How to Sell Your RV for the Most Money: Setting & Negotiating Price

You’ve loved traveling with your current RV, but now it’s time to sell your rig and upgrade to something better. If you’re a first-time seller, determining and negotiating the sales price for your used RV could be unfamiliar territory. And, if you’re not equipped with helpful information, you might not be on the right road to making the most profit from your for-sale RV. Whether you sell your RV on RVTrader.com, or sell to a dealership, RV Trader has the roadmap to help you sell your RV for the most money with tips for setting and negotiating price.

Get Your RV Inspected

Many think inspections are just helpful for RV buyers, but sellers can benefit too. Inspecting your for-sale RV allows you to evaluate the condition of your rig, allowing you to have a greater understanding of its value. For example, if you have a fifth wheel, you’ll want to know that your hitch is in good working order before selling it.

After you perform an inspection, if you notice any mechanical and cosmetic issues, you’ll have to decide if you want to fix them or disclose them to a potential buyer. If you decide to trade in or sell your RV to a dealership, they might be more understanding of normal wear and tear or minor mechanical issues. However, a private-party buyer is likely shopping for a camper with little-to-no problems. Once you decide which route you want to take to sell your RV, you’ll have to determine if an issue is worth repairing before listing, or if you should just list your rig at a lower price.

Learn the Value of Your RV

The first stop on your selling journey is to learn how much your for-sale RV is worth. There are several online resources, such as the RV Trader Price Checker tool, that can offer an estimated value for your camper. By inputting your rig’s make, model, and year, you can learn the approximate cost of similar RV models. Once you have an estimated value, you can figure out the most accurate price to list your rig.

Set a Flexible Listing Price

When setting your initial listing price, it’s important to be flexible when it comes time for negotiations. No matter what your “sticker price” is, you should also establish a minimum sale price in your mind that is the lowest offer you’re willing to accept.

This is where your earlier research will be helpful. You don’t want to price your RV so high that it scares off shoppers. List your camper at an initial price and allow for flexibility. Along with an average price, the RV Trader Price Checker tool also delivers the lowest and highest prices, which you can keep in mind when setting your flexible listing price.

Beware of an Aggressive Buyer

Some RV shoppers might be as unfamiliar with this process as you when it comes to negotiating prices. On the other hand, an experienced buyer might try to intimidate you with aggressive negotiating tactics. For example, they could try to devalue your RV by pinpointing any minuscule issue and using it to get a lower price. This is why it is especially important to perform your own inspection before you list your RV, so you’re educated on what issues could actually affect your sales price. If you know you have a quality RV, don’t be afraid to defend your rig, while also addressing the buyer’s concerns.

Know When to Negotiate and When to Walk Away

Negotiating with a potential buyer can be a speed bump along your selling journey. While you want the most value for your for-sale RV, a shopper is trying to get the best deal to buy it. This can be a long process, but if a buyer is actively engaging in negotiations, that means they’re serious and interested in making a deal. At a certain point, you may have to decide if it’s better to come to a mutual agreement to finish the deal or stand firm on your price and possibly let the shopper walk away. Before you let them walk away, think about the following:

• How long has your RV been listed?
• Have you gotten any interest from other shoppers?
• What feedback are you getting from shoppers?

If interest in your for-sale RV has been low, and you haven’t received any helpful feedback to alter your sales strategy, it might be better to keep working with your current negotiating buyer and find a price that works for both parties. Although, if you can’t come to an agreement, ending negotiations without a deal might be unavoidable.

Arrive at Your Final Price

To reach the end of your selling journey, you’ll eventually need to establish a final price with the negotiating buyer. Be honest and tell a prospective buyer “this is my final price.” It can be exhausting going back and forth with a buyer, so using the word “final” lets them know that there is no more flexibility in the price. This firm approach might be what it takes to get the buyer to close the deal.

The journey to selling your RV can be a smooth ride when you have the roadmap to success. By doing some research before setting your price and utilizing a few negotiation tactics, you’ll be on your way to turning your used RV into profit. When you’re ready to sell your RV, list it on the nationwide online marketplace at RVTrader.com. Check out our RV Seller’s Guide for additional resources! And if you’re still on the fence, check out these benefits of selling your used RV.