What Your Used RV is Worth (2024)

Do RVs depreciate? Just like other vehicles, RVs' value depreciates over time and its value depends on the brand and condition of the RV. Rare or classic RVs eventually stop depreciating and their value starts to go up if they are kept in excellent condition.

In order to determine the worth of your RV consider the following:

  • NADA Value - it's like a Kelly Blue Book for RVs. It is used by banks and dealers to determine the national value of your RV.
  • RV Listing Site - use RV listing sites like RV Trader and RVT to see what the going rate of your RV is in your market.
  • Large RV Dealer Sites - use large dealer sites to see what similar new RVs are selling for in your area.
When the time comes to sell or trade-in your camper, it is important to understand how much your RV is truly worth in your market, so you can make sure to maximize your profits, but not price yourself out of the market.

Learning the value of your RV can seem like an overwhelming task, so we have broken down how to research the true value and the pros and cons of either selling or trading in.

What is NADA?

NADA stands for the National Automobile Dealers Association. The NADA value of your RV is the national value of your specific year and model. The guide looks at the value of RVs that have been transacted across the country to help determine the aggregated value of a particular RV brand and model.

It is a resource banks use to determine how much they are willing to lend on a pre-owned RV.

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NADA Values in Different Regions

The values of RVs are different in every region. While NADA value covers the overall media value, the actual value of your RV can differ regionally because its value is dependent on the size of the market and where you’re located.

For example, fifth wheels are more popular in the Northeast and toy haulers are more popular out West. You will be able adjust your selling price higher or lower than NADA, depending on what the market is willing to pay in your area.

Because of this, the NADA value may be lower or higher than the actual value of your RV. This is why it is important to research what RVs are selling for in your market, so you don’t underprice your camper and lose out on money or overprice yourself out of the market and take too long to sell.

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What is the Difference Value of your RV?

The difference value is the price difference between the RV you’re buying and the value of what you are trading in. It’s essentially the amount you are paying out of pocket for an RV. It’s important to ensure that the difference value on your trade-in stays consistent with the dealer throughout the trading process.

Resources for Comparing Used RV Values

Browsing through several different resources to compare RV values is a great way to become informed on what your rig could potentially be worth. The more you know going into the process of trading or selling your RV, the smoother the process will be.

A great place to start your search is on large dealer sites or multiple listing websites such as RV Trader. These sites can show several different models and their average price range.

Some dealer websites even show recent sales, which can help give you a better idea of what particular RVs are currently selling for in your area.

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Selling Your RV on Your Own

Advantages

Selling your RV private to private gives you the option to list it for as much or as little as you would like.

If you want to sell your RV quickly, you can list it at a low price. But if you’re willing to wait a little longer and believe it has a higher value, you can put it on a listing service and wait for a private sale. You might also just know someone who is looking to purchase a new RV and sell directly to them.

Disadvantages

If you’re buying from a private sale you don’t always know what you are going to get with the camper. If you’re selling private, the customer can claim something is wrong with the RV, which can result in a possible lawsuit.

Letting a Dealership Sell Your Rig

Advantages

In most states, your RV's value is a tax benefit when you trade in. And when you are buying a used RV from a dealership, you know what to expect. Generally a reputable dealership has inspected the unit and fixed any issues before selling.

It is also easier and faster to trade your old RV in for a new one at a dealership rather than waiting for to sell it on your own.

Disadvantages

Trading your RV in at a dealership does have its downsides. You should be careful to ensure that the dealership isn’t taking advantage of you and giving you a lower trade in value then what it is worth. It’s important to ensure you know the value of your RV before going into the dealership.

That's why best thing to do before you sell or trade your RV is do your research! If you decide to sell through a dealership, make sure you do research on the dealer to ensure they are honest and give you the full value of your RV.

If you are interested in selling your RV or think consignment might be a good option for you, check out our blog.

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Tags: RV Shopping

What Your Used RV is Worth (2024)

FAQs

What Your Used RV is Worth? ›

Ask the Experts

How do I find the value of a used RV? ›

What is my RV Worth? Here Are 5 Ways to Find Out
  1. NADA RV Value website. This resource gives ranges for RV sale prices based on manufacturer, model and model year. ...
  2. RVTrader.com. ...
  3. Marketplaces like eBay, Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist. ...
  4. Professional appraisal companies. ...
  5. Your local dealer.
Apr 15, 2021

Is there an official Kelley Blue Book for RV? ›

There is no RV Blue Book value system for RV's, but you can use an online valuation tool like NADA.com, or a service like NationalVehicle.com to find the private sale value. There are many factors to determine your RV's worth, such as make, model, year, condition, features, and the current market condition.

What is the best site for RV values? ›

A Kelley Blue Book for RVs and Trailers
  • National Automobile Dealers' Association (NADA) NADA, or the National Automobile Dealers' Association, provides values for used RVs. ...
  • RV Trader. ...
  • DIY RV Value. ...
  • Maximize your RV Value.

Do used RVs hold their value? ›

Like all vehicles, RVs depreciate over time. You can determine an RVs depreciation by the vehicle's age, mileage, wear and tear, and the type of RV you own. Class A and Class B vehicles depreciate similarly, while Class C RVs depreciate more slowly and hold value slightly better.

Is there a nada for RVs? ›

NADA stands for National Automobile Dealers Association. The NADA RV Appraisal Guides are used by most RV dealers and RV owners. One very important fact to keep in mind is that the NADA RV values do not take into account quality.

How do you evaluate a used RV? ›

Thoroughly inspect the vehicle's roof, walls, floors, tires, plumbing, electrical systems, and appliances. Obtaining a professional inspection is highly recommended, in addition to checking for a valid title and vehicle identification number (VIN).

What is the best web site for selling RV? ›

Typically, the most profitable way to sell an RV is by listing it on RV buy-and-sell marketplaces such as RV Trader, RVT, Camping World, and RVezy — more info on the best websites below. Because these websites are RV-focused, they allow sellers to add lots of relevant information that helps simplify the buying process.

How do I value my motorhome? ›

A motorhomes value is ordinarily decided by the make, model, mileage, berth and year it was made, and other factors like service history, MOT along with other additional extras.

How do banks value RVs? ›

NADA Value - it's like a Kelly Blue Book for RVs. It is used by banks and dealers to determine the national value of your RV. RV Listing Site - use RV listing sites like RV Trader and RVT to see what the going rate of your RV is in your market.

Is it hard to sell a used RV? ›

You might think selling a used RV is easy, but it can be a real hassle as a private seller. From repairs to advertising to negotiating the terms of a sale, there's a lot to consider if you're selling a motorhome or travel trailer on your own.

Are used RVs worth it? ›

In addition to saving money, a used RV is more broken in than a new one. Things that are going to break in the first few years have been fixed. Also, the prior owner(s) may have completed upgrades, added features like newer technologies, or installed satellite TV or solar.

Is it smart to buy an old RV? ›

There would be 3 reasons for buying an older RV. It won't cost as much as a new RV. It won't be as hard to fix when it breaks down (especially carbureted engines and engines made before 2000). If you don't plan on fixing them then don't worry about this.

Can you look up RV value by VIN? ›

With a free VIN check, you can verify the authenticity of the vehicle and quickly identify major changes that may affect its value. If you get a VIN report, you can see the history of the vehicle before you buy it and get a NADA VIN check to tell you the market value of the vehicle.

What is the stated value of an RV? ›

Stated Value – market value/actual cash value of the RV. Agreed Value – the insured amount, regardless of the current market value.

How do I find out how much a trailer is worth? ›

To calculate the trailer value, subtract the product of the depreciation rate and the age of the trailer from the purchase price.

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