The price of a used RV involves many factors. Just a few are the age of the unit, the condition, the mileage if applicable, and the options it is equipped with. The most important thing is the general condition of the RV. The NADA is a good guide to follow and the price on the NADA is based on the RV being in good condition. Good repair means there is no damage and everything in the RV is in proper working order. You should be able to buy the RV and go directly and use it. If not, the price goes down.
Regardless of whether it’s a dealer or a private owner, have them show you that everything in the RV works. Appliances in an RV are expensive to replace. Also, thoroughly inspect the unit for signs of damage that are sometimes hidden as water damage. If you’re not sure what to look for, take someone with you who knows RVs.
If it is a motorized recreational vehicle, the mileage is a factor used to determine the price. Another is any optional equipment above and beyond a base model. You can go to nada.com and if you know the year, make, model, mileage if applicable and what options the RV has you can get an idea of a fair price. It will give you a low retail and an average retail. If it is a motorized recreational vehicle, you should not only inspect the coach, but also the chassis.
If the selling price is within a fair market price, this does not mean that you should settle for paying that price. There’s almost always room to negotiate the sale price, unless you find yourself on a lifetime deal, in which case you pay the money and walk away. Don’t be afraid to make a ridiculous offer and just see what they say, in most cases you will find yourself somewhere in the middle of the road on prices. I personally wouldn’t pay the high retail price unless it was in show condition. You should be able to get close to the low retail price or less. Remember that RVs depreciate and do not appreciate. In some cases, RV owners are backwards, meaning they owe more than the RV is worth and want to pay back the loan, so their asking price is too much for the RV.
You need to know what you’re looking at, know what the fair asking price is, inspect the unit thoroughly, make sure everything works, and then negotiate the selling price. Be patient, a good deal will always come with time.
Happy camping!
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Copyright 2007 by Mark J. Polk, owner of RV Education 101
