Last Updated on 05/02/2024 by Glynn Willard
Selling your RV to an RV dealership is a viable option. But there are some caveats.
Read on to learn from our experience selling our RV to a dealer after living full-time in it for two years.
At some point, RV owners will have to part ways with their recreational vehicles.
Maybe it’s time for an RV upgrade or maybe you’re done with the lifestyle.
For whatever reason you have, there are several options for moving on from your current RV.
What Are My Options When Trying To Sell My RV?
- Market it to private buyers.
- Sell it to a reputable dealer.
- RV consignment it with a dealer.
- Donate it to a worthy cause for a tax deduction.
Sell Your RV To A Local Dealership
Selling our ORV to a dealer.
This is the easiest option. First, find the right dealer.
Try searching for “dealers who buy used RVs near me.”
This will quickly find dealers to sell your RV to who are local.
Call to first discuss the potential sale and then make an appointment.
Avoid showing up with your rig without an appointment.
The last thing you want to do is take your RV to the dealership only to find their buyer/appraiser is busy or not in that day.
Keep these considerations in mind:
-
Weigh the future cost of ownership vs selling the RV for less (insurance, upkeep, potential payments & depreciation).
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You’re intelligent and can factor in the monthly rate of the first three.
A quick Google search to calculate the current fair market value over the age of your RV will help you calculate the rate of depreciation.
JD Power is the go-to to determine your RVs fair market value and trade-in value.
This is also known as the NADA guide, which is the Kelley Blue Book for RVs and boats.
It will be essential to know the value of your RV and the current market conditions regardless of whether you act as a private seller, trade it, sell it to a dealership, set it on a consignment lot, or donate it.
Bottom line, if you want to sell your RV fast without complications this is the way to go.
Be aware that you will likely not get top dollar for your RV.
What Is The Best Time To Sell Your RV To A Dealer?
The best time to sell your RV to a dealer is right before the peak camping season for your region.
Their new RV stock will likely be high, but there will also be a high demand for the used RV market.
And those may be in short supply.
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My Experience Selling My RV To A Dealer
Are you here to learn how to sell your RV to a dealership? This is my personal experience selling my travel trailer to a dealer near me.
I found a few local dealerships online and stopped by the first one.
They were vague and offered little insight into the potential experience or RV’s value.
I called the second dealership and left a message with their buyer.
I was contacted within twenty-four hours and immediately had a solid rapport with the buyer.
He didn’t beat around the bush, was honest about the potential sale price, and suggested I make an appointment to bring it in.
He offered to give me numbers to either consign the travel trailer, buy it, or suggest a price for a private sale. Easy enough.
The potential numbers for both a sale as well as a consignment fee were disclosed upfront.
He emailed and reminded me to bring the title, proof of insurance, and everything that went with the trailer just in case.
When I showed up, he took the time to inspect the rig, discuss my expectations, and offer advice.
Based on the customer service, I had already decided that this dealer would be the best option regardless of the offer.
His offer to buy the RV was more than he quoted as a potential on the phone. A clear indication he was very interested in our “hard to come by” Outdoors RV.
Some of our epic adventures in our rig.
He also suggested a consignment price, but honestly, I wanted a quick transaction instead of making the most money.
Keep this in mind, a dealers first offer will be their lowest. Always counteroffer with a fair price!
I countered with a fair asking price and he accepted. I signed the title, a bill of sale and he issued a check. We then went over any concerns for the new owner.
He also assured me our Reset Your Journey YouTube graphics would be removed before listing the trailer on RV Trader and their RV sales lot.
When I checked the website a few days later, he had listed the trailer for the exact amount he suggested for the consignment. Fair enough!
The boys pose for one final picture with their home on wheels.
Pro Tip: Follow up with your motor vehicle shortly after the sale to make sure the RV has been removed from your registration.
The dealership I sold to did not file the paperwork to the state and my trailer was still registered on my account a month after the sale, leaving me liable to tolls and violations.
I remedied this by presenting motor vehicle the bill of sale and explaining the situation. They stated it’s a common occurrence.
Where Can I Sell My RV Fast?
Here’s a list of options to sell your RV quickly without a lot of hassle including third party options. Yes, you’ll bank less dough, but there is a price for “easy.”
- An RV dealer close to you.
- Cashforcars.com will buy RV’s for less than wholesale value that are not too old. At the time of writing this article, it was 2002 and later.
- Good Sam (the RV membership organization) will manage the sale of your RV through its network of RV dealers.
- Fraudulent monetary transactions have become more pervasive in recent years.
Please do yourself a favor and meet at your bank to finalize the transaction. - Tire kickers. Yes, we’re all guilty of this one way or another.
But when someone takes up your time to show your RV when they just want to compare it to another model, it can be a real waste of time. - Internet-based scam. We all know the potential and the damage this has done to honest individuals who are both buyers and sellers.
- Test Drive. Are you willing to let a stranger test drive or tow your RV?
Do you trust this individual to maneuver your RV safely?
There’s a serious skill set that is required to drive or pull an RV. - Motor vehicle and paperwork complications. In most states, if there is no lien on your rig, signing the sale section on the back of the title as well as the bill of sale and mailing them to the motor vehicle is easy.
You’ll need two copies of the bill of sale. One for the buyer and one for the seller.
But, if you want minimal complications, have the purchasing party join you after the bank transaction at your local motor vehicle.Be nice and pay for their temporary tag to make it worth their while.
This is the only way to immediately release your liability of the rig without any headaches (except the lines at motor vehicle).
There are several other online options. If you choose this route, approach it cautiously, do your homework and stick with recognizable organizations.
What Paperwork do I Need To Sell My Camper?
Title, proof of insurance (if a dealership), lien papers (if a dealership), and a pre-formatted bill of sale suitable for your state.
And when I say your state, it refers to the state in which the RV is titled.
You’ll handle the title transfer there at the RV dealership.
Also, it’s a good idea to cancel your insurance coverage the day following the sale.
Best Way To Sell RV By Owner
Unless you have a potential buyer you know locally, you need to market your rig.
The go to platforms are RVtrader and RVT.
They’re not free, but the cost is minor compared to the number of potential buyers the sites attract.
Those two platforms are the best ways to find prospective buyers in a large area.
Facebook marketplace is another option. We used to be fans, but lately, it seems like it’s a landing pad for scammers.
If you’re going to go with the Facebook approach, the best practice is to join Facebook groups specifically for your type of RV and list it there once you’re approved.
This approach filters out “tire-kicking” RV buyers and aligns you with serious buyers.
Yes, you can still park it and hang a sign on it, but this can ultimately be a very slow process.
You already know this is not the easy way.
Sure you will make more money, but the selling process of a private sale comes with its complications.
The easiest way to sell your motorhome or trailer “semi-privately” is to consign it at a dealership.
Yes, they may take a percentage, but they also deal with all the potential issues I listed above with a private sale.
That’s worth the consignment fee if you ask me.
Consignment is the way to go if you’re not in a hurry.
Our last photo of our rig. Yes, I had tears.
Donate Your RV
If you itemize your taxes and have a decent income, there may be more value in a donation than the hassle of selling.
This is especially true if someone else manages your taxes.
Keep in mind, your deduction may not amount to a lot of money.
Also, if you’re unsure as to whether donating your RV would be tax-advantageous, it probably won’t be.
You’ll know if your accountant suggests you look for additional tax deductions.
A quick Google search will deliver plenty of options to donate.
I cannot write about the experience directly, so let me know in the comments if you have donated your RV.
Not Sure What You Need For Your RV?
Getting Rid Of Your RV Takeaways
Ultimately, the choice is yours how you sell your RV. I hope I’ve given you some items to consider when deciding whether to privately sell, use a dealership, or donate your rig.
I also hope the outcome gets you the best price and suits you well.
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