Many RVs lose 40% to 50% of their value within the first five years. For buyers financing a $60,000 or $100,000 unit, that decline can cost far more than expected.
Resale value comes down to materials, build quality, warranty coverage, and used-market demand.
In the video at the end of this post, Ryan Rotted highlights five brands that have reputations for retaining more of their purchase price than many mass-market alternatives.
Why RV depreciation varies so much
Cheap materials often create expensive problems later. Wood-backed walls, exposed undercarriages, weak seals, and short warranties can lead to water intrusion, delamination, rot, and lower trade-in offers.
Depreciation is tied to decisions made on the factory floor, including the materials hidden behind the walls.
Buyers shopping used units tend to pay more when they can see durable construction, active warranty coverage, and a strong owner community behind a brand.
The top 5 on the RV investment list according to Ryan
(I agree with some of Ryan’s picks, but not all. My list would have been different, but that’s a post for another time.)
# 5. Grand Design
Grand Design earned a premium reputation despite being a newer manufacturer. Its Reflection and Solitude models use laminated aluminum sidewalls, TPO roofs, and fully enclosed, insulated undercarriages.
Those details protect plumbing, tanks, wiring, and structural components from road debris and weather. The brand’s used units stay in demand because buyers can inspect the tighter lamination and sealed underside for themselves.
# 4. Lance
Lance has focused on mechanically sound RVs since 1965. Its aluminum superstructure and Azdel composite wall panels avoid the moisture absorption and rot associated with traditional lauan-backed walls.
Lance also uses powder-coated tempered steel frames and a single-piece TPO roof with a 12-year warranty. CNC-machined cabinetry gives interior joints a cleaner fit, without relying on trim to hide poor cuts.
#3 Jayco
Jayco is the mainstream exception on this list. Its resale appeal rests heavily on warranty coverage, including a two-year limited warranty and three-year structural warranty.
The coverage cited for Jayco units also includes supplier warranties such as 20 years for Dicor roofing materials, 25 years for Huber AdvanTech™ floor decking, and lifetime coverage for Tredit™ aluminum wheels. A used RV with structural coverage remaining can be easier to sell because the next owner takes on less risk.
#2 Airstream
Airstream has built aluminum trailers since 1931, and its long-running collector market separates it from conventional RV brands. Aviation-grade aluminum panels are hand-riveted into a shell that cannot delaminate like a wood-backed laminated wall.
The video cites roughly 350 labor hours to build one Airstream, compared with 50 to 60 hours for many comparable trailers. Vintage models also have an active restoration market, which helps older units retain value long after most RVs have fallen sharply in price.
#1 Oliver Travel Trailers
Oliver Travel Trailers builds about 100 units per year in Hohenwald, Tennessee. Each trailer uses a double-hull fiberglass shell, foam-core insulation, and an aluminum chassis.
There is no wood in the walls to rot or absorb moisture. Two 250-point inspections and limited production add to the appeal, while used inventory remains scarce. The video reports that 5-year-old Olivers can sell near their original purchase price, with 10-year-old examples retaining 70% to 80%.
How buyers can check resale value before buying
Before signing a deal, buyers should check NADA residual values for the exact make, model, and year at three- and five-year intervals. They should also request a construction spec sheet and ask whether the walls use Azdel, what material supports the roof, and whether the undercarriage is enclosed.
A 3- to 5-year-old unit from one of these brands may cost less overall than a new, lower-priced trailer with a steep depreciation curve.
The better way to think about RV ownership
An RV is rarely a traditional investment, but buyers can limit depreciation by choosing durable construction and consistent used-market demand. Purchase price is only part of the ownership cost.
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