I've bought two new RVs in the last 5 years - first was a Salem (Forest River) TT with an MSRP of 27xxx, I paid 20K out the door and got a decent WDH included and installed - I was reasonably happy. It turned out to be a great trailer and I sold it after 3.5 years of use for 16K (and gave away the WDH with it). So, 4K "loss" after 3.5 years of use.
Next came my current 5th wheel - Keystone Hideout. MSRP @ 47xxx - I paid 32xxx and got some credit towards the hitch and install. I still have that unit and wish I used it more but don't worry too much. From some casual looking after a year I could probably Craigslist it for a few thousand less than I paid, especially at the right time of year.
Point being that 99% of the depreciation horror stories are from folks that paid WAY too much going in. Yes, RVs depreciate. But not nearly as bad as many non-educated, non-skilled buyers will lead you to believe.
Buying RVs and cars is a battle. You MUST do your research, price shop across the country, and decide what a reasonable price is. Once you walk on the lot EVERY person you meet has one goal - to get as much of YOUR money as possible. They are masters at deception and pretending to be nice. I get it - they are trying to make a living just like everyone else. That's just the game and you must watch out for yourself 100% of the time.
Car/RV buying is actually a difficult thing for me as I tend to be non-confrontational. But, I've done it enough times over the years that I almost take on an alter-ego. Once the decision is made to purchase I have the wife and kids take off in a separate car and I get to work with the man in the cubicle. It's really not too hard. Just go armed with some internet printouts of the same units at rock bottom prices a few hundred miles away. Of course, I don't want to drive 300 miles but would if I have to. It works EVERY time.
I respect your opinion, but still maintain that RVs are among the worst when it comes to depreciation compared to other vehicles. And I consider myself to be a fairly intelligent and educated person. To each their own. All i know is the rv industry produces several hundred thousand RVs each year. I honestly don't know where they all go. The market is saturated with them. You mention Craigslist. I've looked at several that were listed there. A lot of them had water damage, some were ok. Mostly lower priced units. I doubt you could list yours there and get what you think you could, but you never know. It just takes one person to love it.
That's the problem with RVs, if you're not super diligent with maintaining the roof seams, they will eventually leak and rigs with water damage have even worse value. Airstream I'm sure holds their value more than most. But if we're talking about standard stick built units, not so much, in my opinion.
Again, we don't RV because it's cheap. It's worth it to me for the family time, which is priceless to me.
I understand your point about buying at the right price and that certainly helps, no doubt. I went to a large RV show last year and there were some deals to be had there. We were looking at a coachman Catalina with an msrp over $20k. (Could have been $25k) I don't remember the exact figure, but i could have bought that for just under $13k total out including my trailer (which is not worth much) .
It was nice, but didn't have a roof ladder, which I'd really like to have.
It's fun to discuss this stuff and get different points of view, that's for sure. Campers in general are friendly, helpful folks and that's one of many reasons i love camping.
Have a good Sunday guys.
-G
This is so funny, thank you for a good laugh, it does make me feel better those we are still trying to find someone that will work with us. 
