travel trailer blue book value

The Kelley Blue Book RV Guide (Here's how to find Price)

by Jack Robbins | RV

Last Updated on October 1, 2024

When you're looking to buy or sell an RV, understanding its value is crucial. Unfortunately, Kelley Blue Book, a long-trusted resource for automobile valuation, doesn't offer an RV or camper guide .

However, similar resources can help you determine the value of a recreational vehicle. Guides like the National Automobile Dealers' Association (NADA) provide detailed RV valuations, which can be considered the equivalent of a "Kelley Blue Book for RVs."

Utilizing these tools gives you insight into your RV's current market value based on factors such as make, model, year, and condition.

Before you decide to buy, sell or trade in your recreational vehicle, it's important to do your homework. Price comparison is a key step, and RV marketplaces can show you what others are listing their RVs for.

This information can be invaluable for setting a competitive price or knowing what to expect when you're in the market for an RV. Along with NADA guides, professional appraisal services offer a robust valuation, keeping in mind the unique aspects of your RV, such as size, mileage, condition, and added extras.

RV ownership entails a significant investment, and accurate valuation not only informs your selling or purchasing decisions but also aids in insurance and financing matters.

The NADA RV Values guides by J.D. Power and services like RV Trader Price Check allow for a thorough understanding of RV values without the existence of an RV-specific Kelley Blue Book. Armed with the right information, you can approach transactions with confidence and clarity, ensuring you receive a fair deal in the evolving RV market.

Understanding RV Values (Even Campers and Trailers)

To accurately gauge an RV's worth, you need reliable tools and an understanding of factors that affect its market value.

Determining an RV's New and Used Market Value

To determine the value of an RV, several resources are available. However, checking what's actually for sale is the one of the best ways to check value. Here are some of the top places that many of our readers have found success with: 

• The JD Power Website
• Ebay Motors

Impact of Mileage on RV Prices

The mileage of an RV significantly influences its value:

• Low mileage often suggests less wear and indicates a higher value.
• High mileage can lead to a lower price point, but market conditions and the RV's maintenance history also play pivotal roles.

Influence of RV Condition and Market Trends

The condition of an RV and external market trends are key to its value.

• Check for operational systems, lack of damage, and interior quality.
• Monitor sales trends, supply and demand, and seasonal factors as they can affect pricing.

By consulting NADA Guides and considering these factors, you're better equipped to understand the true value of an RV in today's market.

Kelley Blue Book for RVs

Kelley Blue Book is a revered resource for determining car values, and while they don't offer a service for RVs, there are alternative methods and resources that RV owners can use to ascertain the value of their vehicles.

Comparing Kelley Blue Book with NADA

When comparing the approaches of Kelley Blue Book and NADA for RV valuations, it is important to consider their intended use cases:

• Primarily focused on automobiles.
• Establishes the valuation benchmark.
• Specialty in RVs and similar vehicles.
• Offers detailed pricing and value information specific to RV models and types.

Understanding these differences will help you find the best resource for determining the value of your RV.

Practical Considerations When Valuing Your RV

When attempting to ascertain the value of your RV, it’s essential to consider the impact of the make and model, as well as how broader market conditions affect RV prices.

Impact of Type and Model on RV Price

• Type of RV : Every RV category, from motorhomes to travel trailers, has its unique pricing scale. Within these categories, different models may carry significantly different values.
• RV Model and Mileage : Specific RV models, especially those known for durability and quality, maintain their value better. Similarly, a lower mileage often indicates less wear and consequently a higher value.
• Keep Your RV in good condition because this can significantly influence its actual value. Regular maintenance and cautious use can help preserve your RV’s value over time.
• Used RVs : The value of used RVs can vary greatly depending on their condition. Be aware that the depreciation rate of an RV might impact its current pricing information.

Navigating the RV Market When Buying or Selling

• RV Market Trends : The RV industry fluctuates with seasonality, economic factors like gas prices, and interest rates. When you decide to find out how much your RV might be worth, consider the timing of your valuation in relation to these market forces.
• Private Party Value vs. Dealer Trade-in : A private party sale can often yield a higher RV value compared to dealer trade-ins. This is due to dealers needing to mark up prices for a profit after acquisition.
• Actual Value vs. Book Value : Understand that book values , such as those suggested by Kelley Blue Book for cars, are different from the actual market value . For RVs, the NADA Guides are more commonly used for appraisal.
• Pricing Information : Collecting pricing information from various sources, including online listings of similar RVs, can give you a comprehensive view of what your type of RV might be fetching in the current market.

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Know Your RV’s Value: Check The RV Blue Book

• Chelsea Gonzales
• August 13, 2022
• 10 Comments

Table of Contents

Sponsored content.

If you’re looking to sell your RV, the first thing you’re going to want to do is find the true value of the RV. This is important because if you over-value your RV, it probably won’t sell. Meanwhile, if you under-value it, you’re likely to scare off potential buyers because a low price creates suspicion. Besides, asking for too little could mean leaving good money on the table.

Unfortunately, some RV owners aren’t sure where to turn when attempting to determine the true value of their trailer or motorhome. The good news? We’re here to help. 

Is There A Kelley Blue Book For RVs?

Wouldn’t it be nice if there were a Kelley Blue Book for RVs? You could look up your RV model and year and instantly know your RV’s value.

Unfortunately, the RV industry doesn’t work like that. You see, the Blue Book model only works if there are limited variables within any asset class. When you consider all the different variables of RVs in the marketplace, you quickly realize that a Kelley Blue Book simply would not work for RVs as well as it does for cars and trucks. 

What Determines RV Value?

The value of an RV depends on many variables like the season and even the weather. The public’s interest in RVing, the current demand for RVs, the state of the RV industry, also come into play. You also have to consider the current supply of new and used RVs, and even economic influences like the price of gas, interest rates, or the threat of a recession. All of these variables change constantly. 

On top of all that, you also have to remember that the unique variables associated with your RV will also impact its value. For example, a 2014 Airstream travel trailer will have a vastly different value than a Jay Feather trailer of the same length and model year. However, if the Jay Feather is in excellent condition, is well appointed, and has been impeccably maintained, while the Airstream has not, the relative values of these two trailers change.

Consequently, to know your RV’s value, you’ll need assistance from experts in the used RV industry who can merge the details of your RV with the current market conditions. The professionals at National Vehicle can provide this crucial insight . Their role is much like a house appraiser. They interview RV sellers to learn all about each RV then factor in market conditions and finally present the seller with a written valuation based on current trends and today’s data.

The best part? Your RV valuation is totally free .

What if Your RV’s Value is Less Than What You Owe?

What if your free RV valuation comes back with a value that is less than what you owe? Should you just wait a couple more years until you have paid down the balance before you sell it? Absolutely not! The future might not be as favorable, your RV will be older, and it will continue to lose value as it ages. 

Let’s say your free RV valuation reveals that your rig is worth $55,000, but the outstanding balance on your RV loan is $60,000. You reason that you don’t have $5,000 to make up the difference, so you decide to wait two years before you sell it. In two years, your RV loan balance should be down to about $55,000. But here’s the catch with this strategy: your RV will be older, the market could shift to favor buyers not sellers, and your RV might only be worth $40,000 two years from now.

Other Costs of Keeping an RV

On top of all that, you will have been paying the principal and interest on your RV loan during those two years, plus insurance, maintenance costs, and possibly storage fees. In two years, your RV might also need costly repairs, and you’d be no closer to closing the gap between its resale value and what you owe. Therefore, your delay means you have to continue to pay out-of-pocket expenses for two more years, and the gap between your RV’s value and what you owe might be even larger than it is today.

Consider Financing Age Requirments

Finally, it’s important to keep RV financing age requirements in mind. Every year your RV ages, and when it reaches 10 years old, most RV financing disappears. Some lenders will finance some RVs up to 12 years old, but the borrower needs excellent credit and the RV must pass an independent inspection. Regardless, if lenders will only finance 10- or 12-year-old (or newer) RVs, the closer your RV gets to that age, the harder it is to sell. Waiting a couple more years could significantly limit the number of potential buyers.

Clearly, from a financial standpoint, waiting to sell your RV makes no sense, whether you still owe on your loan or you own the RV outright.

How to Sell Your RV

Fortunately, selling your RV can be easy once you figure out how to find the true value of your rig. Simply follow these simple steps to sell on the private market and get the most profit from your sale. 

• Price it correctly based on a current free valuation from National Vehicle
• Describe it completely
• Take high quality, comprehensive photos
• Hire National Vehicle to create compelling ads
• Let National Vehicle place your ads in all the places where RV buyers shop
• Read and follow the seller’s tips provided by National Vehicle
• Be available to candidly discuss your RV with buyers
• Get all your documentation and paperwork ready to transfer ownership
• Negotiate in earnest when a buyer makes an offer

Get started today with a free valuation and know your RV’s value before you sell your RV!

You May Also Like:

How long can you finance a camper, 6 reasons you should buy a used rv, inflation is here: should you sell your rv, avoid the rush, the time to buy or sell your rv is now, when is the best time to sell my rv.

Chelsea Gonzales, a seasoned full-time RVer and roadschooling expert, shares her extensive experience and insights on Wonder Wherever We Wander and across notable RV platforms. As the founder of the Aistear Mobile Irish Dance Academy , she combines her passion for travel, education, and the arts, offering a unique perspective to the RV community.

10 thoughts on “ Know Your RV’s Value: Check The RV Blue Book ”

Why not consider the NADA value ?

This article is a year old … market & economy has changed

This will only work for you if you intend to trade out, or even down to a smaller less initially expensive unit. I have known older and elderly R/V. owners trade down from large diesel M/H’s to smaller gas M/H’s or even to a trailer, sometimes of a similar year to the unit that they had, in an effort to drastically cut their expenses, and still manage on their incomes.

1979 County air fithwheel

On the other hand, if you wish to trade up to a larger M/H. or trailer, it’s best to try and wait until the slow season for sales to try and get a larger discount on the unit you wish to buy, then that discount that you have to offer to the purchaser of your unit!!

I am interested in approximate value of my 2005 Itasca W22 8.1gas with three slide outs, very good condition, new 16ply tires, entire brake system new, all appliances work, recently inspected and only 26,000 miles. I am the 3rd owner. Outside needs detailing. Roof and awning in very good condition.

Thanks for the interesting article. We do know the value of our 2012 RV. Perhaps; however, perhaps you could help us in regard to our insurance situation.The full replacement clause in our motorhome insurance policy terminates this year (after 10 years). We are searching for a company in Ontario that will negotiate an “Agreed Value” clause for our 12 year old motorhome that would, in the case of a full write-off accident, pay out the agreed upon value. Do you know of any Ontario Insurance companies that offer “Agreed Value” policies for motorhomes greater than 10 years old?

Need value of 1997 travel supreme express5th wheel

So basically If it’s Not Rsselling in a Market ?? You don’t want If. But if you have a seller you’ll pay Good money to Resale It.? At your price!!!!!!! Crazy dumb times Market’s FULL of High dollar rv’s & flooded with SO MANy used$$$$ no one can Ger loans For???

There is a Kelly Blue book for RVs on the internet. Financial institutions value book is lower than the values shown on the Kelly blue book. I just went thru this refinancing my TT.

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