This article breaks down the three best options for selling your RV in Canada.

Whether you’re looking for a quick sale through a dealership or want to sell it privately for the highest possible price, our team breaks down the pros and cons of each option so you can feel confident when deciding how you want to sell your RV.

Summary

• Most profitable: RV buy-and-sell marketplaces.
• Lowest cost: Non-RV marketplaces and RV forums.
• Easiest: RV dealerships, trade-ins, and consignment.

#1 RV buy-and-sell marketplaces

Typically, the most profitable way to sell an RV is by listing it on RV buy-and-sell marketplaces such as Autotrader (RV) and RVezy — more information on the best websites below.

These RV-focused websites give sellers relevant information to help simplify the buying process. Buyers can use search filters such as make, model, year, price, type, length, and weight to find what they want quickly.

Most RV marketplaces will list new and used RVs from both private sellers and dealerships. When you list your RV for sale on an RV marketplace, you'll manage the sales process yourself, but you won't have to pay a commission.

Pros

• Largest audience of RV buyers.
• You can sell nationwide without a commission.
• RV details such as make, model, year, and size are searchable by RV buyers.

Cons

• Most websites charge a small fee to list or promote your RV.
• You need to manage the sale of your RV.
• Prices can be very competitive when there are several similar RVs.

Best websites

Autotrader

Autotrader is the largest buy-and-sell RV marketplace in Canada. With hundreds of thousands of monthly visitors, Autotrader is a great website to consider when you are ready to sell your RV.

The only downside to Autotrader is that their listing prices increase if you want more photos and a higher position in search.

All of Autotrader's listings last 60 days, but the list prices vary depending on the number of photos and length of time you want your listing to appear at the top of the search results.

Autotrader allows you to list your RV for free for a basic ad with limited photos and no search priority. After that, the prices increase to $34.95 for a listing with more photos and a 15-day search priority up to $74.95 for a listing with an extended photo gallery and a 60-day search priority.

RVezy

The RVezy Marketplace, launched at the end of 2023, is Canada's newest and fastest-growing buy-and-sell marketplace. With thousands of listings nationwide, it’s the only RV marketplace that doesn’t currently charge a listing fee. With new features coming out weekly and growing demand, it’s a no-risk option to consider when selling your RV.

RVezy also offers an RV rental marketplace where RV owners can make money renting out their RV when they’re not using it. If you want to sell your current RV to buy a newer rig, you can rent an RV on RVezy and try it before you buy. View RV rentals near you.

#2 non-RV marketplaces

If you want to list your RV for sale and don't want to spend much money upfront, there are a few marketplaces you can consider.

Facebook Marketplace or Kijiji are the best choices if you want to try selling your RV for free. If you don't mind paying a small fee to sell your RV, you can list your RV on eBay.

Best websites

Facebook Marketplace

Price to list

Free

Pros

• Free to list.
• Millions of potential buyers.
• The ability to review the buyer’s profile on Facebook.

Cons

• No RV-specific search filters (RV type, make, model, year, length, weight, etc.).
• A large number of spammers and scammers.
• Attracts less serious buyers who give low-ball offers.

Kijiji

Price to list

Free to list unless your household exceeds three or more ads at one time in the recreational vehicle category.

Pros

• Free to list.
• Millions of potential buyers.
• Several RV-specific search filters.

Cons

• The website design is bland and outdated.
• A large number of spammers and scammers.
• Attracts less serious buyers who give low-ball offers.
• Buyers can't see much information about the seller.

eBay

Price to list

The fees for listing and selling an RV on eBay vary depending on your listing type, RV price, and any upgrades you choose. You’ll pay an insertion fee when you create your listing and an additional fee once your RV sells. You’ll also pay additional fees for any optional listing upgrades and supplemental services you use.

Fees for low-volume sellers range from $60 for RVs up to $2,000 and $125 for RVs over $2,000. High-volume sellers (frequent users) fees include an insertion fee of $50 and a $10 successful listing fee once your RV sells.

Pros

• Millions of potential buyers.
• Several RV-specific search filters.
• Different buying formats (best offer, auction, buy it now, classified ads).

Cons

• Higher cost than other non-RV specific marketplaces.
• A large number of spammers and scammers.
• Attracts less serious buyers who give low-ball offers.

#3 RV dealerships, trade-ins, and consignment

Selling your RV to a business is the fastest and easiest way to sell, but it's not always as lucrative as selling your RV yourself.

There are three ways you can sell your RV through a dealer. You can get a cash price offer, trade in your RV and use the equity (or negative equity) toward the purchase of another RV, or you can sell your RV on consignment. Consignment means that someone else can sell your RV on your behalf in exchange for a commission.

Reasons why you might opt to use a dealer to sell, trade, or consign your RV:

1. You’ll save money on sales tax. If you trade in your RV, you’ll only pay sales tax on the difference in value. For example, if you buy a $100,000 RV and get $10,000 for your trade-in, you’ll only pay sales tax on $90,000.
2. You’ll pay less interest. If you’re using the money to pay off a loan with a high-interest rate, you’ll get your money faster and pay less interest.
3. You’ll save time. If you have a low-value RV, you’ll likely get the same amount of money whether or not you sell the RV yourself or to a dealer. Selling it yourself might not be worth your time.
4. You don’t want to haggle or manage the sales process. When you want the easiest selling solution to sell your RV, and you don’t want to manage the sales process.

Pro tip: It’s good to verify your insurance coverage before consigning your RV or moving it to a third-party location to sell.

Pros

• Fastest way to sell your RV.
• Easy, as you don’t need to do much.
• You don’t need to manage the sales process.

Cons

• Lower resale value.
• Some dealerships might not want to buy your RV (trade-in).
• Consignment requires some due diligence, such as consignment insurance.

Here are some of the top dealerships and consignment websites in Canada:

• Leisure Days RV Centre
• Woody's RV World
• Fraserway RV
• Leisure Trailer Sales

Bonus: RV forums and classifieds

While they might not be as popular as they used to be, dozens of well-established RV forums can help you sell your RV for free. Where you will list your RV will depend on the make and type of RV you want to sell. Most general-topic RV forums, like those in RV Life Communities, have a classified section where you can post your RV for sale. You can also find buyers looking for a specific brand if you list your RV on a brand-specific forum, like Thor Forums or Airstream Classifieds.

Pros

• Free to list.
• Very engaged and knowledgeable buyers.
• A variety of forums for several top RV brands.

Cons

• A lot less traffic than on other websites mentioned above.
• Fewer RVs for sale, causing buyers to leave the website faster.

Another popular option, depending on the type of RV you want to sell, is listing your RV on a brand-specific classified that’s not associated with a forum. For example, on Airstream Marketplace, you can find thousands of Airstream motorhomes and trailers for sale. While you have to pay to list, the fees are very low for the amount of visibility you get.

Ready to sell your RV? List it for free on the RVezy Marketplace

Frequently asked questions

How can I determine the right price for my RV?

To determine an appropriate price for your RV, we’d recommend looking up the make and model of your RV in the NADA Guides. You should also research similar models on RV marketplaces and websites to understand the current market value. Consider age, make, model, mileage, condition, and any upgrades or modifications.

When is the best time to sell my RV?

Typically, the best time to sell your RV is during the spring and early summer, when demand is higher. Conversely, for buying a new RV, aim for the fall or early winter when demand is lower and negotiations are more likely.

Can I sell my RV if it still has an outstanding loan?

Yes, you can sell your RV even if it has an outstanding loan, but you'll need to pay off the remaining balance before transferring the title to the new owner. You can either pay the loan off with your funds or use the proceeds from the sale to pay it off, provided the sale price covers the outstanding amount. Communicating with your lender and the buyer is essential to ensure transparency during the process.

How do you transfer ownership of an RV?

To transfer ownership of an RV, you must complete a title transfer. This process typically involves the seller signing the title over to the buyer, completing a bill of sale, and submitting the necessary paperwork to the local provincial vehicle registration authority or relevant provincial agency. Both parties must sign the documents, provide a valid ID, and pay any applicable fees. If you’re buying an RV from a different province or from the U.S., validating what the seller and buyer provinces or states require to complete the transaction is essential.

How can I ensure a safe and secure transaction when selling my RV?

To ensure a safe and secure transaction, consider using a reputable escrow service to handle the payment, especially when dealing with long-distance buyers or large sums of money. An escrow service helps protect both parties from potential fraud by holding the funds until all the transaction terms have been met.

What should I consider when meeting a potential buyer?

When meeting a potential buyer, arrange to meet in a public place during daylight hours for safety. Have all necessary documentation on hand and allow the buyer to inspect the RV, ask questions, and test drive the vehicle if they have a valid driver's license. Be prepared to discuss the price and negotiate if necessary.

Before selling my RV, do I need to perform any emissions or safety inspections?
In Canada, the requirements for emissions testing or safety inspections vary by province. Check your local laws to determine if you’re required to have your RV inspected before selling it. Providing a recent inspection report can benefit you and the buyer and instill confidence in the purchase. Handling any required inspections beforehand can help avoid potential issues during the sale process.

Should I repair damages and outstanding mechanical issues before selling my RV?

Yes, fixing damages and addressing outstanding mechanical issues before selling your RV can be beneficial. However, repairs may not always be necessary if you plan to sell your RV to a dealership. Dealerships have access to lower repair costs and can handle these issues more cost-effectively. In such cases, investing in repairs might not result in a significant increase in the offer from the dealership. Therefore, consider evaluating your chosen selling method and potential return on investment before deciding on whether to repair your RV before selling it.