Travel Trailer Depreciation?

mich800 wrote:
We don't have access to data the dealers have.

I do, and I already offered an answer based on what I believe I know about the industry - about 50%, subject of course to how interested the seller is willing to accept the reality that his beloved trailer has in fact depreciated that much in 4 short years. If you likewise don't agree, then don't ... but depreciation on a 4 yr old unit in the range of 40% to 50% is where reality lies.

Even looking at the classifieds only shows asking price.

Of course, but those retail asking prices are in the vast majority of cases just wishful thinking, only fulfilled when someone comes along who is convinced they just can't live without and will ante up even though in the back of their minds they know they shouldn't ... happens all the time but that has nothing to do with the true value of the trailer which is in fact determined by % depreciation loss each year. After 6 to 7 years wholesale value has likewise dropped to such a point where the unit doesn't hold much residual value either, yet another reason dealers often "massage" the numbers on trade ins so the owner doesn't fully appreciate just how little equity is left in that aging trailer they own. Sucks from the perspective of those of us who really enjoy this sport but the reality is that camping, or more specifically recreational vehicle ownership, is VERY expensive.