aspects of strictly tent camping that we will miss. Even in busy campgrounds we have always managed to find a nice primitive and private spot with no reservations...

We live in the DC area and have two dealers within 40 minutes and probably 3? more within a two hour drive. Keep your fingers crossed for us!

Thanks

[wavery]

You have hit upon exactly what I am worried about-wait too long and we miss out because none are left on the lot. If that happened we would be dissappointed but not devastated, one more year in the tent is fine. I actually think there are alot of aspects of strictly tent camping that we will miss. Even in busy campgrounds we have always managed to find a nice primitive and private spot with no reservations...

We live in the DC area and have two dealers within 40 minutes and probably 3? more within a two hour drive. Keep your fingers crossed for us!

Thanks

Waiting for "Left-over" inventory may offer only what others didn't want.

The manufacturers often offer the dealers start-up incentives for moving a lot of inventory. When buying new, it sometimes pays to visit the RV shows in the spring and take advantage of incentives offered at the show. There is a pretty good chance that your local dealer will be represented there.

These people are pros at what they do. Their marketing is designed according to the consumers demands. Often times the dealers are hungry for sales in the winter and will do anything to move inventory to make room for next years models. The problem is, left-over inventory is not always the most desirable and that is why it is left-over.

I sure hope that you find exactly what you are looking for. PUs are a lot of fun , easy to tow and easy to stow .