Seeking advice on selling DP

[robanddi]

My husband and I – after much angst and struggle – have decided to sell our 17-year-old DP. As we aged (Robert is 83 and I’m 74), we began doing other kinds of travel (cruising and renting flats).

This year the motorhome was used a couple of times to go on antique car tours; we can continue these tours doing the motel thing. We also used it as an ‘apartment’ for guests at our lake house but this happens only several times a year.

Anyway long story but this was a big decision for us – to sell and not replace. I am now emptying out EVERYTHING. This is sad and difficult for me. I’m not exactly a hoarder but I don’t throw away stuff I might have a need for someday. LOL. I’m sure some of you have gone through this process or know someone who has so I’m asking advice.

There are some things in the motorhome which I can obviously use elsewhere (although I already have Frydaddys and Crockpots at home and at the lake house). However there were many things bought especially for the motorhome which really have no practical application elsewhere. My husband is inclined to think we leave nothing but I lean on leaving what is good, useful/practical with the motorhome.

Examples are portable shelving to double up in storage compartments, rugs (?), bathroom hanging fixtures for towels, etc., trash cans that fit the nooks, spare parts, large 3-drawer plastic chest which fits exactly in a portion of the closet, segmented compartments which fit drawers in kitchen, small dish drainer that fits exactly in the smaller of the two sinks, etc. etc. I have even considered leaving pots, pans and dishes plus silverware (these were bought specifically with the motorhome in mind and many are relatively new as I replace as needed).

What to take out? What to leave? This is my dilemma and I’m asking for advice.

Would you clean out everything, leave only minimum stuff, or leave enough where potential buyers could start out with basic camping needs?

Diann

[robanddi]

MOT stands for Motorhomes of Texas. Years ago when Foretravel was undergoing some structural changes and encouraging independent dealerships, MOT was started. It is located not far from the Foretravel factory. Many Foretravel employees ended up working there. Friends of our recommended it to us. Early on they only sold and serviced Foretravels but later expanded.

Diann

[Belgique]

MOT?

[robanddi]

Mr Mark,

Thanks for the post. We have been going to MOT almost since they opened their doors. We know many of the staff and they have always been good to us, as well as, fair. Over the years we have had upgrades, maintenance and repairs all done to our satisfaction. It is good to hear y'all had a good experience in selling your unit.

Diann

[Crowe]

leave enough where potential buyers could start out with basic camping needs?

Absolutely. It could be a big selling point. If you can't use it, what's the point in keeping it?

[Mr_Mark1]

robanddi wrote:
Thanks, Corky12. I of course agree with you; however, Robert just spoke to MOT and they agree with the rest of the world. (We will probably do a consignment thru them.)

Back to cleaning stuff out!

Diann

We consigned our 2008 Monaco Dynasty with MOT back in Aug of 2014. They were very professional and we sold it in 90 days at a very reasonable price in my opinion. They charged an 8% fee.

We cleared EVERYTHING out of the motorhome, left all coach/chassis manuals, six squares of extra tile and wallpaper that came from the factory. MOT asks that you fill the fuel tank which I did before knowing that was recommended.

You will get lowball offers in the beginning as there is always somebody wanting to steal it. We didn't even respond to a couple of those. Finally, a good fair offer came in and the unit was sold! Yay!

Good luck on the sale, you will be in good hands with MOT.

I'm thinking of the future too, we are still young but I think I would like to move to a class B when I get into my 70's which is over a decade away.

Safe travels,
MM.

[robanddi]

wmgeorge,

Good question. I can only say it depends on the individuals. We have camped our entire married lives starting out in a tent and gradually upgrading. Decision was difficult for us but our usage has tapered off considerably.

I truly love this motorhome. We have spent 4 summers in Alaska and 4 summers in Newfoundland not counting numerous 2 and 3 week trips in the lower 48 plus umpteen antique car tours. We have put 180,000 miles on it (it had 14K when we bought it).

Last few years we have been cruising and renting flats (mostly in Europe). It just seemed the right decision for us at this time.

Diann

P.S. But I'll never say never. We may decide assuming we sell this one to get a smaller newer vehicle.

[jplante4]

Good catch Bucky. I didn't see that it was a Foretravel.

I would go here and look at the available coaches page. Maybe join if you're not a member and advertise it there. Foretravel owners are a tight group.

Heck, if I could afford it I'd snap it up!

[bucky]

Don't give that MH away too cheap. Foretravels are coveted by those who know what they are. Consignments often pay the seller the excess over what the price was that you agreed to. The lower that they can get you to agree to the more they keep.
I would consider an EBAY or RVTrader expert in your area that can professionally present it to the world. It sounds as if you are not in a hurry so see what's out there. It would be worth the few hundred dollars to the expert to try that first. His or her fee would be your only expense in that scenario. Good luck.

[DSDP_Don]

"jplante4" said it well. Often you look at something, you realize it doesn't look right, but can't put your finger on it. When people look at your motor home with plastic tubs stuffed here or there and stuff in the drawer, they may not realize they don't like it, but do realize for some reason it's just not for them. Make the coach look as nice as possible with nothing in it.

If you have spare parts, there is nothing wrong with placing them in a cardboard box, seal it up and place it in the storage bay, labeled spare parts.

[Durb]

We bought our fifth wheel used and looked at many units before deciding. A few had all their personal stuff inside right down to the tooth brushes. Immediate turn off for us and it might have caused us to pass on some good trailers. I would box the stuff up and show the coach completely empty so a potential buy could visualize it the way they want. Let them know it is included if they want or not.

[jplante4]

Just like you do (or SHOULD do) when you sell your house, you need to depersonalize the motor home. People need to be able to imagine their stuff in the space and not have to think about how to get rid of the stuff you'll leave behind.

[robanddi]

Thanks for all the responses. I will continue tomorrow to empty the stuff that I'm for sure going to remove. (We keep the **** thing stocked with food and dry goods, etc.) Once I finish with that stuff I'm gonna take good hard look about what shelving I should/could leave in place.

Thanks again.

Diann

[wowens79]

When we sold our's we left camper specific things, but took personal things. We left the awning rug, chocks, etc.

You don't want it to be cluttered, but if you have handy things that are in good condition, it could be a bonus to a potential buyer. Buying all that stuff adds up quickly.

Don't leave a can of beans in the pantry, but a kuerig that fits nicely on a counter might make a potential buyer feel at home. That real estate staging thing really works.

[wmgeorge]

Well I just turned 74 and my wife will be 72 in a few more weeks. Just purchased what looks like a new StarCraft Autumn Ridge 18ft 2017 Mini. Pretty bare bones but also pretty lightweight. This is perhaps our 5th or 6th camper all TT and we went to Alaska and back in a 17 ft Casita.

So at what point in time or the ageing process do you decide, its time to stop towing and camping?