How Much Is My RV Worth?

‘Tis the season – RV owners are de-winterizing RVs to either prepare them for new traveling adventures or for sale. Some RV owners who are planning to sell their rigs are doing so either because life has new plans ahead that don’t include RVing or because they’re upgrading their rigs this year. Others are simply considering taking advantage of the INSANELY hot RV market. It’s also possible that gas prices are affecting RVers’ travel plans and some travelers are reconsidering traveling by RV. No matter the reason, this is the time of year when some RV owners are asking the question, “How much is my RV worth?”

Whatever your reason is for wanting to assess the value of your RV on today’s market, we’re hoping this short guide might help you out.

What Goes Into Determining the Value of an RV?

There are a number of factors that go into determining an RV’s value, not the least of which is the market at the time when you decide to sell your rig.

So here, in addition to the overall used RV market, are the top determinants of your RV’s value:

Brand, Model, Type, and Year of the RV

Some brands of RVs hold their value better than others. Newmar and Airstream are a couple of good examples. But any RV brand that has a longstanding reputation for high quality and durability over time will command higher prices in any market condition.

In addition, the newer the rig is, and whether it’s a motorhome or travel trailer, will have an impact on saleability.

RV Size

In general, larger rigs will command higher prices, though there are a couple of caveats to mention here.

First, in a market that includes high fuel prices, many RV shoppers are going to consider fuel mileage in their criteria, and larger RVs are generally not as fuel-efficient as their smaller counterparts.

Also, Class B vans are extraordinarily hot commodities on the RV market for a variety of reasons, including the fact that they can be used as daily drivers, and pretty much anyone can feel comfortable driving them. Class B rigs also lend themselves well to the first caveat of fuel efficiency.

Other than these considerations, though, a bigger rig generally means a higher value.

Mileage

This one may be obvious but RVs with high mileage aren’t as highly valued as those with less mileage on the clock.

Engine Condition (for Motorized RVs)

How well your RV has been maintained under the hood is a big factor in determining how much an RV is worth. If the engine bay and everything in it has been well maintained, this will surely add value to your rig.

And if you can provide maintenance records from as far back as possible, you’ve just raised the value substantially.

General RV Condition

The condition of your rig’s interior and exterior factors into your RV’s value as well. If you’ve kept the RV well maintained inside and out, you’ll be amazed at how much this will increase the value of your rig on the used RV market.

Likewise, however, rigs that have been poorly maintained will feel the effects of their neglect at sale time. Dents, scratches, or even fading decals (consider removing your RVs decals if they look really bad) will all make your RV look less desirable, and therefore less valuable.

Options and Upgrades

The options with which your RV originally came, as well as any worthwhile upgrades you’ve made to the rig during the period of your ownership, will add to the value of your RV as well.

Of course, in the end, the answer to the question “How much is my RV worth?” is… whatever someone is willing to pay for it! Many factors other than those highlighted above will contribute to the value of an RV, including the season in which you’re selling, your location, and the general RV market condition.

Does the NADA Offer RV Values?

Yes, you can research NADA book values for RVs here, and perhaps this will give you a starting point.

However…

Are the Book Values Accurate?

When looking to answer the question of “How much is my RV worth?”, you’ll likely wonder if the book values are accurate. Unfortunately, the answer to that question is “Not really.” And there are a couple of reasons why this is the case.

First, since they tend to list things as “options” that are already included in the base price of the starting model (like air conditioners, generators, etc), it can be difficult to know if you’re supposed to add those options in (again?) when using the NADA book or not.

And second, book values really don’t reflect the RV market accurately. Let’s say you’re selling an older model Class B camper van and the NADA book value is $8,000. If you look at the actual market for Class B RVs, you’re going to see ads for rigs of the same make, model, and condition as yours, selling for $16,000 and up.

This is also a problem where insurance is concerned. You don’t want RV insurance to be based on the book value of the rig – you want it based on the actual market value of the RV, and that’s not easy to accomplish.

We’ve read of people whose RVs were totaled, and the insurance companies gave them book value for the loss, and not market value. That’s probably typical.

So – it may be best to just glance at retail and private sale book values, but focus more on the market values of RVs like yours when attempting to determine how much your RV is worth on the current market.

How Much Does an RV Depreciate?

That depends. If you buy a brand new RV at a dealership tomorrow, the minute you drive it off the lot it will have depreciated considerably (often as much as 25%!!!). We all know this – it’s a fact of new vehicles, and particularly RVs.

An RV will depreciate more or less depending largely on the original quality of the rig and how well it’s been maintained and cared for over time.

And again, the actual value of your RV is the amount of money someone will pay for it, and right now, people are willing to pay more for your RV if you take advantage of the opportunity.

What Additional Factors Determine the Value of a Used RV?

In addition to the overall condition of the RV, any improvements or premium amenities installed in an RV will increase its value. High-end appliances such as a residential refrigerator, air conditioning, soft starts for RV ACs, a tankless/on-demand water heater, satellite TV capability, a solar panel system, flat-panel TV screens, and high-end furniture will add to your RV value.

What Other Sources Are Helpful to Determining How Much My RV Is Worth?

Check the current market. Look at Craigslist in your home state and search all of Craigslist nationwide. Also, research using RVTrader, National Vehicle, eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and local ads in your area to see what similar RVs are selling for, particularly in your home state. Consider the type, brand, model, year, floorplan, mileage, and condition of similar RVs.

Bonus Info: How to Sell an RV

We’ve got a post on how to sell an RV that might interest you if you’re thinking about selling. (And yes – we’ve got a post on how to buy an RV, too!)

Are You Thinking About Selling Your RV?

If you’re thinking about selling your RV either to upgrade or simply to move on to a different chapter in your life that doesn’t include RVing, tell us about it in the comments below.

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