Where Can I Buy a Used RV? Your Ultimate Guide to the Best Pre-Owned Campers

If you're looking to buy a used RV in the Southeast or Mid-Atlantic, the best place to start is A&L RV Sales. With over 30 years of experience and locations across Tennessee, Georgia, Virginia, and North Carolina, we offer a family-owned, no-pressure environment stocked with trusted brands like Grand Design, Forest River, Alliance RV, and Brinkley — and we back every eligible pre-owned unit with our industry-leading Warranty Forever program.

Why Choosing the Right Dealership Matters

Buying a pre-owned travel trailer or fifth wheel is a significant investment in your family's future adventures. The experience can vary wildly between a private seller, a large corporate chain, and a local family-owned business. At A&L RV Sales, we've spent over three decades building a genuinely relaxed, no-pressure sales atmosphere — because our goal isn't just to put you in a unit. It's to make sure you feel confident and fully supported long after you've driven off the lot.

The A&L Difference: 30+ Years of Family Tradition

We're not a faceless corporation. As the largest family-owned RV dealership group in the Southeast, we treat every customer like a neighbor. That personal approach means we stand behind every used travel trailer and fifth wheel we sell — and we understand the specific needs of campers across the South and Mid-Atlantic because we live and camp here too. When you buy from A&L, you're buying from people who genuinely care about your experience on the road.

Where Can I Buy a Used RV Near Me?

Location matters when shopping for a used RV. You want a dealer close enough to visit in person — because walking through a travel trailer is essential before you buy — but large enough to offer real inventory variety. A&L RV Sales has eight locations strategically placed to serve the heart of the Southeast RV community:

• Tennessee: Johnson City, Murfreesboro (Christiana), Sevierville (Kodak), Columbia, and Jackson — covering East Tennessee's Smoky Mountain corridor all the way to the Nashville and Memphis markets

• Georgia: Lake Park — serving the southern Georgia border, perfectly positioned for families heading toward the Florida coast

• North Carolina: Greenville (Chocowinity) — coastal-ready inventory for NC buyers

• Virginia: Richmond — accessible for Mid-Atlantic travelers looking for premium pre-owned travel trailers and fifth wheels

Top Used RV Brands to Look For

Brand reputation matters when shopping pre-owned. Some manufacturers are built for long-term durability, better resale value, and easier parts availability down the road. Here's what we consistently recommend at A&L RV Sales:

Grand Design and Brinkley
Both brands have earned exceptional reputations for high-end construction, premium insulation, and outstanding customer service that extends to second owners. A used Grand Design or Brinkley often gives you a modern, well-built floor plan at a price significantly below what it originally retailed for — outstanding value for families who want quality without the new-unit price tag.

Forest River and Jayco
These are staples of American RV travel for good reason. They offer an enormous variety of travel trailer and fifth wheel layouts — from lightweight weekend trailers to spacious bunkhouse fifth wheels — and their widespread popularity means parts and service are easy to access at virtually any repair facility across the Southeast.

Alliance RV
If you value owner-inspired features built around real-world use, a used Alliance RV is a standout choice. Alliance designs their trailers with reinforced structures, accessible plumbing, and thoughtful storage that experienced full-timers genuinely appreciate. Their units hold up particularly well over time, making them a smart pre-owned buy.

The Benefits of Buying Used vs. New

Avoid the Initial Depreciation Hit
A new RV absorbs a significant depreciation hit the moment it leaves the dealership lot. When you buy a used travel trailer or fifth wheel, the previous owner has already taken that loss — which means you can often get a higher-end model with more features and better construction for the same budget as a basic new unit. It's one of the smartest financial moves in RV buying.

Proven Reliability
Pre-owned RVs have typically had their early "new rig quirks" sorted out. Most travel trailers need a few minor adjustments in their first season of use — seals, slides, appliance calibration. When you buy used, those initial factory items have usually been addressed, leaving you with a unit that's genuinely ready for the road from day one.

Peace of Mind: The Warranty Forever Program

One of the biggest hesitations people have when buying a used RV is the unknown — what happens if something goes wrong after you drive off the lot? At A&L RV Sales, we address that concern directly with our Warranty Forever program. On eligible pre-owned units, we provide a lifetime powertrain and components warranty at absolutely no cost to you.

What does it cover?

• Suspension and braking systems — critical for safety on mountain descents and long highway hauls

• Water and LP gas systems — keeping your showers hot and your stove dependable

• Heating and air conditioning — essential for Georgia summers and Virginia mountain winters

• Kitchen appliances — refrigerator, microwave, and more

As long as you follow the straightforward annual maintenance requirements, your covered components are protected for as long as you own the RV. No other private seller can offer this — it's one of the clearest advantages of buying from a reputable dealership.

A Checklist for Inspecting a Used RV

Even when buying from a dealership you trust, being an informed buyer is always smart. Use this checklist when walking through any pre-owned travel trailer or fifth wheel:

Exterior:

• Roof seals — check for cracks or brittle sealant around vents and seams

• Tire condition — look for dry rot (sidewall cracking) and check the manufacture date stamped on the tire

• Slide-out operation — slides should move smoothly with flexible, intact seals

• Chassis and frame — look for excessive rust or any evidence of structural repair

Interior:

• Soft spots in flooring — walk carefully near the bathroom and kitchen; soft floors often indicate past water intrusion

• Ceiling stains — check closet corners and roof vent surrounds for any evidence of past leaks

• Appliance functionality — ask your sales specialist to demonstrate that the AC, furnace, and refrigerator are all operating properly before you commit

At A&L RV Sales, our service technicians inspect every unit for these issues before it ever reaches the sales lot — but knowing what to look for yourself makes you a more confident buyer.

Financing Your Used RV

Many buyers assume financing a pre-owned RV is more difficult than financing a new one. It's not — and at A&L RV Sales our finance teams work with a wide network of local and national lenders to find competitive rates for every customer. We handle everything:

• Reviewing your credit profile to match you with the best available lender

• Explaining loan structure options so you fully understand what you're signing

• Calculating monthly payments that realistically fit your family's budget

• Processing all title and registration paperwork so your post-purchase experience is completely seamless

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it better to buy a used RV from a dealer or a private seller?
A reputable dealer like A&L RV Sales offers professional inspections, trade-in options, financing support, and the Warranty Forever program on eligible units — none of which a private seller can provide. The peace of mind alone is worth the difference.

Which used RV brands hold their value best?
Grand Design, Brinkley, and Alliance RV consistently hold their value due to high build quality and strong manufacturer support for second and third owners. Forest River and Jayco are also excellent choices for parts availability and widespread service access.

Can I get a warranty on a used RV?
Yes. A&L RV Sales offers the Warranty Forever program on many pre-owned units — covering 100% of parts and labor for eligible components for as long as you own the RV.

What should I look for when buying a used fifth wheel?
Focus on the king pin box condition, tire age, and leveling system health. Also check high-use interior areas — upholstery, cabinetry, and slide-out seals — for wear consistent with the unit's age and claimed usage.

How do I know if a used RV has water damage?
Trust your senses first — a musty smell is a red flag. Then look for discolored wallboard, soft flooring near the bath or kitchen, and bubbling or delamination on exterior fiberglass panels. At A&L, our technicians check for all of these before a unit reaches the sales floor.

Conclusion

Buying a used travel trailer or fifth wheel is one of the smartest ways to enter the RV lifestyle — lower cost, proven reliability, and with the right dealer, genuine long-term protection. A&L RV Sales combines 30+ years of family-owned experience, a no-pressure sales environment, top-brand pre-owned inventory, and the Warranty Forever program to make your used RV purchase as confident and straightforward as possible.

Visit our teams at Johnson City, Sevierville, Murfreesboro, Columbia, Lake Park (GA), Richmond (VA), Greenville (NC), or Jackson (TN) — and let us help you find the perfect pre-owned travel trailer or fifth wheel for your family.