RV Loans and the Depreciation Cliff: What Owning a Motorhome Really Costs Yearly
An RV drops 20–30% of its value the moment you drive it off the lot, then loans run 10–20 years at rates above a car. Add storage, insurance, and camping fees and the annual cost is real money. Here is the full picture.
By The VehCalc Editorial Team · 2026-03-30 · reviewed against official sources
Key takeaways
- RVs lose 20–30% of value in the first year — a steep depreciation cliff.
- Loan terms run 10–20 years; rates are typically above car loans.
- Storage alone is $50–$300/month depending on climate control.
- Insurance and annual maintenance add $1,500–$3,000 a year.
- Model the payment with the RV loan calculator.
The depreciation cliff
A $90,000 motorhome is worth about $65,000 the day after purchase and keeps sliding for the first three years. Because RV loans stretch to 15–20 years, many owners owe more than the RV is worth for most of the term. If you finance with little down, you start deeply underwater. This is the single biggest financial risk in RV ownership.
What the loan looks like
RV loan rates typically run 7%–10% for good credit, higher than a car, and terms of 10–20 years keep payments "affordable" while piling on interest. On a $90,000 RV at 8% over 15 years, you pay about $39,000 in interest — nearly half the purchase price.
Annual ownership, itemized
| Cost | Yearly range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | $600–$3,600 | Covered vs open |
| Insurance | $1,000–$2,500 | Usage-based |
| Maintenance | $1,000–$3,000 | Roof, appliances |
| Campgrounds | $1,200–$4,000 | If traveling |
| Loan interest | $2,500+ | Depends on term |
Storage and insurance you cannot skip
Even parked, an RV costs money: storage runs $50–$300 a month, and insurance (often based on stated value, not book) is $1,000–$2,500 a year. Add roof seals, appliance upkeep, and the fact that things rot when sitting, and a rarely-used RV is the most expensive "saved" money you will spend. Compare to a <a href="/guides/weekend-only-driver-car-ownership-budget">weekend-only vehicle budget</a> if usage is light.
Know the number before you finance
Total the payment plus storage, insurance, and upkeep before committing — the outing cost per night is often higher than a hotel once depreciation is counted. Our <a href="/calculators/rv-loan/">RV loan calculator</a> shows the real monthly, and <a href="/calculators/total-ownership-cost/">total ownership cost calculator</a> adds the rest.
Frequently asked questions
How fast do RVs depreciate?+
What are RV loan rates and terms?+
How much does it cost to store an RV?+
Is owning an RV cheaper than renting?+
Calculate monthly RV loan payments, total interest, and cost of ownership. Compare Class A, B, and C motorhome financing.
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