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Imagine going on one date with someone and then flying to Las Vegas to get married that same night. Sounds crazy, right? Well, that’s exactly what thousands of people do every year when they buy an RV! According to industry experts, a whopping 70% of RV owners regret their purchases. That’s seven out of every ten people who wake up with serious buyer’s remorse after signing those loan papers.
The RV Wingman, host Alan Warren, breaks down why impulse RV buying is like speed dating gone wrong—and trust me, you’ll want to hear this before you set foot in an RV show. With loans lasting up to 20 years and the average RV purchase costing over $61,000, this isn’t just a simple mistake. It’s a financial commitment that could haunt you for decades.
1. The “Love at First Sight” Trap: Why RV Shows Are Dangerous
Walking into an RV show is like entering a theme park designed to make you fall in love. The shiny exteriors, the new RV smell, the perfect staging—it’s all designed to trigger that emotional “this must be love” feeling. But here’s the problem: 31% of RV owners are first-time buyers, and most of them have zero experience knowing what they actually need.
The Reality Check
RV dealers at shows like the famous Hershey RV Show in Pennsylvania know exactly how to create that magical feeling. They’ll treat you like royalty on your first visit, just like someone would on a first date when they’re trying to impress you. The problem? Once you sign those papers, you’re stuck with that “relationship” for the entire loan term—which averages 10 to 20 years for most RV purchases.
| First Date Behavior | RV Show Behavior | The Morning After |
|---|---|---|
| Everything seems perfect | The RV looks flawless | You notice the leaks |
| They say all the right things | Salesperson promises everything | Warranty doesn’t cover that |
| You feel special | “Special show pricing just for you!” | That price was available all year |
| You’re swept off your feet | You sign the papers same day | Your bank account is crying |
What You Should Know: RVs can depreciate up to 20% in the first year alone. That’s like your brand-new “spouse” losing a fifth of their value the moment you say “I do.”
The Truth Bomb
Here’s what nobody tells you at RV shows: You’re making one of the biggest financial decisions of your life based purely on emotion. Would you marry someone without meeting their family, seeing where they live, or knowing their habits? Of course not! So why would you buy an RV without renting one first, talking to actual owners, or doing serious research?
2. The Grocery Shopping Analogy: Never Buy When You’re “Hungry” for Adventure
You know that feeling when you go to the grocery store absolutely starving, and suddenly everything looks delicious? You fill your cart with things you don’t need, spend way too much money, and regret it later. That’s exactly what happens at RV dealerships.
The Payday Effect
The RV Wingman compares impulsive RV buying to grocery shopping on payday. When you’ve got money in the bank (or think you can get approved for a loan), everything seems possible. That $100,000 fifth wheel? Sure! That luxury motorhome? Why not! But here’s the wake-up call: The average amount financed for an RV purchase is $61,891, and that’s just the purchase price.
The Hidden Costs Nobody Mentions
When you’re “hungry” for the RV lifestyle, your brain ignores the boring stuff like:
- Insurance (can cost $1,000-$4,000 per year)
- Storage fees ($50-$450 per month)
- Maintenance and repairs (budget 1-2% of RV value annually)
- Campground fees ($20-$100+ per night)
- Gas (motorhomes get 6-12 mpg on average)
Think about it this way: If you grocery shop the day before payday when you’re counting pennies, you make smart decisions. You buy what you actually need. You compare prices. You skip the fancy stuff. That’s the mindset you need when RV shopping.
3. Shop Around or Suffer: The Dating Game Applies to RVs Too
You wouldn’t marry the first person you date, right? So why would you buy from the first RV dealer you visit? Yet countless buyers do exactly that, especially at RV shows where the pressure is cranked up to maximum.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
Here’s a sobering statistic: 70.26% of RV financing goes toward new purchases, which means most people are buying brand-new RVs without even considering pre-owned options. Why does this matter? Because a pre-owned RV has already taken that massive first-year depreciation hit, potentially saving you tens of thousands of dollars.
What Shopping Around Really Means
Shopping around isn’t just visiting different dealers. It means:
- Renting before buying – Test the RV lifestyle for a weekend or week
- Talking to actual owners – Go to campgrounds and ask real questions
- Comparing dealers – Check reviews, reputation, and after-sale service
- Understanding loan terms – RV loans range from 60-240 months (that’s up to 20 years!)
- Getting pre-approved financing – Know your budget before emotions take over
The RV Wingman spends hours every week talking to customers who traveled across the country to buy from trusted dealers. Why? Because they did their homework. They shopped around. They didn’t settle for the first pretty face that smiled at them.
Your Dating Profile for RV Dealers
Just like you’d vet a potential partner, you need to investigate RV dealers:
| Red Flags | Green Flags |
|---|---|
| Pressure to “buy today” | Encourages you to think it over |
| No test drive allowed | Comprehensive test drive offered |
| Vague about warranty details | Clear, written warranty information |
| Poor online reviews | Strong reputation in RV community |
| Rushes through paperwork | Reviews every document with you |
4. The 20-Year Marriage You Didn’t Plan For
Let’s talk about something most first-time buyers don’t understand: RV loan terms. While car loans typically last 3-7 years, RV loans can stretch from 5 to 20 years. That’s potentially two decades of monthly payments.
The Shocking Example
In the video, the RV Wingman discusses a troubling case involving a 90-year-old grandfather who took out a loan on a $100,000 fifth wheel for his grandchildren. Think about that for a second. A 90-year-old on a 20-year loan. The grandkids aren’t even on the loan or title, yet they’re making the payments and living in the RV.
What happens if:
- Grandpa passes away?
- Grandpa gets mad and wants the RV back?
- Grandpa develops dementia and someone with power of attorney takes control?
The grandkids have zero legal rights to that RV, even though they paid the $30,000 down payment and make monthly payments. This isn’t just about one family’s situation—it’s about understanding that RV loans are serious, long-term commitments that need to be handled correctly.
The Mathematics of Regret
Let’s break down what a typical RV loan looks like:
Example Loan Scenario:
- Purchase Price: $75,000
- Down Payment (18.5% average): $13,875
- Amount Financed: $61,125
- Interest Rate: 7.5% (typical for 2025)
- Loan Term: 15 years (180 months)
- Monthly Payment: $566
- Total Interest Paid: $40,755
- Total Cost: $115,755
You’ll pay almost $41,000 in interest alone. That’s like buying a second RV just in interest! And if you’re one of the 70% who regrets their purchase, you’re stuck making those payments for 15-20 years unless you’re willing to take a massive financial loss.
5. The “You Tell Me” Department: When Banks and Dealers Don’t Have Your Back
Here’s where things get really interesting (and frustrating). The RV Wingman contacted US Bank with simple questions about their lending practices for RVs. His concerns? Whether it’s legal and ethical to approve loans for borrowers who never intend to use or occupy the RV.
The Non-Answer That Says Everything
After months of waiting and multiple follow-up attempts, US Bank’s response was basically: “If the borrowers have questions, they should call our 1-800 number.”
Wait, what? That’s not an answer—that’s a brush-off. The RV Wingman asked three specific questions:
- Does US Bank consider it acceptable to approve loans for borrowers who never intend to use the RV?
- When the actual end-users (not on the loan) provide the down payment and make payments, is this okay?
- What protections exist for consumers in this situation?
The response addressed exactly zero of these questions.
Why This Matters to You
You might think, “Well, that’s just one weird situation.” But it reveals something bigger: The lending system has flaws, and you need to protect yourself. Consumer protection laws exist for a reason—because people were getting taken advantage of.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Read every document before signing
- Make sure all parties who will use/pay for the RV are on the loan
- Understand your state’s RV lemon laws (yes, they exist!)
- Get everything in writing – verbal promises mean nothing
- Know your rights if something goes wrong
The financial commitment you’re making deserves the same scrutiny you’d give to buying a house. Actually, scratch that—for many people, their RV costs more than their house!
The Bottom Line: Date Before You Marry
If there’s one thing you should take away from this article, it’s this: Slow down. The perfect RV will still be there tomorrow, next week, or next month. But your financial security won’t recover quickly from a $100,000 mistake.
Before you buy any RV:
✅ Rent one for at least a weekend
✅ Visit campgrounds and talk to real owners
✅ Research dealers thoroughly (check reviews and reputation)
✅ Compare prices from multiple dealers
✅ Get pre-approved financing from your bank or credit union
✅ Read the warranty and understand what’s covered
✅ Have a mechanic inspect any used RV
✅ Take a test drive that’s more than around the parking lot
Remember: RV dealers at shows will treat you like you’re on the most romantic first date of your life. They’ll make everything seem perfect. They’ll create urgency with “special show pricing” that magically expires at midnight. But unlike a Vegas wedding you can annul, that RV loan will follow you for up to 20 years.
Don’t let emotion override common sense. You deserve an RV that you’ll love for decades, not one that’ll make you wake up every morning wondering, “What was I thinking?”
SOURCES
- RV Travel – RV Buyer’s Remorse: Why 70% of RVers Regret Their Purchase
- RVIA Survey of Lenders’ Experiences – Average RV Financing Data
- LendingTree – RV Loans & Rates in 2025
- Bish’s RV – Should I Buy New or Used? Common Regrets & Surprises for First-Time RV Owners
- ConsumerAffairs – RV Ownership Statistics 2025
- RV Wingman YouTube Channel – Original Video: Would You Marry After the First Date?
- Mordor Intelligence – Recreational Vehicle Financing Market Size & Share
- Elite Direct Finance – RV Loan Eligibility for First-Time Buyers
- RVshare – RV Financing 101
- NRVIA – Top 10 Mistakes RV Buyers Make (And How to Avoid Them)
