When you consider purchasing a used RV from a dealer vs. a private owner , you must be aware that there are more risks associated with purchasing an RV from a private party . Similarly, there are more benefits of buying an RV from a dealer . Let’s look at what you get when you work with a dealer vs. a private seller:

• Number of options: When you buy a used RV from a dealer, they may have a variety of used rigs that you can look at. If you interact with a private owner online, they will most likely only have one RV to sell. The advantage of a dealership’s used RV offerings is that they can show you multiple options, and you can choose the one that best fits your needs and style. When you purchase a used RV privately through Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace, you may not be able to examine multiple options, and you’ll be stuck with whatever the private owner provides.

• In-person walkthroughs: The walkthrough is a crucial part of the RV purchase process. During this purchasing step, you can see your rig before you purchase it, and you can take notes on how all its components and appliances work. You can also ask the dealer about how much use the RV previously had. It’s best to record your walkthrough with a smartphone or other recording device. If you purchase an RV online, you can’t perform a walkthrough before you purchase it, which means you also can’t test the RV’s appliances and systems or ask the previous owner about how the RV operated in the past.

• Risks of fraud: Your risk of fraud is much higher with a private seller than with a dealer. For example, a private seller could collect your payment up front for an RV that they promise to send to you, but they may never send it to you or the RV may never have existed in the first place. In fact, many lenders and financing companies like Finance Solution won’t approve loans for private RV purchases because of the potential fraud risk. Why? It’s difficult to justify lending money to cover a purchase when the vehicle in question may not exist. On the other hand, reputable dealers have track records of closing deals legitimately on real vehicles they have on their lots. Read reviews of dealers in your area before you choose one to ensure you’re working with a reputable one.

As you can see, purchasing an RV through a dealer is often the safer route to fulfilling your RV travel dreams. The dealership purchasing process has fewer risks and more options to ensure your used RV can take your preferred road trips .