RV repairs are really expensive. This is why it’s best to find an RV Salvage Yard. This is a place where damaged recreational vehicles like campers and motorhomes get put out in a lot and the public can purchase used RV parts from them. I will share with you how the RV salvage yards near me work and provide tips to get the most out of your visit.
Map of RV Salvage Yards Near Me
For “RV Junk Yards Near Me”, “RV Salvage Yards Near Me”, “Camper Junkyards Near me” or “Camper Salvage Yards near Me”, see the map below…
Quick Stats About RV Usage and Popularity
- Over 1 million Americans live in recreational vehicles
- RV ownership has grown from 7.9 million households in 2005 to over 9 million today
- RVers spend between 3 – 4 weeks in their recreational vehicle a year
(Source: https://www.condorferries.co.uk/rv-statistics).
What those stats above translate to me RV’s get a lot of use, break down, have accidents, catch fire, and end up in a junkyard. That means more parts for us to pull and save money.
RV Salvage Yard
An RV Salvage Yard is an unseen world that is filled with untold stories and hidden treasures. It is a place where retired or damaged recreational vehicles find refuge, awaiting a second chance at life. Within the boundaries of an RV Salvage Yard, you’ll discover a vast collection of RVs, ranging from vintage classics to modern marvels, each with its own unique tale to tell.
These yards serve as a haven for RV enthusiasts, DIY enthusiasts, and those seeking cost-effective solutions for their RV repair and renovation projects. They are most notably located near highways, campgrounds, and near camper businesses.
Operations of RV Salvage Yards Near Me
RV junk yards are very specialized and you will not find many of them around. Those that you do find operate locally.
It’s possible to find totaled RVs and used RV parts in a traditional auto junk yard or mobile home junkyard, but they are not the ideal locations. You want RV salvage yards, camper salvage yards, and motorhome salvage yards.
When a recreational vehicle goes to the junkyard It’s usually a result of an accident, fire, or needs enough repairs that the RV owners deem the cost not worth the price to fix. An insurance company will mark them as a total loss and then sell it to a salvage to offset paying out part of the claim.
Motorhomes can also be a community eyesore and some people junk them because they have nowhere to park them and can’t sell it them independently. For many communities and townships, Abandon units are a big problem.
Yard Arrangement
Since RVs are such large vehicles an RV salvage yard will line them up in tight rows. The salvage yard will also create an inventory of what’s in the yard with make, model, and, year so that people can find the used RV, camper, and motorhome parts they need faster.
Not all businesses though are organized. Some will not have rows and be a mix of all kinds of motorhomes, cars, trucks, etc. The more organized a yard is, the easier it is to find the used parts you need.
Used RV Parts
If you are looking for spare RV parts or used camper parts you can call up the junkyard and see if they have what you need. If they do you will likely have to go visit the RV junk yard and remove the parts you need yourself. That is how the RV salvage yard near me operates anyhow.
When calling a junkyard to ask about parts it’s helpful to know info about your RV. It’s good to know info like the model, but also models from the same manufacturer so you can pull compatible parts from another RV by the same manufacturer. Here is where you can get a quick reference to different manufacturers and classes of RV’s.
Certain parts like motors might get taken out by the junkyard and sold back to the manufacturer. The manufacturer will rebuild the engine and then sell it as a rebuild and offer a warranty on it.
A wrecked RV may have tons of functional parts such as side mirrors, wheels, accessories, kitchen appliances, toilets, showers, seats, bedroom pieces, canvas replacements, etc.
When the RV salvage yard feels the motorhome is stripped down to bare bones they will sell it off for scrap metal. With the size and weight of motor homes, these catch a nice price for the junkyard as scrap metal.
Salvage Yards That Buy RVs, Campers, and Caravans
Anytime you are selling a car, boat, truck, RV, or anything to a junk yard there are certain things to be mindful of.
First figure out if your unit is repairable and if it’s worth the cost of fixing it. If it’s not, perhaps an RV boneyard is an option…
Recreational Vehicles are huge vehicles with lots of storage and compartments. Make sure you thoroughly go through it and ensure all your closets, cabinets, and compartments are rid of all of your personal belongings. If there is gas in it and you are having it towed siphon it out and save it for yourself.
Also, take the time to cancel your insurance and your registration as well as turn in your plates. if you leave those tasks to the RV salvage yards they may bill you for an admin fee.
Additionally, you will want to research how much your recreational vehicle is worth before you scrap it. This will help you negotiate a good price with a junk yard. A good resource for accessing the value of your RV is the NADA guide.
If you have a wrecked RV then perhaps a salvage yard is a good option to dispose of it. RV junk yards are two ways businesses, you can sell them your RV or you can buy used RV parts from them.
Used RV and Camper Parts at a Junk Yard
Your best bet to find used RV parts near me is at RV salvage yards or you can say it rv graveyard too.
You may find some at a standard auto or truck scrap yard, but the pickings will be slim. It is likely that you will have a hard time finding the exact piece you are looking for whether it is make, model, or year–specific.
At an RV salvage yard on the other hand you can find all types of gems like mirrors, horns, bucket seats, kitchen appliances, accessories, equipment, and bathroom fixtures for your vehicle.
A popular repair with second-hand parts is doing canvas replacements on vintage campers. Going with used parts at a salavge you can often get your best deal of around 65% of the original price.
If you find the used RV parts you need, you can purchase them at cheaper prices than an RV parts store. Most of what you will get should be in good condition. While the RV junkyard can’t make any warranties, they do adhere to government regulations which should help protect you as a consumer.
Finding spare parts for your affordable RV parts at a scrap yard also means it’s likely a part made by the original manufacturer. I have actually even pulled new parts off of a totaled rv.
For tips on pulling RV parts, read this tip sheet.
Disadvantages of Buying Used RV Parts from the Junkyard
Some parts may not last long and you have no idea how much they have been used. It’s possible you are getting something with 1000’s of hours of use on it and it’s nearing the end of its life span. You have no idea how much abuse the previous owners may have may have put the part through.
Used RV parts from a salvage yard do not come with a warranty so it’s best to really inspect the parts before you purchase them.
Besides the Junkyard, You Can Find Parts Online
While the junkyard is really your best bet, you can find places like RVshare and RVparts that sell used parts. There are also eBay, Craigslist, and other popular classified sites where you can find RV, parts, Colaw RV parts, Visone RV parts, and Camper parts online.
Pro Tip: One of the best places for used parts is the RV Parts for Sale or Trade Facebook group. This is literally regular people like you and me selling and trading parts. You can definitely score deals there.
Also can reach out to the community and see if someone has what you need. There are 13K members so someone probably can point you in a direction at the least.
Want to Experience an RV Salvage Yard…
This video shows rummaging through an RV junkyard in Missouri. It captures the essence of what you will find at an RV salvage. You will see mechanical parts, paneling, doors, tires, kitchens, everything.
Also, you can get a feel for the types of damage you will come across like damage from accidents and also from fires. If you’ve never been to one, check this out…
Scams By RV Junkyards That Buy Recreational Vehicles
If you are selling your junked RV, camper, or motorhome to a salvage you “may” come across some shady business practices.
Here are a few things to watch out for:
Delayed Payment: Never agree to turn over the title to your RV until you have been paid. There should be an official bill of sale and a written agreement that guarantees you payment. Don’t let them trailer it without cash in hand.
This is even more critical if they are hauling it away for you. What can happen is you negotiate a price, they tow it, and then call you and negotiate a lower price.
Cost of Tow: If you need a haul away from some places try and subtract the cost of tow from the negotiated sales price. Do not agree to these terms. If you can’t drive the it to them, force them to incur the hauling cost.
Your RV is Worthless: That is the statement they will make. They will say your RV is worth nothing, but we will happily take it for free. They are in the business of making money, so they want to get it from you as cheap as possible.
Unless your RV is burned to the ground, there may be some value in it. Even if they don’t sell it for parts, they are going to sell it for scrap metal. So it is not worthless to them. Stand your ground and negotiate for the most money you can get.
RV Junk Yards Near Me Conclusion
RV junk yards are not only a great place to buy and sell, but they are also good for the environment. They help get wrecked RV’s, campers, and motorhomes into a standardized place, where their functional pieces can be removed and reused on working vehicles.
Imagine how many wrecked RV’s and campers there would be on the side of the road if not for these specialized camper scrap yards.
That’s my experience with the RV salvage yard near me. There are not a lot of these specialized businesses around so if you have one local consider yourself lucky. If you don’t have one local you still may want to consider contacting one in a state close by.
You never know if you can strike a deal for your recreational vehicle or if they will have the parts you need. I have had luck getting used RV parts near me, you never know what you’ll find. This is what I have learned from the RV salvage yards near me.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do RV Salvage Yards Work?
RV salvages purchase junked RV’s, motorhomes, and campers that have repair costs beyond the vehicle‘s total value. They sell any functioning parts of those vehicles for reuse.
The inventory comes from different sources including private owners, insurance companies (Totaled RV), and auctions. Some will offer free towing to incentivize selling them your wrecked RV.
Who Buys Damaged RVs?
There are four main ways to sell a damaged RV: Salvage yards, junk car buyers, scrap yards, and independently. Each buyer has their pros and cons and it will depend on the level of damage to determine your best option. An RV that is repairable, will be worth more than one that isn’t.
How Do I Find Out What My RV Is Worth?
The first place you should reference is the National Automobile Dealers’ Association (NADA) Guide. They list prices for recreational vehicles, campers, motorhomes, and travel trailers.
Another place that’s good to get an approximate value is RV Trader, which is a platform that helps people buy and sell RV’s. Here, note that the travel trailer and folding trailer are not the same thing.
Can you get a Loan on a Salvage RV Title?
You can get a loan on a salvage RV title, but it is much more difficult than a clean title. Salvage title RV’s come with more risk and therefore also higher interest rates. Many of the big banks won’t offer salvage title loans so you will need to shop around.
