Pre-owned RV pricing (2025)

[Neal]

So as I scroll through social media avoiding the work I should be doing, I come across a 2017 4018 Dutch Star listing which I think was listed around 215K. I'm shocked that people selling their coaches are listing so low compared to what new coaches cost today. As I've said before, it seems the pre-owned market has not trailed the price increases of the new market. It's baffling. While I'll certainly be looking for pre-owned next time around, I would just offer the sellers out there, stop giving away your coaches! Yeah, I realize the pre-owned market is flooded, but realize when you have something valuable. It's like having a nice house of a nice value and your neighbor is desperate and gives theirs away at a very low price, as actually my neighbor did years ago as they were a military couple relocating that should have never bought in the first place.

Great deals to be had out there, I just wish people would price their RV's better.

 

[Scooterfan]

To add to your observations, I've noticed that those same ads are reflecting price drops. Seems the market for used RV is soft (in my humble opinion). At least that's the trend in our neck of the woods. Blessings

 

[CaptainGizmo]

Agree, Neal! I have some thoughts, too.

I can't give much detail, but I recently had a call from a friend who was extremely upset after a "wholesaler" offered him 30% less than what he paid for his used coach, not even a year ago!

There are a couple high volume dealerships that are commanding the used market prices. They are low-balling, claiming "the market has tanked", only to list them for a "Reduced price"...all the while MAKING A KILLING!

Maybe around 2022, I was really concerned about this "pull up" from the top/"push up" from the bottom effect that started to take place. Newmar started it with the King-Aire for 1.2M, which caused Liberty to jump to 3M, which...dare I say "forced" Newell to reposition in the middle at 2M+.

And, here we are a couple years later, post-COVID hysteria is gone and now the dealers are claiming the USED market it soft. The problem is...guess what? The new market just keeps going up and up.

So, for those who don't want to put themselves into a huge depreciation risk, I know a handful who've said they won't buy new.

One recent example is a friend who bought an incredible 2019 KA for the Mid-$400k!!!! His coach, as he feels, is nearly no different than the newer 1.2M, and now 1.6M KA. And, he tells me that even the newest KA is immediately starting at a 30% off MSRP!

HOWEVER, you are seeing the custom coaches being discounted. So, that leaves a HUGE gap, making the used coach a heckuva lot more attractive, in my humble opinion. Sad to be caught in this tornado that seems out of balance.

 

[Neal]

Took a glance at RVTrader. Within 30 seconds of searching on "Essex" I see:

• 2017 Essex for 305K
• 2009 Marathan H3-45 for 599K
• 2019 Essex 329K
• 2017 Newell 799K

Great deals but also disgusting!

 

[MemoriesByTheMile]

Crazy prices on new units should be propping up prices on used. We had our coach for sale for a bit, but too many people just want to feel like they can offer 30% less on the used., since they can get 30% off on new.
We don’t play that game, so we decided we are keeping it. New units cost way too much and really don’t want a whole new set of idiosyncrasies to learn and debug.

 

[CaptainGizmo]

Crazy prices on new units should be propping up prices on used. We had our coach for sale for a bit, but too many people just want to feel like they can offer 30% less on the used., since they can get 30% off on new.
We don’t play that game, so we decided we are keeping it. New units cost way too much and really don’t want a whole new set of idiosyncrasies to learn and debug.

GOOD FOR YOU!!!
I did the same and, although I probably could have garned a lot more than now, I would have "bitten off" a significantly higher expense to get into a newer coach.

And...folks...let us not forget the bigger elephant in the room...INSURANCE!!!! By jacking these prices up to the stratosphere, insurance companies have doubled or even tripled some rates, or simply tapped out altogether! Some are paying over $20k to insurance their coaches now.

Sure, if you've got funds dripping out of your pockets, you won't care at all. But, man...the industry needs a reality-check!

 

[AbdRahim]

I have a friend with a 2017 Dutch Star, just under $200,000. No takers all winter.

 

[Holdmybeer]

In the laissez-faire economy the price (value, worth) of any commodity is what consumer's are willing to pay.

 

[lostinfla]

After owning a Bay Star for a little over a year, we traded for our current DS. I bought this coach with the idea we were going to use it without worrying about what it will be worth whenever we decide to sell. I've never had regret about drilling holes, removing things we don't use like the dish washer and sat dishes, and generally modifying it for our use. I bought this coach for us, not for the next guy, and plan to keep it until we decide to hang it up. At that point, not really worried about what it's going to bring money wise. Over the last 9 years, we've had so many great trips and memories with it, I feel it has paid for itself. I understand some here like to have the newest, most technically advanced units and trade every couple years, but I'm of the opinion "better the devil you know than the one you don't".

 

[Neal]

Same @lostinfla and this can be like a boat forum where you get two-foot'itis and years ago there was so much talk of rotating coaches you got the bug about it. Then I learned mine does the job, learn to love what you have and the pricing of new gives you a nice budget to do more with what you have.

With that said, I think I may start collecting used coaches haha. Some amazing deals (or steals)! I'll need a few more spaces at the storage lot

 

[redbaron]

I agree with holding on to the coach. I got real serious about swapping coaches, going as far as getting bids on specials for a 2026.

The new sticker price along with revisiting my posts from 2022-2023 regarding the repair of my new 2022 Ladp was enough to give me pause.


Then reviewing all the customizations I have done (paint correction, paint protection film, ceramic coating, and numerous small projects) I quickly realized i don’t want to change.

I now plan on holding my 2022 for a much longer period of time than I have ever considered.

I do meticulously maintain the coach, so this is the only smart way to go.