Tips (or Warnings) about Selling my 2012 Tioga Ranger via Consignment

[JudyJB]

I am living in my new home in Northeast Ohio and at this point have no idea if there are even any places in this area that will sell my motorhome for me via consignment, but before I do much research, do any of you have any tips or warnings about doing this?

I've completely emptied my vehicle of any personal items, did some cleaning, and left anything related to RVing, such as spare bulbs, 30 amp extension cord, extra tire monitors, backup camera and monitor, etc. As many of you know, I full-timed in this RV for 13 years and put a lot of miles on it, like 232,000. I have it in a storage lot right now, but am having my left shoulder replaced in June and really want to sell it before them. I am asking $30,000 or best offer, but my kids think it is overpriced. Anyway, I stuck some signs in the window, but since I am not camping in it any more, it is not likely to be seen by a lot of potential RVers. Posting explains high mileage and lists the many things I have had fixed in the last couple of years, like new water heater and front furnace motor, plus refrigerator main guts, new front tires, a lot of front end work done including an alignment, and fact I drove it to and from Florida in past 6 months. I think it would make a good weekend or couple of weeks a year deal for a family and someone who could fix a few things on it.

As I look for a consignment deal, what should I look for and what should i avoid as a red flag? (Because of the very high mileage, I can't find any comparables, by the way.) Thought some of you might have some good advice for me.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

I don't think anybody is going to pay $30,000 for a vehicle with that much mileage, regardless of the condition otherwise. The 232,000 number will be too scary for most folks. It's just too unpredictable how much longer it can be driven without some major and expensive breakdown in engine or drive train. Good luck...

 

[Kirk]

I agree with Gary about the sale price. Here is a link to download a brochure for the Ranger if you want one. While I have not sold an RV that way, I know several people who have done so and most such sellers in this area will suggest an asking price and also suggest what you can probably expect to get from it. They should be very clear about what you will have to pay them and how all of that works. I believe that most of them will have past customer references.
This comes from Copilot:
Similar 2012 Tioga models with average mileage often sell for around $25,000–$35,000. A 200,000+ mile unit should be priced significantly lower to account for needed repairs. The average RV travels 5,000–10,000 miles per year. At 232,000 miles for a ~14-year-old vehicle, this RV has been driven over 16,000 miles annually, suggesting it was likely a rental or used for full-time living. This heavily impacts the drivetrain value.

 

[RV_Lee122]

Just put it on facebook marketplace - but you need to come to better terms about pricing. I see 3 others for sale at 30K but they all have under 100,000 on them.

 

[TheBar]

Judy, honestly most people will consider a 14 year old RV with that many miles as a money pit. It has been your trusted home but you have to realize it may actually be near it's end of life.

When I was shopping for mine in 2014 my trouble was every RV I could find for less than $50K within a 120 mile radius had some kind of damage, smelled of mold, or had stains from obvious roof leaks. The only reason I bought mine when it was 17 years old was it had always been kept inside so it looked new inside and out. Plus it needed nothing but tires. Everything worked and it only had 55K miles.

So when selling yours I wouldn't mention the mileage until asked but I would stress the good condition I expect you've kept it in. I wouldn't mention all the repairs because that makes it sound like it's falling apart. If someone comes to look at it and falls in love they may overlook the mileage.

But $30K is way too much. My seller started out at $13K then dropped it $1K per month until I bought it for $8K. That was 12 years ago when it was 3 years older than yours. Adding 50% more for today's prices it would only be $12K today.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

I think the biggest risk in consignment sale is that the dealer does little or nothing to actually encourage it's sale. Typically the sales staff at dealer get a much higher commission for selling one of the dealers new or used stock, and there is nothing done to keep the unit clean & presentable while its on the lot. Nor can the sales person promise a prospective buyer to clean it up or replace anything, since only you can authorize that extra expense (which comes out of your pocket).
A few RV sales lots make a thriving business of consignment sales, e.g. PPL Motorhomes in Texas, but they are the exception.

 

[LarsMac]

Just put it on facebook marketplace - but you need to come to better terms about pricing. I see 3 others for sale at 30K but they all have under 100,000 on them.

That is the worst idea I've seen, so far.
Facebook Marketplace has become Thieves' Den.

A lot depends on how patient you can afford to be.

You could find a reputable Used Car Dealer (I know, somewhat of an oximoron, but there are some out there.)
Who can place in a visible spot and who knows something about RVs. Be patient, and be somewhat flexible on the definition of Best Offer.
Only you know what it's really worth to you.

There is probably someone out there who wants exactly what you are selling, and will be willing to meet a price that you can live with.

 

[Ohiosnowbird]

I think the sale of your home for the last 12 years is probably pretty emotional. We look at RV Trader when RV models get discussed on this forum and we want to understand what’s being discussed. It might be a place to research for pricing , but also how to word your ad, and it might be a place to list it as well. I don’t know anything about the site, other than we use it as a resource but it seems extensive and if us newbcakes are using it, so are others. Just a thought.

 

[RayIN]

When a unit is sold on consignment, ALL safety-related items must be in good working order or this leaves the consignment place open to lawsuits when the vehicle is sold. This means either the owner must pay for having said items restored to working order, or consignment makes repairs and deducts from your proceeds.

 

[Derby6]

13 years and 232,000 miles. Sounds like you got your money out of the old RV. Price it right and move on. If you get 25-35K and buyer has issues you’ll feel bad. If you get 15-20K and seller has issues you won’t feel too bad.

 

[Dan_Frisbie]

That is the worst idea I've seen, so far.
Facebook Marketplace has become Thieves' Den.

Only you know what it's really worth to you.

I disagree with your assessment of FB Marketplace. I have purchased and sold dozens (maybe hundreds) of items on MP. You have to be smart and realistic, but it is a great place to buy and sell. It is much better than Craigslist, which has become a great place to advertise utility trailers…

What a vehicle (or anything) is worth to a seller is completely irrelevant. What it is worth to a buyer is the only thing that matters.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

When a unit is sold on consignment, ALL safety-related items must be in good working order or this leaves the consignment place open to lawsuits when the vehicle is sold.

Sorry, but I'm skeptical of that. It's a private sale, considered to be an "as is" sale in all the states I'm aware of. The broker is a facilitator but not liable for the vehicle. My state, Florida, is that way, and the broker is liable only for collecting sales tax and properly transferring title to the buyer. Everything else is between the buyer and the seller (the vehicle owner), with the broker acting as a referee. However, disclosure laws apply, i.e. anything they know about the condition has to be disclosed to a potential buyer, and failure to do so does carry some liability. That said, state laws vary and the seller (the owner) may be responsible for safety-related components in some states, so it would be wise to inquire.

 

[RayIN]

Sorry, but I'm skeptical of that. It's a private sale, considered to be an "as is" sale in all the states I'm aware of. The broker is a facilitator but not liable for the vehicle. My state, Florida, is that way, and the broker is liable only for collecting sales tax and properly transferring title to the buyer. Everything else is between the buyer and the seller (the vehicle owner), with the broker acting as a referee. However, disclosure laws apply, i.e. anything they know about the condition has to be disclosed to a potential buyer, and failure to do so does carry some liability. That said, state laws vary and the seller (the owner) may be responsible for safety-related components in some states, so it would be wise to inquire.

The entry step cover emergency switch had been replaced with a simple push-in valve to release air pressure, when the plunger was released the steps moved out. I pointed it out to the salesman at Camping World. The valve could be triggered while standing on the steps.
He balked, so I told him to speak with his sales manager. The salesman returned and said that was a safety item and had to be properly repaired before it could leave their lot.
All that cobbled arrangement was replaced with Winnebago OEM parts without any further discussion. The salesman mentioned company liability.

 

[RV_Lee122]

That is the worst idea I've seen, so far.
Facebook Marketplace has become Thieves' Den.

A lot depends on how patient you can afford to be.

You could find a reputable Used Car Dealer (I know, somewhat of an oximoron, but there are some out there.)
Who can place in a visible spot and who knows something about RVs. Be patient, and be somewhat flexible on the definition of Best Offer.
Only you know what it's really worth to you.

There is probably someone out there who wants exactly what you are selling, and will be willing to meet a price that you can live with.

Every sale site is going to be full of scammers, its up to you to know the difference. Pay $100 and put it on RV trader you'll also get scam replies. FB marketplace has the most eyeballs for free and will give you the best chance to sell an older RV.

 

[JudyJB]

Going to drop price to $20,000, but in August I drove to Ohio from California with it, then to Florida in early October, and back Ohio in February. Also all appliances work, with the following replaced in last two years:

• All coils and spark plugs replaced (Jan, 2024)
• New radiator (Jan, 2024)
• New front wheel bearings replaced (Feb, 2024)
• New toilet (Mar, 2024)
• New side step motor (May, 2024)
• Both slides inspected, small leak under kitchen sink repaired, kitchen upper cabinets fastened more tightly to wall, kitchen faucet & hose replaced, (May, 2024)
• Front radiator hose check valve replaced (June, 2024)
• Single bad coil replaced (Sept, 2024)
• New front master TV (Sept, 2024)
• New front furnace motor & water heater assembly (Oct, 2024)
• New rear brakes, rotors, calipers, seals, and sway bars (Oct, 2024)
• New rearview Lippert Vision Camera & Monitor. (Jan, 2025)
• New front upper and lower ball joints, radius arms, & drag link. (Feb, 2025)
• New upper and lower radiator hoses (August, 2024 & May, 2025)
• New refrigerator main operating panel (Aug, 2025)
• Front end aligned & two new front tires (Aug, 2025)
• New rear wheel & transmission seals, front end re-aligned, & roof seams sealed, (Sep, 2025)

Extras: Comes with new rear-vision backup camera, TireMinder tire pressure monitor, 30 amp surge protector, 20-30 amp & 50-30 amp adapters, 30 amp extension cord, three TVs & DVD player, satellite dish & “Wally,” and all required hoses. The refrigerator panel replacement last summer cost me $2,750 alone.

I enjoyed my travels, but I just want to get back some of the huge amount of money I spent in the last couple of years.

 

[Kirk]

I enjoyed my travels, but I just want to get back some of the huge amount of money I spent in the last couple of years.

That is certainly understandable. You are pricing so that you should get at least some interest and if you are willing to negotiate from there it should sell. If you look back at the maintenance expenses over the past two years, it should help to understand why some potential buyers hesitate. What will the maintenance cost over the next two years? One just can't accurately predict that. It is very difficult if even possible to get an extended warranty on an RV that is 15 years old and has more than 200k miles.

 

[BizCrate]

Don't people buy/sell on RVTrader.com anymore? I sold my Scamp there in 3 days about 5 years ago. I handled the sale myself but if I recall correctly you can connect with a service to handle the financial and title transfer for a fee. I also purchased my first motorhome on RVtrader, too. Good luck!

 

[Cat199]

As far as consignment beware. I put my rv for sale at a consignment. I think they wanted 600 to sell it. In the paper work we set a market value - then they put a whole sale price. What i wasnt aware of was they could sell this at any time at the whole sale price not at what i was asking market price. So there was no incentive for them to try to sell at market price. They were going to make $600 if it sold at whole sell or at market value. The easy route for them was sell at wholesale. So I have no idea if someone walked in looking for a rv if they gave the whole sale price just to get rid of it and make 600 or market value. Expensive lesson. SELLER BEWARE. Safe Travels

 

[RV_Lee122]

Rather than worrying about what you spent on it, why not think of all the money you SAVED by not paying a $1500 mortgage or rent for 13 years ($235,000) by living in the RV.