Appraising Your Camper: What's It Worth?

If you're looking to sell your camper, it's important to know its value. There are a few ways to determine this. You can check out the NADA RV Value website, which gives ranges for RV sale prices based on manufacturer, model and model year. You can also look at pricing for other RVs similar to yours on resale sites like RV Trader. Marketplaces like eBay, Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist can also give you an idea of the market. You can also get a professional appraisal, or ask your local dealer for their expert opinion.

Consult online price guides

There are several online resources you can consult to find out the worth of your camper. These include:

NADA RV Value website

The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) provides values for used RVs, listing prices and values for motorhomes, travel trailers, truck campers, and park models. The NADA RV Value website allows you to input the manufacturer, model, model year, and floor plan features of your camper to get a range of sale prices. This is a good starting point to understand the market value of your camper.

RV Trader

RV Trader is a leading resale website that can give you valuable insights into the market value of your camper. You can search for similar RVs based on make, model, year, and condition to get a sense of the pricing and demand for comparable vehicles. RV Trader also offers a Price Checker tool to help you estimate the value of your camper more accurately.

Other Online Marketplaces

In addition to RV Trader, you can explore other online marketplaces such as eBay, Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and National Vehicle. These sites allow you to compare prices and features of various campers, giving you a broader perspective on the market. By researching similar RVs based on manufacturer, model, year, and condition, you can make a more informed decision about your camper's worth.

Professional Appraisal Companies

If your camper has unique features, retrofits, or limited online comparisons, consider hiring a professional appraisal company. These companies can provide an unbiased assessment of your camper's value by conducting an up-close inspection of its condition and special attributes. This option may be particularly useful for higher-end or customised RVs.

Research similar RVs

Comparing your camper to similar RVs on the market will give you a rough idea of its worth. Start by checking other dealerships, especially those in your area. You can also look at what people are asking for when selling their units themselves by checking places like Facebook Marketplace, eBay, Craigslist, and RV Trader.

When comparing, make sure to keep in mind the model, manufacturer, year, and condition of the RVs you're looking at to ensure they're comparable. For example, note any surface-level issues, like broken cabinetry, chipped paint, or stained floors. Also, consider the mileage—more miles on an RV will decrease its resale value.

Some RV models are known to have problems, so make sure to do your research. If your model and year are known to have stuck slide-outs or water leaks, for example, it'll probably be worth less than similar models.

Get a professional appraisal

If you're looking for an accurate and unbiased valuation of your camper, engaging the services of a professional appraiser is a great option. This is especially true if your camper has unique features or customisations that might not be reflected in online valuation tools or guides.

Professional appraisers will conduct an in-depth inspection of your camper, taking into account its condition, features, and any modifications you've made. They will also consider the current market trends and demand for similar vehicles to determine a fair price. This service is often utilised for higher-end or rare campers, ensuring an accurate valuation that reflects the vehicle's unique characteristics.

When choosing a professional appraiser, it's important to select a reputable company with experience in appraising campers and RVs. Some companies specialise in camper van appraisals, ensuring they have the expertise to evaluate the unique aspects of these vehicles. These specialists understand the ins and outs of camper van components, providing a more accurate valuation.

The cost of professional appraisals can vary, but they typically range from $149 to $275. Some companies offer expedited services for an additional fee if you need a quicker turnaround. It's worth noting that these appraisals may not be necessary for newer or more standard campers, as online tools and local dealer insights can often provide a good estimate.

Professional appraisals are a comprehensive way to determine the worth of your camper. By engaging experts who understand the market and the unique features of campers, you can be confident in the valuation you receive. This can be particularly beneficial if you're looking to buy or sell and want to ensure you're getting a fair deal.

Check online sales information

Online sales information is a great way to get a sense of what your camper is worth. You can search for similar campers to yours on sites like eBay, filtering your search to "sold" listings to see what people are willing to pay. This will give you a sense of the current market value of campers similar to yours.

You can also check RV-specific resale sites like RV Trader, which will give you valuable insight into the market. When looking at other campers, be sure to keep in mind the model, manufacturer, year, condition, and location of the RVs you're comparing to yours. Location plays a part in the price—an area with high demand and few RVs available will likely fetch a higher selling price.

In addition to RV-specific marketplaces, you can also check general online marketplaces that feature RV categories, such as Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and RV dealerships' websites. These sites, paired with your research from RV-specific marketplaces, should give you a well-rounded view of the market.

You can also look at what people are asking for similar models of recreational vehicles and compare your RV to what you see for sale to help you estimate its value. It's important to consider factors such as mileage, amenities, and upgrades that may affect the value.

Online sales information can provide valuable data on what similar campers are selling for, but it's important to remember that RV values are complex and depend on various factors, including length, floor plans, style, model number, manufacturer, trim, and appointments. Therefore, it's essential to gather information from multiple sources to determine an accurate value for your camper.

Consider the time of year

When determining the value of your camper, it's important to consider the time of year. This is because demand for campers is often seasonal, and this can impact the price you can sell your camper for.

In general, camper values are at their highest before peak camping season in the spring and early summer. This is when people are flooding to dealerships for new and used campers, so it's a perfect time to sell your camper for a higher value. Late summer and the middle of winter are also good times to sell, as this is when seasonal campers are looking to upgrade before heading south for the winter.

On the other hand, if you sell your camper in the fall after the camping season has slowed, you may find that your camper's resale value takes a dip. However, this can be a good time to target "snowbirds", or retirees looking to buy a camper to live in for the winter.

So, if you can, it's worth waiting for the right time of year to sell your camper to get the best price.

Frequently asked questions