We are going to sell our 2006 Extreme RV Monterey trailer that is the victim of recently discovered water damage/dry rot in the front corner. The trailer is in great visual shape otherwise (new tires, wheel bearing service, and batteries), but obviously this is going to be a problem for most buyers. It has a trade-in value of about $4000 according to a couple of dealers, but both dealers would deduct the estimated cost of repairs from their trade-in offer....which ranges from $2000-$3000. So we have opted to sell it outright, strictly as is. I have stopped the leak, and removed/replaced the small damaged area of the floor. The corner wall paneling is soft, top to bottom, but I don't want to dig into the mess any further. NADA low retail is $4610, and average is $5560. Any pricing advice, selling or marketing advice,or tips would be appreciated.

If you are up front about the water damage to the buyer,I see no problem selling it as is.

Offer it on capitalist as is disclosing the damage for 2500 dollars and hope for the best. With damage all guidelines are out the door as it is now worth only what someone is willing to pay.

I would suggest full disclosure to the new buyer. Anything less at this point would certainly expose you to legal action at least and vengeful action at worst. How about if you get an estimate for adequate repair from a reputable shop and negotiate a selling price with this information on hand. I just a "golden rule" kind of guy.

I sold a trailer a few months ago with similar circumstances. It had a leak in the rear (leak repaired) but there was some rot in the rear wall near one bottom corner. It was a 26' 1997 Innsbruck, and I asked $3000 for it. I did not list the water damage in the ad however, I pointed it out to everyone who came out to look at it. I ended up selling it for $2900.00. So my advice is list the general condition of the trailer in the ad but only bring up the water damage if directly asked about it. Most experienced buyers will know to ask. However if they don't ask, make sure to point it out to people when they come look at it. If the trailer is over all in good condition, then people may choose to overlook the water damage and buy it anyway (including the people that wouldn't have even come to see it if you listed the water damage in the ad) Good luck!

Lots of guys that are setup with a large work area love these kinds of projects. They usually will make a good repair and maybe resell or keep for themself...I know if I had a big closed barn type shop I would love to tackle something like this...Roy Ken

Selling a trailer with water damage | Good Sam Community

18 Replies

colliehauler
Explorer III
Mar 15, 2014
Thanks for the update.
hikerboy1
Explorer
Mar 15, 2014
Just an update....listed the trailer on Craigslist for $4000.00; full disclosure of known problem. Sifted through tons of weird replies, a couple of scammers, and a couple of good folks who came and looked at the trailer. Settled on $3600.00, and agreed to deliver the trailer to a fellow who plans to use it as is, and perhaps work on the damage next winter in his shop. So all in all, I'm pleased with what we ended up getting for the trailer. Replaced it with a new Outdoors RV Back Country trailer. Thanks to everyone for their advice and suggestions!
352
Explorer
Mar 10, 2014
3 years ago I looked at a 2006 triple slide 33' 5er. He brought it 200 miles for me to inspect. This was an original owner. It was absolutely beautiful inside with no signs of interior water damage. I inspected all of the interior and was ok with it. Asking price at the time was $15,000. I started to climb the ladder and the ladder was shaky. I got to the roof and found all four corners had leaks and wood rot. I then said to the seller NO way. Take it to the dealer and find out how much it will cost to repair it. He did and the price was $5500. He called and said I could have it for $9500. I repaired all for $800 in materials. Point is be willing to take a big hit.
AirForceAngler
Explorer
Mar 10, 2014
As most have said, just disclose it and sell for a reasonble price and sleep better at night.
bigdogger
Explorer II
Mar 10, 2014
In answer to your question, you need to start with the fact that you are never going to get anywhere near NADA retail book value for anything, be it a car, a truck and definitely an RV. If the water damage would cost $2000 to repair professionally, I would think some self confident do it yourselfer would think they could do it $1000. They would likely be wrong, but that is their problem, not yours. My best guess is somewhere between $2500 and $3000 will be optimistic.
hikerboy1
Explorer
Mar 10, 2014
It's a 193TS model, 21', near Portland, Oregon. Neat floorplan with a swivel chair and couch up front, and a corner bed in back. The rough estimates I got were minimum $2000, which of course is mainly labor. The wife isn't interested in dumping a bunch of money into it, and she's half the equation so it's time to let someone else mess with it. I'll disclose the issue in the ads, and see what happens. Our very first trailer had a soft floor, I opened up the can of worms, fixed it, and we used it for another 6 or 7 years. The wall in that trailer had it, but we never opened it up and it was OK for our weekend duty use.
Dadoffourgirls
Explorer
Mar 10, 2014
I had a Dutchman that had water damage issues. Initially, I had it listed cheap, and did not disclose the water damage in ad. When individuals showed up for this trailer with a great deal, they were upset that I did not disclose the damage.

I priced mine at trade-in value less repair. Mine was sold within 2 days after disclosing the damage. The buyer had indoor space to perform repair, and had summer seasonal employment. It was going to be his winter project.
loulou57
Explorer
Mar 10, 2014
I would disclose everything. You will get more respect from a buyer and he is going to believe you are telling him/her everything that is wrong.
You have to live with your conscious. Just think it could be a couple that were planning a holiday with their children. Then only to find out that their family vacation was ruined because of damage they hadn't anticipated and money they didn't have.

Have you thought of having it repaired and making a little more because it is in perfect shape?
Caveman_Charlie
Explorer II
Mar 10, 2014
Of course you have to point it out to any potential buyer. I don't think I would say any thing in the add though. Once you get them into the trailer and point out that everything else is in excellent shape if they are like me they may decide to buy it anyway. I once bought a TT with a soft floor. I didn't care because it was what I was looking for and the price was right. I just fixed the damage myself and went camping happily. Not everyone is like that but, there might be other Cavemen out there.

By the way , what type of extreme RV Monterey trailer and where do you live?
Francesca_Knowl
Explorer
Mar 10, 2014
:B

Yet another cleverly worded ad gets past site rules against same!

Let us know if you get any takers...;)

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Selling a trailer with water damage

18 Replies

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