Buying or selling a new or used camper?  You’ll need to find your camper blue book value.  Here are 10 handy tips to find your camper blue book.  Make a list, by hand or by computer, to document the camper value.  This list will give you categories of things to consider.  If you are selling a used camper, your buyer will want this information, and it may be the bit of extra effort needed to seal the deal!  If you’re listing your camper for sale on eBay or Craigslist, this guide to finding your camper blue book will be just what you need to write a full description accurately.  If you’re buying a used camper, this resource will help you look beyond the emotion of selecting a used camper, and focus on the camper blue book, to help you make a wise and beneficial purchase.

1. Document the make, model and year of the camper.
2. List any modifications that may affect the camper value.  Just like an old fixer-upper house, the modifications will affect the resale value.
3. List any repairs that might impact the used camper values.  If there were any recalls on any part of the camper make note.
4. Make note of any damage to the camper that has not been corrected.  Just like asking for the CarFax, you’ll wnat to know what the damage has been to help you determine the camper blue book value.
5. Check the title of the camper or folding camper.  Here’s where an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.  If you’re buying a used camper that does not have clear title, do your research before you write your check!  A visit to the local Department of Motor Vehicles should be helpful to determine which documents you’ll need to establish a clear title.  If you are a member of AAA you can always visit your local office for title questions and guidance.
6. If you are the camper seller, document the storage of the camper, and if you have this information from previous owners, make note of this.  If the camper was stored dry and clean away from the elements this will help maintain the camper value.  If the folding camper was stored wet and dirty outside exposed to the elements this will be a completely different picture.  Also, a camper exposed to road salt without proper cleaning may have a lower value than a comporable model.  Camper buyers should make an entry on their camper appraisal of the storage situation of the camper in question.
7. When you’re selling your camper, if possible take it to a reputable camper service provider for a check-up and tune up.  This is the time to repair and replace any worn parts.  Small inexpensive items in need of repair, such as door handles, window latches, stove and sink parts, seat cushions, steps, awnings, etc. should be checked and fixed.  You may have grown accustomed to compensating or overlooking broken items, but your buyer will be looking at them in a different light.  Buyers, look carefully at all parts of the camper or folding camper and make note of any broken parts.  If you’re handy, you might enjoy restoring a camper that has seen better days, if the price is right.  Then again, you might want to keep looking!
8. Tires.  Simple, yet vital parts of your camper.  Look for the year of manufacture on the tires installed and the spare(s).  Old tires, even with good tread, may be rotten.  If the tires aren’t one or two years old, you’ll want to make note of the size and get a replacement cost.  Camper sellers, if those tires are old and seen better days, you might lose a sale.  If you’re selling an expensive camper, it may be worth your while to put new tires and a new spare on board.  This can really boost your camper value.  Make an honest assessment, including the year of manufacture, the apx. amount of useage.
9. Electrical and fuel systems are very important factors to determine the camper blue book.  If you’re the seller and you know of a problem, take the camper to a reputable service provider for the necessary safety repairs.  If you’re a buyer, make a complete assesment of the electrical and fuel systems.  If you’re qualified to make repairs, great!  If not, this will be an expense for you if not taken care of prior to the purchse.
10. Overall, what is the condition of the camper or folding camper?  Now that you’ve gone through this checklist, you’ll have more of an idea of the camper blue book.  After making a complete documentation, you can compare your model camper with the recent local sales of other campers which are similar, and get a realistic look at your camper blue book.  To get recent sales prices, eBay Motors is a useful resource.  Log into your account, and go to the eBay Motors site.  From here you can do and advanced search to locate the camper value.  Once you’re on eBay Motors (and logged in), click on “Other Vehicles” and in the drop down menu click on “Rvs and Campers”.  Once on this page, click on “Advanced Search” next to the search button.  Once again, select “Rvs and Campers” and select the type, such as “folding campers”.  Click on “Show Completed Listings Only”, and search.  Look for the prices in green, these indicate sold prices, so they’re a good comparison for your camper blue book.