Can I finance a camper van?

How camper van financing works

Financing a camper van is possible, but the path depends on the vehicle title, the age of the platform, and how the living features are documented. Many buyers use an RV loan when the van qualifies as a recreational vehicle with sleeping, cooking, and sanitation features. Others pursue a standard auto loan if the unit retains a normal vehicle title with book value and the upfit is documented as accessories.

Some shoppers also consider unsecured personal loans to cover a modest conversion or gap between the vehicle price and lender approval. These loans often fund quickly but usually come with higher interest and shorter terms. On the other end, a secured loan backed by the van typically offers lower rates and longer terms when the unit can be valued through NADA or similar guides. Preapproval is wise so you can set a ceiling before shopping and avoid surprises at contract time.

Common loan types

• RV loans for self contained rigs with sleeping and galley features
• Auto loans on passenger or cargo vans that maintain standard titling
• Personal loans for smaller conversion components or bridge funding

What lenders evaluate

• Credit score and history across revolving and installment accounts
• Verifiable income and debt to income ratio
• Down payment amount and cash reserves
• Vehicle age, mileage, trim, and book value support
• Clear documentation of any upfit labor and components

New versus used considerations

New vans with well documented equipment can be easier to value, but you may face higher sticker prices. Used platforms can be more affordable, yet mixed aftermarket work without invoices can complicate underwriting. Keep a clean paper trail for parts and labor to protect value at appraisal time.

Rates, terms, and down payments

Rates vary with the type of loan and your credit profile. RV loans often carry rates slightly above new car loans, while unsecured personal loans sit higher still. Terms can range from three to seven years on many auto loans and sometimes extend further for RV specific products. Longer terms reduce monthly cost but increase total interest paid over time.

A down payment of 10 to 20 percent is common for many buyers. Larger down payments can improve approval odds, trim your rate, and hold monthly cost in check. Remember to budget for taxes, registration, insurance, and delivery or transport if you are purchasing out of state. If you are financing an upfit, make sure your lender accepts a combined invoice or a two part approach that covers the base van and the conversion line items.

Typical documentation

• Purchase agreement or buyer’s order with VIN, options, and price
• Itemized build sheet for the conversion components and labor
• Proof of insurance and driver identification
• Income verification such as recent pay stubs or tax returns

Ways to improve approval

• Pay down revolving balances to reduce utilization
• Add a co applicant with strong credit if needed
• Increase the down payment to hit target loan to value
• Choose a platform with book value support for easier underwriting

Protect your monthly budget

Map your total cost of ownership beyond the payment itself. Include insurance for a camper configuration, maintenance for heavier duty suspensions or tires, storage fees if needed, and campground or park passes. A realistic monthly picture prevents stress after the novelty of the purchase wears off.

Steps to secure financing without headaches

Start by deciding whether you want a van that lenders can value as a vehicle or one that qualifies as an RV. Prequalify with two or three lenders to compare rates and term options without heavy credit pulls. Choose a platform that fits your intended use and that has clear documentation for installed equipment.

If you are financing a conversion, gather detailed invoices that break out materials such as electrical systems, insulation, cabinetry, hardware, plumbing, and ventilation. Lenders respond well to clear scope, serial numbers for major components, and evidence of professional installation. Confirm whether the title will remain a normal vehicle title or be retitled as a motorhome in your state, as that can change the loan category, insurance, and taxes.

Avoid common pitfalls

• Buying a heavily modified van with no paperwork or serial numbers
• Overlooking state specific retitle rules for motorhome status
• Underestimating insurance when systems move beyond stock equipment
• Stretching term length beyond the useful life of the platform

When a combined approach helps

Some buyers finance the base vehicle and pay cash for a portion of the cabin build to reduce loan to value. Others fund the entire package through lenders that accept a comprehensive invoice. The right approach depends on your budget, credit, and appetite for total interest over time.

Preapproval gives you leverage

Walking into a deal with a rate and term in hand sets a ceiling and speeds the purchase. It also reduces pressure to accept dealership financing that might not match your goals. Keep an eye on rate locks because they can expire if your search takes longer than expected.

Where OZK Customs fits when you are ready to buy

When your financing plan is dialed, a clean, lender friendly build sheet is the next step. OZK Customs in Fayetteville Arkansas prepares detailed invoices and component lists that help lenders understand the value of electrical systems, cabinetry, water, and climate solutions. If you want a purpose built adventure platform that aligns with book value paths, explore our Recreational vans. For a ground up experience and a build spec mapped to your travel style, see our Custom van build. If you prefer a platform that aligns with finance friendly structures and clear pricing, browse our Financing ready vans.

Our team guides you through prebuild planning, helps time your approval window with your production slot, and schedules a seamless handoff at our shop. After pickup, you can settle in at our lounge, review systems training, and roll out confident that the paperwork and the setup were handled with care.

Tell us how you camp, how you work on the road, and what a perfect weekend looks like. We will translate that into a lender friendly plan and a van that feels like it was designed around your habits. Submit the form and we will reach out to map budget, spec, and handoff dates.