You’ve decided to skip the dealership and buy an RV from a private seller. This is a smart way to get more RV for your money (dealerships buy low and sell high).
We’ll teach you how to buy a motorhome, fifth-wheel trailer, or other recreational vehicle through a private sale—safely, securely, and fast. We’ll also show you how to use DealNow to remove friction, risk, and expense from the purchase process.
DealNow is a suite of transactional tools (including instant payments of any amount) that allows you to buy an RV quickly and safely. Simply find an RV for sale, invite the seller to your private dealroom via a custom link, and get the transaction done.
Let’s get to the RV purchasing process.
Prior to starting the purchasing cycle, you’ll need to define the type of RV you want.
These RV types represent a wide range of prices and capabilities, and you’re going to want to get the right one for your budget, lifestyle, and goals.
If you’re on the fence, take some time to research different RV types, visit dealerships for walk-throughs, or rent some different types for test trips.
Once you know what you’re looking for, it’s time to go shopping.
Most private sellers post their RVs on online listing sites. Search RVs for sale on the following platforms, using their built-in filtering functions to narrow vehicles by location, make, model, year, price, or other factors important to you:
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Local RV forums and groups |
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*PrivateAuto is a sister company to DealNow and is powered by DealNow’s transactional technology stack.
Pro tip: Set alerts on multiple platforms to receive notifications about new listings that match your criteria.
After finding RVs that catch your interest, it’s time to evaluate them more deeply. Let’s look at some best practices for deciding which vehicle to move forward with.
Scammers often use fake identities, so it’s important to verify the seller.
Look for identity verification if the platform offers it (PrivateAuto does). Check for positive feedback on platforms with reviews. For social media listings, such as on Facebook Marketplace, review the seller’s social media history and look for mutual connections.
Watch for the following red flags:
For maximum security, use DealNow to complete the transaction. Our identity verification and optional title check help prevent fraud.
The listing should include specifics about the RV’s condition, history, and features. Honest sellers disclose flaws and provide a detailed maintenance history. Watch for unclear descriptions and random capitalization or exclamation points.
A good listing should have good photos of the RV from all sides, inside living areas, kitchen, bathroom, bedrooms, and the engine. Good photos usually mean the seller is serious about selling. Be careful if the listing uses generic RV photos or only has a few low-quality pictures.
Compare the price to NADA RV guides, J.D. Power, or similar RVs for sale in your area. Be careful if an RV is priced much lower than other similar models; it might be a scam or have serious issues.
When buying from a stranger, you should always get a vehicle history report. This report tells you about past maintenance, accidents, previous owners, and more. Ask the seller for the RV’s VIN (some listings show this) and use a service such as RVChex to get a report.
If you purchase through DealNow, you can easily order a vehicle history report through your DealNow dashboard.
Once you’ve narrowed down your search, you may want to reach out to some sellers to ask questions.
Different platforms have different ways of putting you in contact with the seller. You can use Facebook Messenger on Facebook, Craigslist email on Craigslist, or text or call for many local classifieds. Be careful giving out your contact info: many of these platforms are full of scammers.
No matter which platform you meet a seller on, you can use DealNow’s buyer verification process and in-app messaging to get to know the seller without giving away your info. Plus, you know they’re legit with our identity verification. You can ask them some basic questions to suss out whether or not the RV in question is for you:
Honest sellers will openly discuss the RV’s details, answer questions directly, admit to any problems, show you service records, and let you get the RV inspected.
Once you’ve found a promising RV and checked its history, it’s time for an in-person inspection.
When meeting a stranger to buy an RV, bring a friend or family member along and meet during daylight hours. Always trust your instincts—if something doesn’t feel right, don’t hesitate to walk away.
DealNow protects you with seller identity verification (most scammers use aliases). It also streamlines the meetup and buying process with our easy scheduler. You choose a time from the seller’s preset availability, the seller gets a notification the meeting has been scheduled, and you both show up at a spot of the seller’s choosing.
Before the test drive, do a thorough visual inspection:
The RV should generally look like it did in photos. Note features that don’t work or cosmetic damage that wasn’t photographed or described.
Even if you’re knowledgeable about RVs, a professional inspector will notice quirks you won’t. Never let the seller choose an inspector unless you’ve vetted the company. Some scammers might collaborate with a friend to trick you into buying a bad RV.
When you bring your transaction over to DealNow, you’ll be able to schedule a professional RV inspection without multi-party coordination and hassle. With a couple of clicks in your dealroom, a Lemon Squad inspector will show up at your test drive.
During the test drive:
The RV should meet your expectations for its model year and mileage. If you’re looking for something budget-friendly, you might need to be a bit forgiving, but all major systems should work as described.
If you’re satisfied with the RV, the seller, and the purchase price, it’s time to wrap things up. Your RV purchase begins with both you and the seller signing a bill of sale. While this document is only required in 16 states, it’s wise to complete one regardless. To grasp its importance, let’s briefly discuss the trust dilemma between strangers.
An RV purchase involves a lot of money, and you’re likely buying from someone you don’t know. This situation creates a catch-22. You don’t want to send the money before you have the title, and the seller doesn’t want to hand over their title before they’ve been paid.
A bill of sale solves the catch-22. It’s a legally binding document signed by both parties. If the seller is a bad actor, you have legal recourse. This creates a foundation of security that allows you to feel comfortable paying the seller.
You could print two copies of the official bill of sale for your state, bring them to the closing, and then you and the seller sign and countersign both copies. You’d each keep one for your records.
In the unlikely event you’re dealing with a truly malicious seller, a paper bill of sale leaves you vulnerable. The seller could get your money, forcibly take both copies of the bill of sale, plus the RV. You’re left with no money, no RV, and no legal recourse.
There’s another issue with paper bills of sale: a scammer might use a false name, possibly with a fake ID. If you don’t have the seller’s real name and signature, any legal protections become worthless.
DealNow protects you with an official digital bill of sale, signed by the seller under their verified legal identity and stored in the cloud. You’ll be able to access your bill of sale anytime in your DealNow dashboard.
During the transaction, both parties get prompted to confirm the terms of the deal and sign the bill of sale in our mobile app. You and the seller each get a notification that the other has signed, and you’ll proceed to the payment step with full legal protection.
A bill of sale memorializes the following transaction details; should either party ever dispute the deal, their counterparty has legal protection.
There aren’t many safe and convenient methods for moving large amounts of money between strangers. Traditional payment options come with one or more of the following drawbacks:
Let’s examine the different ways you can exchange funds. Then, we’ll explain why DealNow is the preferred solution for private-party RV transactions.
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Physical cash |
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Wire transfer |
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Personal check |
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Cashier’s check |
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PayPal |
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Venmo |
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CashApp |
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Credit cards |
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Cryptocurrency |
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Escrow services |
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Imagine a payment solution that offers the pros of all the payment methods discussed above, without the cons:
DealNow removes friction from the private party RV purchase. Pay for your next RV safely and cheaply, any time, any place.
After payment, it’s time for the seller to sign over the RV’s title and hand you the keys. Together, you’ll complete the following sequence:
Note: Title transfer notarization is required in some states.
After completing the sale, the seller removes the license plate, unless you’re in California or Minnesota. Congratulations on your new-to-you RV. You’re now the proud owner.
You own the RV, but you need to finalize with your local DMV (or equivalent agency in your state) in order to legally operate it on the roads.
Before visiting the DMV, get RV insurance (you can compare quotes and get coverage through your DealNow dashboard).
At the DMV, you’ll complete the following formalities:
Now you officially own the RV and can legally drive it. Enjoy your new home on wheels!
DealNow makes the private-party RV purchase easy and secure. Here’s the process:
Before meeting a seller, use NADAGuides or RV Trader’s pricing tool to determine a fair price range for the RV based on the following:
If the seller’s asking price exceeds the suggested fair market value provided by these tools, you could negotiate with the seller for a lower price, using the valuation results as evidence for your offer.
Of course you can buy your friend an RV. There are two ways to do so.
Both methods result in your friend becoming the legal owner of the RV.
DealNow is the safest payment method when buying an RV. Unlike cashier’s checks and physical cash, DealNow facilitates instant, verified transfers of any amount directly between buyer and seller.
DealNow’s platform secures transactions by:
With DealNow, you get the immediacy of cash with bank-level security. Funds are held in an FDIC-insured bank account in your name, hosted on the DealNow platform.
Class A RVs are the largest and most luxurious RV types, built on a commercial truck or custom chassis. These motorhomes range from 25 to 45 feet in length and can sleep up to 8 people. They offer spacious interiors with full kitchens, bathrooms, living areas, and master bedrooms. While luxurious, their size makes them challenging to maneuver and less fuel-efficient.
Class B RVs, also known as campervans, are the smallest motorhomes. Built on a van chassis such as a Mercedes Sprinter or Ford Transit, they typically measure 16 to 22 feet and sleep 2 to 4 people. While compact, they offer basic amenities and are easy to drive.
Class C RVs strike a balance between A and B, built on a truck chassis with an attached cab section. They range from 20 to 33 feet and can sleep 4 to 8 people, featuring an over-cab sleeping area along with kitchen, bathroom, and living spaces. Class C RVs are more affordable than Class A and easier to drive, but less spacious.
Motorhomes offer the convenience of driving your living space. You can access your amenities while driving, and there’s no need to unhitch when you arrive at your destination. They’re easier to set up at campgrounds. Motorhomes are also more expensive upfront and can be costly to maintain. They’re less fuel-efficient and may limit your exploration once you’ve set up camp.
Travel trailers are more affordable and offer more flexibility. You can unhitch your towing vehicle at your campsite and use it for local trips. They’re easier to store when not in use and have lower maintenance costs. The downside is that you’ll need a vehicle capable of towing, and hitching and unhitching can be a hassle. Travel trailers are more challenging to maneuver, especially when backing up.
Here’s a little questionnaire that can help you decide which is right for you.
Scoring:
Give yourself 1 point for each ‘a’ answer, 2 points for each ‘b’, and 3 points for each ‘c’.
10-17 points: You’re leaning towards a travel trailer
18-23 points: You could go either way
24-30 points: You’re leaning towards a motorhome
DealNow is the easiest way to close your own vehicle deal, anytime. It’s the safe and simple way to avoid fraud, sign documents, and instantly transact, all in one app.
