{"id":459,"date":"2018-06-26T02:47:52","date_gmt":"2018-06-26T02:47:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/familytravelfever.com\/?p=459"},"modified":"2023-03-26T08:53:55","modified_gmt":"2023-03-26T08:53:55","slug":"tips-buy-sell-used-rvs-for-sale","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/familytravelfever.com\/tips-buy-sell-used-rvs-for-sale\/","title":{"rendered":"Flippin\u2019 Camper\u2019s &#8211; Tips for Dealing in Used RVs for Sale"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p style=\"font-size:14px\"> <em>NOTE*** The content on this page may contain affiliate links, we<em> may make a commission. And, as an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.<\/em>&nbsp;&nbsp;More information: <a href=\"https:\/\/familytravelfever.com\/disclosure\/\">disclosure page<\/a>.<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>We Chose to Deal in Used Rvs for Sale and Avoid Camping World and RV Dealers \u2013 But Did We successfully Buy and Sell on Craigslist and Facebook?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>At the end of our year of flippin\u2019 campers, we learned a lot about how to find and post ads with used RVs for sale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the last year, we went from never imagining ourselves as an RV family to renting one, buying 3 used RVs and selling 2 used RVs. &nbsp; All in less&nbsp;than one year!&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It started with a tent camping trip with 4 little kids.&nbsp;&nbsp;We had done plenty of backpacking and tent camping but doing it with a large family my limit.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;We thought we should rent one and see how we like the whole RV thing.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Places to Buy and Sells RVs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Craigslist<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dpbolvw.net\/click-8957342-13394582\">RVT<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Facebook<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Local Newspaper<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Word of Mouth<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Spoiler Alert: &nbsp;I am having better luck renting out my camper than selling it. &nbsp;I currently rent on RVShare and Outdoorsy and am making money while enjoying my RV. &nbsp;Compared to owning and renting and home, you can make considerably more on a camper in less time. &nbsp;I have been making $2,000 or more a month on a travel trailer that is worth only $16,000. &nbsp;<\/strong>Here is a<a href=\"https:\/\/mbsy.co\/ZLm2L\">&nbsp;$25 bonus to try out RV Share.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>I suggest listing on Outdoorsy too where I have had great luck and made even more money. &nbsp;The customer service is great, they have $1M insurance on your RV, and do all the advertising for you. &nbsp;\u2013<\/em><em>&nbsp;<\/em><strong><em>make more money here at&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.outdoorsy.com\/invite\/614696179352\/owner\">Outdoorsy&nbsp;<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Buying a Used RV for Sale in the Newspaper<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Our First Experience Buying a Used RV for Sale<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So we rented a 31 ft&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.canadream.com\/\">RV in Canada<\/a>&nbsp;for a week and loved it.&nbsp;&nbsp; After that, we came home and decided to start looking for a used RV for sale.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The local newspaper had an ad for a used fifth wheel for sale really cheap \u2013 $3k kind of cheap.&nbsp;&nbsp;We called and out of a hundred or so calls, the seller decided to call us back. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We offered cash and went to go pick it up.&nbsp;&nbsp;<em>Move fast and you never know when you will get lucky.&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s how naive we were \u2013 we have a 1\/2 ton short bed pick up.&nbsp;&nbsp;I thought I got a truck \u2013 just throw in a hitch and we are good to go right?&nbsp;&nbsp;Umm wrong.&nbsp;&nbsp;We ended up borrowing a truck from a friend and moved it to our driveway.&nbsp;&nbsp;Where it hung way out in the street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Pro Tip: &nbsp;Make sure you can tow the RV and you have a place to store it.&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Buying an RV on Craigslist<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Flipping RVs is not always easy<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>So, here\u2019s where the story starts to get good.&nbsp;&nbsp;We got the fifth wheel that needs a lot of work, a tiny driveway and no way to move&nbsp;it&nbsp;unless we buy a new truck.&nbsp;&nbsp;Ok, so we are thinking we will flip it.&nbsp;&nbsp;We will just clean it up, fix a couple of things and post a great used camper for sale advertisement.&nbsp;&nbsp;Seriously \u2013 we got it for $3K and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nadaguides.com\/RVs\/Travel-Trailers-5th-Wheels\">NADA<\/a>&nbsp;is $14 in perfect condition.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I\u2019m still thinking this is definitely a good investment\u2026 But then a friend came along who needed a place to stay with their family for a month between selling and buying a house.&nbsp;&nbsp;You know how this works \u2013 a month drags on and the summer is almost over. I am dying to get out in a camper.&nbsp;&nbsp;Our marriage is taking a pounding over this \u201cinvestment.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I couldn\u2019t wait any longer so I found an old vintage 1974 Prowler camper for sale in&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/denver.craigslist.org\/\">Craigslist<\/a>&nbsp;for $1500.&nbsp;&nbsp;I went to see it. It was clean. And had was avocado green and harvest gold!&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;I begged my husband and \u201cBerta\u201d was ours.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Being&nbsp;<\/strong>Spontaneous will Cost you Time and Money.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Over the summer we went camping in the 43-year-old vintage Travel Trailer \u201cBerta\u201d. But because we had jumped into buying this cheap old RV without knowing much about campers, it started to fall apart.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is now fall \u2013 not a good time for fixing or selling campers.&nbsp;&nbsp;Our friends moved into their house and stored the fifth wheel for the winter.&nbsp;&nbsp;\u201cBerta\u201d at only 23 feet end to end, stayed in our driveway.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Spring came.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We borrowed a truck and moved the fifth wheel back to the house.&nbsp;&nbsp;So now we have 2 campers in the driveway, that are both out of commission and neighbors that are losing their patience.&nbsp;&nbsp;Time to get those used RVs for sale ad posted!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Posting the Used Camper for Sale Ads<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s finally time to get the fifth wheel cleaned up and make all that $$$$ from our investment.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>First thing \u2013 the slide didn\u2019t go out.&nbsp;&nbsp;Oh no!&nbsp;&nbsp;Was is mice chewed the wires?&nbsp;&nbsp;Did the motor go out?&nbsp;&nbsp;Charles asked around a little and got the right to troubleshooting.&nbsp;&nbsp;He pulled the whole underbelly apart to trace the hydraulic lines.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Turns out the motor is accessible in the back and he figured out how to replace the solenoid.&nbsp;&nbsp;Lesson learned.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>OK crisis averted. &nbsp;The ad and pictures go up on&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/\">Facebook<\/a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/denver.craigslist.org\/\">Craigslist&nbsp;<\/a>for $7700. Remember we were thinking we would bank off this thing.&nbsp;&nbsp;Right off a low offer for $5k and \u2026.crickets. Fine, let\u2019s try $7k.&nbsp;&nbsp;A couple of people come by but think its too big a project and worry about the body damage.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Note: \u00a0I suggest trying to list the camper on a few different places at the same time. \u00a0We did Facebook and Craigslist. \u00a0I wish we would have tried RVT, a huge online marketplace for people selling RVs. \u00a0You can check out\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.jdoqocy.com\/click-9009437-13371832\">RVT here<\/a>.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Selling an RV may take Longer than You think<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Remember, We still have a vintage travel trailer and a fifth wheel in the driveway.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;So new game plan \u2013 start dropping the price to get rid of the campers. I am dying to go RV camping and ditch the tents.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Fifth wheel $7K crickets, $6500 crickets, $6,000 finally generated interest.&nbsp;&nbsp;We had people come by to look.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Anyone who knew anything about campers wouldn\u2019t even make an offer.<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They knew the outside damage could mean a problem in the frame and the other issues and would be a big project. Others would only do payments for years.&nbsp;&nbsp;But it had to go\u2026 like now. I spent hours trying to sell the fifth wheel online and researching RVs for sale ads with the perfect new camper for us.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So far flipping RVs is harder than we expected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Buying a Camper from Craigslist<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A travel trailer with everything we wanted finally popped up on Craigslist and Charles drove straight to Denver to pick it up. Its a Jayco bunkhouse travel trailer with room for all of us and grandparents.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This one we planned to keep and travel in.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Time to get serious about posting&nbsp;advertisements in Used RVs&nbsp;for Sale&nbsp;.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It became clear the fifth wheel had some major problems.&nbsp;&nbsp;An RV dealer, posing as a private buyer,&nbsp;&nbsp;ended up buying it for $4,500.&nbsp; He had some hired hands come pick it up and take it to his shop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I only found out from these guys that he was a dealer.&nbsp;&nbsp;I am sure he knew if he could cover up the damage, the camper would be worth a lot more. He probably passed it off to some unsuspecting customers.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I listed my 1974 Prowler camper for sale on Craigslist and Facebook for $900 with an honest description of all that worked and dry rot so bad the wall was falling off.&nbsp;&nbsp;After the fifth wheel experience,&nbsp;&nbsp;I thought no one would want a truly old broken camper.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This time\u2026. my phone blew up.&nbsp;&nbsp;Who knew?&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We learned a lot!\u00a0\u00a0The first thing we learned is we are not good flippers or used RV salespeople.\u00a0\u00a0We told every buyer all the damage and flaws.\u00a0\u00a0And waited too long to negotiate.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Here are some other lessons we learned:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tips for buying a used RV camper<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Look for Used RVs for sale ads in the newspaper, on Craigslist, Facebook and RV Trader.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You may need to look in a couple of locations on Craigslist and Facebook.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I suggest you join a couple of local Facebook swap groups and a private used RVs for sale group for your search.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition, search the local newspaper for RVs for sale in the classified ads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The other place to look for good deals of RVs by the owner is on\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.jdoqocy.com\/click-9009437-13371832\">RV Trader. \u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">When buying a camper look for signs of structural damage<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Dents or damage to the outside may be an underlying problem in the frame.&nbsp;&nbsp;Water damage anywhere on the inside is a problem and it has seeped into the walls.&nbsp;&nbsp;Check the corners and inside all the closets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Look for dry rot in older campers. Look in the corners, ceiling, and floor. A wall could shake loose with nothing to attach to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Check the Tires for more than just Tread<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The tires can be deceiving and the seller will tell you the tread is still good. &nbsp;Check the date and condition. The tread might look great but a 15-year-old tire will blow as soon as you get moving.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Look for damage from blown tires and ask if all have been replaced or just the one that was blown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Check the roof and seals<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Climb on the roof and look for damage, condition of the roof and seals. Ask when it was last resealed.&nbsp;&nbsp;Roofs need releasing and its a big job.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Check for cracks in the bathroom and kitchen and the condition of the seals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Make sure everything works properly<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>From watching how others went through the fifth wheel with a fine-tooth comb.&nbsp;&nbsp;I learned a lot about buying used campers for sale from private parties.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Thanks to everyone who came out and taught me how to shop for a camper!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Make sure all water, electricity and gas work.&nbsp;&nbsp;The fridge and freezer may need to be plugged in overnight to work.&nbsp;&nbsp; Climb up the ladder on the back and check the roof.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tips for Selling Used RVs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is the right price to ask?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>When deciding a price for the Used RV for Sale ad\u00a0know this: \u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>Value is only related to what someone will pay.\u00a0<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>When you are posting a camper for sale, keep in mind, the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nadaguides.com\/RVs\/Travel-Trailers-5th-Wheels\">NADA<\/a>&nbsp;value might be a guide but its only worth what someone will pay.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have a popular model \u2013 like the new bunkhouse we just bought- and lots of buyers \u2013 a city like Denver \u2013 and a good price \u2013 it will go quickly.&nbsp;If you have a beat up old fifth wheel, hours and hours from the nearest city \u2013 it could sit for a while.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Fifth wheels are not an impulse buy because of the special equipment involved.&nbsp;&nbsp;Anyone interested in a fifth wheel knows what they are doing or will take weeks to get their truck prepared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Contrary to what the guys at&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.campingworld.com\/\">Camping World<\/a>&nbsp;will tell you, unless you are an RV dealer, avoid thinking of your RV as an investment.&nbsp;&nbsp;We thought we could buy and flip.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When we were looking on the RV sale lots, the dealers for new campers kept trying to sell the idea of an RV is an investment.&nbsp;&nbsp;But you know \u2013 very few people actually make money buying and selling campers.&nbsp;&nbsp;Most lose a ton of money. I am happy to got a good education for relatively little loss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Focus on what matters to the buyer:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Try selling in the current condition to get an idea of the problems that people will care about.&nbsp;&nbsp;Fix those and then re-list.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We spent a lot of time and energy cleaning and decorating the fifth wheel before posting the for sale ad. When it came to selling the buyers mostly cared about body damage.\u00a0\u00a0Even if we fixed the damage we would have still been honest about it but at least we would have saved a lot of trouble in decorating.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"510\" height=\"383\" src=\"https:\/\/familytravelfever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Inside-fifth-wheel-for-sale-.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3335\" srcset=\"https:\/\/familytravelfever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Inside-fifth-wheel-for-sale-.jpg 510w, https:\/\/familytravelfever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Inside-fifth-wheel-for-sale--300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/familytravelfever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Inside-fifth-wheel-for-sale--480x360.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 510px) 100vw, 510px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What if You Can\u2019t Sell Your RV?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Selling an RV can be difficult at certain times and places. &nbsp;Just like real estate, you could decide to rent out your RV and make some money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some poeple even decide that flipping campers is not for them and would rather have a rental business. &nbsp;In fact, the we rent out the Travel Trailer that we currently own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We have our RV listed on both&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.dpbolvw.net\/click-8957342-13469678\">RVShare<\/a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.jdoqocy.com\/click-8957342-13408995\">Outdoorsy.&nbsp;<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Both platforms have benefits but listing your RV is free on each. &nbsp;Just make sure to update your calendar<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Were we Successful Dealing in Used RV for Sale without an RV Dealer?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>We learned a lot.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;You know \u2013 experience is the best teacher.&nbsp;&nbsp;We have a lot less cash than we imagined,&nbsp;&nbsp;hours and hours that went into our \u2026..learning experience, and payment from financing a way bigger travel trailer than we originally wanted.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And although we tried to avoid Camping World and RV dealers we did end up selling to an RV dealer.&nbsp;&nbsp;A shady kind of dealer that made me want to avoid dealers in the first place.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We did shop at some RV dealers who were very knowledgeable and honest.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And although we found our new travel trailer for sale on Craigslist, the seller turned out to be a used car and RV dealer too.&nbsp; Hw bought the camper at auction \u2013 which is another option to find a good deal on an RV.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He was upfront and honest about it and was very, very fair.&nbsp;&nbsp;I noticed that our camper has a Camping World sticker on the side, so it was originally from there.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And the 1974 Prowler Berta, well we successfully gave her away on a Facebook Classified group specific to used RVs for Sale.&nbsp;&nbsp;So I can\u2019t really say we made money there.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So far we are happy and can\u2019t wait to take the new camper out!&nbsp;&nbsp;And yes my doggie is now senile, 15years but still with us.&nbsp;&nbsp;Watch for our RV camping adventures in our new travel trailer.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What are your tips for buying and selling used RVs? &nbsp;Do you think flipping campers is a good investment?&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>After a year of flippin\u2019 camper experiences, we share tips on how to deal in buying and selling campers including finding used RVs for sale. We tried to avoid RV dealers and buy and sell on Craigslist, Facebook and local newspaper for sale ads. But were we able to avoid RV dealers buying or selling?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":461,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[382],"tags":[19,14,16,17,10,13,15,18],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/familytravelfever.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/459"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/familytravelfever.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/familytravelfever.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/familytravelfever.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/familytravelfever.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=459"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/familytravelfever.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/459\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10924,"href":"https:\/\/familytravelfever.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/459\/revisions\/10924"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/familytravelfever.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/461"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/familytravelfever.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=459"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/familytravelfever.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=459"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/familytravelfever.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=459"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}