About the RV Loan Calculator
This RV loan calculator estimates the monthly payment on a motorhome, fifth wheel, travel trailer or camper. Enter the purchase price, sales tax rate, down payment, any trade-in value, the interest rate and the loan term, and it shows the amount financed, the payment, total interest and the overall cost of ownership through the loan.
RV financing differs from a car loan in two important ways: loans are often much longer — 10, 15 or even 20 years for larger rigs — and RVs lose value quickly in the first few years. A long term keeps the payment manageable but can leave you owing more than the RV is worth for a long time. The amortization chart helps you see how slowly the balance falls on a long loan.
Sales tax is applied to the price after the trade-in credit, which is how many US states tax vehicle purchases; if your state taxes the full price, set the trade-in to zero and subtract it from the down payment instead. Registration, dealer and documentation fees are not included.
With the default inputs, the monthly payment is $567.21. Change any value above to recalculate instantly.
How to use the rv loan calculator
- 1Enter the RV’s purchase price and your state sales tax rate.
- 2Enter your down payment and any trade-in value.
- 3Enter the APR from a lender or dealer quote.
- 4Choose the loan term and compare payments in the table.
Formula and method
The amount financed is the purchase price plus sales tax, minus your down payment and trade-in credit. Sales tax is charged on the price after the trade-in, which reduces tax in most US states. The monthly payment then uses the standard fixed-rate amortization formula with the monthly rate r (APR ÷ 12) and n monthly payments.
Total interest is the sum of all payments minus the amount financed, and the total cost adds back the cash and trade-in you put in up front. The table repeats the calculation for common RV loan terms so you can see how much a longer term costs.
- M
- Monthly payment
- r
- Monthly interest rate (APR ÷ 12 ÷ 100)
- n
- Number of monthly payments (years × 12)
Worked examples
$60,000 travel trailer, $6,000 down, 8.5% for 15 years
Sales tax of 6% adds $3,600, so after $6,000 down you finance $57,600. At 8.5% for 15 years the payment is $567.21 and total interest is about $44,498 — nearly 77% of the amount borrowed.
$150,000 motorhome, $30,000 down, $20,000 trade-in, 7.5% for 20 years
Tax is 7% of $130,000 (price minus trade-in) = $9,100. Financing $109,100 over 20 years at 7.5% costs $878.90 a month, with roughly $101,837 of interest over the life of the loan.
$25,000 used camper, $5,000 down, no tax, 9.5% for 10 years
Financing $20,000 for 10 years at 9.5% gives a $258.80 payment and about $11,055 in interest.
Frequently asked questions
How long can you finance an RV?+
Terms depend on the loan amount, the RV’s age and the lender. Smaller or older RVs are often limited to 5–12 years, while newer motorhomes and larger loans can qualify for 15–20 years.
What credit score do I need for an RV loan?+
Requirements vary by lender, but many look for good-to-excellent credit, especially for large or long-term loans. A higher score typically earns a lower rate and may reduce the down payment required.
How much should I put down on an RV?+
Lenders commonly ask for 10%–20% down. A larger down payment lowers the payment and helps offset rapid early depreciation so you are less likely to owe more than the RV is worth.
Is RV loan interest tax deductible?+
If the RV has sleeping, cooking and toilet facilities it can qualify as a second home for the US mortgage interest deduction when the loan is secured by the RV and you itemize. Confirm your situation with IRS Publication 936 or a tax professional.
Should I choose a 15- or 20-year RV loan?+
A longer term lowers the payment but greatly increases total interest and keeps you underwater longer. Choose the shortest term you can afford comfortably, and pay extra when possible.
Results are estimates for educational purposes and are not financial advice. Rates, fees and terms vary — confirm with your lender or a licensed advisor before making decisions.