As the mile markers buzz by and the calendar days flip, your RV is depreciating. Unfortunately, there’s no way to avoid the inevitable. Eventually, your beloved home on wheels will reach the point in its lifespan where the cost of necessary repairs will far outweigh its value. No one can escape this fate unless you sell yours before this unfortunate day occurs. Knowing when to do so is crucial, but letting go of your rig can create a lot of different emotions.
When Is the Best Time To Sell an RV Before It Becomes Junk?
If you’re an RVer looking for the best time to sell your rig, that can be tricky. You’ll want to use it as much as possible, and selling one can be not only time-consuming but also a bit of a hassle. However, savvy RV owners know when it’s the right time to sell. As Kenny Rogers sang, “Ya gotta know when to hold ‘em, know when to fold ‘em.” We’re here to help you do just that.
The key to selling your used RV at the right time is to know exactly how quickly it’s losing value. Barring any serious mechanical issues or cosmetic damage, most rigs, despite their class or manufacturer, lose approximately the same amount of value as the years go by.
- In 1 year, an RV has lost approximately 20% of its value
- At 3 years, 28%
- At 5 years, 37%
- At 10 years, an RV has lost approximately 60% of its value
- Anything after a decade, a rig has lost anywhere from 70 to 80% of its value
The sweet spot to selling your RV for maximum profit is usually around the 2 to 3-year mark. However, most RVers hold onto them for far, much longer than that. Unfortunately, one day, they woke up, and their RV went from a jewel to a piece of junk. But what do you do with a junk RV?
How To Sell Your Junk RV
Despite having either excessive mileage, a decade or more of use, a costly repair, or a combination of all, you can still sell it. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure, and this old adage holds true for a less-than-desirable rig.
If you’ve missed the window of opportunity, you can sell yours to a junk RV buyer in Wisconsin. Specialized junk RV dealers will buy them all regardless of age, mileage, or necessary costly repairs. Just because your RV is considered junk doesn’t mean it’s valueless. But, if you are not convinced, here are your three best options for selling the unsellable.
Sell It Yourself
While it could prove to be time-consuming and fruitless, many have successfully sold their junk RVs by traditional selling methods. Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist could provide a DIYer who is looking for their next project. The benefit of selling this way is you get to set your price and stick to it. However, it could take time to find the right buyer and there’s no guarantee that you will find one at all.
Scrap It at a Scrapyard
Most junk and scrapyards will accept junk RVs. They see the value in them for their weight in the metals that can be harvested and recycled for profit. These businesses will also strip off any usable parts and components and offer them for sale on the used RV parts market. The benefit of selling to a scrapyard is that you will walk away with some cash, although it’s usually pennies on the dollar.
Sell It to a Specialized Dealer
For both profitability and ease of selling transactions, selling a junk RV to a specialized junk RV dealer is the way to go. These junk RV buyers offer a free tow-away service and will remove your wreck within a day or so. Most will pay in cash or via your favorite cash app and offer much more than a scrapyard will. They buy all kinds of RVs regardless of excessive wear and tear, high mileage, or necessary and expensive repairs.
Sell Your Junk RV Before It Sells You Short Explained
There comes a time in every RV’s life when it’s reached the end of its usefulness. For their owners, this could cause great trepidation. It’s far better to sell a used RV before it hits the point of junk, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be sold. Selling one to a specialized junk RV dealer will quickly remove your wrecked rig and put extra cash in your pocket.