How to Get Rid of an Old RV Camper or Motorhome

It’s not uncommon to find old RVs rotting in the weeds or sitting in a corner of a driveway. Perhaps the owner just doesn’t use it anymore or maybe it broke down and was replaced by a newer model. After they have been sitting for a while they surely have water damage and house animals. At this point, the repair is usually not an option and you just might want it gone. Let’s take a look at what your options are for getting rid of that old rig.

Can I Get Rid of My Old RV?

If an RV no longer has any value to you, you’ll want to get rid of it. You won’t likely want to watch it rust away and fall apart over the years. After all, it would take a mighty big hole to bury an RV when its time on earth is over. Hopefully, you own the RV outright when that day comes and don’t owe any money on it. If you own it outright, what you choose to do with it is entirely up to you.

It will likely only be worth a very small fraction of what you paid for it. However, you may still be able to get some money out of it. There are various options for getting rid of an old RV, and your choice will influence how much money you can get from it or it costs you. Don’t forget to consider how much of an inconvenience it might be to earn what little profit you’ll make from it.

7 Ways to Get Rid of an Old RV Camper or Motorhome

There are several ways you can get rid of an old RV camper or motorhome that you no longer want. With some options, the condition of the camper or motorhome doesn’t matter. Some will take it sight unseen. Let’s look at your options.

1. Sell It to a Private Party

Slap a for sale sign on it with your contact information. You never know who might drive by and see your old RV camper or motorhome and want it. Whether they see a future renovation project or want to use it for scrap metal, one man’s junk is another man’s treasure. Come up with a fair price ahead of time you’d be willing to accept. Consider how quickly you want to say goodbye to your old camper when setting the price.

Selling an RV to a private party can be painless, especially if you have the title. You’ll need to sign and present the title to the buyer when they show you the money. Create a listing on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace if you’re not getting the traction you want. 

Pro Tip: If you are looking to buy an RV on Craigslist, make sure to stay on high alert for these common scams.

2. Donate Your Old RV Camper to Charity

Many non-profit organizations and technical colleges will take almost any RV or motorhome on which they can get their hands. They’ll use them to help train and equip students in auto shops, RV inspections, and repair training programs. It’s the RV equivalent of donating your body to science.

You’ll not likely get any cash from your camper if you go this route, but you’ll get a tax deduction for your donation. These programs will likely come to you, pick up the camper, and haul it away for you. Depending on the condition of your rig, it may be less of a headache to go this route.

3. Trade-In or Consign Your Old RV

If your old RV still has some sort of value to it, but you don’t want to deal with selling it yourself, you can try trading it in or working with a consignor. However, even when an RV is in excellent condition, dealerships will often substantially undervalue an RV, and if it’s too old, they may not even accept it as a trade. They typically only want to deal with trades that will quickly sell and put money in their pocket.

Consignments typically charge a fee or take 10% to 15% of the final sale price. There’s also no guarantee that the RV will sell, and you’ll be back to square one. Depending on the value of your old RV, you can try either of these options, but they’re not usually great options for old campers past their prime.

4. Sell Your Camper or Motorhome to an RV Salvage Yard

Some RV salvage yards will accept a variety of campers and motorhomes. These salvage yards may not offer you a stack of cash for your RV, but they’ll take your old camper off your hands. These salvage yards can be a great place to locate hard-to-find RV parts. If you have an old RV or motorhome from a company that’s no longer producing RVs, they may be more generous when paying you for your RV.

In that case, they’ll likely want to spend more time looking at your RV to see which parts they can salvage. If you’re not expecting much out of your rig and just want to get whatever you can out of it, walk away with what they offer and the assurance that a part of your RV might help a fellow RVer in need.

5. Scrap It Yourself and Sell the Parts

RVs contain a tremendous amount of wood and plastic, which aren’t worth much. However, the metal and copper wiring will be at least worth something. Take the time to rip out any parts or appliances that might be of some value. You can try to sell these yourself to an RV salvage yard or list them on auction sites like eBay.

If you have a hard-to-find part, it may be worth more than you think! However, you’ll have a tremendous amount of plastic, wood, and materials you’ll need to safely and ethically dispose of when finished.

6. Take Your Old Camper or Motorhome to a Local Landfill

If you can get your camper or motorhome to a local landfill, there’s a chance they might take it. Not all landfills will accept campers or motorhomes, especially if they’re junk. We recommend calling ahead to avoid wasting your time, energy, and fuel hauling it to the landfill.

7. Hire a Junk RV Removal Service

If your RV is in terrible condition, you may need to hire a junk RV removal service. Yes, there’s a chance that you’ll have to pay someone to take your RV from you. It’s not a fun thought, but if you’re tired of staring at it or it’s taking up space on your property, you will have to bite the bullet. This could be a couple of hundred bucks or more, depending on how far the service will have to travel to you or how much it will cost them to dispose of it properly.

Pro Tip: Are you ready to sell your RV? We uncovered What RV Consignment Really Means.

Old RV Disposal: It’s Easier Than You Think

If you have an old RV sitting on your property, you don’t have to keep staring at the eyesore. Depending on the condition and where it’s sitting, it might not be nearly as complicated as you think to get rid of it. Give the options we’ve shared with you a try, and you’ll likely find at least one will take your old RV off your hands. Once you say goodbye to your old RV, you can move on to making more memories in your next RV.

Have you ever had to get rid of an old RV camper? What did you do? Tell us your tips and tricks in the comments!

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