RV financing can be complicated if you are not used to this kind of transactions. Though RV financing is similar to car financing and other vehicle loans, there are some things that you should know that are specific to this kind of vehicle and that might save you hassles and thousands of dollars over the whole life of your RV financing.There are many different sources of finance that can provide the necessary funds for purchasing an RV. However, not all the financial options are equally cheap and though not all of them are available for everyone, you should at least check before choosing your source of finance as you might otherwise end up overpaying for your RV financing.

Dealerships
You can always get finance at the same place where you want to purchase your RV. Dealerships, in order to sell as many units as possible, provide financing for your purchase but they are not professional lenders. Their job is to sell vehicles and since they are not in the financial business they lack the necessary expertise needed under certain situations. If your credit is less than perfect you probably will not be able to get finance through them. Moreover, the interest rate charged for financing through dealerships is significantly higher than other finance options. So, you should only consider applying for finance at a dealership if you have good or perfect credit and you do not mind paying a bit more for the comfort of doing the whole business at the same place fast and without hassles.

Traditional Lending Institutions
If you have good or perfect credit, resorting to banks and other traditional financial companies will save you thousands of dollars on your RV purchase. If you want to use your RV as security for the loan it can always be arranged with the lender and you will be able to get a lower interest rate and better terms that way. Though not specialized in this kind of loans banks and financial institutions can provide a wide variety of financial product where you can use the money for any purpose. If you are a homeowner you can request a home equity loan in order to buy an RV and you will get an incredibly low rate with an excellent repayment schedule. Otherwise there are always other options like secured loans guaranteed with the vehicle or even unsecured loans. The only drawback when resorting to traditional finance is that you must have at least a good credit tag.

Non Traditional Lending Companies And Online Lenders
There are also other financial companies and online lenders that deal specifically with RV loans and also with other kind of loans that you can use to purchase an RV. These lenders have more flexibility when it comes to credit requirements and will be able to approve your loan even if you have bad credit. Since you can always secure the loan with the RV, the lender can be sure that he will recover his money one way or another. Thus, it makes no sense declining a bad credit applicant just due to his credit history if his income will allow him to afford the monthly payments. These lenders take advantage of this situation and offer RV loans with slightly higher interest rates for people with all kind of credit.

Points for Securing a Great RV or Motorhome Loan
RV loans and financing are the trickiest part of purchasing an rv, especially if you are buying a used rv. Financing is typically where many dealerships make extra profits at your expense, often through special add-ons, higher rates, or special dealer fees, they pass on to you at inflated costs. Many of the larger RV dealers offer good rv financing in-house and should at least be compared and considered. They often have such a large volume of applications that are specially targeted to RV's, that they can compete with typical banks and credit unions.

Follow these steps and you will come out ahead. First, settle on an rv that you want without discussing financing, settle on a price, agree to a trade in value (if you have one), then tell the salesman you are willing to discuss any financing options they have but do NOT tell them or show them the terms you have already gotten approval for from your bank or other rv loan financing source. Spend a little time now seeing what they offer BEFORE you visit the rv lot and get an rv loan.

RV loan interest rate – Your interest rate will vary because it depends on many factors, which include your loan total, expected down payment, credit profile and the value of your RV. Most companies will want to process your rv loan application BEFORE discussing terms. This is normal and since most companies can complete your application in less than an hour, it shouldn't be an issue.

Down payment – Most rv loans require a 20% down payment. People with great credit however often qualify for special programs that have no minimum down requirements. Mostly your credit score will determine this.

Minimum rv loan amount – I rarely see loans processed in amounts less than $10,000. The value of the rv is just not worth the risk to the bank if they have to repossess it. It costs the bank the same amount to repossess your $9,000 pop-up trailer as it does to repossess a $400,000 class A diesel coach. With the big coach they have something that is easy to sell. With the pop-up, they do not.

Loan term length – most companies will not loan on an RV for less than 5 years. Most larger companies will loan for as long as 20 years since they see the bigger coaches as investments and many times as primary residences.

RV loan application fee – many companies charge to find out if they can loan you money. Do not pay it! INSIST on a free application approval process. If they are not willing to take this small risk on you then they are less likely to be perfect to work with. Don't waste your time.

RV makes that can be financed – Many banks only want to loan on large, expensive Class A motorhomes or buses. If you are buying a class B, class C motorhome, travel trailer, 5th wheel, park model, truck camper or van conversion, ask up front, before you get into the lengthy application, if they loan on that kind of vehicle. If they just stare at you when you say 5th wheel, or if filling out an online application there is not "drop down" box that contains the word "5th wheel" for vehicle type, then move on.

Financing older rv's – It can be quite difficult without perfect credit to finance an older rv. Some companies will go back 12-15 years on a real solid class A with a serious legitimate survey or appraisal on it. Other companies will not touch anything older than 7 years regardless of value or credit score. The point is ask FIRST if they loan on your year rv so you don't waste time filling out an application for an rv loan that will lead nowhere.

Credit score – the better companies that will finance you on an rv loan without up front application fees or credit check fees, who have good interest rates, and can get it done in an hour or two, will require a credit score of 600 – 640 and sometimes higher. If you don't have a credit score in that range you will need to be more flexible in your approach and in the interest rates you will be willing to accept.

Getting an rv loan AFTER you bought the rv – Some banks have a cash recapture program that allows you to buy an rv using your cash, like when you stumble on a great incredible deal or distress sale and need to by it that day, then they give you the loan later and take possession of your title until payoff. This can typically be done up to 4-6 months after the rv purchase.

RV Loan calculation – Make sure the loan you get is a simple interest loan. This way you only pay interest on the principal you owe, and that amount gets reduced every payment you make on the rv loan. Many celebrities are opting to have it. A recreational vehicle or RV is more than a luxurious form of transportation. Nowadays, the functionality of an RV is getting more and more practical. Many people are choosing to sell their current homes just so they could finance an effort to acquire an RV. What makes owning a recreational vehicle worth it? Basically, an RV is an enclosed form of large vehicle that is apparently and practically converted into an improvised home. You may probably seen an episode of MTV Cribs or any other Hollywood celebrity shows wherein an icon's RV is being featured. You surely have an idea of how the interior looks like.

The Recreational Vehicle
Usually, a recreational vehicle has an interior that is no different from a small condominium. There are stylish windows, the floor is carpeted and the whole place is fully furnished. There are also rooms where the owner could relax and take some sleep. There is a bathroom and a restroom, as well as kitchen and a living room. Basically, an RV is a simple home. Aside from celebrities who are always on locations for filming and other job-related trips, many retirees are opting to give up their homes to acquire a recreational vehicle. Other homeowners are thrilled by the thought of having different locations for the home. Many people are excited about sleeping in Los Angeles and waking up at San Francisco without leaving home. That is possible if you are living in a recreational vehicle.

Top 4 Must-Know RV Tips
If you are aiming to invest in an RV, it would be helpful if you would initially consider the following guidelines. Take note that a recreational vehicle acquisition is not a usual purchase transaction because RVs usually cost about $100,000 to $1,500,000. That would be a significant investment and would cost as much as a regular home.

1. If you are considering giving up your home in favor of an RV, do not act impulsively. It would be wise if you would first give it a try. You can get the feel by renting an RV for a holiday getaway. This way, you could experience how it is to live in an RV without necessarily making the significant investment. Thus, you can easily abandon the plan if you realize you are not really into it.

2. Recreational vehicle purchases are usually costly. Often, an RV costs as much as regular conventional home. Thus, before taking the transaction, plan ahead. If you can produce the full amount for the purchase, pay in full. Car financing schemes and loans would further inflate the RV's tag price.

3. If you choose to take a financing scheme, strive to make a 20% down payment. Usually, car financers and customers agree to a 10% minimum down payment scheme. If you pay 20% of the total amount ahead, the remaining cost to be paid in installment would be lessened. You could also keep up with the current valuation of the RV. Usually, such vehicles' valuation depreciates two years after the purchase.

4. If you realized that recreational vehicle ownership is not for you, dispose the vehicle by selling at prices that would not spell losses for your investment. You can choose to buy another home after the initiative or return to your old house. With the current high gasoline prices, RVs are truly not advisable to own.

Claim #1
This insurance company stated that it receives at least 400 claims each year involving fires around the back of the refrigerator that are caused by leaking propane lines. If you're using your refrigerator in the LP gas mode, with an open flame, you definitely don't want a leaking LP gas line.

How to avoid it:
To avoid becoming a statistic I recommend that you take your RV to an authorized RV repair facility annually and have the entire LP gas system checked. RV technicians have the proper equipment to check the system for leaks and to make sure the LP gas pressure is adjusted properly. You, the owner, can periodically inspect for LP gas leaks. To do this turn the main gas supply on, but do not light any pilot lights or other burners. Take a bottle of approved LP leak detector solution and dab around all gas fittings. If there is a leak the small bubbles will grow into larger bubbles. Tighten the fitting and repeat the leak test. If the problem persists turn the LP gas supply off and take it to an RV repair center to have it checked out and repaired.

Claim #2
The next claim the insurance company listed was RV's hitting gas station overhangs and bridges. RVers forget or don't know the height of their RV and enter areas that don't have enough overhead clearance.

How to avoid it:
The first step is to measure the height of the RV from the ground to the highest point, usually the top off the air conditioner. Manufacturer brochures often times include this information. Check the footnotes to make sure it includes optional equipment like the air conditioner. For safety measures add an additional six inches to the overall height. Write this information down and post it in the RV or tow vehicle where it can be easily seen and will serve as a constant reminder for you. When you exit the interstate to refuel select an exit that has several fuel stations so you can pick one that is easy to navigate, and has plenty of overhead clearance. If you travel on roads less traveled be sure and check clearances on all overhead bridges before attempting to go under them.

Claim #3
The insurance company lumped retracting the RV steps and awnings together in this claim. Traveling with the awning properly secured is one concern and stowing your awning in bad weather is another concern. Since the claim was not very specific about the awning I will address both issues.

How to avoid it:
When I worked for an RV dealership I saw the end result of not retracting the steps on more than one occasion. It's easy to forget the RV steps when you are getting ready go on a trip or leave a campground. I have two ways to avoid this from happening to you. First you should always use a pre-trip checklist anytime you plan to move the RV. Second you should always walk around the entire RV a second time just before pulling out. You'll be amazed at some of the things you missed the first time you walked around the RV. I have a very thorough pre-trip checklist available in my Checklists for RVers e-book. The first thing we'll cover concerning the awning is stowing it properly for travel. Make sure the awning is properly stowed against the side of the RV and the roller tube lock mechanism is in the retract position. Make sure the awning arm travel locks are latched and tighten the black knobs on the back of the awning arms.

The awning makes your RV six inches wider and you must always keep this in mind when you are traveling. I have seen many cases where the awning roller tube and fabric gets damaged by hitting or rubbing on something and the awning arms get damaged by catching on something. When navigating in close quarters, such as at a campground, use a ground guide to make sure you have enough clearance to avoid damage to the awning. I'm not sure if the insurance company gets more claims for travel related damage to the awning or storm related damage. I think I have seen more awning damage caused by rain, wind and storms. You should always lower one end of the awning to allow for water run off. The weight from water pooling on the awning fabric can cause extensive and costly damage. Any wind over 20 miles per hour can also cause extensive damage to the awning and to the RV. Never leave the awning out unattended. If everyone is leaving the campsite, store the awning in the travel position. When you go to bed, store the awning in the travel position. Even when you are at the campsite, you should use awning tie downs to prevent any sudden damage caused by a high wind gust or a storm that moves in quickly.

Claim #4
The next claim the insurance company listed was for damage caused by tire blowouts. I have seen extensive damage to RVs caused by tire blowouts. Tire blowouts on RVs are caused by overloaded tires, under inflated tires, old tires and tires damaged by the ozone and UV rays.

How to avoid it:
Just like the axles on your RV, tires have load ratings too. The maximum ratings are molded into the side of the tires. You need to have your fully loaded RV weighed to ensure that the tires are not overloaded. The only way to know if a tire is overloaded is to find scales where you can weigh individual wheel positions in addition to the overall weight, and the axle weights.

Another leading cause of tire failure is under inflated tires. The load rating for a tire is only accurate if the tire is properly inflated. Under inflated tires cause extreme heat build up that leads to tire failure. The appearance of the tire can look normal but the internal damage is not visible and the tire can fail at any time without warning. If you find any tire 20 percent or more below the correct inflation pressure have it removed, demounted and inspected. Driving on a tire that is 20 percent or more under inflated can cause serious, permanent damage to the tire that may not be visible. Ideally you should check tire inflation, and adjust it if required, everyday that you move or drive your RV. If you can't get into the habit of doing it on a daily basis you need to make it a point to check all tires weekly, at a minimum when you're traveling. You always want to check the tires when they are cold, meaning that you don't drive or move the RV before checking inflation pressure. The only way to correctly measure the inflation pressure in your tires is with a quality inflation pressure gauge. Don't ever depend on your eyes to check tire inflation. There can be as much as 20 PSI difference between tires that look the same. You need to invest in an accurate inflation pressure gauge. You should get one with a double, angled foot. This makes it much easier to check the outer tire of a dual set.

The age of your tires is another factor that contributes to tire failure. If your tires are more than seven years old they should be replaced. All tires manufactured in the United States have a DOT number. You might have to look on the inside sidewalls to find it. The last three or four digits in the DOT number identify how old the tire is. Older tires used three digits. The first two identify the week of the year that the tire was built and the third identifies the year. Newer tires use four digits. Again the first two digits are the week of the year and the last two identify the year. For example 1005 is the 10th week of the year, and 05 is the year 2005. If you question the age of your tires, especially on a used RV, and you can't find the DOT number have them inspected by a qualified tire center. Ozone in the air and UV rays from the sun shorten the life of your tires. It's not uncommon to see RV tires with low mileage and plenty of tread that are ruined by the damaging effects of ozone and UV rays. Ozone in the air causes tires to dry rot and to deteriorate. UV rays from the sun make it happen quicker. This is especially true of the tires sidewall. Inspect your tires for checking or cracks in the sidewalls. If you notice any damage the tires should be inspected by a professional. To protect your tires from sun damage, keep them covered with covers that will block out the sunlight when not in use.

Claim #5
Number five in the top five RV claims was for damage caused by rodent infestation. When RVs are stored for the winter it's not uncommon for mice and squirrels to make their winter home in the RV. These animals are notorious for chewing through vehicle wiring and plastic and rubber lines, debilitating the entire vehicle.

Another Possible Insurance Claim
I was surprised that damage to TV antennas did not make it in the top five RV claims. I have seen many TV antennas and RV roofs damaged by forgetting to lower the TV antenna. The damage isn't just from the antenna hitting something when it's in the raised position; it's also because the antenna cannot withstand the force from highway speeds when it's in the raised position.

How to avoid it:
There are a couple of ways to avoid damage to your TV antenna. One is to stick to the trusty pre-trip checklist before you move the RV. Another way is hang the motor home or tow vehicle starting key, or something like a piece of colorful ribbon on the TV antenna handle whenever it's in the raised position. This will serve as a reminder to lower the antenna before you move the RV.

Armed with this advice, hopefully you can avoid becoming a statistic in the top five RV insurance claims. Be safe and have a great time exploring this wonderful country in your RV.

Use for Annual Vacations
What do you intend to do in that RV? If you only intend to use it for your annual vacation, you would be best advised to rent it. Much of the cost of owning an RV remains on your shoulders if you are using it or not, - and, if you have to store it somewhere off your own property, the storage costs are an additional burden.

Use as 'Permanent' Residence
If, on the other hand, you intend to live in the RV full-time, then the selection is more like deciding what house to buy. If you are not pressed for time (i.e., if you don't have to move in immediately) we suggest renting a few to get the feel. Living in an RV, while it CAN be very comfortable, can also be very challenging if you are in the wrong RV.

Use with Children
If you have children - especially young children - a towed RV is ill advised. Not only is it unsafe for passengers to ride in a trailer - even a 'fifth wheel' trailer - it is illegal. If you will have more then two adults, you will want to acquire an extended cab pickup truck to tow a 'fifth wheel' trailer. You'll want one with plenty of leg room for passengers in the rear seat and even then, extended riding can get very uncomfortable.