When you’re looking to buy a travel trailer, it can be overwhelming trying to find out what it’s really going to cost. With so many different brands and types and even different cost tiers within each category, trying to navigate travel trailer prices gets confusing.
Well, I’m here to help! With years of experience helping RVers find the camper that fits their needs (and even wants) at a price within their budget, I can help you understand what different types of travel trailers cost and what causes the price of a travel trailer to increase or decrease, so you can get into a travel trailer in your budget and out having adventures.
So, let’s break down what we will be covering in this article:
- Travel Trailer Price Range
- What Drives the Cost of a Travel Trailer Up or Down?
- What Will I Pay to Finance a Travel Trailer?
- Price Perks of Buying From Bish’s RV
How Much Does a Travel Trailer Cost?
Entry level $12,000 – $40,000
Mid $25,000 – $60,000
Luxury $50,000 – $80,000
If you were shopping for a Ford F-150, you’d expect to see varying models.
An entry level Ford F-150 would be a fully functioning truck, but wouldn’t include power seats, tinted windows, four-wheel drive, or a backup camera. You’d see a sprinkling of these options in the mid-level model and all of them in the luxury model.
You will find the same is true of travel trailers. The price tiers for campers will depend on the options available.
In the world of campers and RVs, there is not a single, cut and dry, standard set of options between each level of travel trailer, though some features may set one tier apart from another.
Features like manual leveling packages vs electric or automatic, aluminum vs fiberglass siding, interior finishes and cabinet construction, A/C capability, and control board systems affect price range.
How Much Does an Entry-Level Travel Trailer Cost?
A new entry-level travel trailer typically costs between $12,000 and $40,000.
These campers are usually built using conventional (also known as stick and tin) construction and include the basic features needed for RV camping.
Learn the differences between stick and tin and fiberglass RVs.
You can generally expect these features in an entry-level camper:
- Stick and tin construction (wood framed wall, aluminum siding, and batten insulation)
- Manual stabilizers and tongue jacks.
- Base-level interior finishes and veneer paneled cabinetry.
- Limited technology in the TVs, radio, speakers, and lighting (inside and out).
- Solar prepped, but not installed.
- Steel wheels and non-name brand tires.
How Much Does a Mid-level Travel Trailer Cost?
New mid-level campers usually cost between $25,000 and $60,000.
Mid-level travel trailers are mostly steel frame and fiberglass side construction, include more electric features, and have overall nicer interior features.
In a mid-level travel trailer you may find:
- Aluminum Frame and Fiberglass Exteriors
- Electric Jacks
- Higher Quality Interior/Finishes/Cabinetry
- Upgrade Technology- TVs, Radio, Speakers, Lighting
- Solar Installed
- Exterior Design/Custom Wheels
- Extended Season Packages
How Much Does a Luxury Travel Trailer Cost?
Luxury travel trailers usually cost between $50,000 and $80,000.
They may have a steel frame, fiberglass exterior construction, high end finishes, automated features, and high-end interior design.
You can typically expect these features in a luxury travel trailer:
- Aluminum Framing and Fiberglass Exteriors
- Electric Stabilizers Jacks and/or Automatic Leveling Jacks
- Luxury Finishes/Interior/Cabinetry
- Top of the line Technology- TV’s, Stereo, Sound System, Lighting, Bluetooth, Smart Phone Capabilities
- Solar Installed/Possible Generator or Generator Prepped
- Exterior Design/Custom wheels
- Extended Season Packages/Four Season Packages
Price Difference Between Used and New Travel Trailers
Buying a used travel trailer is similar to buying a used vehicle of any type. Buying your RV used can lower the cost of entry into any of the tiers.
Depending on the brand, an RV will lose 5-10% of its value, just by leaving the lot, and then more depending on the RVs age and level of wear and tear from that point on.
Taking advantage of this could allow you to find a used luxury travel trailer at the price of a new 2023 mid-level trailer. Of course, when you buy a used RV you also run the risk of inheriting any complications left by the previous owners.
This could leave you with additional costs in repairs and updates. If you’re careful about the unit you buy, most of these bugs may already be worked out.
Learn more about what to look out for when buying a used RV here:
What Drives the Cost of a Travel Trailer Up or Down?
Options & Features
As you’ve seen above, options have a huge effect on the price of a trailer. One trailer may have 7 of the 20 available options. Another may have 12. The RV with just 5 more options may be much more expensive, depending on what those options are.
On a Jayco Jay Flight, for example, it can cost more than $500 just to add a gas/electric fridge. Other options may add more or less, but different features all come at a cost.
Why Does a Travel Trailer Cost More or Less at Another Dealer?
The dealer you buy from can impact the cost of a travel trailer. Different dealerships will have RVs at different prices because they have different strategies for selling RVs.
Some dealers cost more and some cost less, but each type of dealer has benefits and downsides. Understanding the pros and cons of each type will help you decide what you’re willing to pay for an RV and the services you’ll receive from that dealership.
Here are some of the different dealer types to keep in mind:
Margin RV dealers: Margin dealers have less inventory, but a more personalized service. You will likely be paying a premium price at these dealerships.
Volume RV Dealers: Think of a Walmart or Target approach. These dealers can buy in bulk, which lowers their prices, and allows the dealer to pass these savings on to customers.
Most volume dealers also need to service many units, which can become frustrating for customers when there are waits for service. There are volume dealers that are improving and working toward better solutions for customers when it comes to service, so learning about your store’s service before purchasing is helpful.
Wholesale RV Dealers: These dealers buy and sell at wholesale prices. Generally, these are internet dealers who are built to sell at low prices but have limited or no ability to service RVs after the sale.
Boutique RV Dealers: Boutique dealers only sell a limited number of brands or even just a single brand. They typically sell niche RVs like Airstream or Overland RVs.
These RVs are generally more expensive since the inventory is low due to lower production and demand.
Boutique dealers are, however, more likely to be able to provide custom units and personalized service — for a price.
Why are Some Brands More or Less Expensive?
Manufacturers offer different services and inspections. Thorough inspections and quality materials cost manufacturers more and can make a travel trailer more expensive.
Read more on why some RV manufacturers cost more.
In many cases paying more will get you more in terms of quality, however there are exceptions you’ll want to keep in mind:
Top Selling Travel Trailers
Best selling travel trailers may cost less AND have top notch quality. The manufacturer may be able to receive volume discounts on the materials required to build the RV because their trailers sell so well. These discounts can drive the overall cost down.
The Jayco Jay Flight line is a good example of this. Jayco is able to manufacture so many Jay Flight RVs each year they’re able to buy the materials in bulk and build a very high quality trailer at entry-level prices.
Without these volume discounts, manufacturers who don’t sell as many campers may actually build a lower quality trailer at a similar or higher price than the Jay Flight.
Check out a full review of the Jay Flight Travel Trailer or learn about Jayco’s RV Quality.
These are 5 of the best selling travel trailers in 2023:
MAP Pricing
You should also be aware that some travel trailer manufacturers limit advertised prices. This pricing is referred to as MAP pricing. This means that dealerships cannot advertise below a certain price, as requested by the manufacturer.
If you contact the dealer they can usually give you a lower price than advertised.
Learn more about manufacturer pricing.
What Will I Pay to Finance a Travel Trailer?
Travel trailer loan interest rates are, on average, around 7% in 2023. They can range from 5% – 12%, depending on overall interest rates and your individual factors.
RV loans are recreational loans. Unlike auto or home loans, banks are a bit more selective when it comes to lending money for a “toy.”
Rates can change due to many things: A new vs used RV, class of RV (travel trailer, fifth wheel, or motorhome, etc), your credit score and history, your debt-to-income ratio and even location can play into rates.
If you’re financing a new RV, rather than a used one, you are almost guaranteed a better finance rate. An RV will depreciate just like a car does, so banks are more apt to give you a better rate on something that will depreciate slower than an older, used unit.
Perks of Buying from Bish’s RV
When you buy an RV it’s important to find out what the dealer offers, especially after the sale. Here are the benefits Bish’s RV offers for each travel trailer we sell:
- Diamond Club Membership
- Pre-Delivery Inspection/Walk-through
- Great Relationship with Lenders
Diamond Club
At no additional cost to the customer, for as long as they own the RV purchased from Bish’s RV, every customer who buys a new or used RV receives:
- Free Winterizations – Each dealership around the country will have winterization events where you can pull your camper through to get your free winterization. This ensures your pipes, tanks, and other components will be safe through the freezing temperatures of winter.
- Free Annual Inspection – With labor rates rising constantly, this is a big plus.
When you are done camping for the season bring in your RV and Bish’s will do a full check on it to make sure all is well with your camper. If not, our service department will explain any concerns with you, and you can decide what to do from there. - Parts and Accessories Discounts – For as long as you own your camper, you can take advantage of 10% off any part or accessories you need for your camper in the future.
- Labor Discounts – With this membership you receive a $30 per-hour labor rate discount off on all service repairs at participating Bish’s RV locations.
Learn all about our Diamond Club
Pre-Delivery Inspection / Walk Through
One of Bish’s trained service technicians will do a full inspection of your camper to ensure all the major components are in working order when you buy from Bish’s RV.
When you show up to take your RV home, you will get a walk-through of the RV with a technician to make sure you have a good understanding of how the RV works before taking it out to campgrounds.
This is all done before you go in to sign paperwork. So, in the case something happens or there is something you want fixed, the technician can handle that while you are going over paperwork.
Relationships with Lenders
Bish’s RV has great relationships with their lenders! We sell thousands of units a year with a high percentage of those sales being financed through our lenders, so the banks tend to give our customers super competitive rates!
Find Your RV
To recap, there is a lot that can change the price of a travel trailer. From tiers, brand, location, manufacturer, and even the dealer itself!
Bish’s RV wants to help you understand these differences to improve your buying experience. If you would like more information or would like another question answered, please let us know how we can help. Click below to reach out to an RV Outfitter at one of Bish’s nationwide locations.
If you’re interested in looking for a travel trailer of your own, check out our inventory of travel trailers for sale.
Want to learn more? Learn costs you should consider before buying your RV.
