RV Depreciation Calculator
Quick answer: most RVs lose about 20–25% in the first year, then 6–10% a year. Pick Class A, B/C, travel trailer or fifth wheel to see your RV's value year by year.
Get a plain-English read of your numbers, or ask anything about depreciation, when to sell or lease vs buy. Nothing is sent until you press Ask.
Today $160,000
- Total value lost
- $75,912 (47%)
- Cost of depreciation per month
- $1,265
- Each extra 1,000 miles a year costs
- $2,523 by the end
- Worst single year
- $40,000
| Year | Value | Lost that year | Total lost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Today | $160,000 | — | 0% |
| Year 1 | $120,000 | $40,000 · 25% | 25% |
| Year 2 | $108,000 | $12,000 · 10% | 32% |
| Year 3 | $98,280 | $9,720 · 9% | 39% |
| Year 4 | $90,418 | $7,862 · 8% | 43% |
| Year 5 | $84,088 | $6,329 · 7% | 47% |
RV depreciation rate by class
RVs take a steep first-year drop of around 20–25%, driven by dealer discounting rather than wear, then settle to roughly 6–10% a year. Class A motorhomes lose the most dollars; camper vans (Class B) and compact Class C units tend to hold value a little better because demand for them is high.
Travel trailer and camper depreciation
Towables have no engine, so the calculator skips mileage for them. Their value rides on the roof, seals and signs of water damage, plus slide-out mechanisms and appliances. A trailer with a documented dry storage history can sell well above average.
How to lose less on an RV
- Negotiate hard on new: 20–30% off list is common at dealers, which directly shrinks your first-year loss.
- Consider a 2–4-year-old unit where the first owner paid for the steepest part of the curve.
- Store it covered and keep the roof sealed. Water damage is the most expensive value killer.
Questions people ask
What is the average RV depreciation rate?
Motorhomes and towables typically lose about 20–25% in the first year, then roughly 6–10% a year. After ten years many RVs are worth about a third of their original price. Class A motorhomes, with their high prices, usually take the largest dollar losses.
Do travel trailers depreciate faster than motorhomes?
In percentage terms travel trailers and fifth wheels follow a similar curve to motorhomes, but the dollar amounts are smaller because they cost less. There is no engine or drivetrain to wear, so condition, water damage and roof seals dominate their value.
Why does an RV lose so much in the first year?
RV dealers work on large margins and heavy discounts are common, so the "list price" is often far above what buyers really pay. Once titled, an RV is valued against used market prices, which reset to what dealers and private sellers accept.
How many years can you depreciate an RV?
For market value, an RV keeps losing value for its whole life, but the yearly loss is small after about year 10. For taxes, an RV used in a business (for example, rented out) is generally 5-year MACRS property in the US, so it is depreciated over six tax years under the half-year convention (IRS Publication 946). Personal-use RVs cannot be depreciated for tax.
What is the 10-year rule for RVs?
Some RV parks and campgrounds only admit RVs that are 10 years old or newer, or require older rigs to pass a photo check. It is a park policy, not a law, but it reduces demand for older units and is one reason RV values sag after about a decade.
Can I write off an RV as a business expense?
Only the business-use share, and only if the RV is really used for business (such as a rental unit or a mobile office), with records. It is then depreciated like other 5-year property, often with bonus depreciation. An RV can also qualify as a second home for the mortgage interest deduction if it has sleeping, cooking and toilet facilities. Ask a tax professional for your situation.
Where can I check the value of a used RV?
J.D. Power (formerly NADA Guides) publishes RV values, and current listings on RV marketplaces show what comparable units are really selling for in your area.