Determining the Value of Your Camper: A Look at Blue Book

‍When determining a fair value for your recreational vehicle, there are many aspects to evaluate. So is there a camper blue book to determine the resale value?

There is no Kelley Blue Book for determining your RV’s value, but you can look to the National Automobile Dealer’s Association (NADA) to determine its estimated value and potential trade in value. If you have limited variabilities in your RV class you should be able to get an accurate price range.

Knowing the value of your RV is critical if you plan on selling it or getting an insurance policy covering it. Figuring out a well-priced asking price when you're selling helps you maximize its dollar value. Let’s break down why you should invest time into learning the current market value of your RV.

‍Is there a Kelley Blue Book for RVs and Trailers?

RV shoppers have just as much trouble determining the value of their potential purchase as do car buyers. Unfortunately, there is no RV Blue Book that can help determine the approximate value of your RV for buying confidence or to price for selling.

Unlike cars, RVs can vary greatly in cost and quality, due to a wide range of customizations, upgrades and other variables. This makes it difficult to determine an accurate price range. With the help of their established algorithms and expert opinion, there is another option that can help  put buyers’ or sellers' minds at ease knowing they’re getting a fair value for their transaction.

NADA RV Value

The RV equivalent of the Kelley Blue Book is the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) , a resource for determining value based on manufacturer, model and the year of the model.

Using NADA to determine the value of your recreational vehicle is an easy, go-to solution for figuring out what it's worth. With this service, all you have to do is input information about your RV such as its manufacturer, model and year in addition to floor plan features like slides or awnings and the program does the work for you.

It calculates estimated sale prices based on current market values to give you a clear picture of your RV's worth. Best of all, it can be done at any time from anywhere with just a few clicks of the mouse. No longer do you need to spend days going through obscure used RV directories - NADA gives fast feedback on values.

Assessing Your RV’s Value Through Vin Number

Aside from looking at NADA, you can also check your RV’s value through vin number lookup on sites like RVchex which has a RV-specific VIN lookup option.

This Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is typically printed on a metal plate located on the driver's side door jamb, and is also often imprinted on various documents such as your registration or title.

Once you have this information, you can use online tools specific to RVs to find out what similar models are selling for in your area. By comparing their prices to yours, you will be able to accurately gauge the value of your RV.

Online Valuations for RVs

If you’re willing to spend a little more time, there are a few ways to check RV values online by looking at similar models. It’s also a great resource to get a reasonable price if you are purchasing a used RV especially with private sales.

RVTrader.com

Just as would check out the  market to decide the proper price to list your house for sale, it’s a great idea to feel out the market by comparing RVs similar to yours. A platform like RV Trader can give you valuable insight. As a leading resale site, they’ll have a wide variety of models, floorplans, and upgrades that you can use to assess an approximate price for your RV.

Online Marketplaces

Platforms like  eBay, Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist in addition to other marketplaces specific to RVs-specific marketplaces are great places to get a general lay of the land, however it will take some legwork to work through the variables - mileage, wear and tear, upgrades - to determine the price in reference to your RV.

These sites, paired with your research from RV marketplaces, should give you a well-rounded view of the market.

Why is it Important to Know Your RVs Value

Knowing the value of your RV is an important part of owning one. There are several reasons why this information is important to properly assess RV pricing.

To Sell at a Fair Price

First, it allows you to sell your RV at a fair price if needed, while making sure you get the most money possible out of the sale.

Insurance

Second, having a realistic understanding of its value can help you avoid over or under insuring your RV in case potential damage occurs due to weather elements or other uncontrollable factors.

Financing

Finally, if you need to secure financing for your RV, knowing its accurate value is essential in order to get the best loan rate and terms available. All in all, knowing your RV's value can be beneficial in many ways and should be a top priority for every owner.

How Much Does an RV Depreciate?

Understanding the depreciation of Recreational Vehicles is an important part of making an informed decision when purchasing or selling. While exact figures vary between models and years, a general rule is that RVs depreciate faster than traditional vehicles, in some cases at twice the rate.

This means that even just a few years after purchasing, your RV loses a significant portion of its value compared to what it may have initially cost you.

To help offset this depreciation, regular maintenance and care are essential to ensure the RV continues to operate at peak performance. With these considerations in mind, you can make any purchase of an RV with confidence.

How Do I Sell My Used RV?

Selling an RV can be a stressful task, but when done right can turn into a potentially lucrative venture. There are a few best practices to keep in mind when selling your RV.

Ensure the Best Condition

First and foremost you'll want to make sure your RV is in great condition. Check for any repairable damage, clean and detail the interior, and scrub down the exterior; this will make all the difference.

Staging Your RV

Staging your RV for sale is a great way to increase the perceived value by potential buyers. Making sure it looks in pristine condition, either at an RV Park or at a dealership, can really increase the chances of selling to potential buyers.

This can be achieved through simple cleaning or doing more intricate work like clean and waxing the exterior or adding eye-catching detailing throughout the vehicle.

In addition, staging your RV for sale with personal items like camping equipment or toys that accompany outdoor living can demonstrate how much you took care of it.

Lastly  you will want to find ways to make any defects less visible so if there are small cosmetic issues they don't offset buyers impressions. Staging and preparing your RV for sale will go far in ensuring its success and getting you the maximum return on investment.

Appraisal

As with above, knowing the fair value of your RV is crucial to selling in a timely manner and getting the best return on your investment. Pricing it correctly is key - compare pricing with similar units that have sold recently to gauge what you should list your at.

Advertising

Next up is advertising your RV through an agent,  local classifieds or social media platforms or other RV specific marketplaces. Make sure to lay out all of the features, amenities, and accessories that are included with the vehicle.

Can You Earn Money On Your RV Without Selling It

People have been finding more inventive uses for their recreational vehicles than ever before, including putting them to work.

If you own an RV, it may seem like a daunting task to figure out how to put it to use and make enough money to justify the expense. But there are actually plenty of ways to earn money on your RV without resorting to selling it off.

You can spread the love by renting it to other travelers or use it as a loaner vehicle. Renting out your RV can be a great way to make some extra money, but it can be difficult to know where to begin.

Outdoorsy

Thankfully, there are several platforms available that allow you to easily list and manage your RV rental. Outdoorsy is one of the most popular platforms for RV owners, providing nationwide coverage and RV consignment programs.

Other good options include Camper Travel and Campanda, all of which have user-intuitive websites and easy payment options for travelers.