6 Stigmas of Used RVs and How to Overcome it When Selling Your RV

RVs deteriorate rapidly. The seals can go bad and start leaking. The suspension systems can get weak. The rivets on the grooves can start to separate. The axles go bad. And, most of all, the features and technology simply go obsolete. RVs can also suffer from pneumatic and electrical problems that are hard on the wallet.

Because there are so many question marks in a used RV, it is hard to compel people to pay top dollar for something that may have hidden damages. Backing your RV with a guarantee or third-party warranty can help immensely but is difficult if you don’t have your own RV dealership. People like dealing with RV dealerships because they have a reputation to uphold and are invested in a location that is tangible.

Nevertheless, your RV does have a stigma that follows it even if you are selling it to an RV dealership. In order to get the best value for your used RV, there are critical steps that you should take as a general rule. Let’s consider those steps below.

#1: Have Your RV Independently Inspected

If you want to set up a quick sale of your RV, have it inspected by one or several independent RV mechanics. Depending on how much you are asking, the more opinions that you have ensuring that your RV is in excellent condition, the easier it will be to get your asking price. Consumers simply don’t have the time or money to gamble with inspecting your RV on their own.

An inspection ensures that there are no hidden surprises. The worst thing that anyone wants is to purchase a used RV only to find out that they need to invest thousands more into fixing items. It won’t seem like much of a deal then.

#2: Keep the Maintenance and Repair Records

You should keep a digital archive of all maintenance and repair records. By compiling these major investments into the RV, prospective buyers can get an overview of how much it has cost you to maintain it and how problematic it has been. An RV that is constantly undergoing repairs or that appears to have serious problems will be a much harder sell than one with an excellent and normal service history. Making the RV records available can also help prospective buyers predict when future repairs may be needed by gauging the current costs.

#3: Check Various Pricing Guides

Although the Kelley Blue Book is one of the more famous pricing guides for valuing a used RV, there are also NADA guides and other RV pricing guides. And remember that these are average prices that used RVs are selling at. The pricing does not mean that your RV is worth less or more than the average book value. One-owner, garage-kept vehicles are obviously worth more than those which have changed many hands and were stored outdoors. If your RV has been in storage for a long time or was always kept in a shady spot, you may want to highlight that fact to create more demand.

#4: Have Your RV Independently Appraised

If you think that your RV is worth more than the running average, you should have it independently appraised. Even if you don’t get the highest appraisal, this will firm up the value for negotiations. If your RV is something special and was exceptionally cared for, then an appraisal can do wonders for verifying and accentuating that perceived value.

#5: Detail Your RV

If you want to spare yourself the reconditioning fee that RV dealers charge to resell used RVs, you should detail it and have it ready to sell. An RV dealer will appreciate that you have put the effort into making your RV into a quick sale and may be persuaded to offer the maximum value for it. Waxing it, putting a dressing on the tires, using a sealant on the wheels and underbody, shampooing the carpets, dusting, and making sure that everything looks clean and polished can go a long way in closing the deal.

#6: Sell Your RV to an RV Dealership

The reality is that most Americans don’t have even a thousand dollars in the bank for a rainy day. They are not going to spend excessive sums of cash on a used RV if they don’t have it. In this respect, it doesn’t matter what kind of stigma your used RV may have because the market capital simply isn’t out there.

Although you can look for third-party lenders who are willing to finance a loan to would-be buyers on your RV, it is much easier to bring your RV to an RV dealer with deep pockets. Few other buyers will feel comfortable laying out a lot of money for a used RV. This is why it is important to solicit an offer from an RV dealership even if you have other prospective buyers because they are more comfortable paying out large sums of money for an RV that is worth the bread.

Conclusion

Eliminating the stigma that follows a used RV is no easy job. This is why many people choose to bring their RVs to a dealership. A dealership has all these services, in-house, and has a large enough volume of prospective buyers to make the investment. It is just hard to sell used RVs on the private market without taking a substantial loss.

Categorized in: RV Info