Tucker Ballister is our Content Strategist. He’s a lover of the open road and the proud owner of a 2021 Sunlite Classic travel trailer (his 3rd RV to date). Check out more of his RV adventures, gear reviews, and outdoor advice at thebackpackguide.com.
Many RV owners reach the point where their coach no longer supports their travel needs. Whether your family has grown, the kids have gone off to school, or you want to transition from a towable camper to a motorhome, there are many reasons to ask: where can I trade in my RV?
From camper vans to extravagant destination trailers, the RV marketplace includes a wide variety of RVs for different camping styles, and your current unit will be a valuable trade-in for your next RV. More good news? Camping World makes it easy to trade in your current RV and upgrade or downsize to find the right unit to match your adventure goals.
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Most RV dealerships accept trade-ins. However, with more than 200 locations nationwide, Camping World is the easiest dealership to find. Simply use our location directory to find a Camping World near you.
At Camping World, the process begins with thoroughly inspecting your RV. Your unit will then be professionally appraised, and you’ll be furnished with a trade-in offer. The value of your trade-in depends on factors like its year, make, model, trim, and condition. RV owners should note any major upgrades or renovations during the appraisal process, as these types of improvements can affect your final offer.
With your RV’s trade-in value known, you can begin shopping for your next RV. Your trade-in value will be applied to purchasing your next RV when negotiating the final sale price and any required financing terms.
The Good Sam RV Valuator Tool is the fastest and easiest way to get a quote for your RV. A quote, while not final, gives you an estimate of what to expect to earn from your trade-in.
In addition to your RV’s year, make, model, and trim, the tool asks questions about your RV’s interior and exterior condition, any renovations or modifications made, and habits of use, like whether smoking has ever occurred inside the unit.
It takes that information and compares it to thousands of similar RV listings nationwide to provide an instant quote you can take to a Camping World RV dealership to begin your trade-in negotiations.
During the trade-in process, your RV will receive an official trade appraisal to confirm its market value.
You don’t have to pay off your RV loan if you wish to trade in for a new (or used) model. You can still use the Good Sam RV Valuator tool to find your RV’s value. Still, your final trade-in offer will be based on the professional appraisal completed at the dealership where you’re trading in.
With an outstanding RV loan, however, the complete value of your trade-in may not be applied to your new RV purchase. Suppose the remaining balance on your loan is less than your quoted RV value. In that case, the difference (value minus remaining balance) will be applied to purchasing your new RV (and any financing terms you need to complete that purchase).
Here’s an example:
RV Trade-in Value = $14,500
Remaining Loan Balance = $6,000
True Trade-in Value = $8,500
In this case, $8,500 would be the “usable amount” you can subtract from the sale price of the RV you’re hoping to trade for.
Now suppose your loan’s remaining balance is greater than your quoted RV value. In this case, the difference (remaining balance minus value) would be added to the sale price of your new RV (and any financing terms required to complete that purchase).
Here’s an example:
RV Trade-in Value = $14,500
Remaining Loan Balance = $19,000
True Trade-in Value = -$4,500
In this case, $4,500 would be added to the sale price of the RV you’re trading in for when you negotiate new financing terms for that RV (or when buying outright).
When you decide it’s time to move on from your RV, take the time to prepare your RV for sale. These recommendations will help you enhance your RV’s curb appeal and improve its resale value in the eyes of potential buyers:
For those looking to upgrade or downsize, here are a few resources to help you find your next RV:
What questions do you have about selling or trading in your RV to Camping World? Let us know in the comments below.
