Kelly Blue Book Camper

Find the value of the camper from the Kelly Blue Book- in other words good news, bad news, news and practical notes...

These days the information about values of new and used campers is available 24/7 on zillions of websites.

Among all pertinent resources the Kelly Blue Book gained the top position as the most trustworthy source of relevant data for any type of vehicle.

Good news

Today the Kelly Blue Book covers not only cars but also RVs, camper trailers, motorcycles, trucks and some antique vehicles.

It is considered as the reference and widely used by the automotive industry, dealers, and financial institutions.

The proliferation of Internet made the pricing secrets as well as other factors determining the vehicle’s value available to everybody since the Kelly Blue Book went online in 1995.

The edition of the Kelly Blue Book for popup campers was initiated in late 60’s. Currently it is published twice a year (at $65) under the title: Kelly Blue Book – Travel Trailer Guide. It provides estimated values for camper trailers, fifth wheels and popup trailers from new models back to 9 years old ones.

Kelly Blue Book Camper - That is what you are looking for (please note that it is really blue!)

According to popular opinions the values of used popup campers provided by Kelly Blue Book do not show the same “consistency” as cars (exception are new trailers). Most likely this is due to the fact that it is not possible to apply to folding campers the same rigorous rules of scrutiny as for cars.

Compared to cars pop-up trailers have much higher “Tear & Wear” effect for their flexible parts (especially the canopy) and no odometer recording the millage (significant factors for cars).

Simply speaking, computer algorithms are not accurate enough to properly estimate the value of used popup campers. In many cases their value are strongly influenced by thousand of little details and frankly - the mood of an owner and/or a buyer.

... and the news!

Having saying so let me make it clear - there is no reason to skip the first step of buying/selling your pop-up camper. And the first step helping you to narrow expectations should be always the trustworthy source of data. Certainly the Belly Blue Book – Travel Trailer Guide is a sort of buyer’s/seller’s “Bible”.

If you do not want to lose your shirt, then please Do Not go to any dealer before you have a clear idea what is a reasonable price range for what you want to buy or trade-in. Keep in mind all these “tricks” like - only today 30% discount, you have to made your decision now etc…

They have an unlimited number of tricks in their sleeves to charm you, because remember – the good dealer is first of all a good psychologist able to read your state of mind from your body language, from your face….

While the Kelly Blue Book for campers is a good starting point, there are also other reliable sources of information like NADA Blue Book (estimated values) and Ebay listing (especially for closed deals).

But even the best “Blue Book” does not excuse you from your homework which can be summarized as follows:

Initial steps:

Determine what kind of travel trailer you would like to price (KBB includes only pop-up campers, towable RVs and folding trailers). This may be the most difficult part of your homework because usually our list of wishes is very long but the pocket is never “deep enough” so you have to be able to make several compromises. The fact that you make them with yourself does not make it easier.
Gather the relevant information regarding the travel trailer. That should include:

Size (length, width and height in closed and opened configurations). These will determine the number of people that may use the camper, the level of their comfort when vacationing, but also the towing effort and parking requirements.
number of axles;
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating). This number combines the weight of the “dry” travel trailer and its maximum allowed load and must not exceed the towing capabilities of your car!
Required important features (for example the method of setting-up/down the camper, sleeping spaces, kitchen appliances, shower/toiled etc…)

Now, and only now the KBB takes over:
Few Practical Notes:

Select the pertinent section in the book for the type of the travel trailer, manufacturer and model (sometimes you will have to use cross-reference section for a given manufacturer (for example some Coleman pop-up camper models have been sold under Fleetwood’s name….)
Determine your acceptable range of age for a model of choice (KBB lists all results by the year of production);
Carefully review the information including the list of basic and optional features. Check for any extra notes (for example model discontinued etc…);
Check the suggested retail value (amount the dealer may ask to pay), trade-in value (amount the dealer may offer when you are trading-in your old camper for the new or newer one) and private party value (amount you should expect to get/pay in a private transaction).

Please note that the mentioned values are seasonal (lowest at the end of the touristic season). Also the “geographical” location of a camper may significantly affect the market value of the travel trailers.

In practice the KBB’s estimated camper value must be tested “in-field” when such factors as wear & tear will be compared to your level of acceptance. Particularly please check for any signs of mold (pop-up campers spend most of their life in the folded position so surrounding humidity or lack of care like for example closing it in wet conditions may quickly take the toll on the camper.

And please remember (this rule applies to any vehicle):

For sure as the pop-up camper owner you will be happy at least twice. First time it happens right after you bought the camper and the second time when it is sold.

But the good news is – you can always make it better and retain your happiness while using the camper trailer provided you did a good job before signing the deal. Certainly the Kelly Blue Book – Travel Trailer Guide will help you to achieve this goal.

Kelly Blue Book History

The company was founded in 1926 by Les Kelley, who started out as a car salesman and began compiling a list of car values to help him with his business. Kelley's list soon became popular with other car dealers, and in 1926 he published the first Blue Book of Motor Car Values.

Initially, the Blue Book only included wholesale values for used cars, but over time it expanded to include retail values, as well as values for new cars. In the 1960s, KBB introduced a system for rating the condition of used cars, known as the "Kelley Blue Book Condition Quiz." This quiz helped buyers and sellers determine the value of a used car based on its condition.

In the 1990s, KBB became one of the first companies to provide car values online, launching its website in 1995. This made it easier for people to research the value of their cars, and for dealers to access KBB's pricing information.

In 2010, KBB was acquired by AutoTrader.com, a leading online marketplace for buying and selling cars. The company continued to expand its services, introducing new features such as car reviews, consumer ratings, and a mobile app.

Today, Kelley Blue Book is one of the most trusted sources of automotive information in the United States, with millions of people using its website and services to research and buy cars. The company's mission is to provide accurate, unbiased information to help people make informed decisions about buying and selling cars.

Is Kelly Blue Book still relevant?

Despite its long history and popularity, some people have questioned whether KBB is still relevant in today's market. One criticism is that KBB's valuations are based on historical data, which may not reflect current market conditions. For example, the guide may not take into account recent changes in supply and demand or market trends that can affect car prices.

Another criticism is that KBB's valuations can vary significantly from the actual market value of a car. This is because KBB relies on a range of assumptions and averages that may not apply to every car.

However, despite these criticisms, KBB remains a useful tool for car buyers and sellers. While its valuations may not be 100% accurate, they provide a good starting point for negotiations and can help to prevent buyers and sellers from being taken advantage of.

Furthermore, KBB's wealth of information on car models and features is still relevant and useful for buyers who are looking to research their options.

Conclusion

Kelly Blue Book remains a useful tool for car buyers and sellers. While its valuations may not be perfect, they provide a standardized and transparent method for determining the fair market value of a car. Furthermore, KBB's wealth of information on car models and features is still relevant and useful for buyers who are looking to research their options. Therefore, if you're in the market for a car, KBB is definitely worth consulting as part of your research process.

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