How to keep – and boost – your RV’s resale value

Thinking about selling your current RV? Whether you’re ready to upsize or downsize right now or sometime in the future, there are steps you can take to improve your vehicle’s resale value and make it more attractive to buyers.

Routine maintenance and records

The resale value of your RV is directly tied to the care you’ve taken of the vehicle since you’ve owned it, so before you start any upgrades, make sure routine maintenance is complete. Ideally, you’ll have careful maintenance records that you can show to a prospective buyer. 

Also, if you’ve stored your RV in a covered or enclosed facility like Max RV, be sure to let prospects know, because this shows you’ve taken care to protect the vehicle from elements like sun (especially UV rays) and rain when not in use.

You’ll want to have a trusted mechanic look everything over before putting your RV up for sale, but before you do, check for the most common repair problems, such as tires, roof leaks, plumbing issues, brakes and rust.

Also, if you’ve been traveling in your RV with pets, you may want to consider having the interior detail cleaned to remove hair, dander, etc.

RV upgrades that improve value (and those that don’t)

If you’re not planning to sell your RV right away, consider starting with upgrades that you can enjoy for yourself first. For instance, if you work from your RV a lot, you might want to explore energy upgrades that will benefit you while still being attractive to buyers in a few years.

The RV upgrades that are most likely to boost resale value focus on functionality, comfort, condition and reliability. High-ROI improvements include:  

·      Power and/or energy upgrades – Many RV buyers are looking for off-grid capabilities, so installing solar panels (or ensuring that the vehicle is prepped for them) or switching over to lithium batteries can be an attractive selling point.

·      Flooring – RV floors – especially sheet vinyl – can take a beating after years of tracking in mud and dirt. Luxury vinyl plank (LVF) is highly popular for upgrades and renovations in kitchen and bath areas because it’s attractive, durable, handles humidity and temperature changes well, and it’s easy to clean. Plus, it’s easy to install, so you may be able to do it yourself (but be careful – more on this below).

·      New upholsteryand carpet – Couches and rugs with worn or dated fabric can immediately turn buyers off. Replacing old, torn upholstery or carpets with durable, modern materials enhances appeal. 

·      Improved storageor safety features – Interior storage in an RV can be a challenge, so adding organizational improvements such as vertical shelving or hooks in closets, under-bed drawers or bins are popular upgrades. Also, safety features such as keyless entry locks or tire pressure monitoring systems are desirable additions.

Upgrades or changes to avoid include: 

·      Removing sleeping areas – Eliminating beds is a no-no, because it reduces the number of people who can comfortably sleep in an RV. At a time when more families are enjoying multigenerational trips and traveling with kids and grandkids, this move can limit your pool of buyers considerably.

·      Wild or highly personaldécor – Avoid bright paint colors, upholstery or designs. Your buyers may make décor changes to suit their own tastes at some point anyway, but in the meantime, they’d probably rather live with neutral grey or beige than fluorescent yellow.

·      Low-quality DIY projects – If you’re handy and can complete a professional upgrade such as painting or flooring, that’s great. If not, leave it to the experts! A cheap-looking backsplash or poorly done construction project just screams “amateur night” to prospects.

A final word on selling your RV

For most people, an RV is a "lifestyle investment" – you bought it to enjoy yourself, rather than looking to make money on it in the future. However, with proper maintenance and upgrades, your RV can give back some of your initial expense – and provide a great used vehicle to another owner for many years to come. 

Looking for a place to store your RV while searching for the right buyer? Contact Max RV today!