How to Increase the Value of Your RV

You can do things to increase the value of your RV. An RV is an investment. Both in time and resources, purchasing a mobile home takes effort, energy, and hard-earned cash to bring to life. The rewards can be very, very sweet and anyone who has spent any time rolling around the country from the confines of their own RV can attest to this. While some of us make the purchase and keep the same RV around for a long time, oftentimes there comes a point when you need to sell your well-loved and well-used motor home. For whatever reason dictates this decision, you will want to get the most out of your investment when it comes time to sell. Here is a look at some easy tips to increase the value of your RV in the long run to allow for a solid return on investment when or if it comes times to part ways with your trusted home on wheels.

Maintenance, Maintenance, Maintenance

One of the biggest ways you can increase the value of your RV over its lifetime is by keeping up to date on any and all maintenance needed. No potential buyer is going to want to spend money on a smoking jalopy and even if the inside of the rig looks great, if the RV’s motor doesn’t run, you’ll be left with a beached whale in the driveway. Even the uninformed buyer will be aware of the basics when it comes to how an RV engine should operate. If you’ve neglected the maintenance on your RV over the years, you’ll pay for it when it comes time to sell.

Always be sure to address any maintenance issues quickly so they don’t lead to larger issues. Regular oil and fluid changes should be completed on scheduled intervals according to your factory manual and you should keep records of this to provide to the buyer. Many of these tasks are easy to do yourself if you know how to grease monkey a bit and it will go a long way to upping the value of your vehicle as well as its longevity. Larger maintenance issues should be addressed as they occur and if you are thinking of selling you vehicle but avoiding some costly repair, remember that this could bring down the value of the vehicle at the bidding table.

Keep it Clean, Inside and Out

Looks are only skin deep, so the old saying goes. But when it comes to the value of your RV, looks are in the eye of the beholder. By keeping your rig spick and span, inside and out you will attract buyers who might not know much about the mechanical aspects of the vehicle but won’t be able to deny that you’ve kept the vehicle in great condition over the time you’ve owned it. A dirty, run down RV will be worth less on sight alone. If it’s a mess inside, potential buyers might even be pushed away immediately even if there is tremendous potential in the rig.

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Be sure to clean up the inside of the RV just as you would your own home. Always sweep and dust and wipe things down. This goes double if you store your vehicle for long periods of time. This is definitely a chore, but a little effort here can go a long way into extra dollars when it comes time to selling it. Make sure to clean out all appliances, scrub and mop the bathroom and shower and make the motor home feel like a home before you show it off to any potential buyers. You should also clean the outside and undercarriage of the RV. If you live in an area with lots of dust and mud this can build up on the undercarriage and eventually lead to rust or other issues. If you drive your RV in winter conditions, you’ll want to wash it off to ensure than any chemicals used to keep the roads clean do not end up eroding your RV.

Treat Your RV With Care

One simple thing you can do to increase the value of your vehicle over the long run that takes very little effort, is to always drive with care. This might be different than your normal driving style, but it can really pay off. Don’t put the pedal to the metal like you would in a passenger vehicle and try not to slam on the brakes. The size of your RV means that you need to pay extra attention to the way you drive anyways, so be sure to take every trip slowly and steadily. This will help to avoid wear and tear that comes with harsh driving. While you can’t always avoid common wear and tear, by driving with extra caution you can be easier on your engine while also limiting the potential for any accidents that will surely decrease the value of your rig. Slow and steady wins the race in this regard and the better you treat your RV during daily driving the conditions, the better it will treat you when it’s time to sell.

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Know What it’s Worth

Sometimes it’s hard to determine the exact worth of an RV. They differ from regular vehicles as they have numerous custom options that may appeal to one buyer over another. If you put any customization into your RV, be sure to keep track of the time you spent on it so you can translate that added value when it comes time to price your vehicle. If you keep good records of maintenance and any improvements you’ve made to the vehicle this will help you to make an accurate estimate of what it’s worth. Know your bottom line or minimum amount you’d take from a buyer. You can always price it a little high at first but if you have a good idea of what the vehicle is realistically and fairly worth, you will know how to weed out serious inquiries from those who might just be shopping around.