First time selling trailer - private sale

[Raife1]

All,
Good afternoon. I am starting to get some serious inquiries on the 21BHE I am selling and wanted to know how others have handled the transaction.

1) I talked to someone today who is interested. They indicated if they liked it after seeing it, they would want to take it overnight to a local campground, hook it up, and leave locked there over night to ensure everything works. This makes me nervous and wondered if this is normal? If it is, how do you ensure they don't disappear with your trailer?

2) How do you handle the actual financial transaction?

3) Are there any weird nuances I need to know about (we live in TX).

Thank you.

 

[Hoopy Frood]

Just me, but no way would I allow someone to take my trailer for an overnight trip/stay. If something would happen, you'd be SOL. When we sold ours, the guy used a cashier's check from his credit union. We met him there while he picked up the check, and exchanged title for the check.

 

[triplethreat]

I'm 110% with Hoopy Frood on his comments. There's no way, no how, no chance!

 

[Fivecodys]

I agree! There is NO WAY I would let them take the trailer without completing the sale. If they want to look it over carefully they can do that where it's sitting.
I've sold 2 and both were cash deals. They gave me cash, I gave them the title, a Bill of Sale, and I turned in the transfer of liability to the DMV.
Maybe a bit careful but that's how I felt about it.

 

[g8rvet]

I would let them take it only after they had purchased it. I do not think it unreasonable to ask it to be fully set up with 30 or 50 amp service to ensure everything works.

Cash or cashiers check. Give them bill of sale and signed title. I just purchased one and took most of it as a cashier's check and some of it as cash. I wanted to have some wiggle room to haggle if I was not happy with it. I was happy and paid exactly what they were asking and still thought I got a great deal.

 

[Raife1]

Thanks everyone. I had the same concerns. We didn't discuss logistics (i.e. would he take it overnight or have me take it, set it up, lock it up, and come back with him) so when I meet with him tomorrow to show it, I'll see if it comes up.

Thank you.

 

[Wileykid]

I would also be concerned on the insurance side. If something was to happen, you're the one on the hook.

 

[Jomani]

That is exactly why RV inspections have become so popular. A good inspector will test every system and document the results.

 

[alias100]

Whenever I sell something I always make sure that they understand that the sale is "as is". Minor sales I just mention it before I take the money (cash, Venmo, whatever), major sale it is written on the receipt or sales contract. Not trying to cheat anyone, just making sure that everyone is on the same page. I started this because about 30 years ago I sold a used RV then was contacted 4 months later by an angry buyer because the water pump didn't work. I never used the water pump since we lived in the RV for a summer working at a national park in a full hookup campground.
Most people know to expect "as is" when buying used, but it can't hurt to be sure.
Good luck with your sale.

 

[poohbear]

I'm 110% with Hoopy Frood on his comments. There's no way, no how, no chance!

I'm in the NO WAY JOSE group also. Show it set up and plugged in to 30 or 50 amp along with water.
Because a guy didn't get the title changed on a truck I sold a long time back I now never let any vehicle or rv leave my possession with the license plates on it. Also if they bring actual cash, check for counterfeit bills

 

[greische]

I would not give them the trailer to use. As previously stated you have no idea what they may do to it or take from it. I would also not just exchange a check for the title. I would go to a notary and transfer the title to their name and remove your registration plate from the trailer. Too many bad things could happen and if the trailer is still in your name you could be pulled into whatever comes from the bad situation

 

[RVingwithJessandChris]

I would run a generator long enough for them to see things work like slides and levelers. Have some water in fresh tank and water pump on so they can no leaks and that water systems work. Holding tanks don't leak.
Outside of that it is incumbent upon the buyer to understand the risks, ask the appropriate questions, etc.
When we sold ours we did a bank wire transfer just because cashier's checks can be fraudulent.
I delivered it to the new owner and kept my insurance on it until it was delivered that way in the event of some accident or storm or whatever he would be covered.
Wire transfer came first. Then we arrange delivery and I got paid cash to deliver it upon arrival. Super easy smooth process.
Sold on FB marketplace. But we had FaceTimed a couple of calls so I could show him everything worked as intended to the best of my knowledge.

 

[jottohedrick]

The other thing is when you complete the bill of sale to make sure you put the date and TIME of the sale--this is to protect you and your insurance if something happens after you make the transaction. Then notify your insurance company with those details.

 

[dbphillips]

Not sure what it would cost, but maybe set up an RVShare account and rent it for a trip.

 

[RV2600RB]

I’m with Hoopy Frood on this.
Remove the plate at sale.
Get a detector pen if you accept cash.
Don’t rent it out either, for reasons already mentioned.
Good luck.
Rich

 

[Viper61]

No possible way I am letting anyone take my RV overnight! No difference if everything is setup in your driveway or at a campground to ensure everything works properly. I recently sold a Dodge Viper and wouldn't even let the perspective buyer test drive it. No matter, he bought the vehicle anyway. As far as the transaction went, he offered to issue a cashiers check but in today's world those can be fraudulent as well. So we drove to his bank where they issued cashiers check out to me directly thus reducing any fraud potential.

 

[triplethreat]

No possible way I am letting anyone take my RV overnight! No difference if everything is setup in your driveway or at a campground to ensure everything works properly. I recently sold a Dodge Viper and wouldn't even let the perspective buyer test drive it. No matter, he bought the vehicle anyway. As far as the transaction went, he offered to issue a cashiers check but in today's world those can be fraudulent as well. So we drove to his bank where they issued cashiers check out to me directly thus reducing any fraud potential.

When I had my 370Z for sale, a guy contacted me about it and said that he wanted to do a Cashiers check and I told him no.....cash only. He didn't like the fact that I wouldn't take a Cashiers Check so he calls me back a few hours later and says that he is at the Bank and has told the teller to talk to me and tell me that everything was OK, and he hands her his phone. I told the lady on the other end, I'm going to hang up and you call me from the Bank's phone system. She called back and it did not come up as Bank of whatever, so I told her goodbye and hung up. He called me back on his phone again and was extremely upset because I would not accept a call as legit from the teller at the bank. I told him that if she called from a bank phone, it would have come up on caller I.D. as Bank of whatever, and it didn't........goodbye. I sold the vehicle a few weeks later and the guy paid me with cash and at the Credit Union that I belong to. They ran the money to make sure it was good and I deposited it into my C.U. acct and signed over the title and removed my plates from the vehicle. I may have been born at night, but it sure wasn't last night.

 

[Hoopy Frood]

The problem with cashier's checks is there are two kinds: ones drawn on the bank, which are good. But there are the kind that are drawn on a customer's account. If the customer cleans out that account before the check is cashed, it's not going to be good. One drawn on the bank has the money immediately withdrawn from the customer's account. So you're good to go, as long as the bank is good.

 

[dryfly]

The problem with cashier's checks is there are two kinds: ones drawn on the bank, which are good. But there are the kind that are drawn on a customer's account. If the customer cleans out that account before the check is cashed, it's not going to be good. One drawn on the bank has the money immediately withdrawn from the customer's account. So you're good to go, as long as the bank is good.

Interesting. How do you know which type is being given to you at the time of sale? On previous sales, I have gone with the buyer to their bank and had the bank issue a cashier's check. I knew at that time the check was legitimate but did not know specifically where the funds were drawn from.

 

[redfernclan]

Nope, not leaving till purchased. At my house, I can run everything to show that it works. As far as money, cash is great but its new enough thats a lot of cash, so cashiers check and maybe transfer everything in the bank parking lot of close so you can verify before signing title.