Which Path Is Right for You—Steady Income or a Clean Break?
You’ve got an RV you’re not using—and it’s costing you.
Storage fees, insurance premiums, ongoing maintenance... they add up quickly when your RV is sitting idle. So now you’re asking the question:
“Should I rent it or sell it?”
And more specifically:
“Should I consign it for rental or sales?”
That’s a smart question—and one that more RV owners are asking as the sharing economy creates new ways to earn. Both rental consignment and sales consignment have their merits, but they serve very different goals.
In this article, we’ll break down RV consignment: the key differences between rental and sales consignment, and help you figure out which model best suits your needs, lifestyle, and financial goals.
What Is RV Consignment?
Let’s start with a quick definition.
RV consignment means handing your RV over to a professional or business that will either:
- Rent it out on your behalf (rental consignment), or
- Sell it on your behalf (sales consignment)
In both cases, you remain the legal owner (until a sale is made), but you don’t have to handle the day-to-day management, marketing, or paperwork.
It’s a hands-off approach to getting value from your RV—either as a steady income stream or a one-time payout.
Let’s explore each option in more detail.
Rental Consignment: Turning Your RV Into Passive Income
Rental consignment, like the model offered by RV Management USA, is all about putting your RV to work—without having to be the one doing the work.
How It Works:
- You place your RV with a professional rental manager (like a Territory Manager at RV Management USA)
- The manager handles everything: listings, bookings, cleanings, hand-offs, maintenance, and guest support
- Your RV is rented out to screened, insured travelers
- You earn income from each rental—typically 45% of the revenue, with the rest split between the TM and the platform
- You remain the owner and can use your RV when desired
Ideal For:
- Owners who want ongoing, passive income
- People who don’t use their RV often but don’t want to sell
- RVs that are under 10 years old and in good condition
- Those who want to offset ownership costs, or generate cash flow before selling
Key Benefits:
✅ Monthly income
✅ Hands-free management
✅ RV stays maintained and in use
✅ Flexibility to block off personal use
✅ Better resale value down the road (active RVs are well maintained)
Key Considerations:
- Income varies by season, location, and demand
- You’ll need to carry appropriate registration and meet age/condition criteria
- There’s normal wear and tear over time—but this is often offset by earnings
Sales Consignment: Letting Go of Your RV for a One-Time Payout
Sales consignment is the “clean break” option.
Rather than managing the sale yourself or trading in for a low-ball offer, you partner with a dealership or consignment service that markets and sells the RV on your behalf.
How It Works:
- You hand over your RV to a consignment dealer or lot
- They clean, photograph, and list your RV across various channels
- The dealer negotiates with buyers, manages test drives, and finalizes paperwork
- Once sold, you receive the sale price minus the dealer’s commission (usually 10%–15%)
Ideal For:
- Owners who are done with RV life
- People who want cash now (to reinvest, pay off loans, or simplify life)
- Older RVs that may not qualify for rental programs
- Owners relocating, downsizing, or upgrading
Key Benefits:
✅ No hassle selling process
✅ Dealer handles all the paperwork and negotiation
✅ Typically faster than a private sale
✅ You walk away with a clean, one-time payout
Key Considerations:
- You no longer benefit from ongoing income
- Commission can reduce your total return
- Some RVs take weeks (or months) to sell depending on market conditions
- You lose access to your RV once it’s on the lot
Which Option Earns More Over Time?
Let’s say you have a 2019 Class C RV worth $60,000.
- If you sell via consignment, you might walk away with $51,000–$54,000 after fees.
- If you rent it for 2–3 years, you could earn $18,000–$30,000 or more—and still sell the RV for $40,000+ when you're ready.
Rental consignment isn’t just income—it’s a way to stretch your RV’s value across time, getting paid while retaining ownership.
💡 Some owners even use rental income to pay down loans or save for their next RV.
Hybrid Strategy: Rent Now, Sell Later
Not ready to commit to one path?
Here’s the good news: you don’t have to choose right away.
Many owners start by renting their RV through consignment for a year or two, then:
- Sell it when market prices are favorable
- Trade it in after the income has covered a significant portion of the cost
- Upgrade to a newer RV (and repeat the process!)
This hybrid model is ideal for:
- People unsure if they want to fully exit RV life
- RVs that are still under 7–8 years old and in high demand
- Owners who want to maximize ROI before letting go
What Makes Rental Consignment with RV Management USA Different?
At RV Management USA, our consignment model is built around:
- Hands-free income: We do the work. You collect the earnings.
- Local Territory Managers: Your RV is professionally maintained and overseen between every trip.
- Owner flexibility: Block off dates when you want to use your RV.
- Transparent reporting: Monthly income breakdowns, maintenance updates, and performance stats.
- National expansion: Your RV can even be relocated to warmer states in winter to extend the season.
For owners unsure whether to sell or rent, we walk you through both paths—and even provide side-by-side financial projections.
Final Thoughts
So, when it comes to RV consignment: the key differences between rental and sales consignment, it really comes down to your goals.
- Want cash now and to walk away? → Sales consignment
- Want ongoing income, flexibility, and future resale potential? → Rental consignment
- Not sure? → Start with rental, monitor performance, and sell later
Your RV can be more than a memory-maker—it can be a money-maker.
And whether you choose to rent it, sell it, or do both over time, partnering with a trusted RV management or consignment service ensures you protect your investment, avoid hassle, and unlock the real value of your rig.
Hope you enjoyed this post.
– RVM Team
