At some point, every RV owner has to upgrade their rig. After all the cross-country adventures and scenic camping trips, maybe your RV isn’t in the same shape anymore. Or, maybe you have some new additions to the family, and need some more space. You might just want more cool gadgets. No matter what the reason, trading up for a new RV is an exciting opportunity, but also4 bittersweet because you have to say goodbye to your old, trusted one.
To help you come out of the trade-in with a dependable RV at a good value, here are some tips for finding a great deal when you trade up at your RV dealer.
Why Should I Trade Up?
When you’ve decided that it’s time to upgrade your RV, you have a couple options. Selling it yourself can be tempting, especially if you only consider the selling price. It’s important to account for the other costs associated with selling an RV yourself though. You’ll have to dedicate time to advertising the vehicle and negotiating with potential buyers. You also have to handle the payment transaction yourself, which can be a risky process.
By trading up at an RV dealer, you avoid the financial risk that can come from selling to a stranger. It’s also a quicker process and more direct negotiation, so you aren’t waiting for the right offer while your RV depreciates in value. Another benefit of trading up is that most states only apply sales tax on the difference between the price of your trade-in and the new RV.
Know What Your Trade-In is Worth
Do your homework, so you know how much your current rig is worth before you talk with your RV dealer. NADA Guides RV Pricing is a good place to start. Now, the value from NADA is different than the trade-in value. It’s just a starting point. The trade-in value will probably be a little bit below the value from NADA. There are also a number of peripheral factors, like where you live and the state of the market, that will impact the trade-in value of your RV.
Maximize the Value of Your Trade-In
There are several maintenance and cosmetic issues with your RV that, if addressed, can add more value to your trade-in price than it costs to fix. These can include anything from cleaning the RV to patching a wall to replacing a curtain.
It’s more difficult to decide how to address the complicated repairs on your RV. This is another instance when knowing the value of your RV will be important. You can have the service department at the RV dealer do the repairs or you can choose not to fix them at all. It comes down to weighing the cost of repairs against the impact on the value of your trade-in.
Meet in the Middle
You should honestly assess the condition of your trade-in and have a reasonable estimation of its value before talking with your RV dealer. The trade-in value will most likely be lower than the NADA value, but you’ll be able to take advantage of the flexibility offered by a dealer when it comes to price, financing and the loans on your trade-in.
Sure, trading up is easier than selling an RV yourself, but more importantly, you’re able to come out of the process with a new rig by making the most of your old one.
At Ketelsen RV, we will work with you to find the deal that’s right for you. If you have any questions about trading up, call or stop by today and one of our RV experts will be happy to answer all your questions.
