Time to hang up the keys...(consignment ?)

[goufgators]

I'm nearing age 80 and feel that my reaction time and other age related deficiencies are telling me that it's time retire from motor home driving. I do not look forward to 'hanging up the keys' but recognize that it's in my (and possibly others) best interest to do so. I'm hesitant to advertise the sale of our motor home on Craigslist and have begun to think about contracting with Camping World to sell it on consignment. Probably, financially, consignment would be the least desirable way to go but for 'ease of sale' probably the better way to go. BUT, I've not yet discussed this with CW and would like to first hear back from those of you who have consignment experience particularly with CW. Were you satisfied or the opposite? In advance, thanks to all who respond.

[Mr_Mark1]

Goufgators, when I've read about units 'wandering', the suggestions given have many times been to get the chassis steering/suspension components inspected and get a good alignment from a reputable shop (ALL AXLES, not just the front).

Good luck!
MM.

[goufgators]

Those of you reading this post might see that I also posted a request of information about steering wander. I've been thinking that if I can 'defeat' the wandering problem that I might keep it another year. But, if the wander stays...I go!

[Mr_Mark1]

goufgators wrote:
Yes, no more RV of any kind (I think). Might later buy a small travel trailer. But, for now our only vehicles will be my wife's CRV (previously tow vehicle), my pick up and our '79 VW Beetle convertible.

Goufgators,

I'm 61 and I'm thinking of adding a class B for smaller trips and campgrounds that we can't fit our 45 footer.

Have you thought about a class B? I've been 'eye-balling' a Winnebago (model 59KL) RAM Promaster. They are 21 ft. long, gasoline engine, no slides, all the normal amenities that make them simple. I like the twin bed version, it does have a 'wet bath' but I wouldn't have a problem with that as it looks roomy in this model.

It has a small fridge with gas cooktop, microwave, and this model can also come with the lithium batteries with no generator (additional alternator) or the regular model with a gasoline Onan genny.

A class B would allow you to continue your traveling dream but something more 'car-sized'.

Also, by trading your RV, you would save on sales tax if FL is set-up like TN.

Good luck!
MM.

[Cincy_Steve]

goufgators wrote:
I'm nearing age 80 and feel that my reaction time and other age related deficiencies are telling me that it's time retire from motor home driving. I do not look forward to 'hanging up the keys' but recognize that it's in my (and possibly others) best interest to do so.

Here's a crazy thought: Worried about driving but still love using the RV? Find a driver to move your RV for you. A lady, who stores in our garage complex, uses a driver to move her 45' DP to a winter location & then return it after the season. Husband died several years ago, but she still wants to use the RV.

We also travel w/multiple dogs & living in the RV is vastly superior to any motel that would have us. 😉

[goufgators]

bobndot wrote:
No more RV of any kind ? Your furry friends are not going be happy with you, especially the Yorkie, we were Yorkie breeders.
Is trading it in an option ? Either for a new car, dogs like that new car smell or a new TT that will fit your needs as a seasonal. A large enough TT might work for you on a seasonal site. Yes, you will take less money but life is give and take to reach a goal.
You could get a TT with a fireplace, dogs like to lie in front of a fireplace and you will be back on their favorite person list once again . 🙂

My experience with having other people sell something that I own never worked out. A practice that I have seen is boosting the price while they let it sit on their lot to accumulate dirt and develop a leak while parked next to a NEW less expensive unit, that was dry and clean. The sales pitch was, look what you get buying NEW with a WARRANTY opposed to THIS OLD DIRTY RV and its just a few dollars more. They use our units as an ad to sell their own.

Yes, no more RV of any kind (I think). Might later buy a small travel trailer. But, for now our only vehicles will be my wife's CRV (previously tow vehicle), my pick up and our '79 VW Beetle convertible.

[bobndot]

No more RV of any kind ? Your furry friends are not going be happy with you, especially the Yorkie, we were Yorkie breeders.
Is trading it in an option ? Either for a new car, dogs like that new car smell or a new TT that will fit your needs as a seasonal. A large enough TT might work for you on a seasonal site. Yes, you will take less money but life is give and take to reach a goal.
You could get a TT with a fireplace, dogs like to lie in front of a fireplace and you will be back on their favorite person list once again . 🙂

My experience with having other people sell something that I own never worked out. A practice that I have seen is boosting the price while they let it sit on their lot to accumulate dirt and develop a leak while parked next to a NEW less expensive unit, that was dry and clean. The sales pitch was, look what you get buying NEW with a WARRANTY opposed to THIS OLD DIRTY RV and its just a few dollars more. They use our units as an ad to sell their own.

[pconroy328]

This is a bit of a tangent but I wanted to share our experience. We bought our motorhome from a gentlemen in a similar spot. It was a nearly new motorhome but he too felt it was time to pursue other paths, at his age.

My wife, I and our special needs son saw his ad on craigslist and took the RV out for a drive. We loved it and I think he took some solace in knowing it was going to a family that would enjoy it for many years.

That was about four years ago.
We still enjoy this RV and I think fondly of the gentleman's kindness.

Maybe there's a special family out there too that will take over your motorhome and care for it too.

[Prof_Turby]

To find out comparable pricing check RV Trader. That will help you price your unit to sell.

Do you know someone personally that is a friend that would handle the transaction for a small fee? Perhaps they could post on RV Trader and handle the transaction for you?

The coach that we just purchased was advertised on Ebay. You will get the most views there along with RV Trader.

When my dad got out of his last coach we had a large dealer to sell the coach on a consignment. They were a dealer for the brand that he had (American Eagle). I'm certain that they pocketed a nice profit on the deal but that is what a dealer is going to do.

Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.

[discovery4us]

I have dealt with Camping World on three occasions in regards to consignment, twice selling and once buying. On selling both times I was uncomfortable with the consignment contract but on both occasions they offered to purchase my trailers at a price close enough to what I wanted that I sold to them both times. No haggling, no phone calls, nice and easy. Drop it off and walk away with a check.

The purchasing side ended up well but was fraught with sales pitches and catches I didn't expect. We ended up the MH we wanted at the price we wanted just had to dodge a couple unexpected curves thrown at us by the sales and finance staff.

[goufgators]

imgoin4it wrote:
I’m in about the same position. A year away from 80 and wondering how long I can or will want to keep traveling in it. Bought mine new. Talked to owner of the dealer where purchased and ask if they would buy back when I’m finished. He said he would try to talk me into consignment as that would get me “ more money” but would buy it if that’s what I really wanted. I’m thinking when I am ready to “get out” I want out and will take just about whatever offer I can get the fastest to get out. Don’t want to mess around with it.

I'm also nearing 80 and have decided that I've reached the 'hanging up of keys' point in life. However, we have three furry kids, a Schnauzer, a Cocker Spaniel and a Yorkie. We have had motor homes for many years simply because we will not board them...if we go...they go. So that's a serious problem now. If we don't have an RV and need to go some where, how will we be able to do so considering the fur kids? We might have to sell the bigger motor home and buy a small travel trailer. However, would I feel unable to travel with it as I have with the motor home?

[imgoin4it]

I’m in about the same position. A year away from 80 and wondering how long I can or will want to keep traveling in it. Bought mine new. Talked to owner of the dealer where purchased and ask if they would buy back when I’m finished. He said he would try to talk me into consignment as that would get me “ more money” but would buy it if that’s what I really wanted. I’m thinking when I am ready to “get out” I want out and will take just about whatever offer I can get the fastest to get out. Don’t want to mess around with it.

[Jayco-noslide]

If you have a place to park it where it will be seen I would rather try to sell it as a private party myself and keep control over the situation. I think you can sell it for very reasonable price and still come out ahead because you will keep nearly all of it. I've sold lots of items out of my front yard with a big sign with price and phone number. There's Craigslist, RVT.com and facebook marketplace. First, I would look up the "book value" in the NADA book or similar. Price it well under full retail and above but not much above trade-in value. You've got a nice unit there but it won't be worth what you think it should be. Check the discounted price on comparable new ones to see what you're up against.

[ArchHoagland]

Years ago I put a Trailer on a consignment lot in Salinas CA. A week went by and I had a friend go to the lot pretending to be interested in it.

They had raised the price we had agreed on by quite a bit and tried to sell my friend a brand new RV. They were a dealer and used the consignment RV's to draw people in as it made it look like they had a lot of RV's.

I went back to them and took my trailer home. Sold it myself.

My advice...if you go for consignment send somebody to check out what is actually going on.

[rgatijnet1]

Perhaps it would be a good idea to get a doctor's opinion of your limitations. With my pilots license I have to get a flight physical each year to see if I physically have the ability to fly an airplane safely. Maybe it would be a good idea to search for a flight surgeon, which are available in most areas, and get a complete physical.
Naturally there is the mental limitations that we each place on ourselves, like I did when I stopped racing motorcycles, but maybe you can still continue to RV but step down to a Class B, which is not much bigger than a van. When I think about it, maybe it was when "common sense" kicked in that I stopped racing motorcycles. It took a lot of broken bones for me to finally get some common sense. :B