Best RV Loans for Bad Credit in 2026
Qualify for an RV loan with a credit score as low as 550 and understand the true cost of financing
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- You may qualify for an RV loan with a credit score as low as 550, but not at the starting rates that lenders advertise.
- The RV you choose also has an impact on loan approval and rates. Lenders take factors into account such as vehicle age, mileage and whether you’re buying from a dealer or private seller.
- If you won’t use your RV often, financing it can cost far more per night than a standard (or even luxury) hotel or campground.
What to know before shopping for a bad credit RV loan
When you look at a loan advertisement, you’re seeing the best annual percentage rates (APRs) and terms possible with that lender. These won’t apply if you have bad credit.
That doesn’t mean you can’t get an RV loan with bad credit, but setting realistic expectations now can help you focus on the types of offers that are most within reach.
- Starting APRs won’t apply. Don’t try to guess what rate you might qualify for based on a lender’s starting APR. It’s better to get prequalified or preapproved, which will give you more personalized rates.
- Expect shorter terms and smaller loans. Bad credit RV loans often have lower loan amounts than the maximum advertised amount. Make sure that you qualify for what you need before picking out an RV.
- May need to make a higher down payment. A down payment of 10% to 20% is standard for RV loans, but the lender may ask for more if you have bad credit.
- RV factors may weigh more heavily. Lenders look at more than just credit when reviewing applications. The RV also matters. If you have bad credit and an “undesirable” RV (older, private-party purchase, etc.), then denial odds are higher.
LendingTree quarterly rate report: Average RV loan rates by credit score
In the table below, you’ll find the average rates users saw on the LendingTree loan platform. If you don’t see your credit score represented, don’t worry — you may still qualify for offers. Rates, terms and approval odds also depend on factors like your income and how much debt you already have.
| Credit score range | New RV loan APRs | Used RV loan APRs |
|---|---|---|
| All scores | 7.53% | 7.69% |
| Very good (740+) | 7.54% | 7.56% |
| Good (670-739) | 7.42% | 7.95% |
| Fair (580-669) | 7.67% | 7.91% |
Best RV lenders for bad credit
*Rates and loan amounts for are for borrowers with bad credit. Rates and loan amounts for are for borrowers with credit scores between and 639. Terms for other lenders in the table are for all borrowers, not just those specifically with bad credit. If you have poor credit, your rate will likely be higher than these starting figures.
Learn more about how we chose our picks for best bad credit RV loans.
Is a bad credit RV loan worth it based on how often you’ll use it?
RV rates can be high when you have bad credit. Depending on how often you plan on vacationing with your RV, you may be better off renting. A retiree enjoying life on the road will likely get more bang for their buck than the occasional weekend warrior.
A simple way to think about this is cost per night of use. This won’t tell you whether to buy an RV, but it can help you estimate whether financing one makes sense.
1. Estimate your monthly RV costs
Figure out how much your RV will cost you per month in total costs, regardless of whether you use the RV or not. Add up your:
- RV loan payment
- RV insurance
- Storage fees
- Contributions to maintenance fund (upkeep and repairs)
2. Estimate your annual travel expenses
Travel and vacation expenses depend on how often you use your RV. Figure out how much you plan to spend on:
- Campground fees
- Fuel and propane
- Trip-related expenses (food, attractions, pet boarding, etc.)
-
Tag renewal and personal property tax
These costs are unrelated to travel but have been included here as an annual expense. Also note that not all states have a personal property tax on RVs. Please see your state’s specific tax laws for more information.
3. Calculate your total annual cost
Multiply your monthly costs by 12, then add your estimated annual travel costs. This will give you your annual RV cost.
4. Calculate your cost per night
Estimate how many nights per year you plan on using your RV. Then, divide it by your annual RV cost. This will give you an idea of how much your RV will cost you per night.
Formula: Total annual cost / Nights used = Cost per night
If you are RVing:
- Fewer than 20 nights per year: consider renting instead of financing
- 20 to 30 nights per year: financing may or may not be worth it, so run the math carefully
- 30+ nights per year: financing may be easier to justify, depending on your payment and storage costs
Let’s say that your monthly RV costs break down as:
- Loan payment: $450 (may be higher with bad credit)
- Insurance: $90
- Storage: $75
- Maintenance: $50
That’s $665 a month, or $7,980 a year in fixed costs.
Travel costs can vary widely, but you could expect to spend around $100 to $150 per night on campgrounds, fuel and other trip expenses. We’ll use $120 per night for this example.
Let’s say that you use your RV 20 nights per year and spend about $120 a night on trips. In that case, your annual travel costs would be $2,400 a year, bringing your total annual RV cost to $10,380.
Based on that, your RV would cost you $519 per night. The more you use your RV, the lower your per-night cost gets.
$10,380 in annual cost / 20 nights per year = $519 cost per night
How to use LendingTree to compare RV loans
Every lender has a different way of evaluating applications, so you could be declined by one and approved by the next. This is especially true when you have bad credit. Casting a wider net with a loan marketplace can make it easier to find a lender that fits your situation.
Tell us what you need
Take two minutes to tell us who you are and how much money you need for your RV — we’ll take care of the rest. It’s free, simple and secure.
Shop your offers
We’ll send you offers from up to five trusted lenders. Compare your offers side by side to see which one will save you the most money.
Get your money
Pick a lender and finalize your loan. You could see money in your account in as soon as 24 hours.
What to do if you’re denied an RV loan
Getting denied RV financing is frustrating, but it can also be a signal that you can’t afford the loan. RV loans are large, long-term commitments. Lenders are cautious when credit or income doesn’t meet their standards.
Before applying again, it’s worth stepping back and improving your financial position. Once your credit or financial profile improves, comparing multiple lenders can help you find better rates and terms.
Understand why you were denied
Lenders are legally required to tell you why they denied your loan application or offered you unfavorable terms if they did so because of your credit. This is called an adverse action notice. When you get your notice, you’ll see why the lender denied you. This will help you prioritize what you should work on.
Some common reasons why a lender might deny an application include:
- Low credit score
- High debt-to-income ratio
- Negative credit history
- Insufficient income
Focus on improving your approval odds
There are several strategies you can use to help improve your chances of approval or get a lower rate.
- Add a cosigner with excellent credit
- Make a larger down payment
- Choose a shorter loan term
Pick a different RV
Along with your credit, lenders take your RV into consideration when reviewing your loan application.
- Find a cheaper RV for a smaller loan
- Choose an RV that meets the lender requirements (age and mileage)
- Avoid older, harder-to-finance RVs
How we chose the best bad credit RV loans
To identify the top five RV lenders for bad credit, we used the following criteria to review lenders that offer RV loans to consumers nationwide:
- Accessibility to borrowers with bad credit. To make our list, lenders must extend loans to borrowers with credit scores at or below 600. We confirmed credit requirements directly with lenders, on lender websites and, when possible, within our own lending marketplace.
- Transparent eligibility requirements. When possible, we prioritized lenders with clear eligibility requirements beyond the minimum credit score. We highlighted these publicly available eligibility requirements throughout the page.
We regularly review and fact-check each of our lender rankings to ensure that the information is up to date.
According to our standardized rating system, the best RV loans for bad credit come from , , , and .
Frequently asked questions
The longest term for RV loans is typically 240 months, but RV financing for bad credit generally comes with shorter terms.
The minimum credit score for an RV loan depends on the lender. The lenders highlighted on this page offer loans to borrowers with bad credit — and advertise loans for people with scores as low as 550.
It’s possible to get a bad credit RV loan, but your credit will affect the terms of your loan. Loans for borrowers with bad credit typically come with higher interest rates, shorter terms and smaller loan amounts.
Yes, RV loans can be harder to get than car loans. Loan amounts are higher and terms are longer. This means the lender has more to lose and the borrower has more time to fall behind. Also, if a borrower hits financial trouble, they’re more likely to stop paying their RV loan than they are their car payment.
These factors make RV loans riskier for lenders and harder to get for borrowers.