How To Scrap A Camper Trailer (6 Great Ways)

Although travel trailers can last for up to a quarter of a century with the proper care, eventually it’s time for them to go to that big scrap heap in the sky.

Once your faithful camper has served its purpose, what’s the best way to dispose of it? Fortunately, scrap RV services are available, though it’s best if you know what you’re doing. Here, we’ll go over six easy ways to scrap camper trailer products.

Make A Donation

If your camper trailer is in fairly good condition, you can donate it to the charity of your choice. Organizations like the Lions Club, Vehicles for Veterans, and Kars 4 Kids would be happy to take the old beater off your hands. You’ll be doing a good deed while getting rid of your camper for free—a win-win situation if there ever was one.

Many of these charities will come and collect your camper at no charge, as long as it’s located within the continental US. You’ll also receive a sizable deduction when tax time rolls around. Some organizations might even throw in a few extras, such as vacation vouchers.

Give It Away

If you’re thinking of donating the rig anyway, consider checking with your friends and family first. There might just be someone out there who loves a good project, and so would be thrilled to take on your scrap RV. Another option would be to post the details on a local message board, via Facebook or another social media site.

Don’t worry if the unit is too beat-up to be taken on the road any longer. Hunters or people who enjoy ice fishing might be able to use the camper as a shelter or bait shed.

Make An Online Sale

While you may not think your camper trailer is in salable condition, you might be surprised. Vintage campers are more popular than some people realize, and the tiny-house craze has gained quite a following in recent years. There could be a buyer out there who would be interested in your unit.

Before you decide that the only way to unload your old camper is to scrap it, try listing it for sale online. Craigslist and eBay are both good places to start. If you’re certain that it’s only good for parts, you can even take it apart yourself and sell the pieces off separately. This is the best way to earn some real money off your scrap RV.

If you’re intrigued by the idea of turning a camper trailer into a tiny house, take a look at this video tutorial..

Find A Salvage Yard

Even if you’ve never had a reason to seek out an RV scrap yard before, there’s a good chance that you’ll be able to find one. Just do a quick internet search for “RV salvage” or “RV scrap.” The search engine will usually add the words “near me” automatically, but you can also type them in yourself.

Once the search is complete, choose the salvage yard that’s either nearest your home or most convenient to you. They’ll allow you to leave the camper behind, and might even offer you a bit of cash—though it probably won’t be more than 50 dollars or so.

Depending on where you live, you might be lucky enough to find a COD (cash on delivery) service, which will come and pick up your scrap camper trailer and pay you for it. Again, you can expect the payment to be a small one, but if you thought you can get more for the camper, you’d probably be selling it instead of scrapping it (see the next option below).

Make A Community Connection

RV owners are a breed unto themselves, and most of them are always eager to help out a fellow traveler. If you’re not actively involved in an RV community, now is the time to reach out.

Let your new friends know that you’re actively seeking to unload your current camper. Chances are, many of them have been in the same situation and can offer you tips. And who knows? You might even get in touch with someone who’ll offer you a decent amount of cash for the unit.

Take It To The Dump

If you have no other options, you can always check with your local dump. Some might be willing to take old campers, but they’ll usually charge a dumping fee.

Because we hate the idea of losing money in addition to the camper, we would recommend this course only if you can’t find a decent salvage yard within driving distance. We also aren’t big fans of needless waste. Some parts of your old RV might still be serviceable, but no one will ever know if it ends up rotting in a landfill.

The Bottom Line

An RV is a great investment, which is why you should do your best to give your old one the sendoff it deserves. The last thing you want is to leave the rig lying around until it becomes a liability. Remember—once you’ve unloaded your old trailer, you’ll have that much more space for the next one.

Best of luck, and happy camping!

Check out our article on: 8 Tips On How To Sell A Travel Trailer

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