Whether you simply don’t use your RV much anymore or you are looking to upgrade, selling your RV can be a great way to get your hands on a chunk of cash. And, while it’s easy to list your rig on a used RV website or in the RVPostings.com camper classifieds, there are some things you can do to prepare and ensure that the process goes smoothly—and lucratively.

Steps for Selling Your RV

Here are six simple steps for selling your RV effortlessly and getting a fair price:

1. Pay Attention to the Economy and RV Values

When you start to think about selling your RV, keep your finger on the pulse of the economy in general. When facing a recession or rising inflation costs, buyers might not have a lot of extra cash to put towards non-essentials like an RV. You’ll probably see less interest and may not be able to get your asking price. Additionally, keep in mind that RV values fluctuate throughout the year. Since summer is the primary season for RVing, values are generally highest in the spring as potential buyers start to think about their summer plans. Prices then typically drop in the fall and winter. Plan accordingly to get the most interest and the best price.

2. Decide Which RV Upgrades Will Boost the Selling Price

If there are components of your RV that are outdated or don’t work, fixing them before listing your rig can substantially boost the selling price. For example, a broken refrigerator will be a tough sell, but you can probably get away with tacking on more than the cost of a new fridge if you replace it.

You can also perform inexpensive cosmetic upgrades that will make your RV look more attractive to sellers, such as painting the cabinets, adding in upgraded lighting, and so forth. You can also add convenience items, such as outlets and charging ports and extra storage. These upgrades not only revitalize your RV, but also help it stand out from potentially dozens of the same model that are listed for sale. However, be careful not to get too carried away—keep your investment costs to a minimum or you might end up losing money.

3. Stage Your RV for Sale

Just like when you’re selling a house, it’s important to help potential buyers picture themselves adventuring in your RV by staging it properly. This means deep-cleaning your rig, getting those upgrades checked off the to-do list, and removing personal touches like photos or souvenirs. Take high-quality photos of your RV in natural lighting to post online, and keep your RV show-ready for when potential buyers come to inspect it.

4. Determine Your RV Selling Price

Once you’ve made any planned upgrades to your RV and have got it squeaky clean, it’s time to set your selling price. There are several online resources where you can type in the make, model, and year of your RV to learn its approximate resale value. You can also get your RV professionally inspected to determine if there are any issues that might have slipped by you, and whether those are worth fixing to increase the value.

Once you’ve got a good idea of the general resale value and the condition of your RV, pick your goal price as well as your absolute minimum. While it’s important to be flexible when selling your RV, you don’t want to get wheedled down so low that you feel ripped off afterwards. Choose a price that’s neither aggressively high (buyers will find a cheaper option) nor outrageously low (buyers will wonder what’s wrong with your RV), as erring on either side can be detrimental.

5. Advertise and Sell Your RV at RVPostings.com

With a price in mind, it’s time to advertise that your RV is for sale. There are dozens of RV selling sites and camper classifieds, though you’ll want to choose a safe, reputable, and widely used option like RVPostings.com. Be sure to write a detailed listing description and include all key information, such as the price (and whether the price is flexible), the year, make, and model, any upgrades that you’ve made to the rig, the dimensions, how many people it can sleep, an overview of the features and amenities, and so forth.

Include all of those high-quality photos that you took when you staged your RV. Be upfront about any damage to your RV and include pictures of it if applicable. Additionally, if you can find a layout schematic from the manufacturer, include that in your listing as well to help potential buyers get a feel for what your rig offers. If you can’t find one, a hand-drawn layout can be helpful. Basically, think about everything you would want to know if you were shopping for an RV, and include all of those details.

6. Get Your RV Sale Paperwork Ready

Finally, research and prepare your RV sale paperwork. This can vary based on your location, but will likely include a bill of sale as well as the RV’s title. You can also include helpful materials like the owner’s manual for the RV itself as well as any appliances or features that you added after purchase, maintenance records, and so forth—although this isn’t legally required, it’s a nice thing to do and helps set your buyer up for success.

Conclusion

If you are considering selling your RV or sell your camper online, be sure to time it right in terms of both the economy at large as well as the seasonal fluctuations in RV value. Take the time to make any necessary upgrades to your rig, clean it, and stage it. Research and set your sale price, and then list your camper on an RV selling site like RVPostings.com and have your sale paperwork ready to go ahead of time for a seamless sale. Set your buyer up for a successful first trip by including any owner’s manuals and other helpful documents. Happy selling!