After only a year with our 2017 Outback 325BH we are thinking about downsizing to a smaller bunkhouse model. No problems or issues just want smaller. We have no lien on the title so selling outright is not an issue. Looking for suggestions on trading down vs private sale then buying cash outright on the next one. We have one dealers quote so far and we’re not liking the numbers. They will do the deal on a 2019 Jayco but of course they want some out money. We know we lost money but we also feel the Outback has move value selling privately then trading. Which raises more questions of how many people sell and or buy private? We’ve purchased several campers over the past 20 years but all through a dealer. As a buyer I would be skeptical of a private sale on a 1 year only model even if the price was good. We welcome any suggestions or personal experience you may have. TIA

I have sold my previous campers privately.If you can stand the wait to find a buyer you will get more money privately. The dealer wants you to trade up not down. If you would rather get your new unit quicker, trade.We are in a similar situation. We will be selling our trailer when it comes off the seasonal site in November and down sizing. We will try to sell it privately in the spring and are in no hurry to buy the new smaller unit.

Car, truck or trailer, it is nearly always advantageous to sell privately.

I don’t know how you get taxed in PA but here in MD we pay 6% title tax on the amount paid when we go to get our tags. So if I sold my car or TT privately it would have to be for at least 6% more than the dealer is offering you. If the dealer is offering me $20,000 on a trade, I need to get $21,200 to break even. Just something to keep in mind if it applies to you.

Its almost too late in the season to get any results on a private party sale. If you can hold out till spring, then sell it yourself. But expect to loose at least a third of your original price. Hard negotwting a savy buyer can usually get 30% off of a new one. And that is what your fighting against.

Sell to dealer: Immediate and done with, but will sell at a lower price.Sell privately: Can be time consuming, but can get a higher selling price.Sell privately has one other risk: the longer your camper sits for sale, the less in value it becomes. When selling privately, you really are gambling on time. If you are not in a hurry to purchase that new camper, then start listing it privately now. If it sells quickly, you have all to gain. If it doesn't sell quick, and you are not in a hurry, then you have the luxury of time, but also a depreciation in value the longer you wait.And then, if you reach the end of your expected time (say 1 year wait) and you still have no private sale, the camper is now even a year older. Take it to the dealership for a trade now, and you'll get even less.Personally, if the goal is to get a different camper, do the dealer trade, eat the loss and move on. You're done with the frustration and you can get on and enjoy camping.Too bad about that Outback. You're giving up a darn good trailer!

Selling Privately vs Trading | Good Sam Community

donn0128
Explorer II
Aug 25, 2018
Its almost too late in the season to get any results on a private party sale. If you can hold out till spring, then sell it yourself. But expect to loose at least a third of your original price. Hard negotwting a savy buyer can usually get 30% off of a new one. And that is what your fighting against.
neschultz
Explorer
Aug 25, 2018
I don’t know how you get taxed in PA but here in MD we pay 6% title tax on the amount paid when we go to get our tags. So if I sold my car or TT privately it would have to be for at least 6% more than the dealer is offering you. If the dealer is offering me $20,000 on a trade, I need to get $21,200 to break even. Just something to keep in mind if it applies to you.
Lynnmor
Explorer
Aug 25, 2018
Car, truck or trailer, it is nearly always advantageous to sell privately.
K-9_HANDLER
Explorer
Aug 25, 2018
I have sold my previous campers privately.If you can stand the wait to find a buyer you will get more money privately. The dealer wants you to trade up not down. If you would rather get your new unit quicker, trade.
We are in a similar situation. We will be selling our trailer when it comes off the seasonal site in November and down sizing. We will try to sell it privately in the spring and are in no hurry to buy the new smaller unit.

Forum Discussion

Selling Privately vs Trading

About Travel Trailer Group

Related Content

Just bought a used rv from private seller

sell or trade?

Selling/Trading In - Experiences

Trading / Selling

Trade or sell? SOLD!