Is there a Kelley blue book for RVs? (2024)

A recreational vehicle (RV) is an asset – one that will allow you to have fantastic holidays, undoubtedly; but also the one that you may decide to sell at a later date if your circ*mstances change. When it comes to selling your RV, you’ve definitely got one huge issue on your mind: what factors go into deciding the value of a recreational vehicle.

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Weekends enjoyed camping beneath the skies are what family memories are built of, and an RV can provide a lot of enjoyment for you and your family. A similar scenario applies if your children have left the nest and you want the flexibility to travel the nation in your elder years, which an RV may provide you with.

Despite the fact that it is a clear question, there is no easy solution. Various factors, including type and model, age and mileage, and even season, influence the value of a recreational vehicle.

When it comes time to sell your RV, know how much it is truly worth.

Kelley Blue Book for trailers, RVs, and vans used to be available for purchase many years ago. No more, though. When you’re ready to purchase or sell a used RV, the good news is that you can still uncover RV values to assist you.

An RV is a substantial financial commitment, and you should understand how much a motorhome, trailer, or fifth-wheel is valued before making the purchase. It is, however, a bit more difficult to determine the worth of an RV than it is to simply consult the Kelley Blue Book; the Kelley Blue Book used to assess the values of RVs and trailers, but now that it only rates autos.

You’ll have to learn how to figure out the worth of a motorhome or trailer in a different method because of the limitations of the Kelley Blue Book website. Before you purchase or sell an RV, you need to know how much it is genuinely worth in today’s marketplace. When it comes to determining the worth of an RV, whether you’re looking to purchase or sell one, there are several alternatives to the Kelley Blue Book to consider. RV Trader and the NADA website are two well-known websites that provide model comparisons and price information.

It is difficult for many people when they are in the process of purchasing or selling their recreational vehicles. Add to this the very real trend of many families purchasing an entry-level RV, such as a tiny travel trailer or teardrop camper, and then upgrading to a bigger unit as their family develops and their interests change.

So, if the RV adventure bug has bitten you hard, the odds are strong that you will need to buy or sell another RV at a certain point in the future.

The incessant upselling and possibly over-inflated costs that can be found at many RV shops are reasons why many individuals choose to acquire a lightly used RV from a private person rather than from a dealer.

Being aware of how much your recreational vehicle is worth, or whether the RV you are buying or selling is worth anything at all, is quite beneficial.

Some individuals may evaluate pricing based on the selling price or the price of a dealership, while others will evaluate prices based on the price of similar units on the RV market, among other criteria.

This all appears to be a little subjective to the majority of purchasers, and it only serves to enhance the level of caution that most RV buyers and sellers experience during the searching and purchasing process.

The Kelley Blue Book for RVs appears to be a straightforward resource for learning about current market values for both new and used models if you’re considering buying or selling an RV.

RV Values

RVs differ from passenger automobiles in that even “basic” features in new models are considerably varied from one another across the whole range of models. New recreational vehicles sometimes come with extras or packages that may be purchased by the customer, thus complicating the resale value.

Most RV owners make some sort of modification to their camper within the first few years of ownership, whether it’s replacing the flooring, eliminating furnishings, or swapping out the refrigerator. Trying to determine the value of a camper or recreational vehicle is difficult owing to the wide variety of brands, models, and kinds, as well as specific amenities and even the location in which it is for sale.

In order to determine the value of an RV, a large number of factors must be considered in order to establish a baseline figure. A few considerations to bear in mind are as follows: Please provide the vehicle’s make, model, and year, as well as the fact that some brand names, such as Airstream, are recognized for holding their worth better.

Those that are newer and have better ratings will often cost a greater price than models that are older and have lower ratings. The size of the vehicle is a concern, with larger recreational vehicles (RVs) often being worth more than smaller ones. It is preferable to have low mileage than it is to have high mileage.

It goes without saying that the engine and everything else beneath the hood must be in good working order. The interior layout and overall condition of the RV’s inside will also be taken into consideration. The amount and types of optional accessories that are offered with the car can either increase or decrease the value of the vehicle.

As is true of any marketable item, the actual answer to the question “How much is my RV worth?” is… whatever someone is willing to pay for it. Although you may be able to establish a baseline number for the projected worth, you may find it difficult (or fairly straightforward) to list your property due to external circ*mstances such as seasonality and the economy.

It is necessary to understand RV value in order to:

Calculate a reasonable selling price.
When you trade-in your RV at a dealership, you’ll get the most money.
Make sure you have the appropriate quantity of insurance coverage.
No one wants to overpay for an RV, and no one wants to undervalue their own property, so determining a realistic market value based on current data makes private sales much easier to navigate than they otherwise would.

Getting the most value out of your RV trade-in at a dealership might help you save money on the ultimate cost of your new recreational vehicle (RV). If you walk into the dealership with no clue what your camper is worth, the dealership may undervalue it in order to boost its profit margin.

Finally, it’s vital to have the appropriate level of insurance coverage on your RV so that you can repair or replace it if it is damaged without taking a significant blow to your financial situation.

National Automobile Dealers Association Value

The National Automobile Dealers Association (often known as NADA) is an organization that represents automobile dealerships nationwide. When it comes to RV cost and value, the National Automobile Dealers Association website is probably the closest equivalent to the Kelley Blue Book website. The National Automobile Dealers Association’s RV pricing guide is the most accurate one you’ll discover regarding RV values.

The website of the National Automobile Dealers Association provides you with the ability to assess the value for:

Travel trailers
Fifth-wheels
Pop-up trailers
Truck campers
Vehicles used for towing
Motorhomes
Park Models

If you really want to know what your RV’s “blue book” worth is, you might be curious how to go about doing so on the NADA website. The good news is that it’s a rather basic and user-friendly process.

Simply go to the NADA’s RV value webpage and choose the “kind” of RV you own (or are considering purchasing) from the drop-down menu: travel trailer (includes fifth wheels), motorhome, camping trailer, truck campers, or park models (if applicable). If you’re in the market for tow vehicles, the NADA can also provide you with a valuation!
Assume you choose the “motorhome” category from the drop-down menu. After that, you’ll be sent to a page where you may browse through all of the motorhome manufacturers listed by the National Automobile Dealers Association. It is possible to save time by browsing through the most popular (if your rig is made by a prominent manufacturer), or to select from the more extensive and thorough list available from the drop-down menu.
After that, you’ll see a list of several models from that manufacturer, which you may filter by year and body type. You’ll also have the choice of hiding or displaying the specifications, which include the length, design, floor layout, and slides, among other things.
Once you’ve selected the RV model that corresponds to yours, you’ll be prompted to enter your zip code. This is because, much like the Kelley Blue Book, RV trade-in values vary depending on where you are in the country, so be sure to include your zip code!
A list of optional features will appear here, which you may choose to include or exclude from your rig, such as HVAC units, updated appliances, leveling systems, and other choices that, if present and in working order, might increase the value of your rig. You might also choose to skip this step and just look at the baseline number if you are unsure.
Once you’ve narrowed down your choices, NADA will offer your RV along with suggested, average, and low retail pricing for you to consider. In order to better prepare yourself for establishing a price for sale or evaluating possible RVs, you’re interested in purchasing, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the following facts.

Factors that may Affect the RV Values

The majority of website-based RV and travel trailer pricing recommendations will only provide you with a “Best Guess” price range for a particular item.

Further than that, you must consider a variety of additional factors that may have an impact on whether the pricing is greater or lower than the industry average. Things like the following are included:

The General Condition of the RV

If you are purchasing a Motorhome or travel trailer from a private partner in another state or from a location that is too far away to do a fast test drive, this might be difficult to ascertain.

When looking at the photos, search for particular signs that indicate water leaks, such as dents and discoloration on the body panels, fractures in the sidewalls, and corrosion around the wheel wells.

Consider paying close attention to the upholstery, especially on items such as convertible sleeping beds and tri-fold couch beds, while you are at it.

Mileage & Maintenance

This is a more significant consideration for motorhomes. The distance traveled by travel trailers, toy haulers, and fifth-wheel campers may nevertheless have an impact on items like electronic trailer brakes, tire tread life, and the condition of the wheel bearings, even if they are designed to be lighter.

Unfortunately, the vast majority of trailer and towing vehicles camper owners do not keep accurate records of their journey distance.

With age comes a certain amount of miles. Motorhomes with low mileage are in high demand since engine maintenance become increasingly expensive as the miles accumulate.

Documentation of regular engine maintenance may raise the value of a recreational vehicle since it ensures that the owner did not neglect the vehicle.

Suppose you purchased a 30-year-old motorhome with 20,000 miles on the odometer based on the seller’s ability to provide proof of regular upkeep as well as any repairs performed within the camper itself. In spite of the passage of time, the engine continues to work admirably.

On the other side, you may buy a 5-year-old campervan with 60,000 miles on it and have it breakdown on a regular basis, even though the vendor claims the engine is in excellent condition.

The value of travel trailers is also affected by the wear and tear that occurs across miles of highway. In the absence of an odometer, it is up to an honest seller to advise a buyer of how many miles it has been pulled during the course of its ownership.

Accessories & Freebies included with the RV

RV manufacturers and dealerships are fond of including extras, optional amenities, and enhanced appliance packages in select model floorplans to attract customers.

Items such as hydraulic levelers, power awnings, satellite TV antennae, backup cameras, and a wide range of upgradeable appliances are included in this category.

They may even provide bed upgrades from a queen to a king size bed on a limited basis. In addition to being a wonderful method for them to enhance the initial sale price, it also has the added benefit of increasing the whole sale price when a private party sells it secondhand.

Many of the extras that come with a used RV provide value that you may not have considered before purchasing the RV.

Items such as a GPS system designed specifically for RVs might cost several hundred dollars.

It is possible to stock an emergency RV repair kit with a wide range of important materials such as plumbing fittings and PEX tools as well as tire repair kits and other products that are invaluable when you are in a hurry and need them.

Quality surge protectors and electrical monitors, which may cost as little as $200 or more, can save thousands of dollars by minimizing electrical meltdowns in recreational vehicles.

Records of Inspections & Repairs

This is as much about demonstrating pride in one’s work as it is about preserving correct documentation.

This is a strong expression of confidence from a private seller if they have these records on hand and are prepared to display them to you.

It also provides you with a sense of what has been maintained and what may need attention for the RV in the future based on the information you have gathered.

A recreational vehicle (RV) is designed to be lived in, but if yours appears to be overly lived in, its value will suffer. In addition to worn and outdated upholstery, visible aesthetic flaws, ancient equipment that reveal their age, and evident wear and tear may all be a big turn off and reduce your RV resale value. Damage to the RV’s exterior, such as dents and dings, will also reduce its resale value.

In addition to repairing any interior or exterior damage, you’ll want to ensure that all appliances are in proper operating condition. Otherwise, you should anticipate any potential purchasers to exploit these minor flaws as negotiating chips in order to get you to lower your price significantly.

Customized builds and Value of the RV

The majority of RV customizations will boost the value of the camper over the NADA estimation of pricing and value since they often improve the appearance, make it more comfortable, or make it more efficient.

Guide on Selling a used RV or Trailer

Selling your previously owned recreational vehicles and travel trailers may be a difficult task. You’ll be fighting against the tides of depreciation, but you’ll also want to obtain the most value for your money possible.

The danger is that you’ll set a price that’s too high, which may frighten away potential buyers from the property. In the meanwhile, you don’t want to set the price too low either.

In the process of purchasing an RV, there are a few important stages that will help you iron out some of the more typical wrinkles and ensure that you receive the most value for your money.

It’s about the right timing

If you live in one of the northern tier states, the price of an RV or travel trailer might fluctuate slightly depending on the season. Dealerships are well aware that their sales will dwindle as soon as the snow begins to fall.

They will frequently have clearance sales at deeply discounted pricing in order to move automobiles off their sales lot.

The difficulty is that when they drastically reduce their pricing, they effectively become competitors with individual sellers who are looking to sell a nicely used recreational vehicle.

Consider yourself a prospective customer weighing the pros and cons of risking your money on a preowned RV or travel trailer with a questionable past vs spending a few thousand dollars more to obtain a brand new discount model from an RV dealer.

In the northern hemisphere of the United States and Canada Purchases of recreational vehicles (RVs) tend to increase from the spring through the summer months.

This is the time of year when dealerships are offering the most expensive models. You may also increase the listing price of the RV or travel trailer to let a buyer feel as if they are receiving a fantastic bargain in contrast to the high-pressure setting of a dealership.

When you decide to sell your RV or travel trailer, it might make a significant difference in the amount of money you receive.

Bit you may have just finished off the summer by camping in your unit and be tempted to sell it right away, it is best to hold off for a little while longer before doing so.

Unless your RV or travel trailer is specially designed or outfitted for winter travel, you should wait until the following spring to list your RV or travel trailer for sale.

It is around this time of year that many begin to consider acquiring an RV or trailer for use in their forthcoming summer vacation plans. This means that individuals will be more likely to pay a higher fee in order to get out and explore more quickly as a result.

Keep it in a Good Condition

You’ll want to take proper care of almost any minor maintenance concerns on your RV and travel trailer before you put them on the market.

Repairing any leaky faucets, checking that all of the trim is correctly connected, ensuring that the upholstery is in excellent condition, and possibly even going as far as rotating the tires are all part of this process.

A motorhome’s oil should be changed and just about any other motor maintenance should be up to date before it is put on the market for sale.

You should also check to see that any state inspections that are required have been carried out. The tabs should also be up to date at this point.

Even if it should go without saying, it is critical to not just the price of your RV or travel trailer, but also to its total worth.

A used recreational vehicle or travel trailer buyer will be searching for any indication of possible difficulties in order to negotiate a lower price.

Examine the interior of your recreational vehicle or travel trailer to make sure there are no signs of mold development, water damage, dents or dings, or any other damage. Before you even contemplate placing your RV or travel trailer on the marketplace, take a stroll around it as if you were a possible buyer and make a list of any issues you notice. This will help you avoid making costly mistakes later on.

If you see these issues, the potential buyer will notice them as well, and they will either opt not to purchase your RV or trailer, or they may attempt to negotiate a lesser price from you with you.

If you acquire another recreational vehicle or travel trailer in the future, bear in mind that you may want to sale it at some point, and do everything you can to preserve the new RV or travel trailer in good shape.

Give it a nice clean

Potential purchasers are more likely to favor your goods over another less-than-clean RV in the same price range when they see that you have kept your RV in good condition. As a result, a thorough deep cleaning is an absolute requirement!

The refrigerator must be pristine, the linen must be newly laundered, any smoke stains around the kitchen stove top must be wiped away, and the bathroom must be sparkling.

Remove everything from the cabinets and give them a thorough cleaning. After that, make certain that all glass surfaces have been cleaned and that any crumbs have been swept away.

Choose wisely on where and how to sell

In the event that you have spare time and some sales negotiation expertise, you could be eager to sell it yourself.

You will almost likely make a huge profit this way, but you will also have to weigh how much your time is valuable to the company.

You will undoubtedly draw more interested individuals if you place an advertisem*nt on a website such as RVUSA. Despite the fact that they may be on the opposite side of the nation.

You might try to sell it locally by placing an ad in the newspaper or using a public sales board.

Almost any establishment, even the local grocery store, may have a tag board where anybody may put an advertisem*nt for anything they are offering.

It is frequently provided for free or at a very low cost. In addition, if you do manage to attract an interested party, you can interact with them in person, they may do test drives at your convenience, and it costs you almost nothing to market your vehicle.

The difficulty here is that there may not be a suitable candidate in your area, or they may just fail to notice your advertisem*nt.

In other words, if you plan to market locally, you should anticipate it to take some time to generate interest and clinch a transaction with potential customers.

Another option to explore is selling your RV or automobile on contract with a local RV or car store. Locals that walk into their parking lot are already interested in what they have to offer.

It also saves you the time and effort of doing the homework, completing the purchase, or acting as a salesperson.

The problem is that the dealership will almost certainly charge you a price for storing your RV and will take a cut of the final earnings as compensation for their services.

Plan on how to accept the payment before closing the deal

Assume you’ve priced your old RV and travel trailer fairly, had some interest, and arranged a nice bargain with a private buyer.

You even went to the DMV to get a clean title.

Transferring the RV to the second party is easy. There’s even a section in the title where they may fill in the gaps. Include a bill of sale.

Once completed, the buyer must file the sale with their state’s DMV.

Depending on their finances, gently advise them to take it out on their own insurance coverage for bringing it back to their house.

When paying, let them know if you want cash or a check.

Too many times, someone has made a private sale of a high-priced item only to discover that the private check was insufficient.

Choose nicely on who to sell it to

When it comes to selling your RV, the most crucial item to consider is to who you will be selling it to.

You could try visiting a dealership to see if they would purchase your RV or travel trailer immediately if you are wanting to sell your used RV or travel trailer quickly.

Whilst selling your RV or travel trailer through a dealership would be quicker than advertising it on the internet, you will most likely receive far less money than you had hoped for.

Repairs & Comfort

It is now necessary to address any issues that may have arisen within the unit. Prevent potential buyers from viewing your property by having any moisture damage to the bathroom floor repaired or any bothersome mechanical issues resolved before you show it to them. If the general condition of your RV is good, you will be able to sell it much more rapidly.

Having said that, you don’t want the RV to appear utterly desolate, or it won’t present well. Maintain an air of familiarity by placing a few well chosen linens and cushions on your dining room table as well as in your master bedroom. Other suggestions include arranging books on the shelf and storing a few irresistible staples in the kitchen cabinet.

How much do RVs Depreciate?

RVs degrade in value in the same way that automobiles and vehicles do. Depending on whether you are a buyer or a seller of a pre-owned recreational vehicle, this might be a positive or negative development. Similar to a conventional road automobile, they will continue to degrade over time and will be impacted by their condition and usage.

This implies that if you’re willing to purchase a lightly used recreational vehicle, you may be able to get more for your money.

Despite the fact that there may be some haggling over the cost of the item. This is especially true if the vendor arrived at their own pricing without conducting extensive market research. It’s vital to realize that no matter how carefully you take care of your RV, it will always degrade in value. It is unlikely that your RV will ever be worth more than what you paid for it when you bought it, unless it is a top-of-the-line after customized Airstream, for example.

In the same way that a car depreciates in value immediately after purchase, an RV depreciates drastically as soon as it is purchased. For sellers, it is important to note that no matter how well maintained your RV is, you will not be able to sell it for anything close to the original purchase price. This is great news for prospective buyers! Even a recreational vehicle that is only a year or two old should sell for far less than a brand new RV.

Many experts believe that an RV loses at least 20% of its value the moment it is acquired, yet there is no exact science to calculating how much or how rapidly it will depreciate. Depreciation does begin to reduce after then, but it does not come to a halt. When it comes to RVs, the value of a vehicle that is roughly five years old has most likely decreased by approximately 35%.

Once again, the precise depreciation of your rig is determined by a variety of circ*mstances. It is always more valuable to own an RV that is in good condition with little miles than to own an RV that is in bad condition with high mileage.

FAQs

Q. How much is an RV worth?

A. RV prices vary according to the size and characteristics of each. Camp trailers that have been built and equipped on trucks will cost roughly $30,000. The typical cost of an RV 5×4 might go as high as $40,000

Q. How do I find value of a used RV?

A. The page lists the pricing values for motor homes, travel trailers, travel vans or even truck models or parks. Platforms such as RV trading that help people sell their RVs can offer other valuable info such as prices and information.