How Much Does an RV Cost to Own and Maintain?

It’s no secret that RVing can be expensive. When shopping for an RV, it’s easy to get focused on the cost of the RV and forget about other expenses related to the purchase. You can’t put your credit card away very long before there’s another purchase to cover. Let’s see just how all these costs break down.

RV Purchase Costs

You’ll need to factor in several costs when purchasing an RV. Here are a few RV costs you may have overlooked in the excitement of choosing a brand and floorplan.

Buying New Versus Used RVs

While buying a new RV is appealing, it may not be the most budget-friendly. RVs lose about 20% of their value the moment you drive them off the lot. However, you might get a better warranty than you would with a used RV. 

Buying a used RV will probably mean a better price, however. Plus, the previous owner may have already addressed issues with the vehicle. When it comes to used versus new, there’s no one correct answer for everyone.

RV Financing

Assuming you won’t be purchasing your RV with cash, you’ll have financing fees. Dealerships will almost always push you to use an in-house finance company because of their partnerships with lenders. 

Therefore, it’s often beneficial to shop around for rates before you even get to the dealership. That way, even if you do end up with financing from the dealership, you’ll know if they give you a decent rate. It’s important to know that due to the quick depreciation of RVs. Otherwise, you’ll quickly find yourself underwater on your loan without a sizable down payment.

Tow Vehicle Costs

Tow vehicles aren’t cheap, but if you’re purchasing a tow-behind RV, they’re necessary. Often, buying a capable tow vehicle can cost more than the RV itself.

While it’s a tough pill to swallow, skimping on your tow vehicle could make you less safe and cost you more in the long run. Keep in mind that a tow vehicle comes with the additional expenses of registration, taxes, and insurance. 

Sales Tax and Insurance

Sales tax and insurance are easy to forget about until you go to sign on the dotted line. Don’t forget that you’ll also need to pay to register your RV in your state.

While dealerships will often allow you to roll these expenses into your loan, you’ll have to pay them eventually.

Repairs and Maintenance

Your RV will need to be repaired and maintained like any of your other vehicles. You’ll need to budget for things like oil changes, new tires, and general repairs. It’s best to keep an “emergency” fund for these unpredictable costs.

Like the original purchase price, larger and more luxury RV’s generally cost much more to maintain than smaller more budget friendly units. Class A motorhomes tend to have the highest cost of repairs and maintenance partially because they add an additional large drivetrain that can only be serviced at specialized mechanics.

RV Lifestyle Costs

Unless your RV remains parked in your driveway, there will be additional RV costs when you use it. Driving around and camping can both mean more costs.

Campsites

Unless you choose to boondock, you’ll have to pay campground fees. They’ll vary based on location, park type, and amenities. Generally, state parks fall on the more budget-friendly side and can cost as little as $10 a night. In contrast, high-end RV parks in highly sought-out locations can cost upwards of $230 a night! 

Utilities

Some parks will require you to cover your campsite utility fees. This may only apply when you stay monthly at a park. Some parks will require it for weekly stays, though. Before booking your campsite, verify if it’s all-inclusive or if there will be additional fees. 

Pro Tip: Find out How Much it Costs to Full Time RV where we share our budget and actual expenses for full-time RV living.

RV Travel Costs

RVing comes with the freedom to explore, but those miles add up quickly. The more frequently you travel, the more regularly you’ll need to fuel up. Plus, most RVs aren’t known for their fuel efficiency. Downloading apps such as GasBuddy can help you find the best fuel prices while on the road and potentially save you some money.

RV Storage Costs

Between trips, you’ll need to store your RV. If you’re lucky enough to have the option to keep your RV on your property, you’ll have some RV cost savings here. Those who have to store their RV offsite may pay between $50 and $450 a month in RV storage fees based on location and storage type. Many times storage is done by the foot so larger RV’s again will cost more. 

Three Ways to Reduce RV Costs

With all of these extras adding up, it can start to feel like the additional costs will never end. Thankfully, you can do a few things to bring the cost of RVing down a bit. Take a look at these cost-saving options. 

DIY RV Repairs When Possible

When you own an RV, things will break. Even if you get lucky and have very few issues, repairs will eventually happen. Those who can quickly learn to make small (and sometimes even extensive) repairs themselves will save some significant money.

It isn’t uncommon for RV work to cost upwards of $150 an hour. Being even just a little handy can help you spend your money on your adventures instead of at the shop. 

Pro Tip: Always keep a tool kit on hand during your travels. Here’s what we keep in ours: 36 Important Tools You Need In Your RV Tool Kit

Keep Up On Maintenance

It can be tempting to ignore a problem and hope it will just go away. Ignoring an issue with an RV versus facing it head-on could cost you more in the long run. Additionally, trying to save money by skimping on your maintenance and going longer than you should between tune-ups could come back to bite you. Keeping up on your maintenance can avoid turning your RV into a money pit. 

RV Memberships and Clubs

Those spending a considerable amount of time on the road might find it cost-effective to purchase an RV membership to help reduce costs. Campground memberships typically allow campers to pay a yearly fee and receive free or reduced-cost campsites in return. Some popular memberships include Thousand Trails, Passport America, Harvest Host, and Boondockers Welcome. 

Is Owning an RV Cost-Effective?

If you’re used to paying $400 a night in hotel fees, plus meals and airfare, you may find RV costs nominal in comparison. However, those who travel light and are a bit more thrifty may find RV ownership quite expensive. 

Our RVs can take us to some unique locations and keep us comfortable while there. Sadly the costs associated with those RVs can prove prohibitive for some people. Luckily there are lots of things that you can control when on the road and we highly recommend thinking about all the costs in this article and putting together a budget.

Do you have any RV cost stories or have had any surprise costs? Let us know in the comments!

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