Average RV Ownership Length: How Long Do Motorhome Owners Keep Their RV?

Oct, 19 2025

Quick Takeaways

• U.S. RV owners keep their vehicle about RV ownership length of 10.5 years on average.
• Class A motorhomes stay longest (12.3 years), followed by Class B campervans (9.7 years).
• Owners in the West tend to hold onto RVs 1‑2 years longer than those in the Northeast.
• Depreciation, maintenance costs, and lifestyle changes are the top reasons for selling.
• Renting can be smarter if you plan to upgrade every 8‑10 years.

When you hear the term Recreational Vehicle is a motorized living space designed for travel, ranging from small campervans to massive Class A motorhomes, you probably picture a weekend adventure or a full‑time road‑life. But beyond the glamour lies a practical question: how long does the average RV owner actually keep their rig? Knowing the typical ownership span helps you decide whether buying, renting, or financing makes sense for your travel style.

Defining the RV Landscape

To answer the ownership‑length question we first need to sort the market into recognizable groups.

• Motorhome is a self‑contained vehicle with a built‑in bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom, usually built on a bus or truck chassis (Class A, B, C).
• Campervan is a smaller van‑based unit that often sacrifices a separate bathroom for compactness.
• Class A motorhome is the largest, bus‑like RV with premium amenities.
• Class B motorhome is a van‑sized RV that balances size and comfort.
• RV resale market is the secondary‑hand channel where used RVs are bought and sold.
• Depreciation is the loss in value an RV experiences each year, typically 10‑15 % in the first three years.
• Mileage is the total distance an RV has traveled, often used by buyers to gauge wear.

Data Sources and How We Calculated Ownership Length

The numbers below come from three industry‑grade data sets collected in 2023‑2024:

1. Annual member survey by the RV Industry Association (RVIA) - 12,500 respondents.
2. Registration renewal records from 15 state motor vehicle departments.
3. Transaction data from major RV resale platforms (e.g., RVTrader, Camping World).

We filtered out outliers (owners with < 1 year or > 30 years of ownership) and weighted the sample to match the national RV population by class and region. The resulting “average ownership length” is a mean value expressed in years.

National Average and Breakdowns

Across all RV types, the average owner holds onto the vehicle for 10.5 years. Below is a more granular view.

Three trends jump out:

• High‑end Class A units stick around the longest, probably because owners treat them as semi‑permanent residences.
• The West consistently adds 0.8‑1.2 years to ownership spans, reflecting higher disposable income and a culture of long‑term road travel.
• Resale value percentages stay above 65 % for all classes, which makes the RV market unusually “sticky” compared to cars.

Why Do Owners Part Ways With Their RV?

Even a well‑maintained rig eventually leaves its owner’s driveway. The top five triggers, based on the RVIA survey, are:

1. Depreciation and financial pressure - After the first three years, owners see a 10‑15 % annual drop in value, prompting some to sell before the drop steepens.
2. Maintenance and repair costs - Average annual upkeep tops $2,300; unexpected engine or roof failures push owners toward a newer model.
3. Life‑stage changes - Marriage, kids, or retirement often shift travel frequency, making the current size either too big or too small.
4. Technology upgrades - Newer RVs now come with solar panels, lithium‑battery packs, and smart‑home integrations that older units lack.
5. Resale market timing - Owners aim to sell when the market peaks, typically after 8‑12 years of ownership.

Understanding these drivers helps you anticipate when you might want to upgrade, or whether renting could sidestep the headache.

Renting vs. Buying: How Ownership Length Shapes the Decision

If you plan to keep an RV for less than the average 10‑year span, renting can be financially smarter. Here’s a quick cost comparison (2024 USD):

• Buy: Purchase price $80,000 + $2,300/year maintenance + $1,200/year insurance = $110,000 total over 10 years.
• Rent: $150/day × 20 days/year = $3,000/year = $30,000 total over 10 years (plus fuel). No depreciation, no long‑term maintenance.

Renting shines for occasional weekenders or families testing the lifestyle before committing to a purchase. Conversely, full‑time travelers who expect to own for 12 years or more usually find buying cheaper in the long run.

Tips to Extend Your RV’s Life and Maximize Resale Value

Even if you’re not aiming for a decade‑plus ownership, these habits pay off:

1. Regular roof inspections - Sealant wear is the #1 cause of leaks; a $150 sealant kit can prevent a $5,000 roof replacement.
2. Stay on top of engine service - Follow the manufacturer’s 5,000‑mile oil‑change schedule; missed service drops resale value by ~4 %.
3. Upgrade lighting to LEDs - Cuts power draw, extends battery life, and looks modern to buyers.
4. Keep mileage low - Buyers price per mile; staying under 10,000 mi/yr keeps depreciation slower.
5. Document everything - A clean service log can boost resale price by $1,000‑$2,000.

Checklist for Prospective RV Buyers

• Determine intended use: weekend getaways vs. full‑time living.
• Calculate expected ownership length based on lifestyle goals.
• Compare total cost of ownership (purchase price + maintenance + insurance) against renting rates.
• Inspect depreciation curves for the class you want.
• Ask the seller for a full service history and mileage report.

Frequently Asked Questions