Buying a used RV is advantageous because you can save money and still cop a quality vehicle. You know there are lemons out there though, so you only want to shop on reputable sites. What is the best place to find a used RV?
When shopping for used RVs, we recommend resources such as Autotrader, CampingWorld.com, RVT.com, Classy RV, and Pop RVs. These renowned sites make buying a used RV safe, efficient, and easy.
In this guide, I’ll introduce you to these exceptional resources for purchasing a used RV and recommend some tips to aid you as you shop. Make sure you check it out!
These Are the Best Places to Buy a Used RV
There is no shortage of sites out there advertising used RVs, but not all that glimmers is necessarily gold.
To ensure you find a working, appealing vehicle that’s within your price range, I’ve narrowed it down to the most trustworthy, highly recommended places for purchasing a used RV.
Autotrader
If you’ve ever bought a used car, truck, or SUV, then I’m sure you did at least some of your browsing on Autotrader. Perhaps you even bought the vehicle through them!
Well, Autotrader doesn’t only offer used automobiles but RVs as well.
Autotrader was established in 1997 when the Internet as we know and love it was merely in its infancy.
The site has its own specialty section for used RVs, which you can access here, that works just like the rest of the Autotrader site. You can search by an RV make, model, and year or search for dealers by zip code.
For the latter search, you have the option to narrow down your search results to as close as 25 miles away and up to 500 miles or even nationwide if you don’t mind a road trip to pick up your motorhome.
I also quite like how you can categorize your results by criteria such as RV class (class A, B, or C) or type of travel trailer.
Yes, that’s right, Autotrader has used travel trailers for sale too!
Once you find an RV you like, you can make an offer through Autotrader. If you’re not quite ready for that, you can also use the site to send an email of inquiry or interest.
This way, you’re not trading phone numbers with countless strangers in your quest to find a great used RV!
CampingWorld.com
You may already use CampingWorld.com when shopping for RV supplies and parts, but the site also sells used vehicles.
All you have to do is select the Shop RVs section on the site and voila, you can browse the selection of available motorhomes!
Before you just start mindlessly scrolling, the Camping World website affords you the option to limit your search results by RV class and travel trailer type.
If you want your search to go even more in-depth than that, you can also shop by floor plan or input your own search criteria in an advanced search.
Are you interested in locational searches? You can find dealerships or individual available vehicles by inputting your zip code and then selecting a search radius between 25 and 400 miles. You can also search for nationwide results.
Do keep in mind that not all RVs for sale on CampingWorld.com are used but the ones that are will be clearly labeled as such. You can also filter results to only show used RVs.
Each listing includes more than photos but often vehicle floor plans.
You can also get pre-approved through Camping World, make an offer right on the website, or schedule an appointment to inspect the vehicle.
Some used RVs on CampingWorld.com are even available for home delivery!
RVT.com
The name RVT.com might not seem familiar to you initially, but it was known as RV Trader until very recently.
I’ll admit that compared to the sites we’ve looked at so far, RVT.com doesn’t have that sleek website design you might be craving. Does that really matter at the end of the day if they have great used RVs?
I didn’t think so!
You can shop by the type of RV you want, its make and model, the brand, and your preferred district.
What I also like is that you can narrow down your search results according to price so you can stick within your budget when buying a used motorhome.
You can even do a more advanced search on RVT.com, searching by detailed criteria such as RV year, length, weight, fuel type, number of slides, sleeping capacity, and much more.
The listings on each of the 11,000+ used RVs for sale include plenty of specs so it’s almost like shopping for a new motorhome. You know, just without the sticker shock.
Some vehicle listings give you the option for 3D tours. This still doesn’t replace an in-person inspection, but it’s a great way to rule out RVs.
You can message the seller through RVT.com and even request an online meeting with the seller, which will occur on a platform like Zoom, WhatsApp, Skype, or Facebook Messenger.
I love that feature, as again, meeting with strangers to find a used vehicle can be sketchy business at times. You’ll feel safer meeting someone in person if you’ve interacted with them before.
Should you have your own RV to sell, be it new or used, you can also use RVT for that!
Classy RV
As you consider your options, you should also look into ClassyRV.com. This site lists private-sale used RVs.
For more than 20 years, the Nebraska-based Classy RV has helped buyers like you track down their ideal RVs.
The search feature on ClassyRV.com is quite impressive. You can input keywords, narrow down search results by type of RV or travel trailer, search by make and model, and choose options based on price range.
You can also use search criteria such as the year the RV was produced (choosing to go older or newer than that year) and location.
You can count on Classy RV too when selling your RV.
If you need a loan to make your used motorhome purchase more affordable, you’re looking to valuate a current RV, or you want to insure your new purchase, those are all options through Classy RV.
Pop RVs
I also recommend the Sarasota, Florida company Pop RVs for your used RV search.
The site offers homes, yachts, and boats for sale as well as RVs, but we’ll stick with the RVs for the sake of this article.
You can get started right away with a quick search where you can browse used motorhomes by brand, category (type of trailer or RV), the distance between 100 and 1,000 miles, and zip code.
I’d recommend the more advanced search, which features a sliding scale that lets you adjust your preferred price range for a used RV.
You can also search by motorhome manufacturer, state, mileage, year range, length range, stock number, region, fuel type, number of slides, sleeping capacity, number of bathrooms, and features like pet-free or non-smoking RVs.
When you find an RV you like, you can click a listing and check out the vehicle’s specs in more detail. You can also review photos and watch a full-screen slideshow of all the available images.
If you want to ask the seller more questions, you can send them a message through Pop RVs. Contact information for the seller might also be available such as a phone number if you’d rather take the more direct approach.
Keep Pop RVs in mind if you ever decide to sell an RV, as you can use the site to list your vehicle and get it off the market sooner.
What About Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist? Can I Buy a Used RV There?
You might be wondering why I didn’t talk about Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist. That wasn’t an accident.
It’s not that these sites aren’t reputable, but in my humble opinion, they’re not reputable enough.
It would be one thing if you got burned for several hundred dollars on a used iPhone or PlayStation, but several thousand dollars, which is what most used RVs go for? That’s a lot of money that could potentially go down the tubes.
Craigslist doesn’t let a user upload that many photos of the product in question, which isn’t the best thing when shopping for a used RV.
You’re also less anonymous when using Facebook Marketplace, as you’re using your Facebook profile to communicate with sellers.
Even if you don’t include personal information on your Facebook profile like your phone number and email address (and you really shouldn’t), your first and last name and your face and general location are now out there.
At the end of the day, it’s your choice completely where you buy a used RV. I would much more recommend the sites that I talked about in the section above since they’re specialty sites designed for buying a used RV, not for buying anything under the sun.
Tips for Buying a Used RV
You’ve found some used RVs you’re interested in. Now you’re closer than ever to entering the buying stage.
The following tips will make this next part of the process, which is by far the most important, a bit easier.
Always Meet for a Test Drive and Inspection Before Buying
Today, technology has made it possible to view videos and 3D renderings of a used RV. As I’ve been clear throughout this entire article, these are cool features but can never replace seeing a vehicle with your own two eyes.
No matter how many photos the seller uploads, they will never take photos of every last part of the RV. They’ll miss some things like the underside.
You need to see the motorhome yourself to do your own inspection. An inspection doesn’t mean bringing in a professional, at least not yet. You can always do that later if you wish, but the expense will come out of your own pocket.
I would recommend going from room to room in the RV and testing everything. Turn on the lights, flush the toilet, turn on the burners, run the sink, and bounce on the floor to feel if it’s soft.
If the seller doesn’t permit you to do your own inspection, then move on. Something is likely seriously wrong with the RV, and they don’t want you to know about it.
You also have to take a test drive. A used RV can look great, but if it doesn’t drive great, then you don’t want it.
Again, beware of sellers who will not let you take a test drive!
Understand That a Used RV Will Have Some Problems
Listen, if you’re hoping to find a perfectly pristine used RV, then you have to buy one that’s from the last year or two. Otherwise, it doesn’t exist.
You’re not looking for the absence of every problem, especially if your RV has been around the block. Rather, you’re looking for the absence of significant problems.
I’m talking about signs of water damage, ongoing electrical issues, structural issues, and mechanical problems.
These are all huge money sucks. You might get the used RV for a great deal, but you’ll sink so much money back into the vehicle that you could have just bought a new RV instead.
Be realistic when you browse but don’t buy a lemon!
Ask Lots of Questions If You Have Them
You’ve seen how in-depth the average used RV listing can go. That said, some listings might leave a few stones unturned.
It’s okay to have a list of questions. I’d say you should have at least a couple of questions to ask the seller when you meet with them.
Don’t be surprised if new questions suddenly spring to mind as you inspect and tour the motorhome in person!
If the seller is being vague or dodgy in how they answer questions, or if they flat-out refuse to discuss certain subjects, that’s a huge red flag.
Make a Fair Offer
I wouldn’t recommend taking the seller’s price as gospel when it comes to a used RV.
You need to do your own due diligence, researching the market value and the price of similar vehicles to deduce what the used RV’s value is.
Then you have to use this information to make an offer.
You might try to go in for under the asking price. That only works if you can prove the vehicle is worth less than what the seller is asking for.
Even then, they might not be willing to haggle due to their own perceived value and personal attachments to the vehicle.
You can try talking their price down, but if the seller won’t budge, you either have to pay what they’re asking for or let this one go.
Conclusion
You have plenty of great resources out there for purchasing a used RV. Starting with a reputable website such as those I recommended will connect you with sellers who have what you’re looking for so you can soon hit the road in your new set of wheels!