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The demand for new and used RVs has been off the charts lately. Part shortages and an increase in recreational camping interest have caused the RV market to go bonkers over the past couple of years.
While selling a used RV was once hit or miss, the times have changed. They’ve changed so much that you might wonder, “Can I sell my RV?”
We’ve got some good news for you! You might be able to sell it faster and for more than you think.
We sold ours in under 30 days and at a fantastic price. Today, we’re sharing what we learned during the process. Let’s get started!
Is It Hard to Sell My RV?
If your RV is only a few years old, in good condition, and you’ve kept up on the maintenance, it’s not nearly as hard as you think to sell it.
If you’ve made solar upgrades or done an excellent job of renovating, it can be even easier.
It can be rather difficult to sell an older RV with damage or any obvious signs of neglect. Damage from tire blowouts, roof leaks, and broken appliances aren’t going to be appealing to any potential buyers.
Different Options to Sell Your RV
Regardless of your RV’s condition, visibility is of the utmost importance. Where and how you list your RV will play a significant role in quickly selling your RV for top dollar.
If you’re asking, “How can I sell my RV?” here are a few places you might want to consider listing your RV for sale.
Facebook Marketplace and for Sale Groups
There are nearly 3 billion monthly active users on Facebook, so it’s one of the best places to try to sell your RV. You can find a variety of for-sale groups, including RVs.
Creating a listing in Facebook Marketplace is free, easy to do, and makes it easy for people to share with anyone looking to purchase an RV.
Keep in Mind: If you’re buying a new RV, we recommend reading the 5 Best Times to Buy an RV to get the best deal!
Online RV Classified Sites
Before Facebook Marketplace existed, sellers used Craigslist and other online classified sites for selling. Pricing and the length of time for your listing vary depending on which site you create your listing.
Some of the most popular options are RVT.com, RVtrader.com, RVUSA.com, and RVDaily.com.
RVtrader.com is one of the most popular options in the RV community and it’s where we found our buyer. They have packages ranging from $69.95 to $249.95.
The more expensive packages allow you to upload more pictures and even attract more traffic through premium placement in their search feature.
Use a Broker
If you don’t want to deal with the hassle of selling your RV, you can let a broker do it for you.
The broker will handle the negotiations between you and the business or individual buying your RV. You’ll retain possession of the rig and be responsible for finalizing the sale yourself.
The broker will typically charge a fee or percentage for each sale. National Vehicle is an example of a broker that will help promote your RV through its various networks and external sources until it sells.
RV Consignment
Using a service like RV consignment is similar to a broker, but you’ll typically leave your RV on a lot.
The business helping to sell your rig will take possession of it, promote it, and show it to potential buyers. They can help buyers with financing and often complete repairs to help get your rig in the best possible condition to ensure it sells quickly and for as much as possible.
Like a broker, they’re not going to put in all this work for free. There are a variety of ways a consignment might get paid.
They can take an upfront payment, a percentage of the sale, or you and the consignor agree on a minimum sales price, and they keep anything over the minimum sales price. They’ll typically pick which approach works best for them on a case-by-case basis.
Trade-in to a Dealership
If you don’t want to deal with the hassle of selling your rig, you can always trade it in at a dealership.
If your rig is in poor condition, some dealerships may not accept the trade or will offer you a very low offer. However, some RVers have received some rather laughable offers from dealerships for their RVs in excellent condition.
Dealerships are a business, and they’re going to pay the least amount possible for your rig when buying it.
How We Sold Our RV in Under 30 Days
While selling our RV was an emotional experience, we’re glad the process was fast. It was like ripping off a band-aid.
Getting it done as quickly as possible helps minimize the sting so you can move on to what’s next. Here are a few of the things we did that you should consider doing too!
RV Trader is one of the best places to post your RV for sale. When creating your listing, they have a few options to choose from, but the premium listing gives you the most flexibility and visibility.
They promote these listings to more potential buyers and allow your listing to be active for up to a year.
The base package on RV Trader only allows you to include four photos and for your listing to be active for two weeks. That’s not nearly enough photos and a very short amount of time to attract attention to your rig.
Unless you’re pricing your rig to sell it quickly, we strongly encourage the enhanced or best packages.
Pro Tip: Before you sign the papers, here are The Top 5 Things to Consider When Buying an RV!
Take Great Pictures
Get rid of as much stuff as you can inside your rig and take plenty of pictures. You don’t want your camper to appear cluttered or messy. Make sure there’s plenty of light so anyone checking out your listing can see them.
Put yourself in the buyer’s shoes and have pictures of anything that might interest them. You want to make it easy for potential buyers to get a complete view of the condition of your rig.
Upload a Video
A picture may be worth a thousand words, but a video tour of your rig can be priceless. The video doesn’t have to be elaborate or professionally edited.
Walk around the entire rig inside and out and open important cabinets, drawers, and doors.
You don’t have to include every little detail, but you want to help viewers get an even better feel for your RV.
Provide a Clear and Concise Description
You’re going to need a description for your listing. This will include all of the upgrades, maintenance work, and any issues that are important to know.
For us, the upgrades to solar and the extensive list of maintenance records we kept were important to many that checked out our listing.
By sharing both the good and bad of your rig, you’re earning trust from potential buyers. Nothing will send away potential buyers faster than if they feel you’re hiding something or not being transparent.
Adjust Price As Needed
We wanted to sell our RV fast, so we lowered the price when we weren’t getting many leads when it came to potential buyers.
We used National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) to help us get an accurate understanding of the value of our rig. However, you want to include the value of any upgrades, like solar, disc brakes, and batteries.
Don’t feel that you can’t adjust the price. If you have time, it’s good to start high and come down a little bit when it comes to your asking price.
You never know when someone might be happy to take your full asking price, which could mean extra money in your pocket.
Respond to Inquiries Fast
We replied to every inquiry as fast as we could. Every inquiry was a potential buyer, and we wanted to make sure they had any information they might need to decide.
Not only should you reply quickly, but professionally too. You don’t want to do anything to scare off a potential buyer.
So turn on your inbox notifications and keep an eye out for any inquiries that come your way!
Keep in Mind: Looking to buy an RV for the first time? Then you need to check out our RV Buyer’s Guide!
How Do I Protect Myself When Selling My RV?
One of the most important things you need to do when selling your RV is protect yourself. By protection, we mean both physically and financially.
You’re under no obligation to sell your RV to anyone, so don’t continue entertaining offers or conversations with anyone that gives you a bad feeling.
You can protect yourself financially by only accepting verifiable funds. It may be easier if you can work directly with their bank or provide them with the necessary information for their bank to wire the money to your account.
What Is the Best Time of Year to Sell My RV?
Timing is key when you’re selling your RV. The best time to sell an RV is in late winter and early spring, especially when the temperatures increase.
People are itching to get out into the wilderness and at a campsite. This allows them plenty of time to make adjustments or purchase gear to enjoy their new RV for the entire camping season.
Sell Your RV Fast With These Tips
While selling your RV can be an emotional roller coaster, it doesn’t have to be a long process.
Some things are out of your control when selling your RV. If you follow these tips, you’ll put yourself in a great position to sell your camper quickly. You’ll be on your way to your next adventure before you know it!
