Getting top dollar for your used camper shouldn’t feel like rocket science, but too many RV owners settle for disappointing offers because they don’t know the insider tricks. At Cheyenne Camping Center, we’ve been helping RV owners keep more of their cash on trade-ins for over 58 years. We’ll explain how a bit of knowledge and preparation can make the difference between a mediocre deal and a great one.
Understanding the Basics of RV Trade-In Value
Trade-in value is what a dealer will offer you for your used camper when you’re buying another RV. It’s not the same as retail value. Retail prices reflect what RVs sell for on dealer lots, while trade-in values are closer to wholesale pricing. Dealers factor in reconditioning costs, marketing, and profit margin. As a result, trade-in offers are often 10%-20% below retail. This is a normal part of the resale process.
Valuing an RV isn’t as straightforward as pricing a car. If you were trading in your car, you could use an automotive appraisal guide, such as the Kelley Blue Book, to check your vehicle’s resale value. J.D. Power, which acquired the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Guide, is a reliable source for RV value that breaks down pricing into categories — Suggested List Price, Low Retail Price, Average Retail Price, and Wholesale Value. However, only dealers have access to the full appraisal data, including trade-in and wholesale figures. As a consumer, you can only view retail pricing.
RV pricing depends on several variables, such as year, make, model, mileage, condition, and demand. Because the process can be complex, it helps to work with an honest dealer who can clearly explain how they arrive at a valuation.
Factors Affecting Your Camper’s Trade-In Value
Market conditions trump everything else when it comes to trade-in values. For example, demand escalated after the pandemic hit in 2020, and trade-in values rose dramatically because dealers desperately needed inventory. By mid-2022, supply caught up while demand cooled off, causing trade-in values to drop significantly. Since then, RV prices have stabilized considerably.
Depreciation affects every vehicle. Most RVs lose 20%-30% of their value in the first year, then drop another 5%-10% annually for the next four years. The type of RV you own makes a difference, too. Class A and Class C motorhomes have the highest depreciation rates at 36%-38% over five years, while Class B units — those camper vans everyone loves — lose around 49% of their value over the same period. Travel trailers tend to hold their value slightly better; this is especially true for high-quality brands such as Airstream.
How To Maximize Your Camper’s Trade-In Value
First impressions are crucial when trading in your RV. Deep cleaning inside and out is probably the cheapest way to boost your offer. If you don’t clean your RV, the dealer will, and that costs them around $200 per hour. That expense gets deducted from your trade-in offer. The same goes for repairs — fix what you can beforehand so the dealer doesn’t need to subtract those costs from their offer. Most dealers spend around $2,000-$5,000 getting trade-ins retail-ready through cleaning and repairs, and they need to reclaim those costs.
Water damage is the silent killer of RV values. It’s expensive to fix and quickly degrades your camper’s worth. Regular seal inspections and yearly professional roof checks can help prevent serious, costly problems. Although upgrades and add-ons don’t necessarily raise an RV’s NADA cash value, well-maintained models with quality additions may catch dealers’ attention during negotiations.
Timing is also a factor. While October and November typically offer the best RV deals through lower prices and better inventory selection, late winter to early spring is the time to trade in. That’s when buyers are actively planning for the upcoming camping season, so dealerships want new inventory.
For year-round tips on protecting your investment, our RV value maintenance guide covers all the bases.
Navigating the Trade-In Process
Shop around for appraisals; don’t settle for the first offer, even if it seems fair. Various dealers may bid differently based on their inventory needs, seasonal demands, and current market conditions. One dealer might desperately need your exact model, while another has three sitting on their lot. That can mean thousands in your pocket. Research trade-in values, remembering that they typically run 10%-20% below the low retail numbers in the J.D. Power NADA Guide. Set realistic expectations, but don’t accept a lowball offer, either.
Be sure to have the proper documents when you negotiate your trade-in. You’ll need your RV title, registration, bill of sale, warranty documents, maintenance records, and loan paperwork if you’re still financing. Organize your maintenance documentation, such as oil change receipts, annual inspections, and repair invoices, to prove you’ve taken good care of your rig. Clean out all personal belongings before appraisals start.
Even RVs in “good” condition usually need new tires and wheel bearings, plus hours of cleaning and detailing work to be retail-ready. Understanding these realities helps you negotiate smarter and keeps your expectations grounded while still fighting for every dollar you deserve. Ready to start? Our trade-in center team will work with you to reach a fair deal.
Start Your Trade-In Journey With Cheyenne Camping Center
Getting maximum value from your camper trade-in comes down to understanding valuations, prepping your RV correctly, timing things well, and working with honest dealers who won’t take advantage of you. We’ve been Iowa’s largest volume RV dealer since 1966, and our market knowledge runs deep. Our trade-in evaluations reflect current market conditions while staying fair and transparent.
Thinking about your next RV purchase? Read our guide on picking the right fifth wheel for your adventures. To learn your camper’s value and see your upgrade options without any high-pressure sales tactics, call us at 563-284-6868 or stop in and get acquainted.
Image by Megan Barber is licensed with Unsplash License