Camper blue book is established by evaluating the current condition of the camper, and comparing that condition to the camper blue book of other similar campers that have recently sold in the same geographical area.  Feeling overwhelmed with the process of establishing blue book for your camper?  Let’s break down the steps to better understand the camper blue book process.

1. Make a detailed list of the condition of the interior and exterior of the camper to establish the the camper blue book.  Do this whether you’re buying or selling a new or used camper.  (Obviously this step will be easier with a brand new camper on the sales lot, but take the time to do this step anyway.)  Keep yourself organized and on track with an expert kit of checklists for inspecting campers, trailers, 5th wheels, and RV’s.  Use these checklists for inspecting both the exterior and interior of the camper.  Click Here!  CHECKLIST FOR CAMPER BLUE BOOK
2. The camper book value is an estimate of the value the camper would sell for in the current market at the time of the sale.  It’s good to look up the current camper blue book with the Nada online site.  (This is useful for setting camper blue book for newer models only, not older or vintage camper blue book.)  This is an estimate only, but it’s a really good starting point.  Kelly blue book is helpful also, it’s just not as easy to access.  You can purchase the kelly blue book manuals quarterly, or ask your local librarian to see if a copy is available locally or if the library can borrow a copy.  (They’re moderately expensive.) You can also ask your motorhome or camper dealer to show you their copy, they need it too to help set the camper blue book.
3. A test drive for a motorhome is recommended. It can be a challenge when you’re buying a motorhome to look objectively at the motorhome when you evaluate the book value. Here again is where it’s handy to have an impartial checklist to use. Imagine yourself as a professional inspector with clipboard and list handy! This will help you to see things clearly as they are, not as you would have them! Interested in more info about camper inspection checklists? Click Here!.
4. Check the camper blue book on eBay.  By researching eBay Motors for sales of similar campers you can get a good idea of the blue book.  Here’s the trick with eBay Motors – don’t search the current listings!  The current eBay Motors current listings for campers show the seller’s desired sales price, which isn’t necessarily the benchmark for blue book for campers!  To get current realistic market camper blue book from eBay Mortors, look at the upper right hand corner of the screen for eBay Motors and click on “Advanced Search.” You’ll be able to fill in the boxes for the type of camper you need to evaluate the blue book for. And – very important! – select “completed listings” only. This is the gold nugget of information you’re looking for – how much have they actually sold for? Here’s a link to eBay Motors, and the page for “completed listings” is already selected for you. Just fill in the information from the menus and you’ll see the searches of the completed listings.

eBay Motors Screen for Camper Blue Book

I had the good fortune to run into an interesting family, Lee and Judy Riley of Harrisburg PA, at the Russian River 1000 Trails RV Park, and they shared with me their experiences of traveling with a Fleetwood Southwind 36′ Slide Out RV.  Which is a full sized Class A rv.)  And, even more interesting, travelling with Nicky, their Royal Poodle.  (Visit their blog:  TravelsWithNicky)  Lee and Judy have been travelling and rving with a variety of rvs over the years, and have quite a bit of experience buying and trading in rvs.  They prefer trading in their older rv rather than selling it themselves.  In 2006 they purchased a 2003 Fleetwood Southwind 36′ Slide out rv, and traded in their fifth wheel at the same time.  They purchased their Fleetwood Southwind Slide Out Rv from Lazydays RV SuperCenter in Florida.  (Quite possibly the largest rv dealer in the US, or anywhere for that matter.)  I asked them what I usually ask folks that own an rv:  If you had it to do all over again, what would you have done differently, and do you wish you had bought something else instead?  Lee and Judy were happy with their purchase, and shared their experiences buying an rv, with a few suggestions for other prospective buyers to keep in mind when buying their new (or used) rv. 

Considerations when buying an rv:

• Consider what your driving experience will be like.  An rv is much easier to handle on the road and setting up than a fifth wheel camper.
• Know what your budget is ahead of time when shopping for an rv.  When you visit an rv lot, always walk away from your first visit – don’t make an emotional decision when buying your rv.
• Carefully make your list of desired features in your new rv.  If there’s something on your list that’s important to you, don’t settle for less.  Don’t make the mistake of thinking; “It’s not that bad, we’ll get used to it.”  Don’t compromise when you shouldn’t.  You don’t get used to “it”, it just leads to dissatisfaction down the road. 
  

When Judy and Lee went shopping for their new RV, they selected a 2003 36′ Southwind Fleetwood slide out motorhome.  This rv has three slide outs, one slide out in the kitchen, one slide out in the living room, and one slide out in the bedroom.  The slide outs are electric.  They found almost everything they were looking for in the Southwind 36′ Fleetwood slide out rv, and here are the items that were important to them.  (And you might consider these items when you shop for a new motorhome or camper also!)

• Slide campers give you more space for living quarters and storage, so consider a slide out rv.
• Given the choice over electric slide outs or hydraulic slideouts, Lee would prefer hydraulic slide outs, they’re smoother.  Their Southwind Fleetwood rv has electric slide outs, which work well, but Lee would have preferred hydraulic slide outs.
• Their Southwind Fleetwood has a Ford V10 Gas engine, which gets about 7mpg.  Their friend bought essentially the same identical motorhome, the one difference being the engine.  They got their rv with a Chevy 454 engine, which gets about 9mpg, and has better torque on the hills in the mountains.  So, Lee’s recommendation – if you have a choice go with the Chevy over the Ford engine. 
• Tires are important.  The 22″ wheels are better than the 19″ wheels.  Check the date on the tires.  If they’re approaching 5 years, regardless of tread, have the dealer put new tires on.  It’s tire rot, not tread wear that is a major problem.  Tires only last about 7 years, and if the motorhome has been sitting unused for awhile, rot may be an issue, and you’re not really going to see that on a visual inspection.  At $250. to $300. per tire, better be safe than sorry – get the new tires before you sign the deal!
• Some of the things to check when you’re comparing slide out campers – what is the floor plan?  Do you prefer your bathroom separate from your bedroom?  Lee and Judy have a floorplan where the shower is in a separate room from the toilet and sink, and everything is separate from the bedroom. This is a much better setup for two people, they can both use some of the facilities at the same time. 
• Look into the drawers to check that they’re full depth.  Some slide campers have half depth drawers. With rvs, storage is critical. 
• Judy stressed the importance for them of having clearance around three sides of the bed.  She absolutely did not want a bed flush with the wall, this was not negotiable.  She said you think you can get used to it and it won’t be a problem, but it really gets old having to crawl around trying to get out of bed at night!
• The refrigerator size is important, and this is another feature that is non-negotiable for Judy – don’t settle for the little refrigerator!  Theirs is a Norcold, and it’s beautiful.  There will be times when you’re dry camping, and the small size refrigerator just won’t do!
• Judy’s rv has a very nice built in washer/dryer combo, which is a plus.  Their slide out rv didn’t come with the built in washer/dryer, but there was a space that was plumbed for it.  They were able to locate the exact model they needed for only $100. and Lee installed it.  Judy loves it for washing small loads, but uses her custom built (by Lee!) clothes line instead of the dryer.
• If the awnings need updating but the hardware for the awnings is still good, try talking to your local upholstery shop that works on boats.  Canvas is canvas, and Lee recently saved over $100. by having new awnings made rather than purchasiing them from a camping supply supplier that required the purchase of new hardware with new awnings. 

Since Lee and Judy have purchased and traded in so many campers, fifth wheels over the years, I asked them how they go about determining the blue book value of a camper.  Do they use Kelly Blue Book or Nada Guides for checking the blue book value of an rv?  Or have they ever looked at the completed listings on eBay to check selling prices and blue book value of a camper?  They don’t!  They had a suggestion for me that makes so much sense, especially in today’s unusual economic times.  They check with their bank, to see what amount the bank would be willing to loan.  (Even if they’re paying cash.)  They said that when they ask the bank to determine the blue book value of the camper, they think the bank is actually quoting the wholesale bluebook, not the retail bluebook.  This makes sense when you consider that the bank may become the owner of a number of rvs down the road if the owners are unable to keep up the payments, and it’s in the bank’s interest to loan the lowest amount possible in case they need to take over ownership.  So Lee and Judy recommend talking to a bank (or several) about the bluebook value of the rv before purchasing it.  And be involved in the process of establishing the blue book value of the camper – carefully consider whether the dealer is stating a current market value for the bank evaluation. 

Judy and Nicky

Thanks Judy and Lee for allowing me to interview you, and for all your wonderful suggestions on how to get the slide camper of your dreams! 

Nicky, Lee and Judy

Keystone Challenger Slide Out Camper

The Keystone RV Slide out camper offers a tremendous amount of built in storage space, spacious living area, and fabulous kitchen setup.  This model slide out camper has 4 slide-outs.  I recently visited with Paul and Laura Hase who were camping with a large group with their 2007 Challenger Keystone RV Slide Out Camper.  They love their slide out camper and really put a lot of time and effort into researching the new campers for sale before deciding on the Keystone RV.  They had previously owned and outgrown a toy hauler and needed to upgrade to a camper with more living space and a better kitchen setup.  Paul and Laura own a group home for developmentally disabled adults, and they love to rv travel and camp with their clients.  They chose the Keystone RV slide out camper because it was the best option for them to be able to camp comfortably with a large group.  When they travel they prepare gourmet meals (not hotdogs – think chicken marsala!) and need to seat up to 14 people inside during periods of camping in foul weather. 

Keystone RV Slide Out Camper

Slide Out Camper 

Laura told me that the three most important items to them when researching a new slide out camper were storage, kitchen prep space, and seating available inside.  They were just packing up their rv to leave the Russian River 1000 Trails when I caught up with them and asked them how the liked their slide out camper.  Well, they love it!  The Keystone RV slide out camper has 4 slide outs, which gives them tremendous living area and an incredible amount of built in storage.  The kitchen area was fantastic, with lots of counter space and storage cabinets.  They were packed and ready to pull out when they gave me a tour, and I could see how they easily they packed and how quickly they were ready to go.  They had all their luggage stacked neatly along the sides of both sides of the slide out camper, and they also had a row of luggage down the middle.  They knew exactly how far in the slide outs for the camper came in, so they used every bit of storage for their luggage when they used the hydraulics to pull in the camper slide outs.  Paul was very pleased with the hydraulic camper slide outs, and also with the Sidewide hitch by Airborne.  (He prefers hydraulic slides over electric slides.)  Drawbacks to this model Keystone RV slideout camper?  Paul and Laura wish that the dining room table and chairs would have been a booth design with benches, instead of a table and chairs.  This would have given them additional sleeping area and a bit more storage in the benches.  You can never have too much storage in your camper!

This review gives a big thumbs up for the Keystone Challenger Slide Out Camper!  It’s beautiful, spacious, has lots of storage and cooking space, and with the 4 slide-outs, is a really nice setup for camping with groups.

Thanks Paul and Laura for the time and the tour!  And thank you Regan, John, Fred, Julie, Ashley, Katie, Goldie, Steve, Tim, Jacob, David, and Jarrett for allowing me to tour your slide out camper and take pictures!

We Love to Camp!

Do you have a slide out camper?  Are you considering the purchase of a slide out camper?  Which model have you considered, and why?  Do you prefer a motorhome slideout, a fifthwheel slideout or a toyhauler slideout?  If you have already purchased a slide out camper, are you happy with it, or do you wish you had gotten something different?

Please join the conversation about slide out campers!

The following Used Nada Guides are now available for purchase on the Nada website.  Unless noted, these Used Nada Guides are the 2009 versions.

1. 2009 Official Used Car Guide, Used Nada covering years 2009 through 2009 (some 2009, passenger, SUV and light duty trucks)
2. 2009 Official Older Used Car Guide, Used Nada covering years 1990 through 2001(passenger cars, SUV and light duty trucks)
3. 2009 Classic, Collectible, Exotic and Muscle Car Appraisal Guide & Directory, Used Nada covering model years 1926 through 2009 (passenger and light duty trucks model years 1926 – 1989, special interest vehicles and highline exotics from model years 1946 to 2009)
4. 2009 Recreation Vehicle Appraisal Guide, Used Nada covering model years 1995 through 2009 (Park Models, 5th Wheels, Travel Trailers, truck campers, motor homes, rvs, camping trailers – fold down, pop up campers)
5. 2009 Recreation Vehicle e‑Guidebook CD‑ROM, Used Nada covering model years 1975 through 2009 (truck campers, camping trailers, motor homes, park models, heavy duty tow vehicles, travel trailers, popups, folding campers)
6. 2009 Older Recreation Vehicle Appraisal Guide, Used Nada covering model years 1975 through 1994 (Truck Campers and Camping Trailers, Motor Homes, RV’s, Pop ups, Folding Camping Trailers, Travel Trailers, Fifth Wheels and Park Models)
7. 2009 Motorcycle, Snowmobile, ATV, Personal Watercraft Appraisal Guide, Used Nada covering model years 1905 through 1994 (motorcycles, sidecars, snowmobiles, personal watercraft, trailers)
8. 2009 Marine Appraisal Guide, Used Nada covering model years 1993 through 2009 (trailers, inboards, outboards, sailboats, jet and stern drives, yachts, etc.)
9. 2009 Marine e-Guidebook CD‑ROM, Used Nada covering years 1970 through 2009 (Printable window stickers)
10. 2009 Older Marine Appraisal Guide, Used Nada covering years 1970 through 1992 (All boats 7 to 75 feet in length)
11. 2009 Manufactured Housing Cost Guide, Used Nada covering years 1970 through 2009 (Average retail prices)
12. 2009 Manufactured Housing Cost CD‑ROM, Used Nada covering years 1970 through 2009 (single workstation license, not compatible with Macintosh)
13. Manufactured Housing National Appraisal System (NAS) (Approved HUD FHA Title 1)
14. 2009 Van/Truck Conversion and Limousine Appraisal Guide, Used Nada covering
    Van/Truck model years 1984 through 2009 and Limousine model years 1990 through 2009 (Updated 3 times a year, January, May and September)
15. 2009 Title & Registration Textbook (Includes all states dept of motor vehicle info, updated anually in January)
16. 2009 Title & Registration e‑Textbook CD‑ROM (single user license)
17. 2009 Official Commercial Truck Guide, Used Nada covering model years 2000 through 2009 (updated monthly, 12 month subscription)

 The Nada Bluebook is an industry standard of the National Automobile Dealers Association.  The telephone number for customer service is (714)556-8511 ext. “0″.  (Same number to order guides, or you may order your nada bluebook for nada pricing online at nada.com.)  When you need to establish used rv prices, the nada guide is very helpful.  Rv values can be determined with the nada rv price guide.  Nada pricing with the Used Nada is industry standard.

The Coleman camper has been a top US folding camper model since 1979.  The Coleman company has been manufacturing folding campers since the mid 1960’s, and is the only type of camping trailers it manufactures.  The Coleman camper trailer is an economical choice to purchase, maintain, and tow.  Coleman camper is distributed to camping enthusiasts around the world, and continues to increase in popularity.

The Coleman camper is an RV tent trailer which is set up to expand to provide comfortable living spaces.  The side and end walls of the camper are fabric, which is why the Coleman camper is referred to as a tent trailer.  The Coleman camper is towed to its’ desired location, and the roof is raised, and the end sections are pulled out to create the additional living space. 

When you’re thinking of purchasing a Coleman folding camper, consider the vehicle that will tow the folding camper first.  If you are going to utilize your current vehicle to tow the Coleman camper, find out the towing capacity of the vehicle.  You can find this out from your auto dealer or from the vehicle’s owners manual.  When you think about the camper weight, be sure to consider the fully loaded weight (all the items you stow aboard the camper when you tow it), and not the dry weight, which is just the camper itself.  Most Coleman campers fall within the range of slightly less than one ton to two tons.  (1,500 to 4000 lbs.)  You’ll need to verify that the weight of the tow vehicle plus the fully loaded camper trailer do not exceed the Gross Combined Weight Rating of the tow vehicle.  This weight range indicates the Coleman camper can easily be towed by most family sized sedans, SUV’s, and mini vans, making it a very economical choice for family camping. 

Next consider the requirements of the Coleman camper – how many people will be using it, what do you consider necessary in the way of kitchen, dinette, bathroom, and storage.  And of course consider your price range.  Once you’ve established your Coleman camper price range and know the vehicle tow capacity, you can begin the process of narrowing down your choices of Coleman campers. 

If your camper budget runs to the modest investment, or if you will not expect to use your folding camper very often of for very long, you could consider purchasing a used Coleman camper.  You can find quite a good selection on eBay, running from several hundred dollars for an older model beginning in 1967 to upward of ten thousand dollars for a newer top of the line Coleman camper.  If you’d like to take a look at live auctions for Coleman folding campers now on eBay, please CLICK HERE: Coleman Camper on eBay. At the time this post was written there were 15 Coleman campers on eBay, ranging in price from $202. to $5,600. Most of these Coleman campers had quite a few bids. If you’d like to take a look at actual sales prices on eBay for Coleman campers, CLICK HERE: Coleman Camper on eBay – Sold Prices. Sold prices for Coleman campers on eBay ranged from a low of $1,625 for a 1993 Coleman camper to a high of $9,500. for a 2007 Coleman camper – Fleetwood Evolution – which includes a toy hauler space onboard the trailer. (A high end model that was practically brand new.)

When looking at a used Coleman camper bear in mind the age of the awning fabric, and how that tent camper has been maintained and stored. A major improvement in the Coleman camper line occured in 1992, when a better brand of fabric for the tent trailer was introduced, increasing the longevity of the camper. Coleman campers built prior to 1992 have the older type of fabric, so this year is significant when you’re looking at Coleman camper models.

Here are some things to keep in mind when you’re shopping for a used Coleman camper:

• What is the condition of the awning fabric of the camper
• What is the condition of the tires of the camper
• What is the condition of the hitch, electrical system, and plumbing of the camper
• What is the overall condition of the body and frame, doors, and cabinets of the camper
• What is the condition of the flooring of the camper
• Is there any rust or evidence of water leaks
• Does the owner have the clear title to transfer the camper
• What is the condition of the mattresses and cushions
• What is the condition of the heater, AC, water heater, stove, sink
• Is there an awning attachment – if so the condition

Enjoy your new camping lifestyle with a Coleman camper – the leading folding tent camper manufacturer in the US!

• Age of the pop up camper affects the blue book
• Brand of the pop up camper affects the market desirability
• Condition of the pop up camper affects the blue book
• Location Location Location!  Just like in real estate, where the pop up camper is located will definately affect the pop up camper blue book
• Features of the pop up camper are going to be very important for the blue book

We’ve already covered in detail how to determine the actual recent sales prices of pop up campers on eBay. 

Please review this post for all you need to know about the pop up camper (folding camper) on eBay.  Click Here:  Pop Up Campers on eBay

This is a good marketplace to check because they have a huge variety of styles and ages of pop up campers, and you can really get a feel for what yours would go for, or shop for the purchase of one.  If you do buy a pop up camper please familiarize yourself with the fabulous eBay Motors buyer protection policies, and we’ll provide the link to that info on eBay here: eBay Purchase Protection Policy

Folding Campers offer a great into to campers with a budget, and folding campers also solve the problem of having too much gear to fit in your car.  To get you started and to see the variety of folding campers, you’ll find here the links to eBay to see actual folding campers for sale.  Different people call folding campers by different names, so I’ve listed several of the search term names you might try to make sure you’re getting the best searches.  If you’re looking for a folding camper for sale, just click on the links below.  If you’re trying to establish the blue book value of a folding camper, you’ll want to take one extra step once you’re on the eBay site with the searches below.  On the upper right hand corner of the page, click on the upper right on the word “advanced” and then select “RVs and Campers” from the drop down box, and then “folding camper” from the drop down box labeled “type”. (I’ll do it for you, please CLICK HERE: Fold Down Campers on eBay – “Completed Listings”) You’ll need to sign in to your account. If you don’t have one take a few minutes to register with eBay, it’s free. When I checked at the time of this listing there were 228 matches for completed listings on eBay for folding camping trailers. Basically the folding camper is a trailer that has portions that pull out or fold up or down.  Depending on where you’re from, and also the manufacturer, they’re called folding, fold down, or pop up campers. Some are hard sided, some have canvas tent sides. Some have a flat roof, some are in the shape of a A-line. There are even some models of pop-up campers that are designed to fit in the bed of a pick up truck! There are a variety of styles, so get creative with your eBay searches for folding campers!

• Folding Trailers on eBay
• Fold Down Campers on eBay
• Pop Up Campers Used on eBay
• Jayco Pop Up Campers on eBay
• Coleman Pop Up Camper

Whether you’re buying or selling a folding camping trailer, you’re sure to enjoy browsing on eBay!

For more reading about folding campers, visit:  Folding Campers

CLICK HERE:  Fold Down Camper Trailers on eBay Now

You can see quite a few more searches on eBay for folding tent campers here: Folding Tent Campers on eBay.

When you’re looking into buying a folding camper you’ll need to know that there are many models to choose from. When you’re looking at a used folding camper take into consideration the overall condition of the trailer, wheels, towing mechanism and electrical system. Thoroughly check out the interior condition, and make note of anything that needs repair or replacement on the folding camper. Age and method of storage are critical when establishing the value of the folding camper. When you’re buying a new folding camper you’ll need to keep your price range in mind before you can begin to shop for folding campers. There are so many wonderful models to choose from you’ll have a tough time if you shop prior to establishing the budget for your new folding camper.

Consider how long you plan to keep the folding camper prior to shopping. If a year or two is all you need, you can really cut corners (don’t cut safety corners) when you buy your folding camper. If you plan to keep it five or more years take the extra time in the beginning to make a thoughtful assesment of your needs and wants, when making your decison of which folding camper to purchase.

Have a great time in the great outdoors with your new folding camper!

Read more here:  Folding Campers

Coleman Pop Up Campers are a great way to get your feet wet in the outdoors!  If you’ve been pitching a tent when you camp and would like to move up a notch or two on the comfort scale, you can’t go wrong with one of the best pop up campers on the market:  Coleman pop up campers. 

If you’re thinking of purchasing a Coleman pop up camper, and wondering what steps to take, here are some suggestions to help you avoid analysis paralysis!  First, before you set foot outside your front door, determine your camping budget.  Things to consider include the number of times per year you’ll use your new (or new to you!) Coleman pop up camper, and how many years you plan to keep it.  You’ll want to make sure that buying a pop up camper makes more sense for you than an occasional camper rental.  Then take a look at your annual camping budget overall.  How much do you spend for gas to get to your location?  Do you pay extra for recreational needs when you get to your camping location, such as boat rental?  What are campground fees and other expenses?  Will you need to purchase or modify a vehicle to tow your new Coleman pup up camper?  What is the tow rating for your vehicle?  That part is super important as it will limit your tow capacity.  Next, determine what portion of this budget is for the new Coleman pop up camper itself.  Does this portion include insurance for the new camper?  Once you’ve factored in all the details, you should be left with the dollar amount you can spend on a pop up camper.  Write this number down!  Consider this number carefully.  When you’re confident with this number, and ONLY then, have some fun shopping for your new pop up coleman camper! 

Take a general look at Craigslist and in your local newspapers to see what is available, to get an idea of the Coleman popup model you like.  Do you need the bare bones basics or do you prefer all the creature comforts?  Will you be camping in summer warmth only, or need winter warmth?  As you narrow down your needs and look at available models, you’ll be making a list of the models you see, the prices, and you’ll naturally be drawn more in one direction more than others.  If you can afford  a new,Coleman camper,  you might want to visit some dealers, clutching tightly the piece of paper with your budgeted figure!  It can get pretty overwhelming there on the showroom floor as you look at all the Coleman pop up campers options!

Here are a few suggestions for additional reading:

Click Here:  Pop Up Camper Blue Book Values
Click Here:  Pop Up Camper Values