How Much Does an RV Cost? [The Most Popular RVs for 2022]

Are you ready to purchase an RV, but you want to know how much it really costs to buy and own an RV?

To help simplify the cost associated with buying a new (or new to you) RV, we've gathered the prices of 15 popular RVs, from large Class A motorhomes to pop-up campers, and listed the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP). We also look at extra ownership costs, such as financing, insurance, and maintenance.

After reading this article, you should feel confident knowing how much your RV will cost you when you are ready to sign on the dotted line.

Ready to roll? Let’s get started.

The cost to buy a new RV

Several factors can influence RV pricing, including class, brand, model, year, and buyer demand. When the demand for RVs increases, so does the price.

RV manufacturers determine each model's MSRP, which is the suggested retail price, or base price, dealers use when selling an RV. Typically, the MSRP doesn't include any upgrades or add-ons. So if you want extra features like four-season or off-grid packages, you'll have to consider the price of those upgrades on top of the current MSRP. When buying an RV, a good rule of thumb is that the more upgrades an RV has, the higher its value and price.

How does RV financing work?

Banks finance RVs differently than they finance cars because the price and the components are similar to a house. Typically, RV loans range between 10 to 15 years but can extend to 20 years, depending on the price tag.

The financing company calculates your monthly RV payment using the price of the RV, your credit history, debt-to-income ratio, and other factors like current interest rates and loan terms. Even though every lender has different requirements, you can get a general idea of what your RV might cost each month by calculating your payment using:

• The base MSRP.*
• Interest rate.
• Loan term.
• Down payment.

*Keep in mind that the base MSRP doesn't include any extended service plans, insurance packages, upgrades, add-on packages, taxes, or other fees, which will contribute to a higher price out the door.

How to offset RV ownership costs

Don't feel discouraged if the cost of RV ownership is more than you expected. You don't have to pack away your dreams of owning an RV just yet.

You can still buy your dream RV and offset the cost of ownership by renting out your RV. With RV rental sites like RVezy, you can list your RV for free and make enough money to supplement — or even pay for your new RV. Since you control everything about your listing, you can rent out your RV as little or as much as you want.

Fifteen real-life RV prices for 2022

The following examples show you what a borrower with good credit might expect to pay each month for a new RV in 2022. To keep things simple, we used the following scenario to calculate the monthly payment:

• The base MSRP.
• A 7% interest rate.
• A 10-year loan term.
• A downpayment of 20%.

We also included the average nightly rate for the RVs on RVezy and how many nights it would take to cover your entire payment if you rent your RV on RVezy. Essentially, how to own your RV for free.

Class A diesel

Tiffin Phaeton 37 BH

MSRP: $438,000**+
Monthly payment: $4,068
Average nightly rental: $350
Number of nights needed to cover the payment: 12 nights

Class A gas

Fleetwood Bounder 35K

MSRP: $215,199+
Monthly payment: $1,998.92
Average nightly rental: $250
Number of nights needed to cover the payment: 8 nights

Class B diesel

Thor Tranquility 19L

MSRP: $158,900+
Monthly payment: $1,475.97
Average nightly rental: $250
Number of nights needed to cover the payment: 6 nights

Class B gas

Coachmen Nova 20RB

MSRP: $134,856+
Monthly payment: $1,252.64
Average nightly rental: $325
Number of nights needed to cover the payment: 4 nights

Class B-plus diesel

Leisure Travel Vans Unity

MSRP: $150,615+
Monthly payment: $1,399.01
Average nightly rental: $260
Number of nights needed to cover the payment: 6 nights

Super C diesel

Thor Magnitude BT36

MSRP: $293,400+
Monthly payment: $2,725.30
Average nightly rental: $299
Number of nights needed to cover the payment: 10 nights

Class C gas

Winnebago Ekko

MSRP: $171,845+
Monthly payment: $1,596.21
Average nightly rental: $285
Number of nights needed to cover the payment: 6 nights

Travel trailer (longer length)

Airstream Globetrotter 27FB

MSRP: $128,900+
Monthly payment: $1,197.31
Average nightly rental: $200
Number of nights needed to cover the payment: 6 nights

Travel trailer (average length)

Jayco Jay Feather 22BH

MSRP: $41,055+
Monthly payment: $381.35
Average nightly rental: $125
Number of nights needed to cover the payment: 4 nights

Travel trailer (tiny or micro)

nüCamp TAB 320 S

MSRP: $31,769+
Monthly payment: $295.09
Average nightly rental: $125
Number of nights needed to cover the payment: 3 nights

Toy hauler

Outdoors RV Trail Series 27TRX

MSRP: $62,030+
Monthly payment: $576.18
Average nightly rental: $120
Number of nights needed to cover the payment: 5 nights

Fifth wheel

Grand Design Solitude 375RES

MSRP: $135,106+
Monthly payment: $1,254.96
Average nightly rental: $150
Number of nights needed to cover the payment: 9 nights

Toy-hauler fifth wheel

Heartland Road Warrior

MSRP: $138,320+
Monthly payment: $1,284.81
Average nightly rental: $150
Number of nights needed to cover the payment: 9 nights

Truck camper

Lance 850

MSRP: $48,785+
Monthly payment: $453.15
Average nightly rental: $190 (rental comes with a truck included)
Number of nights needed to cover the payment: 3 nights

Pop-up camper

Forest River 231 ESP Extreme Sports Package

MSRP: $22,847
Monthly payment: $212.21
Average nightly rental: $75
Number of nights needed to cover the payment: 3 nights

**RVezy's insurance protection for hosts insures motorized RVs valued up to $150,000 and towable RVs valued up to $100,000. Please contact our customer success team to speak with someone if you have questions about renting out your higher-value RV.

How much do used RVs cost to buy?

In the United States, the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Guide helps consumers calculate the fair market value for RVs. Location, auction prices, retail prices, and other economic factors help determine the fair market value.

In Canada, Canadian Black Book, published by National Auto Research, helps consumers find the fair market value for RVs in Canada.

Finding a used RV requires buyers to visit dealerships or search online classifieds, like RV Trader and RVs on Autotrader. The used RV market almost always reflects the new RV market, so when the demand is high for new RVs, expect similar demand for used RVs.

Not ready to jump into RV ownership? Why not try an RV before you buy? Whether you want to find the perfect RV for you and your crew or simply satisfy your wanderlust while your RV is on order, RVezy makes it EZ to rent an RV and hit the road.

The extra costs of RV ownership

When you buy a new or used RV from a dealership, your price out the door will be higher than the agreed-upon price because, in most circumstances, you'll have to add administrative and dealership fees plus any applicable taxes to your final bill of sale. In addition, if you buy any extended warranties or roadside assistance plans, dealers will also tack the cost of those plans onto your total.

Don't forget, when you buy an RV, you'll have to purchase all of the supplies you'll need to operate your RV. Here are some of the most common items people have to buy with the purchase of a new RV:

• Black water tank supplies like sewer hoses, fittings, and tank treatments.
• Freshwater hose, inline water filter, and water pressure regulator.
• Surge protector.
• Leveling blocks and wheel chocks.
• Tire pressure monitoring system.
• Kitchen items.
• Linens.
• Outdoor equipment like camping chairs and a portable grill.

Depending on the type of RV you buy, you might also have to purchase and install:

• A trailer hitch kit for towing.
• Weight distribution system.
• Tow dolly or flat towing components.
• Supplemental braking system or a brake controller.
• Truck camper tie downs.
• Towing mirrors.

The ongoing costs of RV ownership

You can’t put a price tag on the memories you’ll make in your new RV, but prospective owners should still be aware of all of the costs of RV ownership.

Along with regular maintenance and repair, you'll also need to calculate the cost to store, license, register, and insure your RV. If you aren't much of a do-it-yourself type of person, you may also have to pay someone to help winterize your RV.

Although RV ownership can cost you money, the RV lifestyle will more than make up for the price tag. If you still need some help deciding if now is the best time to buy an RV, check out some of our related reads:

Owning an RV [Pros and cons]

Renting your RV [Pros and cons]