How Long Are RV Loans? Typical Terms and What to Expect

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If you’re planning to hit the open road in your own recreational vehicle, one of the first questions you’ll ask yourself is: How long are RV loans? Understanding RV loan lengths can help you make smarter financial decisions and ultimately find financing that suits your lifestyle, goals, and budget.

Whether you’re dreaming of weekend trips, extended road adventures, or even full-time RV living, picking the right loan term is a critical step. This article will explain typical RV loan lengths, discuss factors that affect loan terms, and help you choose the best loan for your situation.

Typical RV Loan Lengths

The typical RV loan terms range from five to 20 years. Several different factors impact the loan length, including RV type, loan amount and the lender’s policies. You may want to evaluate these individual factors to determine what the right loan length term is for you. 

Here’s a general breakdown:

• Short-term loans (5 to 7 years) are ideal for smaller RVs or people who want to minimize total interest payments.
• Medium-term loans (10 to 15 years) are popular for balancing monthly affordability and total interest.
• Long-term loans (15 to 20 years) typically apply to more expensive motorhomes, reducing monthly payments but increasing total interest.

Factors That Affect RV Loan Terms

What are key considerations that impact your RV loan terms? Here are three factors that will impact your RV loan term: 

1. Loan Amount

It isn’t surprising that smaller loans often have shorter terms. Loans ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 have terms of five to 10 years. Larger loans ($50,000+) may qualify for longer terms of 15 to 20 years. 

2. Type of RV

• Towable RVs like campers, fifth wheels or travel trailers typically have shorter loan terms.
• Motorhomes (Class A, B or C) generally qualify for longer loan terms because they’re typically more expensive.

3. Lender Policies

Not every lender offers identical terms. Each bank, credit union, online lender or dealership may have its own guidelines. For example:

• Banks often cap loan terms at 15 years.
• Credit unions might offer longer terms, potentially up to 20 years and often have more flexible qualifying criteria.
• RV dealerships often have relationships with lenders that offer special promotional loan terms, sometimes extending to 20 years or more.

Short-Term vs. Long-Term RV Loans

Here’s a quick, clear comparison to help you weigh the benefits and drawbacks of different loan lengths:

Quick Example:

Let’s say you’re looking to finance a $50,000 RV:

• A 5-year loan at 6% might mean a monthly payment of around $966, totaling about $57,960.
• A 15-year loan at the same rate would drop your monthly payment to roughly $422 — but your total loan cost rises to about $75,960.

That’s a significant difference in both monthly affordability and total interest costs. Choosing wisely matters.

Pros and Cons of Long-Term RV Loans

If monthly affordability is your main goal, longer RV loan terms might seem appealing. Here’s an easy way to weigh those pros and cons:

Remember: your choice will depend largely on your own financial goals and how you plan to use your RV.

How to Choose the Right RV Loan Length

What should you consider before choosing the right RV loan for you? Here are some factors to consider: 

• Consider your budget: Find out what you can afford monthly. Decide whether this payment will fit with your overall financial budget. 
• Compare interest rates: If you’re getting an RV loan, determine whether a short- or long-term loan works for you. This may mean comparing interest rates.
• How long are you keeping the RV? You need to project how long you plan to keep the RV to determine what kind of term length you want. 

Where to Get an RV Loan

Ready to explore your loan options? Here’s where you can find an RV loan and what to expect from each lender type:

Final Thoughts to GO: How Long Should Your RV Loan Be?

So, how long are RV loans? They typically range from 5 to 20 years, depending heavily on your RV type, amount borrowed, lender, and your personal financial goals.

• Shorter loans mean higher monthly payments but less total interest.
• Longer loans offer smaller monthly payments but increase overall loan costs.

The right choice balances your comfort level with monthly payments, your long-term financial plan and how long you’ll realistically use your RV. Deciding which RV loan is best for you depends primarily on your individual finances.

Keep in mind that shorter loans have higher monthly payments, but you can save money on interest rates. In contrast, longer loans make RVs more affordable but cost more over time.

To make the best choice for your budget, compare lender options and loan terms to find the best fit for your budget. 

The information is accurate as of April 3, 2025.

Editorial Note: This content is not provided by any entity covered in this article. Any opinions, analyses, reviews, ratings or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author alone and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any entity named in this article.

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