The Rising Cost of Used RVs
Do you always have an eye out for a great deal on a used RV? You’re not alone. Lots of RVers love the hunt for their next amazing vehicle, either one in perfect condition or something they can renovate.
That hunt has gotten quite a bit more complicated since 2020.
Pandemic Pressure
If you’re part of the RV community you’ve certainly noticed the explosion of new RVs on the road since the beginning of the pandemic. A road trip in a motorhome or with a travel trailer has been one of the few safe ways to travel since early 2020.
Those of you who have been enjoying the RV lifestyle for years saw a lot of crowded campgrounds during the past two summers.
The entire RV industry saw a massive increase in interest and sales.
Increased production pressure smacked right up against supply chain disruptions. Everyone wanted an RV and manufacturers couldn’t make them fast enough.
With that kind of demand for motorhomes, campers, and trailers, there was bound to be an increase in prices. J.D. Powers’ third quarter 2021 report (PDF) saw new travel trailer prices go up by 39.1% in a single year. New Class A motorhome prices rose by 17.2% from autumn 2020 to autumn 2021.
Used RVs have not been immune to pandemic pressure. Prices are high and we can point to two primary reasons: high demand and supply chain problems. Buying a used RV comes with the same snags as buying a new one, just in slightly different forms.
High Demand
With new RV demand and prices soaring, many buyers turned to the used market. Either they couldn’t afford a new coach or trailer as prices rose, or they couldn’t find a new vehicle for sale.
The increased demand pushed up used RV prices. At Leisure Coachworks we saw ten-year-old camper trailers selling for more than their original prices. Every type of RV was, and continues to be, in demand.
RV parks, resorts, and campgrounds offered families an escape. They didn’t have to stay in hotels or fly to travel. They could socially distance themselves from other families by only gathering outdoors.
People who never tried RV life before embraced it with open arms. Some loved it and others tolerated it because it provided some positive adventure during a scary time. Either way, enormous numbers of buyers started looking for a new or used RV.
Demand is still far higher than it was pre-pandemic. So far, high prices are sticking around.
Supply Chain Disruptions
All over the world, industries encountered supply chain frustrations during the pandemic. Factory closures, lockdowns, and other COVID measures caused slowdowns in the manufacturing of parts and the delivery of services. The more complex the RV, the more parts and labor it needs.
RV manufacturers rely on parts from all over the world to make new vehicles. For over two years, those supplies have been unreliable. There have also been labor shortages in critical areas. There are vehicles and parts stuck on cargo ships because there aren’t enough people to unload them and drive the trucks that transport them.
For people buying a used RV that meant long waits for parts if their vehicle needed repairs. Buying used got folks a vehicle sooner, but repair times could keep them off the road for weeks or months. A used RV in excellent condition has become a very valuable asset.
Keep that in mind if you’ve thought about selling.
As the world slowly begins to right itself, supply chain issues are beginning to resolve. But there are still long wait times for some RV parts from manufacturers. Demand for new RVs is still high and suppliers have yet to make up for time lost to closures and slowed production schedules.
Other markets experiencing similar conditions include cars and homes. Used cars are flying off the lot as auto manufacturers face their own supply chain struggles. Home prices have skyrocketed with low interest rates and pandemic savings increasing demand and materials and labor shortages making it hard to build.
Staying on the Road
No one has ever been in this RV situation before. That’s true of every aspect of our lives. As we look forward to the coming RV season it’s tough to predict exactly what it will have in store.
At Leisure Coachworks we’ve learned a lot about being flexible, just like everyone else. We’ve also learned how to help our customers and fellow RV enthusiasts stay on the road.
The more you do, the less likely you are to be sidelined.
The first rule of getting the most from your RV right now is keeping up with a meticulous maintenance schedule. The more you do to keep your coach or trailer in good shape, the less likely you are to be sidelined by an RV repair that requires a back-ordered part.
The second rule of post-pandemic RV life is that you need to find an RV shop you trust. At Leisure Coachworks we are extremely fortunate. Our experienced technicians and staff have decades’ worth of connections in the industry.
This network of friends and fellow shops gives us places to turn when we’re looking for parts for your used RV. Where other shops might need to wait for the manufacturer, we can reach out and see if someone has what we’re looking for.
If you’re looking for a used RV, a trusted local shop is also an excellent source of information. They may know who is selling and what they have long before those vehicles ever make it to RV lots or online sales sites.
Much like the RV community, our RV shop community comes together when things are challenging. We all want the same thing you want—a summer full of RV trips to remember.
