By Gail Marsh
So, you’ve decided it’s time to part ways with your trusty RV and pass the adventure torch onto someone else. Whether you’re upgrading, downsizing, or just ready for a change, getting your RV ready for sale is a bit like prepping it for one last epic road trip. Here’s your roadmap to make sure it’s in top-notch condition and ready to wow potential buyers.
Step 1: Clean, inside and out
Imagine you’re inviting someone into your home for the first time. You’d tidy up, right? Same goes for your RV. Give it a thorough cleaning, inside and out. Scrub the exterior, polish those wheels, and make sure the windows sparkle. Inside, declutter and deep clean every nook and cranny. A clean RV not only looks better but also demonstrates that it’s been well-maintained.
Step 2: Inspect and repair
Now’s the time to put on your inspector hat. Check everything—from the roof to the tires— for any signs of wear and tear. Look for leaks, cracks, or any mechanical issues. Don’t forget the appliances, plumbing, and electrical systems. If you find any problems, fix them or have them repaired. It might seem like a hassle, but addressing issues upfront can prevent them from scaring off potential buyers later.
Step 3: Spruce up the interior
Make your RV feel like a home-away-from-home for potential buyers. Replace worn-out furnishings, update the decor if needed, and add some touches to make it cozy, like a throw on the sofa, a decorative rug on the floor, or a small lamp beside the recliner.
Consider making small upgrades that can make a big difference, like replacing outdated light fixtures or adding new cabinet hardware. Remember, you want buyers to picture themselves living their best RV life in your rig.
Step 4: Document everything
Buyers love transparency, so gather up all the paperwork related to your RV. This includes maintenance records, manuals for appliances and systems, and any warranties that are still valid. Providing this information shows that you’ve taken good care of your RV and gives buyers peace of mind.
Step 5: Take great photos
A picture is worth a thousand words, especially when it comes to selling your RV online. Take high-quality photos that showcase your RV in the best light (literally). Capture both the interior and exterior from multiple angles, making sure to highlight its best features. Consider hiring a professional photographer if you want to go the extra mile. It will pay off!
Step 6: Price it right
Do your homework and research similar RVs for sale in your area to get an idea of what yours is worth. Be realistic about its condition and any upgrades or amenities it has. Pricing it competitively will attract more interest from potential buyers and help you sell it faster.
Step 7: Advertise wisely
Once your RV is spic-and-span and you’ve gathered all the necessary documents, it’s time to spread the word. List it for sale on reputable websites, social media platforms, and RV-specific forums. Craft a compelling ad that highlights the RV’s best features and includes plenty of photos. Respond promptly to inquiries—the early bird gets the worm, or, in this case, the RV buyer!
Step 8: Be ready for showings
Keep your RV show-ready at all times in case potential buyers want to take a look. That means keeping it clean and tidy, inside and out. Be flexible with your schedule and ready to accommodate last-minute viewing requests. When buyers come to see it, be honest and open about its condition, answering any questions they may have.
Step 9: Seal the deal
Congratulations! You’ve found a buyer who’s ready to hit the road in your former home on wheels. Now it’s time to finalize the sale. Make sure all the paperwork is in order, including the bill of sale, title transfer, and any other necessary documents. Once everything is signed and sealed, hand over the keys and send your RV off to its new adventures with a smile.
Selling your RV might seem like a daunting task, but with a little elbow grease and some strategic planning, you can make the process smooth sailing. So, roll up your sleeves, follow these tips, and get ready to wave goodbye to your beloved RV.
Have you ever sold an RV? Tell me about it in the comments, please.
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##RVDT2662
What the article doesn’t tell you is the number of wack jobs that will be calling trying to fraudulently steal your RV. Be careful, they have all kinds of schemes. When I advertise on RV Trader is when wack jobs were contacting me in droves. I did sell it to a couple whose mother found my TT on RV travel. Took about 9 months to sell.
Thanks for your article. I have not sold an RV but I am wondering if the process is exactly the same as for cars and boats with respect to state registration and liability. Does this vary by state? I bought my RV new and currently have no intention of selling it but I know I will someday. Another question is how to advertise and sell and whether or not to sell through a third party. I happily sold a boat through a dealer. They took over the liability from me and paid me with a check at the end. They advertised it on their website and did all of the interaction with buyers. No test drives and no white knuckles. I paid a flat fee of less than 10%. Does this work with RVs?
Doug, a good way to sell is to put on consignment at a dealer, but only some dealers will do it so you have to check, when I retired from trucking I put my rig on consignment with a truck dealer and it went so easy, I got what I wanted and I didn’t have to mess around with people, they did everything from start to finish!
Doug, a good way to sell is to put on consignment at a rv dealer, but only some dealers will do it so you have to check just like you did with the boat , definitely worth it.
Thank you for the list and discussions, Gail! Ever sold an RV? Not really. We traded RV #1 for RV #2. We did much of what you describe, but driving it 700 miles to the dealer offset some of the cleaning and polishing. To his credit, the salesman made no effort to negotiate the trade-in price downward. This despite the serpentine belt breaking approximately when we arrived at the dealer. Our extended service contract covered most of their service department’s charge. As a show of goodwill, the dealership “ate” the unpaid balance of their charge. Likely, if there is an RV #3 for us, we will trade RV #2 for it. Have a great day and safe travels!
I can’t believe the number of RVs I’ve seen advertised by private sellers that have unmade beds, dirty dishes in the sink and curtains hanging lopsided. When I was flipping RVs they sold fast and the comments were always about how clean the units were.