How to Prepare Your RV for Consignment: A Complete Guide

Selling your RV on consignment can be the best thing you can ever do since it offers you an

opportunity to sell your vehicle at a better price without having to search for a buyer on your 

own. However, to sell to these customers and get a better price for the RV, you will have to make

sure that you properly clean and stage your unit before delivery to the dealership. You must

clean your recreational vehicle and make it look presentable if you plan to sell it to potential

buyers.

Do a Deep Clean from Top to Bottom

The first and foremost step one should take is to sweep the entire RV to the best of its abilities.

Go through each room and storage area and wipe down all surfaces, vacuum or sweep floors,

clean inside cabinets and drawers, scrub the shower and toilet areas, etc.

Pay special attention to the following areas:

Kitchen

- Clean countertops, sink, stovetop/oven (both inside and outside), refrigerator (inside and door

handles), and microwave.

- Wipe within cabinet and drawer spaces and make sure there are no crumbs or spillages left on

the furniture.

- Make sure to clean the refrigerator or freezer and check for any items that are due for disposal

or spoiled. 

Bathroom

- Clean the toilet thoroughly using the bathroom cleaner and the sink and shower/tub.

- Deep remove soap scum, mineral deposits, and mildew from surfaces

- Mop floor and dust inside the bathroom cabinets and medicine chest

Floors

- Sweep or vacuum every floor and carpet, corners, behind furniture, and beds

- Mop hard floors

- If the carpets and rugs look filthy, wash them with shampoo.

Windows

- Wash the interior and exterior surfaces of the windows free from fog, fingerprints, and smudge

marks

Outside Areas

- Clean the exterior body of the vehicle and roof.

- This involved washing the vehicle’s headlights, taillights, and windows.

- Road debris, dirt, etc.: Ensure the undercarriage compartment is checked and cleaned of

accumulated dirt and debris.

Repair Any Damage

Take time, go around the RV inside and outside, and fix any loose part or system you find. The

buyer would want to spot the following areas: repair any dripping faucets, seal any leaks, apply

touch up paint to the chipped and scratched areas, replace any broken fixtures or components,

repair any tears in furniture, etc. This makes them not attempt to renegotiate the price later.

Replace Worn Parts

Some components are used so frequently that they will degrade with usage over time. This

entails that any easily noticeable component such as the wipers, tires, filters, bulbs, brake pads

etc should be replaced before the sale is made to the buyers because this will convince them that the car has been well maintained.

Another essential safety check is the testing of all systems and

appliances.

Nothing must be damaged or faulty in any way in order to ensure the safety of everyone in the

building. Switch on the air conditioning, cooling, heating, hot water, audio and entertainment,

backup camera, slides, lights, generator, etc, and ensure all work. Repair or replace any furniture that is damaged or has parts that do not work as intended.

Refresh the Interior Décor

The simplicity of the interior, especially when it comes to colors, makes it easier for the buyers

to envision themselves and their items in the RV. Take off pictures and other personal items such as the photo frames, calendars and other items that feature family members. Take care of rips or other damage to the furniture coverings. Wash carpets and seats with a steam cleaner.

Add Curb Appeal Outside

Ensure that the exterior looks spotless and shiny through waxing. Wash off-road grime. Apply

touch-up paint where necessary; buff up the painted surface to smooth out any imperfections.

Wash and maintain the exterior non-technical rubber strips that may be found on the slides,

doors, etc.

Remove All Personal Belongings

This may be rather grossing and even distracting for the buyers to find the previous owner’s

items still within the RV. Clear out all furniture, toys, books, pictures, rugs, lamps, plants, knick-

knacks, clothing, shoes, food items, sports gear, and everything else – Some buyers really like to see a few generic items such as pots and pans, plates, silverware, towels, sheets, blankets, etc.

Create Detailed Records

Gather and store all the documents that are relevant to the RV in one folder or binder. This

encompasses owner manuals, warranty information, records of maintenance works done, and any upgrades done, among others. Seeing prior documentation presents confidence to the car buyer regarding its condition.

Consider Adding Accessories

Increased value can be achieved when a few modifications are made, which leads to perceived

value. Small items such as electronics, accessories of communication devices, sleeping pads for patios, cover for tires and wheels, light systems, towing hitches, blocks for leveling, surge

protectors among others are relatively cheap but are vital aspects in making your RV more

attractive to potential buyers.

Do a Trial Run

It’s essential to go for a final short camping trip with the RV right before officially consigning it.

This also avails an opportunity to check all systems and look for any problems because they have been reset. If you have a door that sticks or an electrical problem, have it repaired before the vehicle gets to the dealer’s lot, or it will take longer to fix. Rehabilitating an RV means spending a lot of hours preparing the vehicle for a consignment but the checklist above will ensure buyers are presented with a clean, functional and well prepped RV. By adopting these essential steps, you are able to ask for a top dollar and sell recreational vehicles more quickly. Take it to the dealership with complete assurance that you have done your best to ensure that you create an environment that will enable the car to be sold as early as possible at a reasonable price.

For your convenience, Auto Nation Canada handles much of the related work, making selling your trailer a breeze. Learn more about how we make consignment easy and help you maximize your ROI with minimal effort by visiting our RV consignment page.