Selling Your RV Safely

Selling your RV is a huge undertaking, especially for the inexperienced. There are a lot of things to consider as you prepare to put your rig on the market. And one of the most important things to keep in mind throughout the sales process? Selling your RV safely.

This should seem pretty obvious. After all, nobody wants to put themselves in danger. Unfortunately, because there is so much to think about, far too many RV owners put themselves in unsafe positions when selling their trailers and motorhomes.

Fortunately, you don’t have to be among those who skip the safety steps when selling your RV. No, you’ve come to exactly the right place to learn the most important safety tips for selling an RV. Once you’ve read through this article, you can list your rig with confidence, knowing you understand the steps you can take to avoid less-than-ideal situations.

Bring Friends into the Picture

Let a friend or family member know where you’re going and who you’re meeting before you leave to meet a prospective buyer. Inform them that you will be sending them a photo of the buyer with their ID as soon as you get there. Be sure to take your fully charged phone when you leave for the meeting.

You should never meet a buyer alone. Take a friend or family member with you to meet prospective buyers (choose someone other than the friend mentioned above). It’s also a good idea to meet in a public place, such as a large, busy, and well-lit parking lot.

Once you arrive, snap that photo of the shopper with their ID before anything else. Send this photo to the friend or family member who is expecting it so they know who you’re with should anything happen.

Have a Specific Low-Traffic Route for Test Drives

Allowing somebody to test drive your vehicle can be nerve-wracking. This is especially true considering you should be riding along to ensure the RV makes it back, and to answer questions along the way. Not only are you trusting them with your expensive RV, you’re also trusting them with your life.

How can you make test drives a little bit safer? Have a very specific route that you allow people to take. Choose low-traffic roads in well-lit areas that you know well. This lowers the chances of an accident and ensures you’ll know right away if the test driver is trying to take you somewhere they shouldn’t. Remembering the do’s and don’ts while selling your RV can save you a lot of hassle and keep you safe in the process.

Disclose Information about the Vehicle, But Not Yourself

Legally, you are required to let the buyer know if the vehicle you’re selling was ever in a flood or accident. Really, it’s best to let them know about any major issues you are aware of and have them sign a document acknowledging these things. Not only does this make you a more honest salesperson, it also reduces the chances of a lawsuit down the line.

What you don’t have to disclose is any personal information that does not have to do with the RV. Unfortunately, telling the wrong person too much about yourself could be an unsafe move, so it’s best to stick to facts about the trailer or motorhome in this case.

Have the Title and Bill of Sale Signed Immediately

Once your buyer presents you with payment and it has been validated by the bank, the next step is to have them sign the title and the bill of sale. Once these are signed, snap a photo of the title and save it for your records.

You’ll also want to create two copies of a printed document that includes…

• The buyer’s name.
• Your name.
• The make, model, and year of the RV.
• The date of purchase.
• The RV’s mileage (if applicable).
• The amount paid for the rig.

You and the buyer should both sign both copies and each of you should hold onto one for record keeping purposes.

With everything signed, be sure to file everything with the county or state so ownership of the vehicle can be legally transferred.

Why is all of this so important? This paperwork shows that you are selling the RV and are therefore no longer responsible for it in any way. This way, if the buyer is involved in an accident, they cannot claim that they are only borrowing the vehicle, something that would make you responsible for any damages caused.

Signing the documents upon receipt of payment finalizes the transaction between buyer and seller. 

Consult with Experts

Using the tips above should allow you to sell your RV safely. That said, if you’re still not feeling 100% sure of yourself, we can help. After all, helping individuals sell their RVs privately is what we do! We know all the ins and outs and can help you get your RV sold quickly, easily, and safely.

To get started, use our valuation tool to discover how much your RV is worth. From there, we can help you get your RV listed and in front of the right eyes. Ready? Let’s get started!