Reno, TN - Used RVs For Sale - RV Trader (2024)

FAQs

Is it smart to buy an RV right now? ›

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.

Is Buying an Older RV Worth It? If you want to save money on your RV purchase and don't mind the quirks that can come with older RVs, an old RV is definitely worth it. With research, planning, and proper RV inspection, you can get a great deal on a used RV that will last you for years to come.

RV shipments rocketed north of 600,000 in 2021, a nearly 40% jump from the year before. They moved down to a historically strong, but noticeably smaller, 493,000 the next year, according to data from the RV Industry Association. By 2023, orders fell back to Earth — hard — clocking in at a mere 313,000.

Spring tends to be one of the best times to buy used RVs. This may be a sort of “out with the old, in with the new” spring cleaning mentality. It could also be because many people tend to make big decisions in the spring after taking a long break from RV camping during the winter.

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.

In 2024, RV manufacturers might seek to lower overall ticket prices by sticking to standard appliances and utilities rather than upgraded versions. Residential amenities are more common on luxury models, but standard appliances help keep overall costs down.

NADA, or the National Automobile Dealers' Association, provides values for used RVs. They list prices and values for motorhomes, travel trailers, and even truck campers and park models.

Buy in the Off-season

With RV sales slowing, dealerships are more likely to offer discounts and incentives to clear their inventory and make room for next year's models. This makes October to January the best time of year to buy an RV.

What is the best time of year to sell an RV? ›

If you ask most RV dealerships when their busiest season is, it's going to spring. The same is true for individual sellers. Becky Jackson, a Montana-based RVer, has sold two pickup campers during this sweet window – usually April and May – of time.

The pandemic motor-home bubble bursts with RV sales down 49% year to date. 2023 RV sales could be the lowest in eight years. Recreational vehicles were in high demand during the pandemic, but Americans' interest in the motor-home life seems to be dwindling.

Are RV good value? Financially, no. Just like most cars, planes and boats they depreciate rather quickly. If you are looking for housing or shelter that doesn't lose about half it's value in less than a decade, buy a traditional home.

In September of 2022, the RVIA projected the motorhome market would drop 7.8% from 53,700 units shipped at the end of 2022 to a bottom of 49,500 units by the end of the second quarter of 2023 but finish the full year at 50,000 total motorhome units.

RV wholesale shipments are expected to hit 350,000 units in 2024, according to the Spring 2024 issue of RV RoadSigns, the quarterly forecast prepared by ITR Economics for the RV Industry Association.

However, almost all personal vehicles depreciate over time, and that doesn't stop millions of Americans from heading to a dealership and purchasing a new car. In fact, a study done by Camper Report found that RVs lose 21% of their value as soon as they're purchased and over 35% after five years.