Do RVs Have Good Resale Value? 6 Things You Should Know

When hunting for the perfect recreational vehicle, prospective RV owners tend to focus on size, floor plans, amenities, luxury appointments, and price. However, very few consider whether RVs have good resale value, which is a disappointment for such a big investment.

Here are the top things you need to know about RV resale values, what affects your rig’s future asking price, how different categories of RVs hold their value, and what you can do to make sure you get the most out of your rig when you put it up for sale.

1. New RVs Don’t Have a Good Resale Value

Unfortunately, RVs don’t have good resale value (or RV trade-in value), especially when you buy a new RV. All new RV types lose around 21% of their value in the first year. That means that you leave 1/5th of a new RV’s value at the RV dealer’s sales lot. By the third year, your wheeled home away from home will have lost 30% of its worth. Understandably, this doesn’t make financial sense for many people. It’s hard to digest that an investment that’s marked up pretty high depreciates that fast.

The good news is that we have personally found that the RV lifestyle can be a great way to spend quality family time and get away from the stresses of daily life. So even though an RV is not typically considered a good investment from a financial standpoint, it might deliver plenty of non-monetary value that makes it well worth it. It has for us!

Top Tip: Consider buying a used RV that’s been well-taken care of and is in good condition to avoid the value loss that happens with new RVs.

2. Top Factors That Affect RV Resale Value

Several factors affect how fast an RV depreciates. Here are the main ones.

Driving Off From the Dealership

As stated above, immediately you drive off the dealership’s lot, your mobile abode will have lost around 21% of its value. Even if you decide to sell it the next day, it will be tough to recoup more than 80% of the retail price.

Age

The older your RV is, the less it will be worth when it’s time to sell. However, different RVs age differently, so it depends on the type you own. We will look at how different RV classes and brands age.

Mileage

A motorhome’s mileage is another factor to consider. If it has too many miles(100,000+), buyers may not be willing to pay much. Too few miles may be a sign that an RV was always idle, so buyers may assume the engine has developed problems, thus pay less.

Water Damage

Water is probably the worst enemy of any RV. Whether it leaks from the roof, windows, seals, or plumbing, it creates mold, rust, and rotting floors and walls, which can drastically hurt its resale value.

Looks

The exterior and interior aesthetics also have a role to play in how much your RV will go for. Of course, rigs that are well-maintained will fetch more compared to those with dents, dings, cracks, old paint, and worn upholstery.

Extra Features

The more features your rig has, the more you’ll pocket. High-end amenities like solar panels, a roof rack, a bigger awning, a bike rack, a backup camera, a satellite antenna, and multiple AC units will boost the asking price.

Appliances

RVs with more useful, modern, or luxury appliances will not depreciate as fast and will have a higher selling price. Those with less equipment or appliances that are less efficient lose their value more quickly.

Location

Your location also plays a big role in how much you can recoup when you decide to trade in your RV. Those who live in coastal areas may fetch less because the salt air causes serious rust pretty fast, while the harsh sun UV rays add more damage.

Market Conditions

How you time your sale can also affect the resale value. The best time to maximize your price is when there is high demand and low inventory, such as in spring and summer. Also, consider a time when financing is affordable.

3. All RV Types Have Different Depreciation Rates

Towable RVs don’t depreciate at the same rate as their driveable counterparts. In addition, different classes of motorhomes lose their value differently. Here are the year-by-year RV depreciation rates.

Travel Trailers and Fifth Wheels

Travel trailers are pull-behinds that are typically smaller than fifth wheels. You tow them by hitching them to your tow vehicle’s bumper or frame hitch. You tow fifth wheels from a hitch mounted in the center of the pickup truck bed. Both of these trailers depreciate at nearly the same rate. At one year old, about 21% of their value is gone. Further, they lose 25% of the value in the 3rd year, 37% in the 5th year, and 45% in the 10th year. Notably, high-end 5th wheels depreciate a little quicker.

Class A and Class B Motorhomes

Class A motorhomes are bus-like rigs and are the largest and heaviest of all RVs. Class Bs, also known as campervans, are the smallest motorhomes. Both of these types of motorhomes depreciate at identical rates. They lose 20% of all value in the 1st year of life, 30% in the 3rd year, 38% in the 5th year, and around 60% of their value within 10 years.

Class C Motorhomes

Class C RVs are a middle ground between Class A and Bs, and are distinguished by their over-cab sleeping compartment. These rigs tend to depreciate more slowly and hold value slightly better than the other motorhomes. Although they lose the same value as Class As and Bs in the first year, they only drop 26% of their worth in the 3rd year, 37% in 5th year, and 51% in 10th year.

Truck Campers

Truck campers are essentially camping units that rest inside the bed of a pickup truck. You can unload them when you need to use your truck for other purposes. These units tend to hold their value the best out of all the RV types. They only lose 15% of value in the 1st year, 24% in the 5th year, and 45% in the 10th. With proper care, they can easily last up to 30 years.

4. These RV Brands Have the Best Resale Value

An RV’s brand is another significant determining factor in depreciation. Some RV manufacturers use high-quality materials and building techniques that ensure that the rig lasts as long as possible. Other brands are more focused on quantity over quality. If you’re wondering which RV brand holds its value best, here are the top contenders:

Airstream

Campers made by Airstream hold their value well because of their build quality and craftsmanship. Their shells are made from aircraft-grade aluminum alloy riveted over a steel frame. The aluminum sheets are treated to make them resistant to UV rays, mold, discoloration, flaking, and cracking. The interiors are also designed to last and made with durable materials. These shiny campers can last up to 40 years.

Jayco

Used Jayco RVs consistently sell for higher prices than other rigs in their class. Their RVs have good structural integrity as the manufacturer uses custom-built frames and has highly skilled experts doing the assembly. To back up their products, every camper comes with a 2-year manufacturer’s limited warranty, which is twice as long as other RV manufacturers. They also offer a 3-year limited structural warranty.

Winnebago

This is another RV maker known to produce motorhomes and trailers that retain their value well. Winnebago has advanced manufacturing techniques and quality control systems to deliver superior products. They are also highly rated by their customers due to their functional interiors, commitment to innovation, and customer service.

Brands that Use Fiberglass

Molded fiberglass RVs tend to hold their value much better than campers built from other materials. They are less susceptible to water damage, mold, fluctuating temperatures, UV rays, and other sources of exterior deterioration. Owners also appreciate their aerodynamics, low weight, and fuel savings. Some good brands of molded fiberglass campers include Scamp, Casita, Happier Camper, Oliver, and Escape Trailer.

5. Here’s How to Increase RV Resale Value

After you purchase an RV, use the following steps to boost your trade-in value:

Store It Indoors

When not in use, always store your RV indoors to prevent damage by the elements. Indoors means a permanent structure with real walls, and not under an awning or tarp.

Use It Often

While you may think that using your RV less often will preserve it and boost your asking price, this is not always the case. Using it frequently keeps all mechanical systems in good working order.

Don’t Make Personalized Improvements

Any upgrades that involve making major alterations to the interior or exterior to meet a personal taste should be avoided, as potential buyers may not like them.

Make Affordable Upgrades

In most instances, expensive upgrades don’t help RV owners to regain their investment. If you have to make improvements, stick to simple but practical projects. Some good ideas include adding storage solutions, motion lights, a swivel TV mount, and installing a peel-and-stick backsplash.

Keep Up With Maintenance

Neglecting your camper will make it deteriorate fast, which ultimately affects your RV’s value. Change fluids as required, keep the roof and side walls properly sealed, lubricate slide outs, replace tires on schedule, tighten anything that comes loose, and keep service records.

Keep the Interior in Excellent Condition

How clean and fresh your RV’s interior is has a big role to play when you want to put your camper on the market. Make sure you take care of any spills to prevent stains, wash all areas throughly to prevent discoloration, and cover windows to protect your seats from fading. If the upholstery is badly stained or worn, you may need to consider reupholstering.

Know When to Put Your RV on the Market

As mentioned before, you need to carefully pick the time to sell your camper. Spring is the best time to get the biggest return for your RV.

Top Tip: If possible, sell your RV on the private market/used market rather than trade it in at an RV dealership. You’ll get more money that way.

6. Find Out Your RV’s Value

To get a basic idea of the value of your RV, head to the guide for the National Automobile Dealers’ Association — also known as the NADA guide. They list the prices and values for all recreational vehicles, including motorhomes, travel trailers, 5th wheels, pop-up campers, and even truck campers. A website like RV Trader, which helps people buy and sell used RVs, is another great resource for approximating RV values. There is no Kelley Blue Book for RV values.

Takeaway: Buy a Used RV to Get the Best Resale Value

Most RV manufacturers set the MSRP way higher than their realistic purchase price. That means, more than often, buyers of new RVs end up overpaying. If your heart is set on buying a new unit, look for an RV that offers the best value by shopping different RV dealers to get a good price.

However, keep in mind that new campers lose around 30% of their value by their third year. If you really want to get a higher resale value, buy a used RV that’s 1 to 3 years old. You’ll save a quarter to a third of the price of buying a new one, and you can still trade it for a fair price when it’s still less than 10 years old. Another great thing about buying a used RV is if you buy from a conscientious owner, he or she will probably have worked out most, if not all, of the kinks and completed the repairs that new RV owners have to deal with for the first year or so.

More From RV Top Tips

Author Profile

Cynthia Measom

Web

Cynthia Measom is the founder and main content creator of RV Top Tips. Not just a writer, she’s a dedicated RV owner and enthusiast, alongside her husband, Joe, who is an experienced RV tech. With their joint knowledge, the two are up on the latest trends and technologies in the RV industry, as well as practical camping and lifestyle tips.

The couple own a 2020 Coachmen Chaparral fifth-wheel that they absolutely love. Their secret to being so satisfied? They purchased the model after a solid year of researching different fifth-wheel campers in person and online to find the perfect fit for their family of three.