The Top Tips to Remember When Selling an RV

Believe it or not, 25 million Americans hit the road in RVs during the spring and summer. And for good reason—it’s the best way to travel!

However, if you’ve owned an RV for a few years, you know that the type of RV that worked for your needs initially may not be what works best now. When that time comes, you need to sell your old rig before you can buy a new one.

Selling an RV can seem like a complicated process, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are a few tips to help take the stress out of selling your RV.

Clean It Up

The best thing you can do when selling an RV is to give it a good deep cleaning before you put it on the market.

Wash, wax, and detail the exterior. Take the time to clean the windows and skylights thoroughly. Inspect the seals on the roof and make sure all storage compartments close and lock properly.

Inside the RV, vacuum all services and wipe down the bathroom and kitchen appliances thoroughly. If you have carpeted floors, consider renting a carpet cleaning machine and scrub them down.

Defrost and scrub out the refrigerator and wipe the dust off of your light fixtures.

This process may take a few hours. But the cleaner the RV is, the more tempting it will be for prospective buyers.

Figure Out How You Want to Sell It

When it comes to selling an RV, you have several options. You can sell it privately to people in the community. You can list it online and market your rig nationwide, or you can sell the RV to a dealership.

If you sell it locally or post it online, you’ll get to deal with individuals directly. This often means you can get a higher price, but it also means you’ll have to deal with finding a qualified buyer on your own. This could end up forcing you to leave your rig on the market for several months, forcing you to cope with continuing depreciation.

If you sell your RV to a dealership, you can offer it as a trade to upgrade to a new model or sell it outright. Keep in mind that some dealers won’t buy older rigs and you’ll need to look for companies that openly state, “we buy any motorhome.”

It all depends on the condition of your RV and your overall goals.

Price It Fairly

Whether you’re selling an RV on your own or selling to a dealership, you need to know what it’s worth. You’ll also want to set a minimum price you’re willing to accept before you start entertaining offers.

The key here is to price the RV fairly and base that price on its condition. Look at the estimated values for your RV’s make and model and base your decision accordingly. You can also check other RV listings to see what people are selling similar rigs for in your area.

Just take care not to set the price too high or too low. If you go too high, buyers will keep looking for better deals in the area. But if you go too low, you’ll end up making less on the sale than you deserve.

Take High-Quality Pictures

The most successful ads for RVs feature detailed images of both the interior and exterior of the RV. This gives buyers a chance to preview your rig and determine if it’s even something they’re interested in.

But those images should always be as high-quality as possible. Otherwise, you risk turning prospective buyers away.

Your phone’s camera should be fine, but you will want to make sure every image is lit well. Don’t be afraid to use the flash or to turn on the lights inside the motorhome. If you’re relying on natural light, open the blinds and curtains inside to let as much light in as possible.

Make sure your camera is set to standard images. Avoid using special filters that alter the color or appearance of the images. Avoid using wide-angle shots exclusively as they make it hard for people to get a feel for what the RV is really like.

Write Detailed Descriptions

Ultimately, you know your RV best. This means you’re better able to write descriptions that can give buyers the information they’re looking for.

At a bare minimum, include all relevant details about the RV. These include length, height, water and tank capacity, propane capacity, and the year, make and model of the rig. If there are features you’ve loved using, highlight those in the description as well.

The more information you can give, the better the listing will be. If you’re not sure where to start, take a look at the descriptions RV dealerships use. While you won’t want to copy them completely, they can help you structure your ad properly.

Be Professional When Selling an RV

If you’re selling to a dealership, you can rely on their team to help get the paperwork in order and make sure everything gets done legally. But if you’re selling it on your own, you’re in charge of making sure everything goes off without a hitch.

This means you need to do everything you can to answer buyers’ questions, find an attorney to draw up sales agreements and figure out how you’ll accept payment.

Essentially, you’ll be filling the role of a dealership. Treat yourself like a business.

Be polite, make sure the RV is ready to show when you schedule showings, and follow up with buyers. But most importantly, be honest about your RV. If you know something is wrong with it, tell the buyers so they can make an informed decision.

Selling an RV Is Easier Than You Think

RVs are a great way to get out and see the country without losing the comforts of home. But sometimes, you just need a change.

When the time comes to sell your camper, don’t get overwhelmed with the process. Use these tips to make selling an RV as easy as possible, whether you have a motorhome or trailer.

Looking for more helpful tips to get rid of items you no longer want or need? Check out our latest posts.

About rj frometa

Head Honcho, Editor in Chief and writer here on VENTS. I don't like walking on the beach, but I love playing the guitar and geeking out about music. I am also a movie maniac and 6 hours sleeper.

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