Not trying to break any rules but just want get some informed opinions on the best place to list a tow vehicle for sale with the least amount of hassle. I've used Craigslist in the past with some success but also had a fair amount of scammers. I've also used Cars.com and Autotraders with mixed results. Autotraders has really jacked up their rates. Are there other sites that I should be considering? It's a diesel truck so I didn't know if that made any difference.

Howdy!Escapees forum has a “RVs, Tows, and Toads for Sale” Escapees forum “RVs, Tows, and Toads for sale”“Happy Trails”Chiefneon

I've used Craigslist in the past with some success but also had a fair amount of scammers. I've also used Cars.com and Autotraders with mixed results. Those are the 3 I used for my last F150 and a car recently. Both sold in less than 2 weeks. Last buyer said he used all 3 to find the vehicle. BTW I think cars.com was free with just a few pics. I just told people to email for more pics and they did. Ebay is possible. Never sold there but bought a car and boat off Ebay.Good luck

Of your buying a new one,sometimes its better to trade it in. Get the values , then figure on the tax savings, and the hassle selling it. Then see if its worth it for you.

Sjm9911 wrote:Of your buying a new one,sometimes its better to trade it in. Get the values , then figure on the tax savings, and the hassle selling it. Then see if its worth it for you.Yes, that is always an option, but it appears that dealers pricing so low that it's not an option for me. I did an appraisal at all three of the popular online sites and the dealer offers were way below the trade in numbers I got. This is a low mileage diesel truck and I would hear "we can't give you more cause we will struggle to sell that here". I think the dealers just get enough people that just don't want the hassle of selling it so they just try to really fleece you on the trade in. May not be everyone, but not seeing any reasonable offers yet. YMMV

Craigslist seems to be the necessary evil in my experience (other than the worse evil of trading in, that is). I find a descriptive well written ad it key to selling anything on Craigslist. I know as a shopper I'm pretty put off when all someone takes time to do is write two sentences. With RVs and trucks I've had great luck by writing accurate, descriptive ads that let people get to know the vehicle and your care/use of it. Dealing with scammers? Well, that's kind of part of life anywhere these days. Google is your friend. Start entering phone numbers and email addresses of everyone you deal with. This can quickly let you know if their story adds up. I've also told people I expect to see a copy of their driver's license upon first contact and I'm happy to share mine. Of course, people don't have to share that if they don't want to it's a HUGE red flag if they refuse for some reason.

Best Place to Sell Tow Vehicle | Good Sam Community

18 Replies

riven1950
Explorer
Jul 29, 2020
Just don’t be one of those douches that doesn’t answer inquiries and for gods sake put your phone number in the ad!

Is that a typo? I totally agree with the first part, however I never put my phone number on a CL ad. I use their anonymous email system. If I get what I think is a valid contact THEN I will give them a phone number, not before. To each their own...
4bearhug
Explorer
Jul 29, 2020
Well to offer some closure to this discussion I ended up listing it on Cars.com and Craigslist knowing full well that I would have bogus interest. Truck sold on the 3rd day it was listed without too much grief from scammers. I only had 5-6 serious contacts but they were all interested at different price points. All in all a fairly painless transaction at an insignificant cost. The best part was receiving $8k more than my best trade in offer.
Grit_dog
Navigator
Jul 27, 2020
You guys act like CL and FB are any different than classified adds of the past.
If you want to sell private party those are the 2 best places.
Just don’t be one of those douches that doesn’t answer inquiries and for gods sake put your phone number in the ad!

If you have half a brain you can tell scammers and people who aren’t serious about buying.
K-9_HANDLER
Explorer
Jul 27, 2020
As others have said FB marketplace
I have used Cl for years to buy and sell vehicles and farm machinery. Within the last couple years it seems to have gone down hill
trail-explorer
Explorer
Jul 27, 2020
4bearhug wrote:
I really don't see a high end diesel truck going too well on Facebook, but the clientele might be a higher quality than Craigslist. On the other hand word of .

Craigslist is what I consider the bottom barrel for Clientele, FB marketplace maybe a 1/4 step above.

Lots of shady folks in FB marketplace too.
LIKE2BUILD
Explorer
Jul 27, 2020
4bearhug wrote:

Not sure I want to go the "facebook route" just yet. I really don't see a high end diesel truck going too well on Facebook, but the clientele might be a higher quality than Craigslist. On the other hand word of mouth might be the secret on facebook.

It's definitely the friend of a friend of a friend that gets your FB Marketplace circulated.

I still cruise Craigslist in my local area for boat stuff and it seems every other listing is a scammer. There are still plenty of legit items but's getting hard to sift through all the scams.

Here's the easy thing: Post the truck on FB Marketplace and give it 2 weeks. If you don't get any good hits delete the ad. If nothing else, it's completely free to test the waters and see what interest there is at the price you want.

KJ
2012Coleman
Explorer II
Jul 24, 2020
I'd put it on Craigslist. Yes, you may get some scam email, but so what? You know the ones to ignore. There is no more scammers on CL that there is FB. You can also try CarGurus.com, or take it to CarMax and have them give you an offer on it.

An RV forum that has a for sale section would also be a good bet - I'd post it there just to see what if any interest it sparks.

In the end, put it on multiple sites - like going fishing. I fish with multiple rods so there is a better chance of catching something.
4bearhug
Explorer
Jul 24, 2020
LIKE2BUILD wrote:
Vvvv1010 wrote:
“Facebook Marketplace” is a great place to post your tow vehicle. You will need a login account to post your vehicle. Google first if you don’t have an account just to get a feel for it.

We've done a good bit of vehicle shuffling in the last year and I've sold two vehicles on FB Marketplace. Both of them had multiple hits quickly and both sold within 2 weeks. This spring I sold some Jeep accessories on FB and almost got into a bidding war with so many people wanting the items.

Take good pictures, thoroughly describe the features (and flaws), price it fairly, and get all your friends to share the post. A clean, well kept diesel truck will sell in a heartbeat on FB.

KJ

Not sure I want to go the "facebook route" just yet. I really don't see a high end diesel truck going too well on Facebook, but the clientele might be a higher quality than Craigslist. On the other hand word of mouth might be the secret on facebook.
LIKE2BUILD
Explorer
Jul 23, 2020
Vvvv1010 wrote:
“Facebook Marketplace” is a great place to post your tow vehicle. You will need a login account to post your vehicle. Google first if you don’t have an account just to get a feel for it.

We've done a good bit of vehicle shuffling in the last year and I've sold two vehicles on FB Marketplace. Both of them had multiple hits quickly and both sold within 2 weeks. This spring I sold some Jeep accessories on FB and almost got into a bidding war with so many people wanting the items.

Take good pictures, thoroughly describe the features (and flaws), price it fairly, and get all your friends to share the post. A clean, well kept diesel truck will sell in a heartbeat on FB.

KJ
Vvvv1010
Explorer
Jul 23, 2020
“Facebook Marketplace” is a great place to post your tow vehicle. You will need a login account to post your vehicle. Google first if you don’t have an account just to get a feel for it.