Finance the Ride / Business finance
Can You Get a Low Doc Loan for a Caravan or Motorhome?
Self-employed and want a caravan or motorhome? How low doc finance works for RVs, what lenders still need to see and where the limits are.
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Short answer: Often, yes, if you're self-employed with an established ABN. Some lenders offer low doc caravan and motorhome loans that rely on BAS, business bank statements or an accountant's letter instead of full tax returns. Because most caravans are bought for personal use, the loan is usually covered by consumer credit law. That means the lender still has to check you can afford it. "Low doc" means different documents, not no checks.
Who low doc is for
Low doc suits business owners whose latest tax returns don't show their current income, for example because the business has grown quickly or the returns haven't been lodged yet. It isn't designed for PAYG employees, who can usually just provide payslips.
Lenders commonly look for:
- An ABN held for at least 1 to 2 years, depending on the lender
- GST registration, which many lenders prefer
- A clean credit history, or minor issues that have been explained
- Property ownership, which some lenders favour for low doc applicants
What you'll still need to provide
- Recent BAS, often the last 2 to 4 quarters
- Business and personal bank statements
- An accountant's letter or declaration, if the lender asks for one
- ID and details of existing debts
- The caravan or motorhome details: dealer invoice or private sale details, VIN, year and build details
How the van itself affects the loan
| Factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Age | Many lenders limit how old the van can be at the end of the loan. |
| Price | Low doc loans often have lower maximum amounts than full doc loans. Big motorhomes may go past them. |
| Private sale | Usually fine, but expect a PPSR check and sometimes an inspection or valuation. |
| Imported or custom-built vans | Can be harder to value, so fewer lenders will fund them. |
Cost and trade-offs
Low doc pricing is often higher than full doc, because the lender relies on less information. If your tax returns are recent and show enough income, a full doc application may cost less. A deposit and a clean credit file can also improve the terms you're offered. Check whether a balloon is being used to make repayments look lower. On a recreational asset you plan to keep for years, a balloon can be hard to clear at the end.
What about business use?
If a van or motorhome is genuinely used for work, such as site accommodation on remote jobs, it may be possible to structure it as business finance. Private holiday use usually doesn't qualify, and the ATO looks closely at claims involving recreational assets. Speak to your accountant before going down that path.
Self-employed and eyeing a van? Tell us about your situation in about 60 seconds and a licensed broker will call you. No credit check to enquire.
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General information only. This isn't financial advice. Finance the Ride is a referral service and doesn't hold an Australian Credit Licence. Last reviewed September 2026.
About this guide. Written by the Finance the Ride team and last updated . It's general information for Australian borrowers, not financial advice, and doesn't take your circumstances into account. Finance the Ride is a referral service: we don't lend money or hold an Australian Credit Licence. About us