It’s no surprise, RV travel is on the rise. People who have traveled by plane, cross borders and oceans on their vacations for the past few years have had a radical wake-up call in 2021.
The disruption to the travel industry has led many people to stay local. But that doesn’t mean staying home. For millions of people, it means buying an RV and exploring the great outdoors in comfort as you travel across your home state and across the country.
So how much does an RV cost for those looking to make the most of the ongoing travel restrictions?
Buying an RV can mean spending a lot of money or not that much money. It just depends on your preferences, your skillset, your determination, and your travel style.
Keep reading to learn about the average cost of different kinds of RVs you can buy today.
Class A Motorhome
What most people envision when buying an RV, they envision a class A motorhome. These are the largest types of RVs, built on a bus chassis, and they are drivable. So no towing is required unless you’d like to hitch up your personal vehicle behind it.
Class A motorhomes can offer one or two small bedrooms, making them adequate for traveling families. Most modern motorhomes feature slideouts to increase square footage once parked.
How much is an RV if you want a class A motorhome? These generally start at around $100,000, with many models costing much more.
Many people buy these to live full-time or part-time throughout the year, so they are worth the investment.
Class C Motorhome
Class C motorhomes are the next size down. You can still drive them, but they are built on a truck or van chassis rather than a bus chassis.
Fitting a full family in one of these can be done, but it would be a squeeze. They tend to be popular with traveling couples.
You can find brand new class C motorhomes starting at around $70,000.
Class B Motorhome
The smallest type of driveable RV is the class B motorhome. These are basically camper vans. They are large cargo vans outfitted with living space inside.
The small package makes them easier to drive and navigate into tight campsites. Plus, they are much more fuel-efficient, so they’re great for the long-distance traveler.
Everything inside is as small as possible, from sleeping and eating quarters to bathroom facilities and living space. They are great for solo travelers or couples who don’t need personal space.
You can buy fully outfitted class B motorhomes for around $100,000 or more. Many people that like to tinker will buy a bare van and build out their own, often spending less than $30,000 on a complete build.
Travel Trailer
The most popular choice for RVs is the travel trailer. They offer a balance between different types of RVs. These are large but require towing. Full-sized travel trailers can reach 40 feet, leaving enough space for two small bedrooms, to fit a family of four or five.
Smaller models can be had around $15,000, while many of the full-size models start at around $30,000. Your local camper dealership will likely have an abundance of travel trailers with many different sizes and interior layouts.
Popup Camper
One of the most affordable RV options is the popup camper. These are small and light, using a soft canvas top rather than a solid wall. The canvas creates a much more durable, tent-like experience.
The main benefit is that it can fold down into the trailer during transportation. This means that most SUVs with towing capacity can pull a popup camper, and a heavy-duty truck isn’t required.
New popup campers start at around $10,000. You can spend more on the biggest models with the most features, such as an indoor and/or outdoor kitchen. You can even find models with a bathroom. But generally, these are simple sleeping and eating spaces.
Plenty of old popup campers can be found used. Popups from 20 years ago are still going strong since repairs are easy. With such a low price point, this is a great option for those looking to test out the camping life before making a bigger purchase.
How Much Does an RV Cost?
So much can you expect to spend? There’s no singular answer, as it all depends on what type of vehicle you would like, if it needs to be brand new, and how many high-end features you want.
For a towable RV, spending between $40,000 and $60,000 will get you something awesome. For a driveable RV, expect to spend over $100,000 to get the vehicle your heart desires.
The Cost of Owning an RV
RVs are worth the investment if you love the outdoors, love to travel, and actually have time throughout the year to use your RV. The memories you will make while using your RV will be some of your most cherished moments.
However, owning an RV isn’t all roses and rainbows. Aside from the purchase price of an RV, there are other initial costs and ongoing costs to be aware of.
First off, if you’re in a state that charges sales tax on vehicles, you may need to shell out a few hundred or few thousand to your favorite Uncle Sam.
If you bought a used RV, you’re probably going to want to get it inspected and repaired before taking it on any voyages.
If you can’t keep your RV at home, you’ll need to pay a monthly storage fee to keep it safe and secure on your behalf, which can range from $50 per month to $300 or more per month.
And of course, it costs money to travel with your RV. Gas will be your biggest expense if you drive to different locations. Unless you’re boondocking, you’ll need to pay campground fees, which generally range from $25 for basic campgrounds to $75 per night or more for RV-specific campsites.
And if your RV is a trailer, you’ll need a vehicle that can pull it, plus the weight of all the stuff you put inside of it.
When planning an RV purchase, make sure to keep these costs in mind from the beginning.
You Don’t Have to Buy Right Away
So how much does an RV cost? They don’t have to cost as much as most people think they do. But even if these prices are still out of reach, renting an RV is very easy to do and can help you test various models before committing to a purchase.
Looking for more help with selecting the right vehicle for you? Head over to our blog now to keep reading.