When we first started talking about selling our Valor after 3+ years of full-time RV living, we thought it would be pretty straightforward. Clean it up, list it, done. Boy, were we wrong! The reality of preparing an RV for sale when you’ve been living in it full-time is a completely different animal than we expected.
Three Weeks Homeless: The Hotel Reality
What we didn’t anticipate was being displaced from our home for three weeks while our RV got the repairs it needed before we could sell it. When you live full-time in an RV and your home literally goes to the shop, you’re… well, homeless.
We found ourselves staying at a Home2 Suites in Elkhart, Indiana – a kitchenette-style hotel that became our temporary base. Pro tip: If you’re an Alliance owner, you can ask for the discounted rate at Home2 Suites! While we were grateful for a roof over our heads, the reality of hotel living with a dog, two work-from-home schedules, and all our belongings crammed into one room was challenging.
The “kitchenette” had a microwave, fridge, dishes, and a dishwasher that took three hours to run (and was incredibly loud), but no real cooking capabilities. We found ourselves grilling outside on the hotel’s gas grills and making frequent trips to the grocery store across the street for basics like a corkscrew and better coffee than what the hotel provided.
Hugo, our rescue dog, had his own adjustments to make – including a complete meltdown over Barry’s new mountain bike that we had to keep covered in the hotel room!
Why We Went Back to the Factory
You’re probably wondering why we had to take our RV back to Alliance in the first place. We had two main warranty issues that needed addressing before we could sell with a clear conscience:
Major Warranty Repairs:
- Frame reinforcement – We noticed some movement over time that can cause stress cracks. Alliance upgraded our 2022 Valor build to the more secure standard that new Valors are built with. We were really impressed with the lengths they went to in order to reinforce the frame and welds – this rig isn’t going anywhere now!
- Three-season doors replacement – Our garage patio doors had broken and were beyond repair, requiring complete replacement.
The “Wish List” Surprises
But here’s where Alliance really went above and beyond. We gave them what we called our “wish list” – cosmetic issues we hoped they could tackle if there was extra time. They exceeded our expectations by:
- Completely replacing our cracked bathroom sink counter surface
- Reinforcing the upgraded struts under our master bed
- Replacing torn flooring in our dinette slide
- Going around the entire rig to touch up scratches, nicks, and issues we didn’t even know existed
The level of service and attention to detail was absolutely amazing and reminded us why we chose Alliance in the first place.
The Unexpected Consequence: Roof Damage
Unfortunately, the welding process that fixed our frame compromised our brand new FlexArmor roof. This created an additional repair need that we’ll be covering in our upcoming Part 2 video – showing you exactly what’s involved with getting a FlexArmor Lifetime Limited Warranty roof spot repaired, a question we get quite often.
Getting Our RV Ready to Sell
Once we got our rig back, the real work began. After 3+ years of full-time living, there was extensive cleaning and preparation needed:
AC Unit Maintenance
One of the first tasks was cleaning our AC units. We have a full tutorial video on AC cleaning if you want the detailed process, but this was essential maintenance before showing the RV to potential buyers.
The Mattress Factor in RV Sales
Another thing to consider when buying or selling an RV is the quality of the mattress. A good mattress can actually add value to your sale, while those thin, cheap mattresses manufacturers include can be a turnoff for buyers.
When we got our new RV, the first thing we did was throw out that factory mattress and install our RV Mattress by Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Lux. The difference in quality is night and day, and it’s something potential buyers definitely notice during walkthroughs.
RV Mattress by Brooklyn Bedding offers 22 different sizes, 5 different heights, various firmness levels, free shipping, a 120-night sleep trial, and a limited lifetime warranty. Get 30% off with code “liketheresnotomorrow” at rvmattress.com/liketheresnotomorrow.
Tips for Preparing Your RV to Sell
Based on our experience, here are the hard-learned lessons we wish we’d known:
Start Earlier Than You Think – What seems like a 2-week process can easily turn into 2 months.
Budget for the Unexpected – Factory repairs, professional cleaning, and surprise issues add up fast.
Have a Backup Plan (If You’re Full-Time)– Being displaced from your home for weeks isn’t fun – trust us on this one.
Document Everything – Maintenance records, upgrades, and warranties are gold to buyers.
Professional Tank Cleaning is Essential – After years of full-time living, this isn’t optional – buyers will notice immediately.
Price it Right from Day One – Overpricing keeps it on the market longer and costs you more in the end. Your upgrades are not as valuable as you’d think.
Get it Inspected – A professional inspection report builds buyer confidence and justifies your price.
What’s Coming in Part 2
In our next video, you’ll see:
- The complete professional tank cleaning process that transformed our holding tanks back to like-new condition
- Expert advice on maintaining your tanks and avoiding issues
- The FlexArmor roof repair process from drop-off to pickup
- All the final touches that serious buyers notice
The reality is that when you’re selling an RV, especially one you’ve lived in full-time, every detail matters. Clean tanks and a solid roof aren’t just nice-to-haves – they’re non-negotiables for buyers.
The Bottom Line
Selling an RV after full-time living is harder than we expected, more expensive than we planned, and took much longer than anticipated. But by addressing every issue properly, we were able to sell our Valor to buyers who got a rig in better condition than when we first bought it.
If you’re thinking about selling your RV, or even buying one, understanding this process is crucial. Stay tuned for Part 2 where we tackle the final steps that could make or break your sale.
Subscribe to our channel @liketheresnotomorrow and hit the notification bell so you don’t miss Part 2 of this series!
Related Products & Resources:
- RV Mattress by Brooklyn Bedding: rvmattress.com/liketheresnotomorrow (30% off with code “liketheresnotomorrow”)
- Our RV Gear Recommendations: Amazon Store
- RV Trip Planning: RV Life Trip Wizard (25% automatic discount)
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