Whether buying or selling, know the RV’s fair market value. This is information that you want to know about any RV when you are in buying mode. As well as when you are wanting to sell or trade the one you already own.
What is an RV’s Fair Market Value?
A number of on-line guides provide market values of RVs. However, in my opinion the best is NADA. NADA allows for all makes, models, options, miles, etc. and provides high and low pricing examples.
Other value guides include RV Values Online and RVT Price Checker. I recommend checking the price on all three sites and comparing the results.
I know there are options or add on’s to the value. These are items that were optional from the RV manufacturer or were added later. But, the item really only has value if it is something you want or will use (This is true when you are pricing an RV to buy, and the opposite when pricing to sell)
Caution: Be careful that the site is just not a for sale site under the guise of being a true value guide.
Other Value Considerations
In addition to the book value, evaluate the condition of the RV. Afterall, this is why they are referred to as “guides”. Consider these factors when evaluating the condition of the RV.
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- Has the RV been misused or abused?
- Has the RV been sitting for a long time?
- How is the roof? Is it made of rubber? Is it dry rotted?
- Look at the tires and be sure to check the manufacture date of them. If it is a motor home, remember there are 7 tires (including the spare)
- Does the water system leak? Anywhere?
- How’s the glass?
- As we have said numerous times on this site, anything made of rubber and even plastic will dry out. And sometimes dry rot with the sun and time.
- If it’s a motor home and not a towable how are the engine fan belts, radiator and heater hoses?
- Small thing but check the wiper blades too.
- If we are looking at a towable make sure to find out if all the hitch components go with the sale of the RV.
- Finally, brake linings can be an expensive item to replace on any RV so if and when ever possible have them inspected as well.
Pulling It All Together
So you have “booked” out the RV and inspected it. Now for the final test. See what they are selling for in the real world. An RV with a NADA value of $12,500 with all the options might only be fetching $10,000 on the market. The best places to price shop are Craigslist, RV Trader and RVT. Remember however that there are regional and seasonal price variations. So throw those into the mix as well.
After doing all of these steps, you will have a pretty good idea of an RV’s fair market value. And you are ready to buy or sell!
