Buying a used RV can be a lot to figure out. This is a big deal! You’re going from looking at floor plans to considering if you’ll buy private or buy your used RV from an RV dealership. Should you get a professional inspection or just trust the seller? How will I know if there is damage hiding somewhere or what pain points should I look for? There are lots of questions that you’ll be asking yourself when buying a used RV.
As an RV owner myself, I know all the questions that are running through your mind. I’ve been in your shoes and have bought a used RV. After reading this post, you’re also going to know whether or not you should get the used RV inspected, or know where to look to do some inspecting yourself.
After reading this post you’ll be more confident in moving forward with purchasing a used RV. You’ll be ready with all the right questions to ask the RV seller, and set to buy the perfect RV for your family’s travels.
This post is all about buying a used RV
Set your Used RV Budget
Buying a used RV can help save you a lot of money versus buying a new RV. It’s important to start the journey with a budget range in mind. That way when you dive into researching your perfect RV, you can use your budget as a parameter for searching.
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Will You Buy a Used RV from a Dealership or Private Sale?
This is one of the first questions people have when buying a used RV. There are certainly pros and cons on both sides. The cost might be lower than private sale, however, there are reassurances when purchasing a used RV from a dealership. We’ve personally done both and have had great experiences, but I know that’s not always the case.
The biggest piece of advice I have is no matter where you get your used RV, make sure you still do your due diligence and do a walk-through, and inspect everything you possibly can. Ask for the RV to be connected to power and water so you can inspect that everything works correctly.
Don’t ever just assume because it looks fine at first glance, that it’s in perfect condition!
Best Websites to find Used RVs for Private Sale
Something to note, please use your best judgment and be cautious before meeting someone or sending a deposit!
RV Trader– Whenever we’ve been in the market for an RV, RVTrader is the first place I go. It’s so helpful to see floorplans and explore available RVs near us.
Craigslist– Another great place to explore available, nearby RV’s for sale privately. Lots of people use Craigslist to share their available used RVs.
Facebook Marketplace– Believe it or not, FB Marketplace is a great place to find a used RV! We’ve boughten and sold a travel trailer on Marketplace before and it was simple and quick!
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Best RV Dealerships
There are probably 15+ RV dealerships in and around our city, so it would be almost impossible to put together a list of the best ones! We’re currently based in California, and we went to Sky River in Pismo Beach. We had a great experience!
There are always the big RV Dealership chains like RV Country or Camping World. Personally, we’ve found those to be more expensive and less easy to work with. We’ve always preferred a smaller private dealership OR purchasing a used RV private party.
Do your research!
Before even going out to an RV Dealership, check their reviews. Look to see what people are saying, as well as how they respond to the negative reviews! Honestly, that’s what sold me about Sky River. None of them will have 100% amazing reviews (if they do, that might also be a red flag!) But, if they are responding to complaints with solutions and ways they want to resolve the issue, then that’s a great sign.
Come With a Used RV Inspection Checklist
Water damage and mold are disastrous to an RV! You don’t want to invest your hard-earned money into an RV that is riddled with damage like this. Mold can do serious harm to your family’s health, and water damage can be really difficult to repair. Those are two things to really check out when buying a used RV.
When inspecting your RV, check for damage by looking for:
- Soft spots in the walls or floor
- Leaks in any of the water tanks, faucets, and piping under sinks
- Discoloration on the walls, ceilings, and slides
- Make sure all the seals on the slides are good
You’ll also want to check:
- All appliances
- All lights to make sure they work
- Pull all blinds up and down
- AC and Heater
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Get a Professional RV Inspection
If you’re overwhelmed with doing an inspection on your used RV, then you can always hire someone to do an inspection for you! If you’re investing thousands of dollars into an RV, you might as well throw in a couple more hundred to make sure it’s as perfect as you are expecting it to be.
Typically this service would be for buying an RV private party, as a dealership should have their own inspections done on the RV. However, if you’d like to have an independent inspection done, speak with your dealership to set that up with your RV inspector.
RV Inspectors That Come To You:
National RV Inspectors Association
You can also reach out to your local RV Dealership to ask if they do inspections on used RVs!
Buying a Used RV
Buying a used RV is an investment in adventures with your family and loved ones. It’s a great way to get a floor plan that really fits your family’s needs for less money! Of course, be mindful of the typical warning signs of damage and do your due diligence to make sure you get the best rig for your money.
Whichever you choose, we’re so excited for you to take it out, explore and make memories!
