How Can I Figure Out My RV Blue Book?

There’s nothing more frustrating than needing information right away, and not being able to get it.  We’re used to finding a specific number associated with objects, and it certainly seems that campers, trailers and RVs should be the same, right?   So what can you do to figure out the real worth of your rv?  If you’re trying to figure out the camper blue book value of your camper, trailer, pop up or folding camper, RV or other recreational vehicle, this article will outline the steps to take.  Whether you’re buying or selling a camper , this information will help you out.  Let’s take a look at the Kelley Blue Book site for some answers for your rv blue book.

How on Earth Can You Find Anything About RVs on the Kelley Blue Book Site?

This is a great place to start for a new, newer or used RV up to 20 years of age.  You wouldn’t know it by looking at their home page, which is KBB.Com.  It looks like it’s all about cars.  And a few motorcycles thrown in for good measure.  So here are the tips you need to navigate their site.  (And sorry we don’t link here, because they have very stringent linking policies and their url is so short anyway you can just jump over to the site.)  Back to the tips.

1. Scroll to the bottom of their website and you’ll see “Site Map”.
2. Click on “Site Map”.  Unfortunately there isn’t much there except for cars and motorcycles again.  Don’t give up yet!
3. Now that you’re on the “Site Map” page, look toward the top of the page and click on the tab labeled “Index”.  Still nothing about RV Blue Book.  A search on the site using their search box comes up with motorcycles when you search for rv.  It’s just not there!  But don’t despair, the information actually is there after all.  It’s just hidden!
4. Now that you’re on the “Index” page, go to the “B” section and click on the link “Buy the Book”.  Still with me?  Hang in there, we’re almost there!
5. You’ll see the short list of guides available to assist you with your appraisals.  The two you’re most likely interested in would be the Kelley Blue Book “Motor Home Guide” or the Kelley Blue Book “Travel Trailer Guide”.
6. Depending on which type of rv you’d like to get the blue book value for, you’ll want to order (by phone) one or the other book.  You can buy them singly or by subscription.  The Kelley Blue Book for RV (Motorhome) guide has the list prices for the current year of this type of rvs:  motorhomes, campers, and van conversions.  They also go back 20 years to give you the rvs blue book value for the older models.  The other Kelley Blue Book titled “Travel Trailer Guide” also lists the current year prices but only goes back nine years for travel trailers, fifth wheels, folding trailers (pop-up campers).  They do give you a chart for older models.

I keep thinking there must be an easier way, but I don’t think there is.  I’ve seen the various Kelley Blue Book Guides for rvs and campers for sale on eBay and on Amazon, but the availability is extremely limited, and they tend to be obsolete.  If you need the info right away it might be a good bet to visit your local rv dealer and ask them if you could use their copy.  The same goes for your library.  They’re a reference material, so if the library that has the copy is close to you that would be a good be to stop by and review it.  If not, you can call your reference librarian and see what the policy is to reserve a copy and perhaps have it sent to your library.  I’ve tried this before, and in a lot of areas you’ll find that libraries belong to a shared reference library and can order the copy sent to your local library to hold for you to review in house.

Well I hope I’ve answered your question about how to find the Kelley Blue Book Value for RVs!  Please post a comment if you have any further suggestions that other folks might find helpful.  If you’d like a hand with a trickier appraisal, feel free to leave a comment and I’ll see what I can uncover for you.