Older Campers For Sale Craigslist (2024)

FAQs

Are old campers worth it? ›

If you're not looking to spend a ton of money initially, a vintage camper is probably a good option to consider. Even if you factor in additional renovation costs, it'll likely be much cheaper than a new RV.

Ask the Experts

The first thing you'll do when determining your RV trade-in value is consult NADA, the National Automobile Dealers Association. Similar to the Kelly Blue Book for cars, the Dealer NADA RV price book is often consulted by dealers looking at purchasing your RV.

If you can wait until mid to late fall, you'll find it's the best time to buy an RV. You'll have a far better selection of both new and previously-owned rigs once the camping season ends. Plus, you'll enjoy the added benefit of physically shopping for RVs among fewer crowds and with more attentive salespeople.

Brand-new RVs start losing value as soon as they're driven off the lot and continue to lose value throughout the first year rapidly. The RV depreciation rate increases at a steady rate after that until your RV hits double digits in age. Once an RV is ten years old or older, its value drops more rapidly.

Useable, refurbished trailers can easily run from the $2,500 to the $10,000 range. If you have the means, beautifully restored trailers can be had in the teens to over $50,000. The good thing is that we all have just as much fun at the rallies!

Just like any other vehicle, though, RVs run best when they're used often, well-maintained, and adequately protected from the elements. Proper care and attention can significantly impact how long your RV lasts. The average life of an RV can range from 10 to 30 years or 200,000-300,000 miles with proper maintenance.

Kelley Blue Book is a trusted resource for determining the value of traditional automotive vehicles. However, unfortunately, they do not offer a dedicated valuation service for RVs on their website or in their printed guides.

Actual Cash Value or the ACV of your RV is the actual market value of your RV. This number should come from a third party source such as the National Automobile Dealer's Association (NADA), or other similar source.

Thoroughly inspect the vehicle's roof, walls, floors, tires, plumbing, electrical systems, and appliances. Obtaining a professional inspection is highly recommended, in addition to checking for a valid title and vehicle identification number (VIN).

Late fall and winter are generally the best times to buy a travel trailer or motorhome. Fewer people shop for RVs during this period, and less competition means you have more negotiating power. You may also find bargains right before a new RV model is released, when gas prices are up, and at RV trade shows.

What not to do when buying an RV? ›

Outside of where you can camp with it, what makes and RV too old is more about the condition than the actual age of the vehicle. A vehicle that is 15 years old but well maintained can make a better investment than a 5-year-old vehicle that has been well abused.

If you do want to find out your RV's “blue book” value, you can use the NADA website. Fortunately, it's pretty straightforward and user-friendly. Navigate to NADA's RV value homepage, and choose the “type” of RV you have (or are looking at buying).

How do I sell an RV quickly? Usually, the quickest way to sell an RV is with a dealership. This is selling directly to the dealer, with or without a trade-in, rather than consignment. Selling to a dealer might get you less money than a private sale, but it'll be speedy!

Generally speaking, anything over 100,000 miles can be considered high mileage for a motorhome. However, this is not to say that a motorhome with high mileage is automatically unreliable or unfit for use.

An RV can last anywhere from 10 to 30 years or 100,000 to 300,000 miles. That wide range proves just how much an RV's lifespan can be impacted by the type of RV, the owner, and how well it's maintained. At a minimum, you can expect an RV to last for at least a decade if you perform regular maintenance.

How long an RV, motorhome, or travel trailer lasts depends on various factors. However, generally speaking, two decades is reasonable for a well-maintained vehicle. The average lifespan of a Class A or a Class B RV or motorhome is between 10 and 20 years.

While you may see a good deal on an older camper van, the main problems are reliability and maintenance needs. Even the best quality older motorhomes won't operate as well as they used to.