Quick verdict
Best for: first-time buyers who want one place to shop, finance, service and outfit an RV, and who value a large national dealer network.
Worth double-checking: service wait times at your local store, exactly what the warranty covers, and any add-ons included in the final price.
Bottom line: Camping World is a reasonable place to buy if you shop the price, read every warranty line, and get the inspection in writing. Details and a step-by-step checklist are below.
If you are searching for a Camping World review, you probably want a plain answer to one question: is it a smart place to buy an RV? Camping World is the largest RV dealer group in the United States, so it shows up in almost every buyer’s search. Size brings real advantages, and it brings real risks. This review is based on Camping World’s public annual report, its published services, and patterns in public customer feedback. It is not a paid visit or a sponsored stay, and PreciousRV may earn a commission if you use the links on this page (see the disclosure at the end).
Camping World at a glance
Here are the numbers that matter most, taken from Camping World’s own filings and public records.
| Topic | What the record shows |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1966; joined Good Sam’s parent company in 1997; went public in October 2016 |
| Locations | 196 RV dealerships and service centers as of December 31, 2025 |
| New vs. used sales | 53.9% new and 46.1% used, by units sold in 2025 |
| Main suppliers | Thor Industries supplied 58.4% and Forest River 34.4% of new RV inventory |
| Good Sam Club | About 1.6 million paid members at the end of 2025 |
| Revenue | About $6.37 billion in 2025 |
You can read the underlying figures in this summary of Camping World’s 2025 annual report.
What the supplier numbers mean for you: more than 90% of the new RVs on the lot come from just two manufacturers. Those two groups own many well-known brands, including Jayco and Airstream (Thor) and Coachmen (Forest River). That is a wide range of floor plans, but it also means you will see fewer independent brands. If you have your heart set on a specific brand outside those two groups, check availability before you plan a trip to the dealership.
What Camping World sells
Camping World covers almost the whole RV life cycle in one company. According to its website, you can buy new and used RVs, arrange financing, book maintenance and collision repair at a service center, have accessories installed, shop parts and gear online, and use a “Sell or Consign My RV” program if you want to move your current rig.
For motorhome shoppers, that includes Class A, Class B and Class C models. If you are still deciding which type fits your travel style, start with our guide to RV types explained, then browse Camping World’s motorhome inventory with a shortlist in hand. Inventory changes daily, so use the site’s filters for price, class, mileage and location rather than relying on any list printed in an article.
Financing through Good Sam
In December 2025, Camping World announced Good Sam Powered by Octane, a branded RV financing program available across its dealer network. Loans are underwritten by Octane’s lending arm, Roadrunner Financial. The upside is convenience: you can shop and finance in one visit.
Convenience is not the same as the lowest rate. Before you sign anything, get a pre-approval from your own bank or credit union so you have a number to compare. Then look at four things side by side: the APR, the loan term, the total amount you will pay over the life of the loan, and whether there is any penalty for paying it off early.
Getting great service: what to check first
Having sales, financing, service, parts and installation under one roof is a real convenience, and some owners speak highly of their local store, especially for installations and the wide selection of gear. Service is also the area where buyers are most likely to have a different experience from one dealership to the next, so it is worth doing your homework before you buy.
In public complaint records, the recurring themes are wait times for repairs, hard-to-reach service staff, repair bills that ended up higher than the original quote, and confusion over what a warranty or extended service plan covers. Some buyers also report finding defects at delivery on both new and used units. Complaint sites naturally attract unhappy customers, and satisfied buyers rarely post, so treat these themes as a list of questions to ask, not as a prediction. With nearly 200 locations, experiences vary widely.
What owners say
To get a feel for real buyer experiences, we looked at an early 2026 discussion on the Grand Design RV owners forum. It is a small conversation, about nine replies, so it is not a survey, but the themes match what you see elsewhere online.
- What owners liked: strong installation work on appliances, a wide selection, and good pricing for buyers who negotiated.
- What owners struggled with: messy delivery and communication, warranty requests that were refused or delayed, wrong parts arriving, and support that differed from one location to another. One owner said their RV spent most of its first year in the shop.
- What owners advised: get the out-the-door price with every fee listed, negotiate firmly (one member suggested aiming for around 30% below MSRP, though what is realistic depends on the model and market), have an independent technician inspect used units, and read recent reviews for your specific location.
The general view in that thread was balanced: Camping World can be a workable choice if the price justifies the risks and you take the precautions above.
What works well and what to double-check
| What works well | What to double-check |
|---|---|
| Large national network with nearly 200 locations | New inventory leans heavily on two manufacturers |
| Big selection of new and used RVs in one place | Service wait times and communication can vary, so ask about your local store |
| In-house financing, service, parts and installation | Warranty and add-on terms can be confusing |
| Trade-in and consignment options for your current RV | Experience varies a lot from one location to another |
| One-stop shop for gear, parts and accessories after you buy | Convenience can cost more than shopping around |
7 smart buying tips before you sign
- Rent first if you can. A weekend in the type of RV you are considering will teach you more than any showroom. Our RV rental deals guide shows where to start.
- Ask for the out-the-door price in writing. That number includes fees, add-ons and taxes, so you can compare it fairly with other dealers and private sellers.
- Get outside financing quotes first. A bank or credit union pre-approval gives you leverage and a benchmark.
- Read every warranty and service plan line by line. Ask what is covered, what is excluded, who does the repairs, and whether the plan transfers if you sell.
- Do a full walkthrough before you take delivery. Test the slide-outs, roof, plumbing, appliances and electrical, and get every open item written down. Our post on RV slide-out problems lists what to check.
- Ask about service wait times at that specific location. Since experiences vary by dealership, find out how long repairs are taking before you buy, not after.
- Consider an independent inspection on used units. This is especially important for units sold as-is.
Buying from a private seller or another dealer can also make sense. Our RVezy sales guide covers one alternative worth comparing.
After you buy: gear, power and coverage
Once the RV is yours, a few purchases come up quickly. Camping World’s parts and accessories cover the everyday basics, and a good mattress makes a big difference on long trips, so browse their RV mattress and bedding selection. If you plan to camp off the grid, read our Renogy solar guide for RVs before you buy panels or batteries. You will also want RV insurance lined up before you drive off the lot, and a trip planning tool such as RV Life Trip Wizard to map your first route. For more on staying safe on the road, get our free RV safety tips.
Camping World review: frequently asked questions
Is Camping World a good place to buy an RV?
It can be, especially for first-time buyers who value selection, financing and service in one network. The best results come from buyers who compare the out-the-door price, read the warranty terms and confirm service wait times at their local location.
Does Camping World offer financing?
Yes. Camping World offers RV financing, including its Good Sam Powered by Octane program announced in December 2025. Compare it with a quote from your own bank or credit union before you decide.
Does Camping World buy or take used RVs?
Camping World lists a “Sell or Consign My RV” program on its website. Terms and offers vary, so ask your local dealership for current details.
How many Camping World locations are there?
As of December 31, 2025, Camping World reported 196 RV dealerships and service centers across the country. Use the dealer locator on their website to find the closest one.
What is the biggest complaint about Camping World?
Public complaint records most often mention service and repair: long waits, poor communication, price differences from the original quote, and unclear warranty coverage. Experiences vary by location.
Is a Good Sam membership worth it?
That depends on how often you camp and buy from Camping World. Membership perks and prices change, so check the current terms on their site and do the math for your own travel habits before joining.
The bottom line on this Camping World review
Camping World earns its place as the default starting point for many RV buyers because of its size, selection and one-stop services. The main things to watch are service wait times and paperwork you do not fully understand. Set yourself up for a good experience by renting first, getting the out-the-door price in writing, arriving with outside financing quotes, and reading every warranty page. If you are ready to look at inventory, you can start at Camping World with those questions in your pocket.
