Selling a travel trailer

[Bestloveddoll]

We have decided we cannot get enough use from our travel trailer at this time in life. What is the best way to sell a travel trailer? We know we'll take a hit, since we only used it one season, but have determined it's the best thing to do at this time. Any suggestions from the pros?

[clubhouse]

Both bought my current TT from CL, and sold my previous on CL.

Price is key, you won't get dealership prices. One a 1 year old TT, as a buyer, I would likely offer 60-70% of what I could buy new unit for.

If you don't have the title in hand already I would use that advantage to pay the lower end of my range since I know you have to keep making payments, so if you have a loan I suggest paying it off and getting the title. If you can't, be prepared that a buying might only pay the outstanding note till you can provide the title then a second payment for any equity you had --- although unless you put > 25% down I doubt you have equity after on season.

[Monster9903]

We sold our trailer in a week on Craig's list. Lots of pics, clean camper, realistic price and ban gone:-) this is good time to list too warm weather is the best seller!

[dadmomh]

We sold both our HTT and TT on craigslist. Be prepared for some crackpots to respond and under NO circumstances, give out any personal info, no home email, no phone numbers until you are absolutely sure that the response is from a genuinely interested buyer. They'll tell you that it's easier to get back and forth with your home email....forget it. CL email works just fine and no information is given out. Some just asked "what is the bottom dollar you'll take?"...didn't even respond to most of those. Parking it someplace other than home is a great idea. We didn't do that, but security and safety is an issue. I've heard some say they meet at or near a police station or fire department...ask first, but that will help weed out any crazies. Both of ours sold in about 10 days. The fact that it's so nearly new will mean you'll likely come out on the short end on the dollars, but ya gotta do what ya gotta do. I checked NADA for pricing and also lots of online searches for what asking prices were. Then came up with what we felt was a reasonable price. Our TT was only 1 1/2 years old and it cost us about $1000 to sell it, but that new you just can't easily get exactly what you might want.

BTW, when you use CL, you can post in several regions, so we did about 4 or 5. The man who bought our TT has family in Nashville and looked at all the areas between his home in LA and Nashville. Every few days, go in and renew the ad and it will put you back at the top of the list. I was surprised at how many listings came in that moved us further down in a short time.

Lots of good pictures of the trailer. We didn't include any with people in them...just the trailer. Make sure it's immaculately clean both inside and out. Take out any personal items you don't want to include. Good luck.

[CampingN_C_]

To add to what's been said. If possible, park the camper somewhere other than your home, you never know who's going to be coming to look at it through CL.

[guidry]

Exactly what the previous posters advise. I sold my TT easily and quickly on Craigslist because the price was reasonable, it was well maintained and clean, and I put a lot of photos in the listing. The buyers came back and bought because they said it was the cleanest one out there. Think like a buyer.

[C7XR7]

We purchased our fiver off of craigslist, I think it is the best way to sell locally.

[Need-A-Vacation]

To add to showing the trailer empty, ready to go home with the new owner.... Take pics after you clean it out!!! When we were looking a couple years ago it surprised us how many sellers posted pics with stuff just thrown all over the couch or beds.

Good luck with the sale!

[TomG2]

Craigslist worked last November for me.

[tragusa3]

Craigslist didn't work even after months. We had chosen the wrong months. Put it on in early spring and it was gone in a week!

[waltah]

sold mine on craigslist in a week and a half. you need to be realistic with your price since it is only a year old, you will have to be competitively lower than the prices on new ones otherwise no one is going to take a gamble with yours when they can buy new.

[avoidcrowds]

Craigslist, rvtrader.com, and any others in your area. Price it how you want, and negotiate, or not. Many on here say to never pay asking price, but if it is fairly priced, why go lower?

Put lots of pics in the ad, and state why you are selling it.

Up to you if you take a check, or not, but I insisted on cash. Show the trailer on the street, then go to your bank to deposit the cash and sign-over the title. Have someone else with you, if at all possible. Most transactions are legitimate, but it only takes one wacko to spoil your day. Be careful, but not paranoid.

Show it clean, with all your stuff out of it, ready for them to pull away. Keep it locked (door, and hitch) while it is listed. Don't post your address, and only give it to someone after you have made it clear how you will do the transaction.

Good luck!