Does anyone know of an online calculator or tool that provides accurate RV pricing and depreciation that is NOT aimed to support dealers? Is there anything with Artificial Intelligence analysis?
For people that have recently bought a rig, please let me know how you went about pricing, comparing, and purchasing.
I am not interested in “We are okay with it being a sunk cost”. Thank you
-Lenny
2024 Airstream Flying Cloud 23FBQ
2020 Ford F-350 Lariat
there is nothing aside from what you, the buyer, is willing to pay for it.since 2019 RV's have been artificialy high in cost because of demand and carry over from covid when all people did was spend to much money on rv's. I think I saw them starting to drop this year towards normal pricing but they are not there yet.
so when we bought ours we just looked around at quality vs cost, then you try your best to get a deal. if your not willing to pay the price some one with more money and less brains will.
even the private market can be a unreliable source. if some one bought a rv between say 2019 and 2025, then they paid a inflated price for that rv in most cases and hence when they list it they think it is worth more than it is. I watched truck camper prices rise from say 65K in 2018 for a nice canadian brand, to 98K in 2024 and this year is has dropped off to 83K .
basicly I found the quality that was aceptable to me, a floor plan that worked, and got them to drop the price a bit, and then throw in some extras untill I felt like I was making out OK.
Thanks for your response. I’ve tried contacting Brinkley, Airstream, and Winnebago to purchase a direct to consumer pathway for myself and others. I was stonewalled each time. It seems the Dealerships have carved out a niche. The manufacturers will only sell to them.
I need Tesla to come out with an RV.
Rv's depreciate heavily in the first 5-10 years. About 20% just driving it off the lot. But value is subjective. MSRP is a made up number. You may have paid too much to start with and then your depreciation is exacerbated. Best way to tell the value is to see what units like yours are selling for privately. RV trader, FB marketplace etc. But if you aren't planning on selling it I would advise to save yourself the headache of knowing. Ignorance is bliss if you are going to keep it. RVs are a depreciating asset and everyone knows it. And the value is only what someone is willing to pay you for it and condition affects value. One unit like your could have been meticulously cared for while another could have a ton of issues and trashed. Same unit, very different values.
I looked at FB, RV Trader, and Good Sam for make and models. Then contacted dealerships in FL, VA, and SD for pricing. Was able to make a semi-informed buying decision.
What’s insane, is that all the dealerships lower their prices on similar make/models on the same day at the same time each year. It’s like OPEC
Trying to find out if your Flying Cloud was a good investment? You bought the nine most expensive letters in the rv world.
Haha, yes I hear you!
