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Jim & Susan · 02-24-2015, 04:37 PM

Hang in there gang, it'll make sense in a minute.

We bought a 2002 F250 about a year and a half ago. It had a 15,000 lbs 5th wheel hitch sitting in the bed from the PO. He bought a newer TV with a hitch appropriate for his needs, so he left this one for me. Question is now, how do I sell the dern thing?

It's a big, heavy, hulking thing. Originally sold for around $1500, about 5-6 years ago, so it's got to be worth a couple bucks, right?

Since it's so big and heavy, it's probably not going to move easily on Ebay, figuratively and literally. Craig's List is completely out of the question. We had a "Craig's List Murder" here in the Atlanta area a few weeks back (no BS, it really happened). So I'm not comfortable having a lot of those lurkers staking out my house to have a look-see at the hitch (remember, it's a two man lift to get this thing out of the garage in order to meet somebody at a neutral location).

I talked to a local RV place to see if maybe he wanted to try and sell it on consignment. He's not interested. Understandable, he makes a lot more on new merchandise. And I want to see this guy succeed. There are scarcely few of his kind left around me. And it's a nice business, very helpful people with all the odds-n-ends we need for hobby/obsession.

Any ideas? Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Jim

Protagonist · 02-24-2015, 04:54 PM

If worse comes to worse and you can't sell it to anyone as a 5th-wheel hitch, it still has scrap metal value.

But before you go to that extreme, remember that RVs aren't the only trailers who use 5th-wheel hitches. A lot of stock trailers and horse trailers use them, too, so check with your local farming/ranching community.

And never mind Craigslist and Ebay. There's still classified ads in the local newspaper. Old-fashioned, but still viable.

mojo · 02-24-2015, 05:18 PM

There are several Ford forums as well as RV forums where you can list your vehicle. I have bought and sold many vehicles and items on specialty forums, ebay, and craigslist and no one has tried to kill me yet.....except on price!

r carl · 02-24-2015, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mojo

There are several Ford forums as well as RV forums where you can list your vehicle. I have bought and sold many vehicles and items on specialty forums, ebay, and craigslist and no one has tried to kill me yet.....except on price!

I think he just wants to sell the hitch.

Jim & Susan · 02-24-2015, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by r carl

I think he just wants to sell the hitch.

Yep. Who wants to go thru all that paperwork with the local constabulary? I can envision a conversation something like:

"Detective Johnson, thug number 1 did 'X' and that explains the splatter pattern on the wall just here. Then, thug number 2 did 'Y' and that would explain the fecal matter over here." Who wants to clean that up or fill out all the paperwork? Pass.

Jim

Jim & Susan · 02-24-2015, 06:11 PM

Protag, thanks for hints. There's a Tractor Supply near us. I'll bet there's a way to post a For Sale card someplace in that business. That's exactly the kind of thinking I was hoping to find here. Great advice.

Jim

**Stefrobrts** · 02-24-2015, 06:26 PM

I'm a fan of CL, I've had a lot of luck buying and selling on there, and haven't been murdered yet. Key things to look for is people who are competently communicative via email first. Meet them with somebody else home with you, or load that sucker in your truck and agree to meet them in a place you feel safe. Most people on CL are just folks like yourself. I have an engine on our local CL right now. still sorting through the responses, but really I can't imagine any other way to sell something like this, and there's no way to show it off without having folks come to my garage, so I'm going to be kind of picky who I invite over.

**Kevin245** · 02-24-2015, 06:49 PM

I picked up our 5er off of Craigslist a couple of years ago and a B&W Companion 5th wheel hitch from Craigslist last year. Good experiences in both instances.

Post an accurate description along with five or six good quality photos. Price it correctly and it will sell quickly.

TG Twinkie · 02-24-2015, 09:46 PM

Very few if any stock trailers use a 5th wheel hitch. Most use what is commonly called a "gooseneck" hitch. Totally different.

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**Kevin245** · 02-25-2015, 05:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TG Twinkie

Very few if any stock trailers use a 5th wheel hitch. Most use what is commonly called a "gooseneck" hitch. Totally different.

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Not in the RV community. 5th wheel travel trailers use 5th wheel hitches, almost without exception. There are adapters that will convert 5th wheel rigs to a goose neck configuration, but this places increased stress on the trailer pin box and will void manufacturer warranties in most instances.

There is a significant difference between the two hitch types.

xrvr · 02-25-2015, 05:19 AM

By stock he meant livestock. Jim

jump · 02-25-2015, 07:22 AM

Since its a local pick up item, you can list it that way on eBay.

I have had no trouble listing things on CL ... Just being careful who I invite to my home an am vigilant when they are there ... We are always outside, (will the hitch fit on one of those flat furniture dollies?) never inside. Always cash- no checks - no financing.

You can get scammed through most any method of selling ... So just be vigilant.

Good luck

mojo · 02-25-2015, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by r carl

I think he just wants to sell the hitch.

Ooops! I need to learn to reed & rite...

Foiled Again · 02-25-2015, 08:39 AM

List on Craigslist and meet them outside the local police station. Now that's a neutral location (and donate $25 to the officer's coffee fund - uniformed "friends" are nice to have!)

I am listing stuff on craigslist - and using a voice mail number (at the call center my partner and I own) for the call backs. We offer to meet interested buyers across the street from one of the local precincts.

How about local campgrounds? Will they advertise it?

Putting a sign on the truck itself while hanging out at Camping World, Cabella's, Home Depot or Tractor World on a Saturday morning might work too. Are there any big swap meets in your area? The vendors there might be potential buyers.

Paula