Ever wonder how you know when it’s time to sell your RV? I mean, really the right time — when it’s more than a feeling. There are many reasons to finally jump into the world RV commerce. The thousands of people are doing it right now on RV Trader, and all of them have specific reasons for deciding to sell. As someone who recently did just this, here’s a little insight — and some clear clues — about when it might be time to sell your RV.
But first, here’s a quick note about the clue that recently tipped me off that it was time to sell — and then buy something better.
The Clue That Tipped Me Off
Almost every RV owner understands that any RV is a series of compromises. Which means that it’s incredible how minor changes to an RV can make a tremendous difference in the usable space. A few inches in the overall length can give a designer the ability to move enough pieces that, suddenly, the living space or bathroom are totally different. The RV we just bought is a perfect example of that. It’s revised version of one that didn’t tickle our fancy in the past — and therefore sold. But, by moving a few items around, the manufacturer was able to completely reconfigure the interior so that it really worked well for us.
By the same token, some of our friends felt differently about the exact same changes. For them, they thought the adjustments ruined the rig. All this to say, there is no one right answer for everyone. But there is a right answer for you. For us, we knew what we were looking for — and tired of. Which brings us to Clue No. 1.
5 Unmistakable Clues That It’s Time to Sell Your RV
Clue No. 1 – Little annoyances have started to feel big.
For anyone shopping for RVs, one of the suggestions I have is that you step into each space in the RV and try it out. That means pretending to use the kitchen, testing the bed, sitting on the toilet and stepping into the shower. All of it. Sometimes this little exercise can bring challenges to the surface. There are absolutely occasions where these challenges aren’t that big a deal. Until they are.
The reality is that sometimes, you won’t know the things that bother you until you’ve lived in your RV.
Why did my wife and I recently trade RVs? We use our RV — a lot. The two of us have very different sleep schedules. I’m an early riser. She’s a night owl. And the fact that our RV was essentially one big room wasn’t a problem at first, but I did find myself avoiding grinding coffee beans in the morning until she was up.
This hadn’t been a big issue, really. (I think she could sleep through an explosion.) But this little annoyance started to bother me. So we bought an RV that was a little bit bigger — enough to include not just one but two doors between the bedroom and the main living space.
It may sound strange, but our little patterns matter to us. That little inconvenience eventually became a bigger issue — enough that we were back at the RV dealer trading our trusty trailer in.
Clue No. 2 – Selling would help your finances.
Let’s be honest, an RV is not an inexpensive item. If finances change, it can mean that the RV is on the chopping block. I’ve also seen where some owners find that a change in the rules at in a homeowner’s association mean that they have to make a decision — whether to keep the RV in storage or simply list it on RV Trader.
Interestingly, in the eyes of some lending institutions for recreational vehicles, they consider the RV a luxury extravagance. Which is why you’ll find that not all lenders will do RV loans. And, the ones that do, charge a higher interest rate for them. They are aware that if some people’s finances become tighter the RV is often one of the first things to be cut from the budget.
Point is, for everything there is a season. And financially, for many owners, they may need to sell their RV in certain seasons of their life.
Clue No. 3 – Your RV and lifestyle are at odds.
There are a number of things that can change in your life. I’ve found that, sometimes, health challenges can make the RV more of a challenge than a joy. For example, retirement can mean going from an occasional travel weekend to lots of time seeing this wonderful country. But then you may realize that while you love RVing, long ago you didn’t choose an RV that aligns with how you’re now traveling. Maybe you bought something too small, too large, or even the wrong type of RV.
Also, not to get too philosophic, but youth doesn’t last forever. For many campers, their first purchase is something outdoorsy or more rugged. But as we get older, we tend to put more emphasis on space and comfort and entertaining. If your old RV isn’t meeting your current lifestyle, it’s probably time to sell your RV.
Clue No. 4 – You’re not using your RV like you thought.
When I was selling RVs (as a dealer), there was something I would see happen with buyers. And I’d see it frequently. Retired couples would buy an RV and choose a model that was more intended for family travels. Like as a bunkhouse RV. But all too often, the grandchildren (who were the intended users of the bunks) just never wanted to go. As if screen time was more fun than spending time with your grandparents in the woods. (I hope you can tell I am being sarcastic here).
For these RV buyers, after taking the RV out a number of times, they’d realize that they didn’t use the bunks. So, they wanted either a smaller RV or something that more closely aligned with their actual use.
I can’t tell you how many times I would see these customers a year or so later with that bunkhouse as a trade-in on something more fitting. I never did say, “I told you so,” because that would be rude and mean. But I thought it.
Clue No. 5 – You daydream about other RVs.
One of the biggest reasons we sold our RV is that we wanted a new RV! It started when ee went to a gathering of RVers and saw a shiny new rig. And we wanted it. For that, and for the reasons described in Clue No. 1, it didn’t take us long to put the old rig on the market.
The truth is, what drives you to sell your RV may not be a need at all. Rather, there’s simply a desire for that something new. Believe me, I fully understand that!
I’ve written about RV gatherings where they have new RVs just begging you to come take a look. And sometimes, as an RVer, you just have to oblige. That can be a good thing or not, but you can’t not go look.
Where to Sell Your RV
Whether you’re looking to sell the RV altogether, or just find a replacement that better suits your needs, it doesn’t take long to start the process. You can list and sell your RV on RV Trader with ease.
Of course. we’re biased, but the reality is that RV Trader reaches individuals and dealers across this great land with millions of people coming here to look for that perfect RV. And hat could be your RV! A listing on RV Trader is a great way to find the next person who will love your RV — and get you some cash in hand. Who knows, maybe it will help you purchase your dream RV.
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