RV down payment calculator
Most RV lenders expect 10% to 20% down. More down means a smaller payment, less interest and, just as important, less time owing more than the RV is worth.
Monthly payment with 15% down
$698
$115 a month less than with nothing down
- Amount financed
- $73,000
- Total interest
- $52,573
- Interest saved vs 0% down
- $8,642
- Equity after 2 years
- -$7,369
| Down payment | Cash | Monthly payment | Total interest | Equity after 2 years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0% | $0 | $812 | $61,215 | -$18,470 |
| 5% | $4,000 | $774 | $58,334 | -$14,770 |
| 10% | $8,000 | $736 | $55,453 | -$11,069 |
| 15% | $12,000 | $698 | $52,573 | -$7,369 |
| 20% | $16,000 | $659 | $49,692 | -$3,669 |
| 25% | $20,000 | $621 | $46,811 | $31 |
| 30% | $24,000 | $583 | $43,931 | $3,732 |
Sales tax financed. Equity = estimated value after two years (20% first-year drop, then 6% a year) minus the balance owed. Negative means you owe more than the RV is worth.
Why the down payment matters more on an RV
RVs lose value quickly in the first year. If an $80,000 RV loses 20% in its first year, it is worth about $64,000 twelve months later. Finance all of it over 15 years at 8% and you would still owe $77,122: underwater from day one. With 20% down you would owe $61,697, and the equity column in the table above shows how quickly that gap closes.
Owing more than the RV is worth is not a problem while you keep it, but it becomes one if you need to sell, trade in, or the RV is totaled and insurance pays less than the balance.
How much do lenders require?
Requirements vary. Some lenders require a set minimum: Security Service FCU, for example, requires 10% down on RV loans. Others will finance more than the price, and a few advertise up to 125% financing to cover tax and fees, which leaves you deeper underwater. Lower credit scores usually mean a larger required down payment.
If you cannot put 20% down
- Choose a shorter term so the balance falls faster than the RV's value.
- Pay the sales tax and fees in cash instead of financing them.
- Consider gap insurance, which covers the difference between the loan balance and the insured value if the RV is totaled.
- Look at a less expensive or slightly used RV, which has already taken its first-year drop.
Frequently asked questions
Can I buy an RV with no money down?
Some lenders allow it for borrowers with strong credit, but you start out owing more than the RV is worth and pay more interest. Most lenders expect at least 10%.
Does a bigger down payment get a lower rate?
Often. A lower loan-to-value ratio reduces the lender's risk, and some lenders publish their best rates only for lower loan-to-value loans.
Sources
Checked on October 21, 2026. Lenders change rates often; confirm with the lender before you apply.
- Security Service Federal Credit Union — other vehicle loan rates, as of September 21, 2026