What to Know Before Selling Your RV This Summer

Summer is on its way, and that means camping season has begun. If you’re looking to start selling your RV, this is the time to do it!

More people are looking to get out on the road and enjoy the great outdoors with their family and friends, meaning there is more demand for RVs, and you’re more likely to sell your rig quickly and for a higher price than you might otherwise. 

That said, as a person who has sold a few RVs, I know that there are some things you should know before selling your rig. Here are the most important ones. 

Know Your RV’s Value

First and foremost, it’s important that you go into the process knowing what your RV is worth. Summer is peak season, so you should be able to get exactly what the rig is worth and you really shouldn’t lower your price just to get a fast sale. 

Research market prices by looking at sites like RV Trader and Facebook Marketplace to get an idea of what your particular rig is worth. You can also look at NADA Guides for a good estimate and use the free National Vehicle valuation tool for an even more precise number. 

Remember that condition matters. Damages will lower the overall value, but certain upgrades may help improve the value. Cleanliness, maintenance records, and mileage also affect value.

Get It in Top Shape

As mentioned above, the condition of your RV matters when it comes to selling it for what it’s worth. For this reason, it pays to take a few days to get the rig in tip-top shape before you list it. 

Clean the RV thoroughly both inside and out. Make sure to dust and mop, clean the windows and walls, scrub the shower, sink, and toilet, and clean and wax the exterior of the rig. You might also want to consider hiring a professional to detail the RV and get it looking like new. 

It’s also important to make repairs before trying to sell your RV. Things like worn seals, leaks, and broken appliances will really decrease the value of your rig, and fixing these will help ensure you get the most out of your rig while also selling it quickly. 

Finally, I highly recommend staging your rig, making it feel cozy. You can do this by adding throw pillows and blankets and a light air freshener. That said, make sure you don’t make the RV feel cluttered with too much decor. 

Decide How to Sell

You also need to decide how you want to sell your RV. There are a few different options, and they all have pros and cons, so this is something you’ll want to consider carefully. 

Private Sale

A private sale is the most profitable way to go, and it’s the route I’ve always chosen to take so far. That said, it’s also the most work for the seller. It requires you to list the RV—sites like RV Trader, Facebook Marketplace, eBay Motors, and RV-specific forums are great options—and then screen buyers before eventually dealing with payments and paperwork.

Still, you’ll end up with more money in your pocket at the end of the day, so many sellers think this is the way to go.

Consignment

Consignment sale is a good middle ground. In this case, the dealer lists and sells the rig for a cut of the total profit. It means you’ll have less money in your pocket at the end of the process, but it also takes the work of listing, advertising, showing, and selling the rig off your plate.

That said, you will have less control over things like pricing and timeline, so you do have to be willing to be flexible and wait around for a sale. 

Dealership

Lastly, there is the option of selling the RV to a dealership. This is easily the fastest option, as most dealerships will buy on the spot. That said, they will also offer significantly less than what the RV is worth, meaning you will lose a lot of cash by going this route.

Really, I only recommend selling to a dealership if you need to sell as quickly as possible. As I mentioned earlier, I have always chosen the private sale route and have never regretted doing so.

If a private sale feels too overwhelming, National Vehicle can help! They do a lot of the legwork while still allowing you to maintain control. It really doesn’t get better than that. 

Gather Important Documents

Certain documents are very important to have on hand when selling an RV. Unfortunately, sometimes people forget to gather these documents before they list their rigs, and it causes problems later in the selling process. 

Before listing your RV, make sure you have the following documents on hand and ready to go:

• Title and registration (make sure the title is clear)
• Maintenance records
• Manuals for appliances and systems
• Bill of sale template (you can customize one or use a standard version)

Prepare for Paperwork

It’s also a good idea to know what is required to sell an RV in your state. Check your state’s DMV site for requirements on transferring ownership so you’re prepared going in and aren’t caught off guard. Some states require a bill of sale or odometer disclosure; others only ask for a signed title. 

Set a Competitive Price

Knowing what your RV is worth is important, but so is using that information to set a competitive price. You want to list the rig for just a bit above your minimum acceptable price to allow room to negotiate. You’ll also want to be prepared for lowball offers, as well as firm but polite counteroffers.

Be Honest About Condition

When listing your RV, be honest about the condition. Disclose any issues and don’t try to cover up damages in photos. Keep in mind that luring people in with a listing that doesn’t tell the full truth will likely only cause them to leave upset and feeling they can’t trust you.

Besides, even if you manage to sell the rig without any issues coming to light, the buyers will find the issues later and this could lead to legal trouble or disputes down the line. 

Safety First When Selling your RV

After you list your RV, you’ll get messages or phone calls from those who are interested in buying and would like to see the RV. This is great, but make sure you take steps to stay safe as you show the rig.

This means meeting in a safe and public location to avoid giving your address away and ensure there are bystanders around. Bring someone with you to each viewing if possible, and let a loved one know where you’re going and why. 

When it comes time to make the actual sale, make sure you only accept secure methods of payment. A bank transfer or cashier’s check is your best bet. Never accept personal checks. Make sure to verify the payment before handing over the keys and title.

If you’ve been thinking about getting rid of your RV, selling it this summer while camping season is in full swing is absolutely the way to go. Knowing these things going in will make the whole process go smoothly so you can sell quickly, get the highest price possible, and be on your way to your next big adventure!