Selling camper: Now or in Spring

We have a 2015 35 foot bunkhouse camper that we bought new in 15. Its only use to date is for a 2 week vacation in August every year. Yes, theres been a smattering of other ventures, but not many. We bought the 2 bedroom bunkhouse if my daughter and her family would commit to camping on this vacation with us for 5 years, which they did. In 2020, they bought a toy hauler 5th wheel, so alls good on that front.

We definitely dont need a 39 foot 2 bedroom camper anymore, now that they have theirs. Were looking to sell it and downsize in advance of retirement. My question is, is the market better in the fall for the snowbirds, or the spring. Initially, I thought spring, but if I could get it sold this fall, it frees up shop space for me, and also gives us till August to find what we want, and an ability to buy on the spot should the right camper/deal show up.

Your thoughts.

Assuming your buyer will take a.loan, sooner the better. Rates are likely to keep going up.

-J.

Why not just post it and see what happens? No harm in that. Maybe someone is looking for your exact model and layout and it’s hard to find. Many people look this time of year wanting to upgrade after their too-small camper no longer worked for them after summer trips.

Just be warned that there are a lot of people selling these days and many from the 2020 and on rush because of the pandemic. I’ve seen some nice prices on units from this time range. However, I have heard many in this era have issues because of poor quality during the rush.

Everything I’m reading and talking to folks in the industry. The RV industry is near a big nose dive. Since Covid the market has been flooded. Demand was way up for the last few years. They were able to crank them out not needing hard to get components like other manufacturers. Being able to build most of a camper with basic materials and able substitute items. Along with most being built in Indiana, that was one of the first states to tell people if you want a paycheck. Get your arse back to work. They over produced and sold for 3 years. Now people are finding campsites not available and double the price 3 years ago. My brother was trying to plan a trip out west. Couldn’t put together campsites along the way. He lives in Missouri with COE campgrounds. They barely put together a few trips midweek with limited hookups this summer. Often having to move 2 or 3 times within the week. I live near and drive I80 a lot. I pass a new camper every couple minutes coming east. A lot of dealers lots still have lots of 2022s on the lot. Unless it’s on a transferable seasonal lot. I’d sell soon as you get the chance. Oh yeah, I saw gas for $4.09 today..

Hard to say. But I’d personally try to sell yet this year. Just don’t go way below your price because of winter/storage.

Why wait, unload it. Sell it as a hunting rig.

mark-bruzek wrote:

Why wait, unload it. Sell it as a hunting rig.

I agree. This is one of the major times of year when guys with hunting properties are looking for trailers.

But as already has been mentioned the market is absolutely flooded with covid RVs and on the new side the dealers lots are absolutely full. I’d say the major issue is going to be pricing.

Agree with all points mentioned. Bad timing to move it. Just took a hit selling my motorcycle. Hate to do it with the camper also, but it is what it is..

Stimulus money has ran its course and is not coming again. The businesses getting their free loans are done. The Fed is likely to hike the interest rate again and then see it at the least hold for a substantial amount of time. Energy prices are likely to take another run. Supply issues related to both Russia’s ongoing war for agricultural commodities and now the Panama Canal functioning at reduced capacity all are bad news for consumer prices.

I’d list it ASAP. The seasonal market could look very different in 2024 for recreational purchases.