This page explains how our build payment schedule works whether you’re paying cash or using financing through a specialized RV lender. Your proposal and contract will always show exact amounts and dates—this is the high-level guide so you know what to expect.

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Paying Cash for Your Drifter

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Our cash payment schedule is designed to follow the real phases of the build so everything feels clear and predictable.

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1. Reservation Deposit
Once you decide to move forward, a $5,000 deposit reserves your place in the current Collection Series and allows us to begin pre-production and design work on your van. This is when your build officially enters our proprietary Coachcraft production process.

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2. 50% — Two Months Before We Start Your Build
As your layout, options, and interior design selections are finalized, the next 50% is due. This is when your ideas move fully into production: we begin ordering materials, building cabinetry, painting, and planning the details of your campervan so everything is ready when your van reaches the production floor. It typically takes us 3–4 months to build your van, plus about 2 months of cabinet building, finishing, and planning beforehand.

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3. 25% — After Mechanical
When your van moves through the rough stage—framing, windows, AC, fans, insulation, then electrical and plumbing—the next 25% is due. These are major build stages, and you’ll be able to follow along in your Owner Studio portal with photo updates as each milestone is completed.

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4. 25% — Final Payment at Delivery
The remaining 25% is due before or at delivery of your completed van, whether you’re taking delivery at the Drifter workshop or receiving white-glove delivery to your driveway.

Your proposal will include a simple summary of your campervan payment plan, and your contract will show exact amounts and timing for each milestone.

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Financing Your Custom Campervan

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If you prefer to spread payments over time, financing a truly custom campervan works a little differently than financing a standard RV from a lot.

Traditional banks and credit unions generally will not offer RV loans on Drifter vans because they use NADA to look up values and comparables—and with a one-of-a-kind build, there is no NADA entry. Instead, financing typically happens through:

• A specialized RV finance partner who understands custom vans and can structure an RV-style loan, or

• Alternative funding such as cash, home equity, or other personal lending your bank may offer.

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Most owners who finance follow a structure like this:

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1. Talk with Drifter First
We begin with a discovery call and estimate so you have a clear build range for your custom van. This gives you a realistic number to share with our financing partner or your own advisor.

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2. Pre-Approval with a Specialized Lender
Instead of walking into any bank for an “RV loan,” we’ll connect you with a lender who understands custom campervans and is set up to work with one-of-a-kind builds. They can often offer RV-style terms (longer amortization, lower monthly payments) even though the van isn’t in NADA.

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3. Reservation Deposit
Even with financing, a deposit is typically required to reserve your place in the Collection Series and start design and engineering. Your lender may be able to include this amount within your overall financing, or we’ll outline how it fits into your total investment.

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4. Lender Funding & Build Milestones
Once your contract is complete and your van has arrived at the dealership, the lending process begins. Your lender will usually rerun your credit at this stage. At that point, a down payment—typically between 20–40%—is due, and those funds are paid to Drifter.

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5. Payment Schedule
Regardless of whether your van is six months away from production or one month away, monthly payments to the lender usually begin as soon as the loan funds. This is why we try to time your financing so it begins roughly two months before we start the build. That allows for the two months of planning and pre-production while minimizing how long you’re paying before delivery. In most cases, owners can expect 3–5 months of payments before they receive their van. For a custom, one-of-a-kind van, this timing is simply how RV-style financing works.

If you’re comparing custom campervan financing options, we’re happy to share what other owners have done—cash, home equity, specialized RV loans, or a mix—so you can choose the approach that fits your situation.

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Choosing the Right Path

Whether you pay cash or finance your van, the standard never changes. Every Drifter is built to the Drifter Coachcraft Standard, moves through the same proprietary production process, and holds its place in our limited Collection Series.

If you’re early in the journey and simply want to understand what a campervan build payment plan or custom van financing could look like, the best next step is a conversation. We’ll walk you through build ranges, timelines, and payment options so you can decide how you’d like to move forward.