Category: RV Tips

Class B vs Class C RVs – The Pros And Cons Of Either Choice

This article is about Class B vs Class C RVs. And the pros and cons of choosing either one of them.

Of course, both of these kinds of RVs are very good for people who don’t want a big RV.

They just don’t want an RV the size of a class A. They want something smaller and more nimble instead. And both of these kinds of RVs will fit that bill.

But there are pros and cons for choosing either a Class B or Class C RV. So let’s go ahead and get started on covering them now.

Watch my video comparing Class Bvs Class C RVs

Table of Contents

Class B vs Class C – Pro #1

And let’s start with the class B pros. The number one pro of a Class B is that is so much easier to drive than many other RVs.

A typical Class B Campervan
A typical Class B Campervan

(Here is a link to one of the largest manufacturer of Class B RVs – Winnebago )

In fact, if you’ve ever driven a passenger van of some type, then you’re probably going to feel pretty much at home in a Class B RV.

It’s more like driving a car. And that is really good for those that are new to RVing in general.

And it’s also good for those that are a little intimidated about driving the bigger RVs. So that’s a real pro for many to consider.

Pro #2 – What About Fuel Mileage?

The second pro is better fuel mileage. Especially when compared to other RVs.

In fact, many class B RV owners report about 18 to 25 miles per gallon in their RV travels.

Now of course a lot depends on how you’re driving it and the size of the RV itself. Also whether it’s mostly highway or around town driving.

But generally speaking, somewhere between 18 and 25 miles per gallon is great. So much better than most larger RVs out there.

Pro #3 For Class B Camper Vans

Number three on the pro list is that you usually don’t need any kind of vehicle to take along with you on your RV trips.

And that’s because the class B also drives around town very easily. It can fit in most parking spaces too.

So in many cases you don’t need an extra vehicle for running errands around town. And that’s a big pro!

Class B vs Class C – Pro #4

The next pro is how easy it is to maintain on the outside of the RV.

Especially since it’s a passenger van that an RV builder has converted to be an RV.

So it has a metal exterior that came from the auto manufacturer. Without joints and seams that need constant maintenance.

And that means that the roof and the outside of the van is so much easier to maintain.

It’s just so much easier to prevent any kind of water leaks than a regular RV might be.

Pro #5 – This Is A Big One!

Now next on the pro list is that it fits in almost any RV campsite.

And that means that you shouldn’t have any problem getting some kind of reservation at most RV campgrounds.

Class B RVs fit easily in most campsites
Class B RVs fit easily in most campsites

Also, Class B RVs are really great too for older campgrounds. For those that don’t have really big campsites.

And they work especially well for national parks and state parks too.

The Last Class B Pro – One You May Not Have Thought About

OK, the last pro for the class B in this article is the ability to stealth camp in it. And you might wonder what “stealth camping” means anyway?

Well let’s suppose that you are an RVer that doesn’t like to make a lot of reservations.

You like to be able to choose where to stay overnight at the last minute. And go where you want to go.

Well, the problem with that is that you may not be able to get a last minute campground reservation.

So what a class B RV allows you to do is camp in town somewhere instead.

Perhaps on a well-lighted street. Or in a parking lot. You can spend overnight there and nobody would even know that you’re camping there.

That’s because the van looks from the outside just like a passenger van to many people.

And that kind of overnight camping is called stealth camping. It’s something that a lot of people like to do with their Class B RV.

Class B vs Class C – Class B Con #1

OK now let’s move on to the cons of the Class B RV. And the number one con is how tight the living area is.

Yes the RV is usually only about 19 to 25 feet in length at the most. And very often there’s no slide rooms either.

So it’s a very tight living area. And you need to really go through a Class B and experience that for yourself.

Very tight living spa
Very tight living spaces

You need to decide if that’s going to be enough living space for you or not.

And it’s often a con for many RV buyers. Now the second con is about when you leave your campsite.

Con #2 – What About Day Trips?

Let’s say you’re going to be making a trip for errands or a day trip in your RV.

Well you’re going to have to break camp every time that you leave and go somewhere in a Class B.

And that means you’ve got to unhook your sewer, water and electric connections before you leave.

Then when you come back, you have to re-hook it all up again. And this goes on every single time you go somewhere in your RV.

Of course, some people don’t find this to be a big issue. But others find it very irritating. So it’s something to consider before buying a Class B RV.

Class B Con #3 – What About Storage?

And now the third con is that there’s very little storage space inside and outside of the RV.

So if you buy a Class B van you will often need to get used to a minimalist lifestyle.

Now for many that’s actually a pro for them because that’s what they want to do. They want to simplify their life with the RVing experience.

But not being able to store many of the things you really want to carry with you could be a con. So it’s important to consider that.

Con #4 – This Is A Big One For A Lot Of People!

OK, the next con is that the toilet and the shower are often combined into one.

It’s some thing called a wet bath, and it’s very cramped for many people.

Typical wet baths
Typical wet baths

And the larger you are, the more difficult it will be to adjust to this Class B feature. And this can certainly be a con for many.

Class B vs Class C – Class B Con #5 – Tank Sizes

The next con is that Class B RVs often have very small holding and waste tanks.

And that can shorten the time that you can spend boondocking in rural areas.

That’s because the fresh water tank will empty quicker than bigger RVs.

And the waste tanks will fill up faster as well. This necessitates a trip somewhere to get more fresh water and to dump your waste too.

Of course, it’s mainly just an inconvenience, but it’s something to consider if you like to boondock a lot.

Con #6 – Cost

Now the last con for a Class B RV is that it often costs more than class C RVs.

In fact, the Class B RV costs more per square foot than any other RV out there.

And that’s because they have to take all this technology and put it in such a small area.

Also it’s because the RV builder didn’t make the outside shell of the RV.

Instead, they had to take what the auto builder made and then converted it into an RV.

And that requires more effort and more expense to be able to do that.

All right, so those are the pros and the cons of the Class B. Now let’s move on to the class C RV instead.

Class C Pro #1

And the number one pro for the class C is having a lot more living area than the class B RV.

An example of a Class C RV
An example of a Class C RV

(Here is a link to one of the largest manufacturer of Class C RVs – Winnebago )

This is often so because you get slide rooms with many class C RVs. And that opens up the living area consiberably.

Also the length can be much longer too, up to 35 feet. And the interiors are usually taller too. They just have more headroom in most cases.

A big pro is a lot more living space
A big pro is a lot more living space

So for you taller folks, you’ll find it a lot more comfortable in a class C RV.

Class B vs Class C – Class C Pro #2

Now the next pro is that you can accommodate more people in a class C RV. Especially for overnight camping.

This is because the Class C is just made that way. It’s kind of made for families in many cases. So it will sleep a lot more people.

You can usually have a lot more sleeping options
You can usually have a lot more sleeping options

The class B is generally going to be comfortable for one to two people at a time.

But beyond that, it gets really tight. However, the class C RV can usually handle a lot more people for sleeping arrangements.

Pro #3 – Storage

OK, the third pro is there is usually much more storage space inside and outside in the Class C.

So if you like to carry a lot of other things with you, this could be very important for you.

Class C Pro #4 Is About The Bathroom

The next pro is that you will have a more normal bathroom. I’m talking about there being an actual sink, toilet and shower that are separate from one another.

A Class C bathroom
A Class C bathroom

Also you have a little walk around space in the bathroom too. But don’t get the impression that the bathroom is very big, because it’s not in most Class C’s.

But it’s almost certainly going to be much bigger than the average class B RV wet bath.

Pro #5 – What About Boondocking?

The next pro for the Class C RV is having larger holding tanks. Yes now we’re getting into where your water and waste tanks are actually of some size.

And they can be really usable for boondocking if you like to do that a lot.

Class C Pro #6 – Cost

OK, the last pro is that Class C RVs usually cost less than a class B.

One reason is that the Class C has been made for years and years. So the technology is very established.

They know what they’re doing with it and it doesn’t cost as much to manufacture. And that lower cost is a big attraction to many RV buyers.

Class B vs Class C – Class C Con #1

Now let’s move into the cons of the Class C RV. And number one is that they usually have worse fuel mileage than the class B.

In fact, a lot of Class C owners report somewhere between 9 and 12 miles per gallon.

Of course, that’s still better than many class A’s out there. But it’s worse than the average class B van.

Con #2 – Traveling

Now the second con For Class C RVs is that you may indeed require a second vehicle to carry with you on your RV travels.

That’s because most class C’s are not as easy to maneuver around town.

They’re often longer, so they won’t fit in parking spaces as easy as a Class B van will.

So very often you’ve got to take a second vehicle to be able to maneuver well. Especially when running errands around town and day trips.

Class C Con #3 – Ride And Handling

The third con is that very often the cabin is going to be more noisy when you’re driving in it.

One reason for that is that the larger engine will often be more more noisy.

Also the ride of a Class C usually is a little rougher than the class B RV.

Remember that Class B RVs usually ride like a passenger vehicle in many cases.

Well, Class C’s are a little bit rougher than that. Sometimes quite a bit rougher.

So you definitely want to do some test rides first before you decide on your purchase.

Class B vs Class C – Class C Con #4

OK, the next con is that in many cases the cabin of a Class C is lower to access.

That means that you have to go down into it to get into the seats. So that means that those seats on the front are not usable for anything other than driving.

An example of a Class C cockpit
An example of a Class C cockpit

In fact, the whole cabin area is wasted space for actually living in. Whereas in the class B you can often just turn those chairs around.

And when you do, you have a seating area for use in the house part of the RV too.

Con #5 – Driving

Now the next con is that a Class C RV is not as easy to drive around as the class B.

Yes, it’s not as maneuverable or as as nimble in daily traffic situations.

Of course, it’s often much better than many class A RVs. But the nod for being able to maneuver an RV definitely goes to the class B over the C.

The Last Con For Class C RVs

Now the final con for a class C is there is generally more maintenance involved overall.

And when I say maintenance, I’m talking about more tires and bigger tires.

Also the RV roof is going to be a real RV roof with joints and seams. And they will have to be sealed and inspected from time to time.

There is a lot more I could mention in the area of RV maintenance too. But I think you see the point.

Generally speaking, there’s more maintenance that’s going to go on with a Class C RV. Not a ton more, but more.

All right, those are my list of pros and cons for both the class B and the class C RV.

Conclusion

At this point it’s probably a good idea to go back through this article again. Because I have covered a lot of pros and cons here.

So write down the pros and cons and then try to find the pros that fit you best. The ones that seem to fit your style of RV travel and camping best.

Also review the cons. And take note of the ones that you really don’t want to have to deal with.

Then mark the pros and cons that are the ones that are really more important to you.

And if you do that, usually you’ll begin to see what will work best for you. And you can make a clear choice between either the class B or the class C RV.

That way you can choose the RV type that works best for you overall.

Have safe and happy RV travels my friends!

Azdel vs Luan – The Surprising Truth In This Controversy

This article is going to be talking about Azdel vs Luan in RV construction.

But first, I made a video about how RVs are made. And you can watch that video here.

That video helps to lay a basis or foundation for what we’re going to cover in this article.

That’s because it explained how that many RV manufacturers are using laminated wall building methods for their RVs these days.

Watch my video on Azdel vs Luan

Table of Contents

Azdel vs Luan – How Are RV Walls Made?

So let me show you what I mean by “laminated walls” in RVs. And as you can see in the following image, there’s a fiberglass panel on the outside of the RV.

An example of laminated RV walls
An example of laminated RV walls

Then it has a substrate behind it that gives it rigidity. After that, there’s the frame for the wall.

And in between the frame supports is insulation. Finally on the other side of the frame is the interior wall that you see inside the RV.

Now all of those layers are glued together first. And then the whole unit is run through a pinch roller or it’s vacuum bonded together.

So what comes out of that process is one big solid RV wall. There’s no sections to it.

What Is Luan Anyway?

Now for years, the substrate that supports the fiberglass outside panel has been made out of Luan.

So what is Luan anyway? Well, you’ve probably heard the term but just didn’t know what it actually meant.

And the explanation is that Luan is just simply an eighth to a quarter inch plywood board.

Azdel vs Luan - an example of luan plywood panels
An example of Luan plywood panels

It’s very strong but also very light. And therefore it’s a very good RV construction material that has been used for years.

However, it has one big drawback. And that is that if water gets into an RV’s wall, then Luan can begin to break apart.

In fact, it can delaminate away from that exterior wall altogether. And it can even rot inside the wall if the water intrusion goes on long enough.

Now how do you spot delamination on an RV? Well just go down to the end of an RV and look back at the sidewall.

An example of extreme delamination on an RV
An example of extreme delamination on an RV

If you see some blisters or areas where the fiberglass seems to poke out away from the wall, that’s delamination.

And that’s what we really want to avoid!

Azdel vs Luan – Using Azdel In RV Construction

Now since 2006 Azdel has begun to be used in the industry in many cases instead of Luan.

Especially on the RV’s outside walls to prevent delamination. Of course, Azdel started out being used just sparingly by RV manufacturers.

But it’s progressively being used by more and more manufacturers in the construction of RV walls.

And the question is, well then what is Azdel? The answer is that it is actually a composite sheet of material that’s man-made.

And it is impervious to water or humidity. In fact, you can take Azdel and just submerge it in water for months.

Azdel vs Luan - this is how Azdel is used in RV wall construction
This is how Azdel is used in RV wall construction

And if you did it would look just fine when it comes out of the water. That’s because it simply can’t rot!

So does that mean that Azdel solves all RV water intrusion issues then?

Azdel vs Luan – Does Azdel Resolve RV Water Leak Problems?

Well, I often see lots of comments on the internet from RV buyers that think that’s the case.

And so they refuse to buy any RV that has Luan in the RV’s walls. Because they feel that it’s vastly inferior.

And they are concerned that they’re setting themselves up for water problems if Luan is used in the RV walls.

In fact, they may like everything else about an RV. And the manufacturer may be very well known as a quality manufacturer.

But they’re still not going to buy that RV if it has Luan in the walls. So is that a reasonable stance to take?

Well, the reason for this controversy is that RV marketing people do a great job at marketing.

And marketing people want to make you see all the good things about something. But not necessarily any of the bad things.

Or they will tell you all the good things, but don’t give you the whole story. Or all the details about the other things that apply as well.

So if you listen to RV marketing people. it sounds like Azdel in RV walls is the perfect solution for RV water problems.

However let me make this point very clear. Azdel in exterior RV walls alone will not make your RV waterproof.

And it will not solve all of your water intrusion issues. Why is that?

How Extensive Is Azdel Being Used In RV Construction?

Because let’s just suppose that an RV has Azdel in the sidewalls. That sounds like water problems are solved for that RV, right?

Well, there is something that many RV buyers don’t know. And that is that the vast majority of RV builders still use a lot of wood elsewhere in the RV.

You can find it in the roof, the ceilings, the floors, and in the interior walls of the RV.

So if water gets in, it’s true that when it goes down the RV walls it may not delaminate that substrate from the fiberglass panel like Luan would.

But major damage will still happen in that RV wherever wood is being used.

You see, water doesn’t care if Azdel is in your RV or not. No, water just follows gravity and works it’s way down the inside of an RV.

And most RV leaks actually begin from the roof area. Secondly, followed by windows.

Azdel vs Luan – Delamination Is Not The Main Issue Here

Now suppose you have a water leak that starts to come in from the roof. And the water follows gravity from there.

Well first of all, it can and often does ruin the roof supports in the RV’s ceiling.

Then it can go down the sidewalls. And Azdel will probably help to prevent delamination there.

But then water continues on its way down and often ruins the floor as well as the RV’s interior walls.

So the real issue that we have here in RVs is not just delamination. No, the real issue here is water intrusion.

And the need for RV joint and seam maintenance and care on the part of RV owners.

Are The Marketing Claims Being Made Really Helpful?

Now this is nothing that RV marketing people are going to tell you. They’re not going to talk to you about maintaining your RV.

Or that even if the RV has Azdel in the sidewalls, you’ve got to watch the RV’s joints and seams. And keep them covered with the proper sealant.

Oh no, marketing people are not going to inform you of that. They are just going to try to sell Azdel as a water intrusion cure.

But here is the honest truth. There have been many thousands of very good RVs made in decades gone by using Luan and wood construction.

And many of them are still doing just fine. As long as the joints, the seams, and the windows are sealed with proper sealant.

So what if you plan on maintaining your RV? In other words, you’re going to buy an RV and not be one of those people who just doesn’t ever do anything to it.

Instead you’re going to actually try to maintain it and stay up with joint and seam maintenance.

Maintain your RV joints and seams to combat water intrusion
Maintain your RV joints and seams to combat water intrusion

Well if that’s the case, then Luan will work just fine in your RV’s side walls. Or anywhere else in the RV. It’ll be just fine!

What Happens When You Don’t Maintain Your RV’s Joints And Seams

But now what if you don’t plan on maintaining your RV? You’re just going to go on camping trips and run around with it? And that’s the end of your involvement with that RV?

Well then, you could have a lot worse problems than just delamination.

Remember how water follows gravity? So you could be replacing roof substrates.

Azdel vs Luan - Water damage on an RV's ceiling
Water damage on an RV’s ceiling

Or you could be replacing flooring or interior walls even if your RV has Azdel in the outer walls.

And all of that is very expensive! Yes your exterior walls could still be laminated just fine due to Azdel.

But all of this other damage can be taking place inside your RV because of water intrusion.

And those things can happen if you are not going to care for the joints and the seams of your RV.

Azdel vs Luan – Am I A Believer In Azdel Or Not?

Now let me say this for all of the Azdel fans out there. I personally believe in Azdel. I am a supporter of the use of Azdel in RV walls.

Yes, I want to see more products like Azdel being used throughout RVs. In the roof, the flooring, and the RV’s interior walls too.

In other words, more inorganic products being used in RV construction can only be a good thing.

However, what about choosing an RV these days solely on whether it has Azdel in the side walls?

Well, it doesn’t match the reality of what is needed to fully combat RV water leaks and damage.

Conclusion

So don’t just buy into the advertising ploys of RV marketing people.

Instead, commit to maintaining your RV. Commit to doing the work that needs to be done to keep water out of your RV.

If you do, your RV will last for years. And it’ll give you great service during the time that you own it.

Whether it has Azdel or Luan in the side walls or not!

Have safe and happy RV travels!

How To Sell An RV And Get The Most Money For It

This article is about how and when to sell your RV. And how to get the most money when you do.

Now we’re not going to be covering the subject of trading in your RV at a dealer.

No, this article is really just about selling it as a private seller instead.

Watch my video on how to sell an RV

Table of Contents

Is This A Seller’s Market Right Now?

Now first of all, what kind of market are you facing at this point? Well, the seller’s market of the Covid pandemic years has come and gone.

What kind of market are we in now?
What kind of market are we in now?

And right now we are back to a more normal selling market for RVs. Maybe a little slower than normal.

The years between 2020 – 2022 were not normal by any means. And we definitely aren’t going to see that kind of high interest in buying RVs of all types again anytime soon.

At least not unless we see another major upheaval like the pandemic caused.

So the question is, given the market for used RVs now, when should you put it up for sale?

What Is The Best Time Of Year To Sell An RV?

In other words, what are the best times of the year to sell an RV?

Well it’s usually during the run up to, and during, the year’s RVing season.

And the RVing season usually begins around April and runs pretty strong through the month of September.

This is when more RVs are bought and sold than any other time of year by far.

Of course, that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t try to sell an RV outside those months.

Because the truth is that people buy RVs year round. And that’s why RV dealer sales departments stay open throughout the year.

But if you sell in the months leading up to, during, and right after RVing season, the odds are more in your favor.

How To Sell An RV – Where?

Now the next question we want to answer is where you should try to sell an RV.

Of course, in the old days people just put a an ad in the newspaper. As that was the most common way to advertise things for sale then.

And actually it worked really well then, and still can produce results today too.

The next way to sell an RV is you could always put a “for sale” sign on your RV. And then try to put it in a visible area where lots of people can see it.

Once again, that works really well for some people these days too. Especially if you put your RV in a spot that will get a lot of traffic going by.

But most RV sellers want to have a bigger reach than just the area where the RV is located.

So here are some places where you can do that. RVTrader.com is a very good place to start. And also RVT.com as well.

RVTrader is a great place to sell RVs online
RVTrader is a great place to sell RVs online

Both of those websites have nationwide reach as a forum for selling RVs. And lots of RV sellers get good results advertising there.

But these days another good place to sell an RV is on the Facebook Marketplace. It has increasingly become more popular now.

And believe it or not, Craigslist works for a lot of people too. You just may have to wade through a lot of low ballers to get to the better buyers.

Don't forget selling RVs on Craigslist
Don’t forget selling RVs on Craigslist

And don’t forget EBay.com either. They have a very active RV sales section that gets a large audience too.

Ebay is another online site with lots of RVs for sale
Ebay is another online site with lots of RVs for sale

Selling RVs On Facebook

But a method that’s working very well right now is selling through Facebook groups.

Yes, if you belong to Facebook just go to the groups section. Then search for the RV type that you want to sell.

Facebook Groups is one of the best places to sell an RV now
Facebook Groups is one of the best places to sell an RV now

In other words, if you have a Class A, search for that. If it’s Class C, a fifth wheel or travel trailer, put in a search for that kind of RV.

And most likely you’re going to find some groups that are specifically set up for people to sell those kinds of RVs.

And the great part is that advertising your RV for sale in these groups is not considered spam.

Finally though, these days a lot of folks are having good results by trying to advertise their RV in as many spots as possible.

OK, so now we’ve covered when to sell and where to sell an RV. Now let’s talk about how to sell your RV.

And I’m going to give you 10 steps that will really do the job right if you follow them.

How To Sell An RV – Prep It For Sale

Let’s start with number one. And that is to prepare your RV for sale. Don’t just put your RV out there and hope for the best.

Instead, do some preparation before putting it up for sale. And what do I mean by that?

Well, first of all make sure that everything works in your RV before you sell it.

And if you’ve been using the RV you should know what works and doesn’t work. And maybe there’s certain other things that need some attention too.

So it’s a good idea to take a list and go in and around your RV. And try to look at it with fresh eyes as if you were a buyer.

If so, what would you be looking for? And what would catch your attention?

What would impress you about your RV and what would not impress you?

Then make a list of all of the things that need repair and adjustment. And get them fixed.

Do your best to get your RV in the best shape that you possibly can. And why is that?

Well if you do, it’s going to pay you back handsomely for all of that effort.

Because when buyers see an RV and think “this is really nice, I like it”, what happens to the price?

In most cases, the price in their mind is going to go higher. The more they like that RV, typically the more they are willing to pay for it.

And if they can see that your RV is in tip-top shape, it eases their mind about buying a used RV. So make sure everything works on your RV!

How Important Is Appearance When you Sell An RV?

Now, the next thing to do is to thoroughly clean that RV inside and out.

And I have to say that I see a lot of people that really mess up on this selling stage.

Quite often, they don’t clean their RV hardly at all. Especially on the outside.

And that’s because it seems to be a lot of work for people to do. So they just try to sell the RV without all that effort.

But what I recommend is to get it clean inside and out. Make it shine and make it look nice.

How to sell an RV by cleaning it thoroughly
How to sell an RV by cleaning it thoroughly

That’s because the first impression a buyer has of an RV will mean a lot!

And the appearance of an RV is one of the major factors that will influence the price you get.

How To Sell An RV – Establishing The Sale Price

Next up is to establish your sale price. And how do you do that with RVs?

Well if it was a car or a truck you’d just go to NADA or Kelly Blue Book, right?

Because they produce listings of accepted prices for most passenger vehicles.

And in the RV industry we do have NADA as a guide. But my personal experience with it has been that it’s not really all that reliable.

Certainly not as trustworthy as the passenger vehicle guides they produce.

So to find out how the market values your RV, here’s what I do.

Websites That Can Help you Set Your Sale Price

I go to RVTrader.com and RVT.com because they’re both nationwide forums for selling RVs.

RVT.com and RVTrader.com are great for researching prices
RVT.com and RVTrader.com are great for researching prices

Then search nationwide for your year, brand and model of RV. Don’t just search in your little area, or even just in your state.

Instead, search all across the country and bring up a list of all the RVs that are like yours.

And I usually go maybe a year newer and a year older as well just to make sure I’ve got a good rounded out representation of prices.

Now what you’re going to find is a whole range of prices. From the highest price that somebody wants for it to the lowest price.

And this is very valuable information to have. Because now what you want to do is check those ads out to see what they are selling and for what price.

Then try to determine where your RV falls in that price range. How does it compare to the ones you find listed on those sites?

If it’s truly in better shape than what you’re seeing, then add a little extra to it. That gives you more room for negotiating the price too.

The main reason for doing this kind of price research is you start to get a feel for RV prices.

You start to learn what the market says that RVs like yours, in the shape it’s in, is really worth.

Also now that you have your selling price in mind, you know that it’s a fair price too.

And it’s easy to prove that it’s worth that kind of money as well. Because you have done your research like you should.

How Quickly Can You Sell Your RV?

Now let me say one more thing about price here. And that is that the price you set for your RV will definitely affect how soon you sell it in most cases.

So if you want to sell it quickly, you need to lower the price some.

That way buyers are going to consider it a good enough deal that they just can’t pass by.

But on the other hand, what if you’re going to try to get every nickel out of that RV? Well, expect to have it a bit longer to sell.

So your motivation to sell and your timeline for selling will affect the price as well.

How To Sell Your RV Using Maintenance Records

OK let’s move on to the next point about selling your RV. And that is to assemble all the service records and maintenance records for that RV.

How to sell and RV using maintenance records
How to sell and RV using maintenance records

Get the records for whatever you’ve done on that RV in the past while you owned it.

Put them together and then organize them. Maybe put them in a folder that makes it easy for a buyer to look over.

Then when a prospective buyer looks over the RV hand them that folder to consider.

That way they can see what you have done. How you have cared for that RV and looked after it while you have owned it.

It proves that you’ve done the things necessary to keep the RV in good shape.

And when you do that, automatically in the mind of a buyer the price is going up.

Because most buyers appreciate the value of a well maintained RV. And they will be willing to pay more when they see proof of that.

How To Write The Ad For Selling Your RV

OK, now it’s time to write the ad for the RV. And my advice is to write that ad honestly!

Write the right kind of ad to sell your RV
Write the right kind of ad to sell your RV

Please don’t do like some RV sellers do and try to hide problems and get away with things. Why?

Well, here is what often happens when you do that. Someone comes to look at your RV and they’re a very serious buyer.

And you’ve told them that everything works on this RV, that everything’s wonderful.

And then they start finding things that aren’t so good. Problems and issues.

So what happens to their thought process then? Well, they’re immediately thinking, “if you didn’t tell me about this then what else do I not know about”?

So at this point, what happens to the price? Well, in their mind the price is going down rapidly.

And that’s because they’re thinking “what else am I going to have to pay for to get this RV in good shape”?

Especially because they feel that they can’t trust what you have to say about the RV.

However, what if you write the ad honestly? And you’re up front with buyers about the true condition of the RV?

Well, that usually makes them have more confidence in you and what you say. And therefore more confidence that they are getting a good RV.

What Is The Best Way To Show Your RV To Prospective Buyers?

The next thing to do is have the RV ready for interested buyers to inspect it.

And what do I mean by that? Well have it in a place that’s easily accessible. A place that people can get into and look it over easily.

In fact, it’s a good idea to have all the hookups already connected too. So it makes it easy for them to go through the RV and try things out.

They can check the plumbing, the lights, and so on very easily. Once again, this helps them have confidence in you as a seller.

It helps them feel that you are not trying to hide something that could be a problem.

What About RV Inspectors?

Next up is to allow an RV inspector to go through the RV if the buyer chooses to do that.

How to sell and RV by allowing RV inspectors
How to sell and RV by allowing RV inspectors

Now I know some private sellers just refuse to have an RV inspector come in and go through their RV.

But what happens when you deny the buyer the opportunity to use an RV inspector?

For many people it makes them think “what are they trying to hide about this RV”?

I know that is what goes through my mind when a seller refuses an RV inspection.

In fact, in cases like that I just leave and rule out that RV for consideration altogether.

So if you want to establish trust and get a good sale for your RV, that’s a very bad way to do it.

Also what does it say if a buyer is serious enough that they’re willing to pay for an RV inspection?

Well, you better believe that they’re a serious buyer. Because they are willing to invest their own money in this transaction.

And that is the kind of buyer that you don’t want to let go. They are the serious buyers you want.

Should You Pay For An RV Inspection Yourself?

Now one more suggestion I have for you here. And that is that you might even consider paying for an RV inspection yourself before you put it up for sale.

Because what happens if a buyer comes to look at the RV and you hand them maintenance records on that RV? It instills confidence.

Then what if you also hand them an inspection report that shows the condition of the RV too? From a third party inspector?

Wow, that’s really impressive to a buyer! And well worth the investment on your part to have those records and report on hand.

Because once again, that often brings the price they are willing to pay higher.

They’re willing to pay more if they feel they can trust this is a good deal. And you are giving them everything they need to establish that kind of trust.

How To Sell And RV – The Paperwork

OK, the next point to consider when selling an RV is to have a bill of sale ready.

Yes, have your paperwork ready for the sale. Don’t be having to run around and try to get it at the last minute.

Instead, have all of that set up and have an approved bill of sale for your state that’s ready to be signed.

How to sell and RV using a bill of sale
How to sell and RV using a bill of sale

Now the bill of sale doesn’t have to be anything special. In fact, it can be very simple.

Just have it ready so that you can get the sale done without hassle.

Also know what taxes are going to be required for the sale of that RV.

Again, don’t be running around at the last minute trying to figure out what the taxes are. That’s not good for the buyer.

So know what the taxes are in your state to help them complete the sale quickly.

What About The Loan You Have On Your RV?

While I’m on the subject of financial matters, you should also know what your loan payoff is going to be. That is, if you have a loan on the RV.

It will be good to know what the amount is that will pay it off for the sale.

Don’t wait on getting that information. It’s good to know before you sell the RV.

And that way you know exactly what you can and cannot afford to get for the sale.

Of course, the best thing to do with an RV loan is pay it off before you sell the RV.

That will make the sale go so much faster and easier. But that’s not always possible.

Now the last point that I want to cover in this article is a very important one.

How To Sell Your RV – Avoiding Fraud

And that is to decide how you’re going to accept payment for the RV’s sale.

Avoid fraud when selling your RV
Avoid fraud when selling your RV

This is so important. Because you have to be very careful these days with fraud.

There are lots of people out there looking to deceive someone in an RV sale.

So my recommendation is this. Most people have a bank that they do business with, or a credit union.

Then get hold of them and tell them what you want to do. That you want to sell your RV.

And ask about their advice on how to sell that RV while protecting yourself from fraud.

In fact, try to involve them in the sale as much as you possibly can. Most of these kind of institutions are happy to help you in the sales process.

Conclusion

OK, I think you can see that there’s clearly a lot of work that goes in to selling your own RV.

And that is exactly why so many people choose to trade in their RV at a dealer instead. Or maybe put it on consignment at a dealer.

It’s true that it is much easier that way. However if you follow the guidelines I’ve given you today, I believe that you can make quite a bit more money from the sale of your RV if you do it yourself.

And that’s it for now. Have safe and happy RV travels!

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