The Complete Guide To Used Motorhomes

They say nothing depreciates like a new car, but those people may not have heard of motorhomes. Buying a pre-owned motorhome can handily trim hundreds of thousands off the new sticker price while opening the door to well‑maintained rigs that have decades of adventure left. A cornucopia of motorhome classes and engine types abound. Herein we'll outline what and where the best used motorhome inventories live, online and in dealership lots.

Motorhome classes in brief
Class A coaches are the bus‑shaped giants built on heavy commercial or custom chassis. They offer the most living space and storage, along with features such as full tile floors and residential refrigerators, but they demand confident driving skills and carry the highest ownership costs. Class C motorhomes, by contrast, ride on cut‑away van or truck frames and are easy to spot by their over‑cab sleeping bunk; they sacrifice some basement storage but feel closer to driving a large pickup.

Gasoline vs. diesel pusher
Most entry‑level Class A and nearly every Class C motorhome use a front‑mounted gasoline V‑8 or V‑10.More expensive Class A rigs often move the drivetrain to the back and switch to a Cummins or Caterpillar diesel, giving rise to the nickname “diesel pusher.” With the engine 30–40 feet aft of the cockpit, a diesel pusher is quieter on the highway, delivers more torque for mountain grades, and typically tows heavier cargo, albeit with higher up‑front cost and maintenance bills.

Where to shop for used rigs

  • Giant RV operates multiple superstores and advertises itself as the “#1 dealer for new & used RVs,” keeping a rotating stock that ranges from entry‑level gas coaches to late‑model diesel pushers.
  • Camping World runs the nation’s largest network of RV dealerships; its online portal lets buyers filter hundreds of pre‑owned motorhomes by class, length, price, and location, then pick up in‑store or arrange delivery.
  • RVTrader.com is the dominant digital marketplace, aggregating private‑party ads and dealer listings nationwide. A search around Los Angeles recently showed used Class A units as low as the mid‑teens, though most hover near $20 k—proof that price swings with age, mileage, and brand prestige. With new Class A’s handily reaching half a million dollars, this represents an enormous savings!

Popular brands on the used motorhome market

  • Winnebago remains a household name thanks to a portfolio that stretches from compact camper vans to 45‑foot diesel flagships; its long production history means plentiful parts and forum support.
  • Thor Motor Coach sells more Class C motorhomes than any other maker in North America, so late‑model Thors—from budget E‑series chassis to “Super C” diesels—are easy to locate second‑hand.
  • Newmar is prized for handcrafted cabinetry and robust wall construction; its reputation keeps resale values high on models such as the Dutch Star or Bay Star.
  • Fleetwood has built family‑oriented gas coaches and diesel pushers for more than 65 years; its wide service network and owner resources make older Bounder, Discovery, or Flair units attractive to first‑timers.

Dozens of other marques—Jayco, Coachmen, Forest River—also vie for space on dealer lots, amongst many others.

Putting it all together
Class A coaches (gas or diesel pusher) deliver residential luxury and towing muscle, while Class Cs trade basement storage for nimble handling and a lower price of entry. Large dealership chains such as Giant RV and Camping World may offer warranty add‑ons and financing, making those used motorhomes more accessible; peer‑to‑peer hubs like RVTrader broaden choice but put due diligence on the shopper.Whatever the badge on the nose reads, a thorough inspection, a verified maintenance record, and a test drive over varied terrain remain the keys to landing a used motorhome that will carry its next owner confidently down the road

ExplainGenie is for informational purposes only. Best attempts are made to ensure reliability and timeliness of information. ExplainGenie does not sell RV’s or offer products or services of any kind for sale.