If you’ve ever typed “How to sell my RV” into Google, you’re not alone. A few months ago, I was doing the exact same thing, standing in my driveway, staring at my beloved but rarely used travel trailer, wondering how on earth I was going to sell it without dealing with flaky buyers or undercutting my asking price.
I’m not an RV dealer. I’m just someone who took a few road trips, made some memories, and realized that it was time to let go. So, I did what any rational person would do: I researched. Extensively.
Here’s what I learned from the experience of selling my RV online, and how you can avoid the pitfalls I encountered.
1. Photos Are Everything
You can write a paragraph about how spacious your RV feels, but it won’t mean much unless you show it. I initially uploaded a few mediocre shots from my phone. Crickets.
It wasn’t until I retook the photos with better lighting, decluttered the interior, and included shots of the storage compartments, bathroom, and control panels that the inquiries started rolling in. Think of your RV listing like a dating profile: you want it to look its best, but also be honest.
2. Honesty Really Is the Best Policy
It’s tempting to gloss over small flaws or maintenance issues, but trust me, it’ll come back to bite you. I was upfront about a soft spot in the floor and a water heater that worked only when it felt like it. Surprisingly, this didn’t scare buyers away—it built trust.
The person who eventually bought my RV appreciated the transparency and didn’t even try to haggle. They had seen too many sketchy listings, and mine stood out simply because it told the full story.
3. The Platform Matters
I listed my RV on a few general classifieds sites and got a flood of messages that went nowhere. “Still available?” “Will you take half?” One person wanted to trade me a jet ski.
Then I stumbled on a platform specifically built for rv sales. That was a game-changer. The audience there was already interested in RVs. They knew what they were looking at and asked informed questions.
4. The Psychology of Pricing
I priced my RV based on what I wanted to get, not what it was worth. Bad move. After a few weeks of no bites, I studied comparable models, factored in the season, and adjusted the price.
Funny thing? The moment I priced it reasonably, I got three serious inquiries. One of them turned into a sale.
5. Don’t Skip the Community Factor
I joined a few RV enthusiast groups online just to lurk and learn. Turns out, these communities are gold mines of buyer traffic and advice. In one Facebook group, someone posted asking for exactly the model I was selling.
A short conversation later, I had a sale lined up. Moral of the story? Don’t underestimate the power of niche communities.
Final Thoughts
Selling an RV doesn’t have to feel like a second job. If you take the time to present your vehicle well, set a fair price, and use the right platform, the process can be surprisingly smooth.
