Your needs (or financial picture) have changed. Now, you either need to upgrade or downsize your RV (or get rid of it altogether). Whatever the case, you’re ready to sell it.
But now you’ve got a lot of questions to answer:
- What is the value of my RV?
- Is there an RV Blue Book that functions like a Kelley Blue Book — but is specific to used RV values?
- How do I know I’m asking – or getting – a fair price for my RV?
- And where am I going to store my RV while I’m selling it?
RV valuation is pretty straightforward and similar to that of a used car valuation. Here, we’ll equip you with the NADA Guides (now a part of JD Power) and RV Trader tools you need to maximize your RV’s value and set a fair price for your used RV.
Understanding RV Values
The unique and varying characteristics of RVs make it challenging to establish a single authoritative source for RV valuations. But there are reliable alternative resources for RV valuations, including:
- NADA Guides
- RV Trader
- Local RV dealerships
- Online forums and communities
Each of these resources takes into account different factors to estimate the RV’s value. Let’s take a look.
NADA Guides for RV Values
The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) is an organization that provides valuable data for those interested in buying or selling an RV. Their RV valuation takes into account:
- Comparable sales,
- Demand,
- and actual selling prices at dealerships, auctions, and sales websites,
These parameters ensure that the pricing reflects current market trends. But, like all resources, it has its limitations.
NADA Guides don’t fully capture the whole picture of the RV’s condition or the demand in your area. For example, any upgrades or renovations you’ve done aren’t accounted for with NADA.
How to Use NADA Guides
With JD Power having bought NADA Guides, you’ll find the same process here on the JD Power website. It’s simple and takes less than five minutes.
- Select the type of your RV
- Input the required specifications, such as year, make, and model
- If you’re valuing a motorhome, you’ll need to enter the vehicle’s mileage to complete the process.
This information enables NADA Guides to generate accurate base values for RVs, with detailed price data and wholesale pricing accessible to dealers.
Now that you have the appropriate valuation benchmarks, you can compare that base value to RV Trader.
RV Trader: Comparing Market Values
RV Trader is an online marketplace where you can buy and sell RVs, and it offers a free RV valuation tool to estimate an RV’s market value. This tool helps users to estimate the current market value of their RV, accounting for factors like:
- Make
- Model
- Year
- Condition
The tool uses some of the same criteria as the NADA website when generating valuation estimates. It helps RV owners (like yourself) understand the low retail price and private party value, helping you to determine the average retail price for your RV.
Using RV Trader’s Valuation Tool
To use the RV Trader’s valuation tool, input specific details about their RV, such as:
- Make
- RV model
- Year
- Present mileage (condition)
For the most accurate valuation estimate, it’s important to accurately describe your RV’s condition, including any enhancements or existing problems. This will help balance the gaps left in the NADA Guides analysis.
But it still doesn’t take into account special renovations and the demand in your area.
Local RV Dealerships: Insights on Market Trends and Pricing
Local RV dealerships can provide insights on market trends and pricing, which can be valuable in assessing the value of your RV. However, these values often reflect trade-in or wholesale prices. When calculating RV values, note that dealerships factor in economic conditions like inflation into RV pricing.
Market demand and seasonal trends significantly influence RV valuation; local dealerships monitor these factors closely.
Online Forums and Communities: Listen to Experienced RV Owners
Online RV communities offer a wealth of knowledge and insights for RV owners. These platforms shed light on the features that current RV owners value (and prospective buyers desire).
Search through posts on Reddit or in Facebook groups using target keywords. That way, you can distill insights into what RVers are looking for when buying an RV. After all, what’s better than firsthand feedback straight from the mouths (or fingertips) of real-life RV owners?
Now, be cautious. This information is anecdotal, meaning you’ll have to use your own judgment and apply their feedback to your unique situation.
How to Prepare Your RV to Sell for Top Dollar
Now that you know what factors affect your RV’s value, it’s time to maximize the sale. Let’s break down this process into six easy steps.
Step 1: Clean out All of Your Stuff
You want the buyer to envision themselves in the RV you’re selling. It’s hard for them to do that with someone else’s stuff everywhere.
Step 2: Fix the Little Things
You know that squeaky hinge that your wife is always nagging you about fixing? Well, it’s time. If you want top dollar for your RV, everything needs to be in working order and in top condition.
Step 3: Give It a Detailed Cleaning
If you’re not a detail-oriented person, then find someone who is (like a professional cleaner). You want everything from the oven to the windows to behind the toilet to look like new.
Step 4: Stage It for Pictures
You’ve taken all your stuff out, but now it just looks empty. Stage it with a few—and only a few—items that make it feel lived-in and cozy. For example, make the beds with fresh linens and fluffy pillows. Then, add a few tasteful plants or flowers to keep things looking fresh.
Step 5: Take High-Quality Photos
Fuzzy photos don’t sell RVs. Buyers want the full picture before they call to schedule an in-person tour. Take photos from all angles–preferably from corners, to maximize the amount of space captured in a single shot. Open the blinds and window coverings to allow as much natural light as possible for best results.
Step 6: Create a Compelling RV Listing
Remember when you were just a buyer lurking on all those RV platforms? Step back into that buyer’s mindset to write an RV listing that speaks to what RV buyers are looking for.
First, ask yourself: Does your RV solve a problem? Start with the problem, and then show how your RV solves it with a detailed description. Including highlights of your RV’s most coveted features. For transparency’s sake, define who your RV wouldn’t be a good fit for, too.
Now upload your photos, and post them on an RV advertising platform like RV Trader.
Summary
The last thing to consider is where to park your RV while you’re selling it. Sure, it can sit in your driveway with a for-sale sign on it. But that’s an invitation to Murphy’s law. You’d hate for it to get damaged—or worse, stolen—right when you’re trying to get a return on your investments.
The truth is selling takes time. So while you can park it out front during the day for visibility, find a safe place to cover and protect your RV from potential dangers.
But where can you find safe, covered RV storage in your area?
That’s where Neighbor can help.
Check out Neighbor, a peer-to-peer RV storage marketplace that offers covered and enclosed RV storage that’s up to 50% cheaper than traditional storage options.
Who knows, you might even find storage right there in your neighborhood. You can find listings (from pre-screened hosts) nearest you here!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is There an RV Kelley Blue Book?
No, Kelley Blue Book does not offer valuations for RVs. You can use alternative resources like NADA.com or NationalVehicle.com to determine the value based on factors such as make, model, year, condition, features, and the current market condition.
How Do I Find the Value of My RV?
To find out the value of your RV, consult NADA (the “National Automobile Dealers Association”), which provides RV values based on manufacturer, model, and year. Additionally, consider using resources like RV Trader and consulting your local dealer for a more accurate estimate.
Are Nada RV Values Accurate?
NADA RV values may not always be accurate, as they do not account for factors such as quality or specific damages. Hence, it’s important to compare these values with other sources and factor in any RV issues that could diminish the value.
Do Travel Trailers Hold Their Value?
Travel trailers generally hold their value well, with approximately 60% of the initial value retained after five years. However, like all vehicles, they start losing value as soon as they’re used, and this depreciation continues over time.
Why Doesn’t Kelley Blue Book Provide RV Valuations?
Kelley Blue Book doesn’t provide RV valuations because of the many variables involved make their valuation model ineffective for RVs.
Is It Better to Sell My RV to a Dealership?
Opting to trade in your recreational vehicles to a dealership is easier. But you probably won’t get the highest RV value because dealers in used RVs operate on slim margins. (They have to turn around and sell your RV after making repairs, and all.)
