Skip to content
A couple in wool jumpers on the step of a white motorhome with mugs of tea, looking over a high country lake and ranges

Caravan and motorhome finance

Apply now Estimate repayments

The short answer

How does caravan and motorhome finance work in New Zealand?

Caravan finance is a loan for a caravan, motorhome or campervan that you repay in regular instalments over an agreed term. With Finance Made Easy you apply online and we aim to give you an initial decision quickly, often within an hour during business hours. Funding usually follows within 24 to 48 hours once approved. All lending is subject to lender criteria.

Last updated

Working with us

Apply online for caravan finance

One online application covers what a lender needs to know about you and the caravan, motorhome or campervan you have in mind. Prefer to talk? Call us on 0800 995 014.

Apply online

The application asks about your income, your regular commitments and the vehicle you are looking at.

A quick initial decision

We aim to come back with an initial decision within the hour during business hours, so you know where you stand before you commit to a purchase.

Funding in 24 to 48 hours

Once the loan is approved and your documents are verified, funding usually follows within 24 to 48 hours.

Getting approved

Is it hard to get finance on a caravan?

A man winds down the jockey wheel of a white caravan while a woman clips its safety chain to a ute on a gravel driveway

It can be harder than getting a car loan. Lenders often ask for a larger deposit on a caravan or motorhome, some want around 25% of the price, and some ask whether you own a home. Beyond that, they assess it much like any other vehicle finance: the main question is whether the repayments fit comfortably inside your income once your existing commitments are paid.

Every application is assessed against lender criteria, and criteria differ between lenders. Expect questions about:

  • Your income. Steady income from work. If you are self-employed, you may be able to apply, depending on the lender. If your main income is a benefit, or you are not working, we are not able to help, and we would rather tell you that up front.
  • Your deposit. How much you can put in. Lenders often want more on a caravan or motorhome than on a car.
  • Your commitments. Existing loans, credit cards, buy now pay later and other regular costs.
  • Your credit history. How past borrowing has been managed.
  • The vehicle. Its price, age and condition, and whether you are buying from a dealer or a private seller. We arrange finance for both.
  • Verification. Your driver licence, proof of address and proof of income.

Caravans, motorhomes and campervans

What to weigh up before you borrow

The finance process is much the same for all three, but what you are buying is not. A few things worth thinking through before you apply.

Caravans

A caravan is towed, so the tow vehicle matters as much as the van. If yours needs an upgrade too, ute finance explains how that side works.

Motorhomes

A motorhome is the vehicle and the accommodation in one, so it tends to be the larger purchase. Know the full price, including registration and any work it needs, before you work out repayments.

Campervans

Campervans range from factory builds to home conversions, and the quality of the work varies. An independent pre-purchase inspection gives you a clearer picture of what you are buying.

Repayments

Can you pay monthly to buy a caravan?

Yes. A caravan loan is repaid in regular instalments over an agreed term, and lenders commonly offer weekly, fortnightly or monthly repayments. Which options you get, and over what term, depends on the lender and your application.

Before you apply, our caravan loan calculator gives you a rough idea of what different loan amounts and terms could cost each week, fortnight or month. Calculator results are estimates only: the repayments a lender offers depend on your circumstances.

Budget for running costs too. Insurance, registration, servicing, tyres and storage all sit alongside the repayments, and a lender will want to see both are comfortable.

Motorhome finance

How can I finance a motorhome?

The common ways to finance a motorhome or campervan in New Zealand are a vehicle loan arranged through a broker or lender, dealer finance where you buy, or a top-up of your home loan. The table further down sets out how they differ.

Whichever route you take, know the total price and have the seller's details to hand. We arrange mechanical warranties through a range of warranty providers, with or without a loan, so ask us what warranty cover is available for the motorhome or campervan you are buying.

Planning time on the water as well as the road? Boat finance works in a very similar way.

How it works

How to apply for caravan finance

Four steps from application to funding. Applications are not an offer of finance.

  1. 01

    Apply online

    Apply for caravan finance online. The application covers your income, commitments and the vehicle. Prefer to talk? Call 0800 995 014.

  2. 02

    Get an initial decision

    We aim to come back within the hour during business hours, so you know where you stand before you commit to a caravan, motorhome or campervan. Approvals typically remain valid for 30 days.

  3. 03

    Verify your details

    We confirm your details with your driver licence, proof of address and proof of income, along with the details of the vehicle you are buying.

  4. 04

    Receive the funds

    Once the loan is approved and the paperwork is signed, funding usually follows within 24 to 48 hours.

Your options

What's the best way to finance a caravan?

There is no single best way. It depends on how much you are borrowing, whether you own a home, and how quickly you want it paid off. Here is how the common options compare.

OptionHow it worksWorth knowing
Vehicle loan through a brokerA broker such as Finance Made Easy takes your application and deals with the lender for you.One application, online or by phone. Subject to lender criteria, like every option here.
Dealer financeArranged by the caravan or motorhome dealer at the point of sale.Convenient if you are buying from that dealer, but it only applies to their stock.
Loan direct from a lenderYou apply to a bank or finance company yourself.You handle each lender's application and criteria separately.
Home loan top-upYou add the cost of the caravan or motorhome to your mortgage.Spreading a vehicle over a long mortgage term can mean paying more interest overall. Talk to your mortgage adviser.
SavingsYou pay for it outright.No repayments or interest, but it uses cash you may want to keep as a buffer.

General information only, not financial advice. Which option suits depends on your own circumstances.

Related

More vehicle finance

Questions

Caravan and motorhome finance, answered.

Quick answers. Longer chats are welcome on the phone.

Yes. We arrange finance for caravans, motorhomes and campervans, from a dealer or a private seller. Whether a lender will fund a particular one depends on the vehicle and on lender criteria, so the quickest way to find out is to apply online.

We aim to give you an initial decision quickly, often within an hour of applying during business hours. Once the loan is approved and your documents are verified, funding usually follows within 24 to 48 hours.

Not through us. If your main income is a benefit, or you are not working, we are not able to help with caravan or motorhome finance, and we would rather tell you that before you apply.

Use the repayment calculator to try different loan amounts, terms and weekly, fortnightly or monthly repayments. Results are estimates only; what a lender offers depends on your application.

We arrange mechanical warranties through a range of warranty providers, and you can take one with or without a loan from us. Ask us whether cover is available for the motorhome or campervan you are buying and what it includes, or read more about mechanical warranties.

Applications are not an offer of finance. All lending is subject to lender criteria, affordability, verification and responsible lending checks. Calculator results are estimates only. This page is general information, not financial advice.

Finance Made Easy is a trading name of TrueNorth Financial Services Limited, FSP1011270, and a member of Financial Services Complaints Ltd (FSCL), membership 9517.

Request a call back

Rather we call you?

Answer a few quick questions and we aim to call you within 15 minutes during business hours. It is an enquiry with no obligation, and it is not an offer of finance. Ready to go? Apply online now.

  • Vehicle loans, personal loans and mechanical warranties
  • Plain English, no jargon
  • We aim to call you within 15 minutes during business hours
Prefer to talk? 0800 995 014 info@fmefinance.co.nz

What do you need?

Select the option that fits.