Financing a motorhome: The options available

Prices for a new camper are considerable: Even models without many extras can quickly reach sums of around CHF 80,000. If you want more luxurious fixtures and fittings, you should be prepared to pay even more. Given these large sums, it is important to clarify whether and how you can achieve this dream. Here are the four most common ways of financing a motorhome.

One option is buying a camper van, which would mean that the motorhome immediately becomes your property and you can completely remodel the vehicle to your requirements. The difficulty here is that you have to raise a significant amount of money at once and have a smaller financial buffer for other projects or unforeseen expenses.

Leasing is an attractive alternative to buying. Here, you pay convenient monthly installments instead of the entire amount all at once. The term and installments can be adjusted to your individual needs. What's more, this option allows you to switch to a newer model when the contract expires. While you cannot call a leased motorhome your own, you do not have to worry about volatile interest rates during the contract term and can expect a contractually determined rate.

A loan to finance a camper van is also a popular option. Unlike leasing, the vehicle immediately becomes your property. This allows you to make changes to the vehicle as you wish. The term and monthly installments can be individually adjusted to your financial situation, giving you flexibility when repaying the loan.

Renting a motorhome is a flexible and straightforward option, especially for occasional trips. You only pay for the actual usage and do not have to make a long-term commitment. In addition, you do not have to worry about maintenance, registration, parking, and insurance, as some services are already included in the rental price. However, you need to check the basic rental offer in detail to avoid any nasty surprises (passenger insurance, parking damage, theft, deductible in the event of a collision, etc.). It is also important to note that longer rentals – especially in high season – can quickly become expensive.

There are several ways to finance a motorhome. Leasing is a particularly flexible option. A loan can be appealing if you are looking for immediate ownership. If you want to get a taste of camper van life first, then renting a vehicle is the ideal place to start.