For those just beginning to consider selling your RV, determining the value of an RV can be tricky. It has some similarities to gauging the value of a car or truck, but other factors weigh in as well. National automobile dealers use pricing guides like Kelly’s Blue Book and RV dealers have similar tools.

There are many more amenities in a recreational vehicle than in a regular vehicle, for example and these need to be taken into consideration. Take the fact that an RV will have features like a kitchen area; sleeping area, a toilet or bath area as well as things like water tanks and giant batteries, depending on the model.

So for those of you out there wondering how to “check my RV value” this article will go through the 5 necessary steps to determine fair market value.

Step 1 – Know the year it was made. It may seem like a great deal because of the price but it is important to know the year it was manufactured to know the age, as certain consequences may come into play like not being able to get replacement parts anymore. Find out the manufacturer, the series and the model number. This will tell you a lot about this particular RV.

Step 2 – Research the possible upgrades. Some manufacturers make a limited edition series with amenities not available in other models. For example, a dealer will order a Keystone Montana fifth wheel series with the Moving to Montana package so it has similar value to others in the marketplace. Later models, however, may have the Legacy Package which takes all the amenities up a notch. Nuances like this will possibly mean hundreds or thousands of dollars difference in the fair market value FMV and knowing these relevant facts will help you with the best selling price.

Step 3 – Be realistic about the overall condition it’s in. 3 things should be explored inch by inch: the interior, the exterior and the tire age. Look carefully and ask yourself if you were a buyer would certain instances of wear and tear be a deal breaker. If it is, fix it. Check inside cabinet doors; make sure the shower drain cover is replaced with a shiny new one, fix chipped exterior paint and definitely replace those tires if they are anywhere close to bald. If you can afford the replacement cost of broken features by all means replace them. If you were to buy an RV you would certainly want it done.

Step 4 – Consult the experts to determine camper value. If you are buying or selling there are industry tools to determine value of camper, travel trailer, truck campers, etc. The important tools for reference are Nada.com, RVTrader.com and Kelley Blue Book.

Step 5 – Fix the right sales price. Now that you have determined the fair market value of your RV, check your model against sales prices and consider also current market conditions in your area. Is the market flooded with models just like yours or is it a rarity? Are there positive or negative articles and reviews on the web? These things matter and should affect your final selling price. If a buyer balks at the purchase price you may have lost the only chance you had to sell your RV.

In conclusion, these 5 things determine true RV value: what year was it made, are there upgrades or customizations, condition, what the current industry valuation is and market conditions. This article is meant as a helpful tool to help maximize your sales price.