Eventually, you will be ready to sell your RV. You might be unable to travel due to illness, or you might want to move to a newer RV with more (or even less) room. As your circumstances change so, too, will your RV. If you have done your homework, you will be prepared for the sticker shock of depreciation. RVs accumulate a lot of wear and tear traveling from place to place, just as your automobile does. Motorized RVs depreciate at a faster rate than towed RVs

It is usually better financially to sell your old RV before you buy a new one. Most RV dealers will offer you a trade-in on your old rig, but you may find you get a much better price by selling it yourself.

To get the best price for your old rig, you will need to know what the resale value is. You get the current market value from the Kelly Blue Book. Honestly appraise the condition of the rig, accounting for wear and tear and any additional options.

Once you have decided on the sales price, clean up the RV and do some basic maintenance — make it look well taken care of for any prospective buyers. Use some tips from real estate agents to make your RV appealing to potential buyers:

• Clean up the RV thoroughly, inside and out, including the windows. Have the carpets cleaned.

• Remove all personal belongings from the closets, cabinets, and drawers. All those empty spaces give the appearance of spaciousness and abundant storage.

• Clean out the refrigerator and add a deodorizer to remove that musty refrigerator smell.

• Clean out the holding tanks (especially the black water) and add chemicals to the toilet to prevent or remove any unpleasant odors.

• Perform any cosmetic repairs needed, tighten bolts or hinges, and apply oil to prevent any squeaks.

• Make copies of maintenance records that show how well the rig has been maintained.

• Make sure you have enough fuel, water, and juice in the batteries to give everything a test drive.

Where to Sell

There are many ways to let prospective buyers know that you have an RV for sale. Try putting an ad in your local paper, the classified section of magazines like Motorhome or Trailer Life, or in a national publication like RV Trader. Be sure to list the price to discourage calls from unqualified buyers.

RV consignment dealers are another option. They will advertise and show your RV in exchange for a commission when the rig is sold. You should have an agreement that specifies the commission and terms of the sale. Be sure that the dealer is reputable and that there are no hidden clauses that may end up costing you money you didn't plan on spending.

Be sure to keep the RV insured until it is sold. Accidents can happen anywhere and you don't want to lose your investment by trying to pinch pennies when trying to sell it.