Spring 2026 RV Buyers Outlook: A Warning for ALL RV Buyers

Before I get into today’s main topic – the Spring 2026 RV Outlook, let’s take a moment to catch up

It’s been a hot minute since I’ve posted. While you haven’t heard from me, I’ve been doing LOTS of skiing at Lookout Pass this winter. Overall, it’s been a rough ski season with limited snow and well above normal temperatures. Regardless, the groomer team at Lookout Pass have done a great job. I’m nearing 80 or more days on the ski hill! All my teaching and skiing has cut into my time for sharing content with you here on RV Across America (.net). As we move forward and the ski season (and tax season) ends, I should return to some kind of regular posting schedule!

Recent travels, inspiration and RV related content for RV Across America (.net)

I’ve nearly finished a post sharing and reflecting upon my visit with my travel bud Isaac to The San Rafael Swell in Central Utah last Spring. It was a great experience for us both and I’m looking forward towards sharing it with you soon. It is one of a few RV travel stories that have been “dry-docked” since last spring that I hope to get to soon.

I paused my preparation of the San Rafael Swell post (and the others that cover my travels in Nevada in Spring 2025) to share this important RV related news with you.

As we enter Spring 2026: The RV Industry is in REAL trouble – and it has impacted my “RV Outlook” for potential RV camper buyers…

I ran across a video recently that presents a damning picture of how RV’s are currently being built. I intended to share this video with you however the original content creator on YouTube pulled it. Fortunately, I took notes! Before I get into what that video had to say, let’s take a look at…

The current state of affairs for RV camper buyers and sellers

As you may know, as an RV Consultant, I work with clients who wish to purchase (or sell) an RV camper through my Concierge RV Service. I have been serving my clients for nearly a decade now. Business has always been consistent, but in the last several months, business is slow! Why? There are few buyers (which is GOOD news if you’re in the market for an RV.)

Sellers on the other hand are facing two serious challenges. First, book values are literally collapsing. Some current RV owners are just opting to keep their camper when they find out what it’s really worth.

Second, many sellers are severely upside down. In other words, they owe far more than they can ever reasonably expect to recover when selling their RV. These folks are simply stuck, unable to sell as they can’t make up the difference they will owe their lender.

Reasons for these current trends in RV buying and selling in my view center around increased costs of living leading many potential RV buyers to hold off until they feel more confident about making such a major purchase. With my clients, we often discuss what dollar figure it really takes to get a quality RV camper. The figure is often less than you’d expect IF you’re open to purchasing used and are careful to stick with campers that were well built when new and have been well cared for since. This, of course, is where I come in handy as an RV Concierge!

Purchasing an RV Camper this Spring? Here are two SIGNIFICANT pitfalls to avoid.

When I’m working with one of my Concierge RV Clients, most of the time, I often advise “don’t buy new.” There are several reasons for this and one ties in with the video I referred to earlier.

• RV’s generally depreciate faster than a falling rock through air. Much of this depreciation occurs over the first 2 years of ownership. So, if you want something that will depreciate more slowly, buy a used camper.
• Many RV campers see very little use. RV’s are not like cars and trucks. Most of us use our vehicles daily and only get rid of them when there’s something wrong with it. RV’s are different. People buy them then “life happens.” I often find campers for clients that are from a few to several years old and have seen truly minimal use. The next buyer (my client!) is going to get something that is deeply depreciated from what the original owner paid and is often in “like new” or excellent condition. (I work with my client to help them know the ACTUAL condition of a camper. This includes a verbal “interview” (interrogation) with the seller and locating a local RV tech to inspect it.)
• In recent years, camper quality has declined – in some cases massively. This is NOT universally true, however. Many manufacturers cut corners and in some cases produce something that is truly worthless. Naturally, I assist my own RV Clients to navigate these shark infested waters!

Here’s the content I noted in the video addressing current RV quality…

Again… I WAS going to show you a video produced by another content creator. It was a 7 minute video that explained much about what has happened to the RV industry and RV manufacturers in recent years. Unfortunately, the producer of that video has taken it off YouTube – probably due to the fact that he was VERY detailed in which companies he was red-flagging and did not hold any punches.

Fortunately, before it was removed, I took notes and will share them in my video below (which will NOT be removed!)

Hey… thanks for allowing me to share my thoughts. Feel free to ask questions or leave feedback below. I read and respond to all. I would also invite you to sign up below for my free newsletter – you’ll be notified of new posts as they are released.

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