Top 10 Fastest Depreciating RVs
RVs lose value faster than almost any other vehicle category — many drop 30–40% in the first year alone. Whether you're considering a Class A motorhome, a fifth-wheel, or a travel trailer, knowing which models depreciate fastest could save you tens of thousands of dollars.
By Trapizo Editorial • 10 min read
RVs are one of the fastest-depreciating asset categories in the consumer market. The average new RV loses 20–30% of its value the moment it leaves the dealer lot, and 50–70% within five years. For motorhomes — Class A and Class C units with engines built in — the combination of vehicle depreciation and appliance depreciation compounds the loss. A $120,000 Class A motorhome purchased new may be worth $40,000–$50,000 just five years later.
Unlike vehicles, RVs also carry substantial ongoing costs: storage fees, insurance, winterization, tire replacement (six or more tires on larger units), roof resealing, slide-out maintenance, and generator servicing. These costs reduce the pool of buyers willing to own an aging RV, which further suppresses used prices.
The RVs on this list depreciate the fastest — making them the worst to buy new and potentially the best to buy used, provided you go in with realistic maintenance expectations. Understanding which models hold their value and which ones collapse is the first step to buying smart in this market.
1. 2022 Thor Motor Coach Palazzo 33.2 (Class A Diesel)
Luxury diesel pushers from Thor's Palazzo line carry sticker prices that seem like a bargain three years later — because they've already dropped 40–50% by then. The Palazzo suffers from the compounding effect of luxury RV depreciation: high initial price, expensive diesel engine maintenance, and a relatively narrow buyer pool on the used market. Diesel pusher maintenance costs (injectors, DEF systems, turbochargers) deter buyers who aren't committed to long-term RV ownership, and the sheer size of a Class A limits its appeal to an already niche audience.
Buyer Tip: A 3–4 year old Palazzo at 40% of MSRP represents genuine value for a serious full-timer, but budget $5,000–$8,000 annually for maintenance on a used diesel pusher. Inspect the slide-out seals, roof membrane, and engine bay carefully before purchase — deferred maintenance on a used Class A diesel is rarely cheap.
2. 2022 Coachmen Mirada 35OS (Class A Gas)
Gas-powered Class A motorhomes depreciate nearly as fast as their diesel counterparts, without the performance and longevity advantages of a diesel drivetrain. The Mirada is a capable family motorhome, but the used market for large gas Class A rigs is thin — buyers choosing a Class A often want diesel for highway performance, and buyers on a strict budget gravitate toward smaller, cheaper Class C units. This supply-demand imbalance keeps Mirada resale values persistently low.
Buyer Tip: A used gas Class A is one of the few places where you can own a genuinely spacious, full-featured RV for under $40,000. The Ford or Chevy gas chassis is inexpensive to service at any shop. Verify the roof condition and all slide-outs before purchasing — these are the most common and costly failure points on any Class A gas unit.
3. 2022 Winnebago Minnie Winnie 31H (Class C Gas)
The Minnie Winnie is one of the best-known entry-level Class C motorhomes — and one of the fastest-depreciating. Entry-level Class C units depreciate sharply because they occupy the most competitive segment of the RV market. There is always a large supply of used Minnie Winnies from weekend users who bought during the pandemic RV boom and have since stopped using them. This flood of supply combined with rising interest rates cooling new buyer demand has pushed used Class C prices lower than pre-2020 norms.
Buyer Tip: The Minnie Winnie's Ford E-450 chassis is the most serviced Class C platform in the country — parts are cheap and mechanics are familiar with it everywhere. A well-maintained 2–3 year old example at 35–40% of MSRP is a reasonable buy for occasional family use, particularly if storage is convenient and usage is seasonal.
4. 2022 Forest River Georgetown 5 Series 31L5 (Class A Gas)
Forest River dominates RV production volume, which is part of its depreciation problem: the used market is flooded with similar units from multiple model years. The Georgetown competes against dozens of comparable Class A gas units from the same manufacturer's other brands, and brand loyalty in the used RV space is low. Buyers shop primarily on condition and price, not brand — which means Georgetown's resale price is set by the cheapest comparable unit in the market, not by any brand premium.
Buyer Tip: The Georgetown's Triton V10 or Ford V10 engine is robust and well-understood. If you're buying used, prioritize a pre-purchase inspection at a licensed RV service center rather than a general mechanic — slide-outs, awnings, water systems, and roof integrity require RV-specific expertise to evaluate properly.
5. 2022 Keystone Montana 3855BR (Fifth Wheel)
Large fifth-wheel trailers depreciate somewhat more slowly than motorhomes — there's no engine to worry about — but the Montana still drops sharply because of Keystone's production volume and the weight requirements it places on the tow vehicle. The Montana's size (40+ feet, requiring a heavy-duty truck to move) limits the buyer pool to people who already own or are willing to buy a capable tow vehicle. That constraint, combined with abundant used supply from pandemic-era buyers, keeps Montana used prices under sustained pressure.
Buyer Tip: Verify the full tow weight specification against your truck's actual tow rating before purchase — many buyers discover their existing truck cannot safely tow a loaded Montana. A used Montana in excellent condition represents one of the most spacious and feature-rich RV purchases available under $30,000.
6. 2022 Grand Design Reflection 315RLTS (Fifth Wheel)
Grand Design earns consistently better quality ratings than most of its competitors and has a stronger-than-average brand following in the fifth-wheel segment — yet it still depreciates by more than half in five years. This reflects the reality that all towable RVs face: once a rig is no longer new, buyers have no shortage of alternatives, and production volumes are high enough that used supply always exceeds demand. Grand Design's better build quality does provide a slight depreciation advantage versus Forest River or Keystone, but the difference narrows as the unit ages.
Buyer Tip: Grand Design's reputation for above-average quality control means a used Reflection in good condition is a lower-risk buy than similarly priced competitors. Check the delamination status of all exterior walls — this is the most common long-term failure mode on any fiberglass-walled fifth-wheel.
7. 2022 Jayco Redhawk 26XD (Class C Gas)
Jayco was acquired by Thor Industries in 2016, and since then its production volume has expanded significantly. Higher production means more units entering the used market annually, which systematically suppresses resale values across the Jayco lineup. The Redhawk is a well-regarded Class C unit with a strong following among first-time RV buyers — which also means it's commonly the first unit sold when owners upgrade, flooding the used market with relatively young examples.
Buyer Tip: The Redhawk's Ford E-450 chassis has excellent parts availability nationwide. A 2 year old Redhawk at 35–40% of MSRP with under 20,000 miles is a compelling buy for a family that will realistically use it 4–6 weeks per year. Have the roof inspected by an RV technician — Jayco's roof construction on early 2022 units has a history of seam separation if not properly maintained.
8. 2022 Fleetwood Bounder 36F (Class A Gas)
The Bounder is one of the most recognized names in RV history, yet name recognition provides almost zero resale protection in the used motorhome market. The Bounder's broad audience and high production volume mean the used market is perpetually oversupplied. The gas chassis (Ford V10 or Chevy Vortec) keeps maintenance costs accessible, but the sheer physical size of the Bounder makes it impractical for weekend camping at many campgrounds and State Parks with length restrictions — which reduces demand.
Buyer Tip: The Bounder represents exceptional value on the used market for buyers who want maximum living space at a modest price. At 35–40% of original MSRP, you can access genuine full-timer amenities without full-timer capital outlay. Prioritize units with documented service history — a Bounder that has had its slides serviced, roof maintained, and generator exercised regularly will cost far less to own than one that has been stored and ignored.
9. 2022 Heartland Landmark 365 Charleston (Fifth Wheel)
Heartland's Landmark series occupies the upper-middle segment of the fifth-wheel market — premium features without the full luxury price point — and depreciates at rates consistent with the category. The Landmark's main depreciation driver is the same as all large fifth-wheels: the requirement for a heavy-duty diesel truck to tow it safely. As truck prices have escalated (new half-ton trucks now routinely exceed $60,000), the total cost of RV ownership has risen enough to shrink the qualified buyer pool for premium fifth-wheels, keeping used values under pressure.
Buyer Tip: The Landmark's residential-style amenities (full-size refrigerator, washer/dryer prep, solid-surface counters) make it a compelling long-term living platform. If you're already a diesel truck owner, a used Landmark at 40–45% of MSRP represents a reasonable entry into full-time or extended-stay RV living.
10. 2022 Entegra Coach Aspire 44B (Class A Diesel)
At the luxury end of the RV market, depreciation works in dollar terms that are genuinely staggering. An Entegra Aspire that sold for $380,000 new can be purchased for $150,000–$175,000 after five years — a dollar loss exceeding $200,000. This isn't a proportionally worse depreciation rate than other categories, but the absolute dollar amount lost makes the new-purchase decision extremely difficult to justify financially. Entegra does benefit from strong brand loyalty and a reputation for premium construction, which provides a slight residual advantage versus comparable Thor and Tiffin units.
Buyer Tip: A 3–4 year old Entegra Aspire is one of the most exceptional value propositions in the luxury motorhome market. You receive a genuinely premium platform — full-body paint, Spartan or Freightliner chassis, residential appliances, and exceptional fit and finish — at approximately 45% of original cost. Budget a $15,000–$20,000 annual maintenance and storage allowance for any used luxury diesel pusher, and have the unit inspected by an Entegra-authorized service center before purchase.
RV depreciation is real, steep, and predictable. The vehicles on this list represent the category's fastest fallers — and for the right buyer at the right price, that depreciation is someone else's loss and your opportunity.
The smartest way to buy an RV is the same as the smartest way to buy a car: let the first owner absorb the year-one cliff, buy at the natural used-market price, go in with honest maintenance expectations, and never finance more than the asset is likely to be worth in three years. For RVs specifically, that discipline is even more important — these vehicles lose value faster than almost anything else on the market, and the gap between a good used price and a bad new price can be measured in tens of thousands of dollars. Browse RV inventory on Trapizo, submit the price you'd actually pay, and let the market come to you.