Are There Any RV Loans For Veterans?

How To Find RV Loans For Veterans

Veterans have sacrificed a lot and put in a whole lot more than just hard work. They deserve to enjoy life by doing some traveling, relaxing while RV camping, and seeing the country they protected.

The problem is, buying an RV in order to do all that traveling and camping does not come cheap. We all know that RV motorhomes and trailers are costly, and finding cash for such a purchase isn’t always possible. 

This is where RV loans for veterans come into play. In this article, we will discuss whether the VA provides such loans, as well as other places a veteran might look for an RV loan so they can hit the road and start exploring!

Are VA loans available for RVs?

First, let’s answer that burning question: Are VA loans available for RVs? 

This would be nice, right? After all, the VA is around to help veterans get the most out of life, and they do provide veterans with home loans at amazing interest rates. Other benefits of a VA mortgage include 1) no down payment required, 2) no private mortgage insurance required, and 3) a streamlined refinancing option. All of this is absolutely fantastic for veterans who are looking for a loan.

Unfortunately, the answer is no, these VA home loans are not available for RVs. This is true even if you plan to live in your RV full-time. After all, a traditional mortgage cannot be applied to an RV. 

This is, of course, very disappointing. However, it might cheer you up to learn there is a loophole that could allow you to apply a VA loan to an RV anyway. How would you go about this? Read on to learn how to buy an RV by refinancing your current home loan. 

Buy an RV with VA loan cash-out refinance 

That’s right, by refinancing your current loan, you might be left with the ability to buy that RV you’ve been drooling over without adding another loan to your lineup and without going through another lender. This is done through the VA loan program’s cash-out refinance option.

Here’s how it works:

• Home owners replace their current conventional or VA home loan with a new VA loan. (The new loan will have a different interest rate and repayment period, meaning monthly payment amounts will change.)
• In many cases, they will be able to refinance into a larger loan. (Many lenders will allow veterans to borrow up to 100% of their home’s current value!)
• Doing this allows the veteran to pocket the difference as cash, potentially giving them the funds they need to buy an RV. 

Of course, there are criteria for who can take out such a loan, but in the right situation, this can be an excellent option for buying an RV. 

RV loans for veterans: Other options

Let’s say the above loophole won’t work for you. Perhaps you don’t have enough equity in your home or you don’t qualify for cash-out refinancing. There are still ways to find good RV loans for veterans. 

Below are some of our favorite RV loan options. Choose the one that works best for you based on your situation. 

USAA RV Loans

Considered by many to be the place to go for a loan if you are a veteran or a military member, USAA caters only to military members and their families. They offer financial advice for those facing military-specific money challenges. They also offer loans with great interest rates, making them a good pick. However, the maximum funding amount is a mere $35,000, so be aware of that going in. 

LightStream RV Loans

Named one of the best RV loans of 2022 by Business Insider, LightStream offers the best interest rates on RV loans that we could find. You do not have to be a veteran or military member to use this lender, but you do have to have excellent credit. It’s also worth mentioning the fact that LightStream has a relatively low maximum loan limit of only $100,000.

Bank of the West RV Loans

Finally, we must mention Bank of the West. This lender is ideal for full-time RVers because they will finance an RV, even if you plan to live in it. Additionally, their maximum loan limit is a whopping $2 million! Unfortunately, while this bank offers great interest rates on newer rigs, they do tend to raise rates if you plan on buying an older unit. 

While these may not have been the answers you were hoping for, there are plenty of ways to go about getting RV loans for veterans, even if you don’t go through the VA. Our advice? Do what you have to do to get that RV and hit the road. You’ve earned it!

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Forums such as iRV2.com and blog sites like RV LIFE, Do It Yourself RV, and Camper Report provide all the information you need to enjoy your RV. You’ll also find brand-specific information on additional forums like Air Forums, Forest River Forums, and Jayco Owners Forum.

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• State Park Discounts For Veterans & Disabled Patrons