Used Travel Trailers Under $5000 Craigslist (2024)

FAQs

How much is an old travel trailer worth? ›

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!

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).

It's better to put your travel trailer up for sale at the beginning of RV season rather than at the end of summer. Always avoid selling around the holidays and if you have an RV show in the area, it may be a good time to put your RV on the market as your travel trailer will be priced more affordable than newer RVs.

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.

Determining Value

Start by researching prices on comparable quality trailers of the same or similar age and use in classified ads. This will help you get an idea of the state of the market. Dealers typically knock off 10 to 20 percent of a trailer's resale value in exchange for assuming the risk of the selling process.

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.

A quick overview of how RVs depreciate by type; class A RVs have an average depreciation of 36% after 5 years, class B (trailers and fifth wheels) RVs have an average depreciation of 37% after 5 years, while class c RVs have an average depreciation of 38% after 5 years.

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).

What is the lifespan of a travel trailer? ›

The Average Lifespan

Most travel trailers are likely to last for around ten years at least. If you take care of your model regularly, it might even last for 20 years.

RV Reliability

So frequent, in fact, that a shocking 3 in every 10 motorhomes will break down by their second year on the road.

Which Motorhomes Hold Their Value? In general, Class B motorhomes hold their value better than Class A or C motorhomes. A Class B motorhome features a good mix of practical and luxury features, and these vehicles are a bit easier to drive as well.

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.

On average, motorhomes and travel trailers are at their cheapest at the end of the year. You can also benefit from good deals in the neighboring months of November and February — after the high season ends and before the next spring season starts up.

Search units by year, make and model to find trade-in and retail value. Outside of the official NADA value, there are other sites that will help you determine your RV trade-in value. Use RV Trader's Price Checker and Good Sam's RV Valuator for a better idea of how much your unit is worth.

Even if they do, a junk RV may not be drivable, so getting it to a landfill can be complicated. If you want to know how to dispose of an RV, some options include paying to have it removed, finding an RV salvage or junkyard, or breaking it down into its component parts. You could also donate it to charity.

Parks Not Catering to Snowbirds

While the 10-year rule is in the terms and conditions of many private campgrounds, enforcement is usually lax. Exceptions include parks in Arizona, Florida, and California catering to RV owners looking to escape harsh northern winters.

The Average Lifespan

Most travel trailers are likely to last for around ten years at least. If you take care of your model regularly, it might even last for 20 years.