Free Online Guide
How To Sell Your
RV Like A Pro!
Selling your RV on your own doesn't have to be difficult. Learn how to list, promote, and close the deal yourself with these Pro Tips!
Listing Your RV Online
Social Media
FB Marketplace is one of the hottest places to list your rv and price effective. Social media is what moves the country these days. This makes it very easy to communicates with potential buyers. However, this is also very time consuming as you will get many quick questions and then they fall off the face of the earth. For example, is it available? This is a question that will consume you when you have a popular coach listed. We recommend that you very simply put, please don’t ask if its available, if you're seeing it here-its available.
Online Classifieds
RV Trader, RVUSA, RVT: these are examples of paid advertising that may cost hundreds of dollars however, it lists your coach where people commonly look for RV’s and more specifically the year, make, model, floorplan of your RV. These websites have been the go to place for years and they have a proven track record for exposure. For example, if you’re looking for a boat, you’re likely to search BoatTrader, a car, Autotrader… This target marketing can be very effective as this will give you national exposure where other sources may only come up in local searches. People will travel for the right RV. This is also great exposure for your motorhome for the person that is exploring all options- for example, someone may search all coaches with quad slides under $200k, or diesels under $100k, Class A Gas bath and 1/2, or Newmar toyhauler 2021 or newer.
Caution
Beware of help you sell companies! These are companies that charge for advertising, photography, and listing online. There are a few big ones out there that are known to be the highest priced units on line and sit stagnate for months and months. They aren't concerned with your success because they've made their money from the listing. Some even charge a fee or percentage of your sale and expect you to do all the work! Meaning they contract you for a fee or percentage of your sale and expect you to manage the entire sale- answering questions, scheduling the appointments, showing the coach, test driving the coach, handling the paperwork, payoffs, financing, and trade ins. This is a scam don’t contract with help you sell scammers. If you require assistance selling- find a licensed reputable dealer for consignment or to sell outright.
Preparation for Pictures
Move out!
Your coach should be empty of all personal effects. You should have your coach empty of anything you do not wish to include. For example, if you have a tow bar in the hitch-they will want it! Emptying your coach completely out will present your coach as close as possible to the way the manufacturer designed it. It is best to have a fresh pallet so a prospective buyer might imagine their own belongings and decorations.
Clean it!
Your coach should be as clean as possible inside and out. It’s important your coach is very clean when showing to a prospect, because a dirty coach makes can make a prospect think- what else has been neglected? If you aren't physically capable to do the cleaning, it's recommended that you hire a professional. For stubborn odors or stains, hire a carpet cleaner and even have them do upholstery and window valances if necessary. You should not take pictures of a dirty coach! Take your time and do it right!
Service it!
It’s important when taking pictures there are no dash warning lights on for example low fuel, low tire pressure, maintenance required, or worse, check engine. Put yourself in the shoes of the buyer! Spending hundreds can return thousands!
Fix It!
If your coach has any mechanical issues for example your coach wont level, or a slide that won't go out, or the suspension won't air up. You are not ready for pictures. The less apologizing you do while showing the coach, the better. Cosmetic issues, for example, If you have a moldy diamond shield, have it removed! First impressions are important, no one likes an ugly shield. If the carpet is stained, get it steam cleaned. Your windshield has a few stars and a crack, might be ok for you but for a buyer that windshield may cost $3-$5k so call your insurance company, that's what it's there for! The point is spending hundreds can save you thousands later when negotiating or could be the difference of your coach selling or not.
Stage It!
Time to bring out the original bedspread and accent pillows you've had in a vacuum sealed bag since you bought the coach. Make the bed, fluff the pillows, you should have your coach looking the same as the day it was new for pictures. Some will even set the table nicely to show off the dining experience. Do you have a patio mat you spent $300 on? Put the patio awning out with a couple chairs for a nice display.
Photography Tips
Weather! Take pictures of the outside on a sunny day so the sun and blue sky work for you. This will also show off that amazing paint scheme. With regards to inside pictures, weather is not so important and actually it being sunny can effect lighting negatively not showing off the rich contrasts of your decor inside. Some do the inside pictures at night or close all shades to have less interference from reflection from windows or exterior distractions. If you have been blessed to have kept your coach inside a large shop or toy condo, this is also a great place to take pictures of the outside. Subsequently, you are painting the picture of how the coach was cared for and protected from the elements.
Demonstrate! To have great pictures you'll want to show off some features. Here are a few ideas. Spin those captain chairs around showing how they complete the seating in living room. Put the patio awnings, door awning, and window awnings out. Put the generator slide out. (make sure its clean!) Show off the cavernous storage underneath and pull out the storage trays. Lift your bed up to show the storage or that there is indeed central vac accessories or extra dinette chairs kept there. Have all lights on in side the coach as wells as TV's (no news channels) Open up cabinet doors especially the kitchen pantry and show off kitchen storage. It may be a pain but show that sofa bed made one last time!
Organize! Take pictures of manual bag, binder of service records, sets of keys, and remote controls. This eliminates uncertainties and shows off your organized approach!
Accessorize! Take pictures of add-ons you are including like a tow bar, tire-minder, boogie lights, Magna Shades, Star Link, or RV specific accessories you're leaving in the basement like a patio mat, an RV ladder, power chord extensions and adapters, or propane grill. If you're leaving extra oil filters, fuel filters, belts, etc. you definitely want to take pictures of this, this shows you knew what you were doing and you carried what you might need while on the road like that extra water pump. Did you spend $3000 on Tyron blowout protection, take a picture of the Tyron tool kit with the manual. You spent money on all of these goodies, why not build value!
Flow for dough! If you have properly prepared your coach as mentioned in the prior segment you should very easily be able to take 4 or 5 pictures of the outside as you are walking around the coach. The same on the inside from front to back. Keep your pictures in sequence as if you were showing the coach to someone. If you have this intent while taking the pictures, it will be much easier to upload the pictures in sequential order, resulting in a nice presentation. Many in the private sector just randomly upload pictures with no rhyme or reason, creating a jambalaya of pictures.
MSRP! In some instances, it may be beneficial to have the original window sticker in the ad. it will list all freestanding options. At a minimum, make sure you have it on pdf ready to be sent to a potential buyer.
Can I get a CarFax? Many don’t realize this, but most motorhomes have a transparent history on CarFax showing registration changes, recalls, service history, and yes accidents. If you’re not the original owner you should definitely acquire one if you haven’t already. There's a good chance that people looking at your coach will ask you for a copy.
Pricing
Run comparisons!
Run a national search to compare yours to others with regards to miles, condition, and floorplan. When making comparisons, don't just look at your same year and model. For example if you have a 2021 priced at $229k and there are 3 2022's in the $230k's then you may want to adjust your thinking.
All motorhomes are not created equally!
Even when they are same year, make, model, and floorplan- How a coach is equipped is very important. Considering how expensive these RV's are new, many people don't realize how different they can actually be. For example if you have a Newmar diesel product, you may have all electric, Girard awning package, heated floors, stackable washer dryer, and a dishwasher. That's $40k in options. The others listed on line may not be so well equipped. If you have gas motorhome, you may have paid extra for the inverter and residential fridge, and even full body paint. With Class C model units, a leveling system, an inverter, a diesel generator, and full body paint all all very expensive upgrades to promote. There are motorhomes that are same make, model, and floorplan that because of the engine might be worth $50k more!
Price it right!
This doesn’t mean be the cheapest. If you have a nice coach, a great strategy is to price slightly lower than the herd but maybe not the least expensive. If your miles are particularly high or maybe you missed some important options it's recommended you have a greater distance from those lower mile or better equipped coaches.
Check NADA!
Average retail on NADA is a safe bet for realistic pricing. Please remember that you only click on freestanding options when filling out the evaluation. For example, you would add for a dishwasher, however you would not check air conditioner. When you click on the correct make, model, and floorplan it already takes into account standard equipment so if you click on air conditioner it would double dip the option and the end result would leave you thinking your coach is worth more than it is. NADA LINK
Know your competition!
Put yourself in the shoes of the buyers and see how other units like yours stack up. Study these other units so you're ready when Mr. buyer says "I see another one like yours in Orlando that's $10k less" *Response-" I saw that too, It looks like a nice unit but it does have 16K more miles than mine." or "I saw that one, keep in mind he has mix matched furniture and mine has all new upholstery! "
Description
Luxury Loaded!
As mentioned in pricing segment, it's very important to mention your free-standing options from when the coach was new. Also describe any valuable add-ons that you are including. While your ad may be priced very close to others of the same make and model you may have much more to offer. They won't know it if you don't show it!
Don’t write a book!
Be careful not to put too much information in ad. Ultimately you want the prospect to contact you. This is an opportunity to better describe what you are selling, how you used the coach, and possibly touch on logistics how you can show to them. Keep it simple! For example, one owner coach, new tires, bath and a half, never in the snow….
Too Much Information!
Many sell their RV's for a multitude of different reasons. Unfortunately, some are selling because of difficult circumstances which may include loss of a spouse, life challenges, divorce, or loss of income. We don't feel this is important information for an ad. Keep that to yourself until you decide if you want to share with a prospect that is engaged in knowing more about your coach. It is very common that a potential buyers asks why you are selling.
Spellcheck!
Take the time needed to accurately describe your coach. Be articulate with the description and spellcheck what you've written.
Data Inegrity
Make sure to accurately describe your RV. Don't put options in your description unless you are absolutely positive you have them.
Response Time
Be responsive! It is a proven statistic that you being the first person to respond to an ad drastically increases your chances of selling your coach. If you’re not disciplined in checking your email, voicemails, text messages, or Facebook messages, how would you even know in time that someone’s interested.
Schedule to Show
Be accommodating! If it’s a priority for you to sell your rv then make it a priority. What this means to you is try your best to accommodate times and meetings. The whole process needs to be smooth. ease of doing business with. When things go smoothly it helps eliminates uncertainties.
Preparation to Show
First impressions! Be there early to have coach lit up with all those beautiful lights. Make sure it’s cool if it’s hot out and make sure it’s warm if it’s cold out. Have slides out, no one likes the inside of a motorhome with slides in these days, we just tolerate them.
Last minute fixes! It’s an opportunity to fluff those pillows on the couch, smooth out the comforter on the bed, neatly prop the 9 pillows you have on the bed.
Let there be light! Turn on all the lights, if there’s dimming capabilities make it comfortable, you know how your coach looks best. Be ready with those beautiful tv’s on but muted, patio and door awnings out, window awnings out.
Inspect what you expect! Make sure you haven’t missed anything. The box of baking soda that fell over in the fridge, the garbage can in the half bath, the tub of Damp-Rid in the closet, or the microwave you forgot to clean!
What’s that smell? Hopefully, you emptied your tanks properly after last use and filled your black and gray tank 1/3 full of fresh water and chemicals. If not, now’s your chance to freshen things up. Open some windows, turn on the A/C, maybe it just needs some fresh air from sitting.
Keep it simple
Don’t sell me! The coach will sell itself. Keep conversation friendly but productive. to some prospects, one of the benefits of the private sector is not dealing with salespeople. People don't want to be sold, they will decide if they want to buy without you convincing them. You've prepared for this moment, let the cards fall where they will!
Be honest! For example, If you had animals or smoked in the unit-tell them the truth. Some people are highly allergic. Do what's right, not what's easy! Be as accurate as possible, If they ask you when the oil was changed last-"I believe it was at Bay Diesel on our here from Michigan, but let me check my records and get back to you." Have you ever changed the DEF head? "Yes, we did have that done at Gaffney in Freightliner last summer." Answer questions honestly and be transparent. If you don’t know the answer, write down the question. This may be a good opportunity to reach back out to them when you’ve got the answer. (and when they haven’t phoned you for days after saying they’ll think about it)
Shhhh! They don’t care how much you know. Many sellers in the private sector talk too much and ultimately turn buyers into shoppers. Simply talk about how much you loved the coach; how much you’ll miss it and how you’ve loved rv’ing. Your routine maintenance is a great talking point. For example, I changed the oil every year on our way to Florida whether it needed it or not. Be ready to explain why you are selling. Buyers always want to know this!
Pay it off! If you are poised to sell, it can be beneficial to have title in hand. It can be a difficult dynamic selling privately when you still owe on your unit. Think about it this way- you’re expecting the buyer to give you all the money. Meanwhile, they have to hope the loan is paid off and that transfer of ownership actually happens. This can add a level of uncertainty that some buyers cannot handle.
Red Tape! The bill of sale is your single most important document for the transaction. It has the price, it has the year make and model, the vin, the miles if applicable, and can also express that there is no warranty. Most states offer a formal bill of sale. See below Florida’s example. A legible and accurate bill of sale keeps everyone on the same page and is necessary for transfer of ownership with the DMV. Some make note that you are selling it as is with all faults. Even in the private sector, you could have exposure for promises made.
Having a bill of sale with an odometer statement is ideal for canceling insurance and warranties. Remember, service contracts and insurance policies are cashable contracts, and you should be refunded with proration once you’ve finalized the sale.
Get paid! Payment by wire can be the safest fastest way for you to receive payment. Although you may have a certain comfort level with the buyer, it is highly recommended that you use caution when accepting personal checks, business checks, and even cashiers checks. Many a buyer have tried to unwind a purchase even after they’ve taken the unit. Your RV is not a pair of flip flops they can just return to Walmart! Some take a hardline approach not releasing the title and/or the unit until the funds have posted. For most a bank wire is preferred. It takes the guess work. In most cases it costs the same amount for a buyer to wire as it does to order a cashiers check. It is recommended that you have wiring instructions ready that are legible and triple checked. It is recommended that these instructions be typed out so mistakes aren’t made because of handwriting. If you have to email wiring instructions, be sure to verbally confirm the account information they’ve received . It is also not recommended that you would accept a third-party check.
Need Professional Help Selling Your RV or Tow Car?
If you need advice or have a question, email us at info@sellmyrv.net we are happy to help. However, if you require professional assistance for your sale like Financing, warranty quotes, trade in's, or you need help with paperwork-Contact Glades RV today at www.gladesrv.net We can help!
Don't Want the Labor Pains, Just the Baby?
Perhaps you're not wanting to embark on this journey of selling your RV on your own. Glades RV is standing by to give cash offers or consignment offers that could fetch 20-30% more! Click on the links below for a free quote from Glades RV.
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What Florida RVers Are Saying
"We are so glad Jason and his team reached out to help consign our motorhome. After months of trying to sell it ourselves without a single offer, Jason had it sold in just two weeks."
"We’ve now sold two vehicles and bought one and every interaction with them has been positive. They say what they can do and then deliver on that commitment. "
"Jason, Roxy and Skye took care of me and helped me sell my 2021 Newmar Bay Star! They made recommendations that absolutely made a difference in selling!!
Legal Disclaimer-Informational Purposes Only
The information provided on this website and in any associated guides, articles, or resources is for general informational and educational purposes only. It is intended to help individuals understand common considerations and steps involved in selling a recreational vehicle (RV) on their own. This information does not constitute legal, financial, tax, or professional advice, and should not be relied upon as such. Laws, regulations, and requirements related to vehicle sales, titles, taxes, disclosures, and contracts vary by state and locality and may change over time. You should consult with a qualified attorney, tax professional, or other appropriate professional regarding your specific situation before selling an RV or entering into any agreement. Use of this website or reliance on any information provided does not create an attorney-client relationship or any other professional relationship. We make no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or applicability of the information provided and disclaim all liability for any loss or damage arising from reliance on this information.