Camping World recently rolled out a new option for Camping World RV financing through a partnership with Octane Lending. The program, branded “Good Sam Powered by Octane,” is designed to make approvals faster, paperwork digital, and financing accessible to more buyers. On paper, it sounds convenient. In reality, RVers should look closely before signing anything.
What “Powered by Octane” really means
This isn’t Camping World becoming a bank. Octane will approve and service the loans, even though the Good Sam name makes it feel like an internal option. The goal is to speed up Camping World RV financing, offering online pre-approvals, fewer paper forms, and faster closings.
Convenience is the selling point—and that’s where caution comes in.
Faster financing doesn’t fix old problems
Many RVers are already wary of Camping World RV financing because buyers are often nudged toward lower monthly payments instead of better overall loan terms. That usually means stretching contracts longer and longer.
Fifteen- and even 20-year RV loans are not unusual, and nothing in this announcement suggests that will change. Digital platforms don’t change the math. Long terms still mean paying far more than the RV is worth and staying upside down for years.
When “easy” makes it easier to overspend
Easier approvals can make bad deals easier to accept. Quick Camping World RV financing approvals make it simple to roll extended warranties, service plans, and other add-ons into the loan. The payment looks manageable, but the balance barely moves. Many buyers don’t realize the true cost until months later.
Who might benefit—and who should be careful
Some RVers may genuinely benefit. First-time buyers or those with imperfect credit may appreciate a financing option that actually works. But buyers with good credit—especially those who can get a loan from a credit union—should be careful about assuming this is their best option.
Convenience should never replace comparison shopping when it comes to Camping World RV financing.
Our bottom line
If this were us, we’d listen politely, take the numbers, and then slow the whole thing down. We’d ignore the monthly payment pitch and focus on the total cost and length of the loan. We’d check with our credit union before signing anything, and we’d walk away from a 15- or 20-year RV loan without a second thought.
Fancy software and friendly branding don’t change the fact that RVs depreciate fast and loans last a long time. No financing deal is “seamless” if it keeps you upside down for most of the ownership experience. Don’t let Camping World’s Octane give you gas pains.
Sources include Camping World media release
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RVT1240b
I agree. The main goal of “quick painless” financing is to facilitate impulse purchases, and prevent sober second thoughts.
Imagine that, Camping World coming up with another way to fleece customers. Whodathunkit?
I guess Lemonis leaving isn’t going to improve the customer experience.
New person in charge, same old scheme: fleece the customer out of as much money as you can as quick as you can. Probably no “cooling off” option available either. Why people continue to support CW is totally beyond me with their publicized history of screwing the customer.
Fleece is not the word I would use. “Screw” is more appropriate.
Same way the make promises when you are looking, until you sign the papers.
I wonder if Marcus has interest in Octane.
Funny you should ask, Bob. This is from PR Newswire: “NEW YORK, Dec. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Octane® (Octane Lending, Inc.®), the fintech revolutionizing the buying experience, announced it has closed its Series F funding round of $100 million in equity capital. The raise includes new equity capital to be used for growth initiatives as well as amounts to be used for secondary share transfers. The capital builds on Octane’s strong originations growth and enables the Company to further accelerate market penetration and deepen its product offering, positioning the Company even more favorably for long-term success. The Series F raise attracted a mix of returning and new investors; Valar Ventures led the round with participation from Upper90, Huntington Bank, Camping World and Good Sam, Holler-Classic, and others.” Have a good evening/night. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
After reading this the key words. Market Penetration! Buyer Beware when Octane’s name is on the paperwork>
👍 Have a great day, Richard. 😀 –Diane
The real Good Sam died years ago, taking with him his Halo and good service from his Roadside Assistance.
When looking around call multiple credit unions even if they’re not in your area of membership. Some credit unions have a way to allow you to join. It may be by joining a charitable organization. For example I joined American Heritage Credit Union, Phila Pa. I had to pay them a one time membership fee to the chartable organization they sponsored. I got the lowest rate RV loan available. Which also allowed me to get a shorter term. I had a loan previously from a bank rv dealers like to use which had high rates and were difficult to contact. Plus you could never get the same person to talk to.
Octane is lending aggregator which is means they don’t own the loans, they merely direct them to their partners like a referral service. If the buyer has decent credit, it gets cherry picked to Roadrunner Financial (and collect a fee). If the buyer has poor or no credit, they send the loan to a subprime lender (and collect their fee).
The convenience Octane provides is to CW’s finance department. Instead of them pinging a bunch of banks, the software does. For a fee of course….
TLDR: Get your own loan, it’s less expensive without the middleman.
Only 180 more payments and this sucker is MINE!
Always remember – The BIG print giveth, and the LITTLE print taketh away! I’m sure there’s a lot of little print in those contracts. Go to The Vinnie, Guido, and Kneecap Finance Company for better terms.