One industry that is soaring is that of the recreational vehicle industry. People looking for safe ways to travel are investing in a hotel on wheels.
One industry that is soaring is that of the recreational vehicle industry. People looking for safe ways to travel are investing in a hotel on wheels.
Why all the hype? We'll tell you. RV sales soared this Summer. Many owners of recreation vehicle lots were left scrambling to fill the demand for these vehicles. Most dealers set records for sales each month as people came out of isolation to travel with less fear. An RV goes from about $9,000 to over $100,000 so the prices range to fit almost any buyer's needs. No matter what a buyer wants in their travel vehicle, the sales are through the roof. In June of 2020, more than 40,462 RVs were shipped out. This is a ten percent increase from last year in June. These numbers surprise many because RV manufacturers were shut down from late March through April. Once they opened their doors, sales went through the roof. An estimated 25 million Americans usually RV each year. In 2017, the RV industry sold about 500,000 units. This was the best year since the 1970s. This year blows it out of the water.
It isn't just the large RV flying off the shelf. There's a large increase in lightweight RV models. These are eco-friendly and easy to tow. A small SUV or truck can easily tow a small RV. About 12 percent of owners use the large, self-contained RVs that can be driven like a little bus. Even the smaller versions have a bathroom, beds, and a place to cook. The only thing they lack is an engine. No matter which the consumer is choosing, all of the models are flying off the lots. The demand is so high that it's been hard for many suppliers to even keep up. In a time when many people are losing jobs, the RV industry is keeping many employed as they work hard to keep up with the supply and demand in their industry.
Many people love the feel of camping because they're getting the beauty of nature without all the bugs of an actual camping tent. RVs let people live this lifestyle with a self-contained existence. Many people call this "glamping," or glamorous camping. Families want to get out and explore, but many fear germs in a hotel room or restaurant. With an RV, a person can sleep in a bed, cook in their little kitchen, use their own restroom, and then get behind the steering wheel to go to the next location. They get to travel to camping sites, parks, and national treasures. The options are endless. In fact, many people don't even go far to get away from home. They simply want to getaway. Many people are traveling and camping within 150 miles fo their home. They're simply trying to get away for a vacation without going a far distance.
A family can gather into their RV and hit the road. They can travel where they want whenever they want. They don't need to worry about social distancing or the sanitization of a hotel room. These vehicles offer a house on wheels. You have everything you need right there in your traveling hotel. Many people jumped on this choice after realizing it would be tough to go on family vacations their usual way. The days of staying in a hotel, eating at restaurants and/or sharing space with everyone else just wasn't going to work as well this Summer.
There's numerous comedies about traveling with your family in an RV. From traveling across the country to get to a destination to traveling to the local campground for a family vacation, movies make traveling via RV a fun, crazy experience for the entire family. Instead of packing up the car and heading to an expensive hotel, you get all the amenities and things you need right there in your own travel space. You don't have to worry about other people or germs lurking in the air. You have your own space. You're able to control the environment and control where you're headed. You don't even need a destination in mind. You can set out on the open road. The options are endless.
Many people never thought of an RV before this pandemic. For some, their Summer seemed to be canceled. There were no festivals, concerts, limited summer camps, and many kids' sports were canceled. This meant a family fun thing to do was camping. People could still get away on vacation even though they couldn't go to many things they would usually attend in the Summer. This type of camping meant a family could isolate themselves if they needed, but still have all the amenities of a hotel room. For many people, even going to a camping site was a different and new experience. It opened the doors to an entirely new experience for many people. They felt safer as well as could still make memories with their family during Summer vacation.
For some people, the excitement of an RV goes beyond travel. Some people are actually selling their homes and moving into an RV. This is because living there gives people control of their lives during these uncertain times. If they don't like the rules in their state, they just roll on to the next one. They're able to travel and experience life in an entirely different way. Living on wheels means there isn't as much fear in people's minds about living day-to-day. They're able to make their own rules and live a simple lifestyle.
Since it's like a house on wheels, a recreational vehicle provides a way to have a self-contained lifestyle in a sense. Many of these have solar panels, laundry facilities, and generators. A person can live off-the-grid for a month if they wish. Improved technology in the RV industry means owners are finding ways to be creative to adapt these living areas for off-the-grid travel.
Since RV sales are skyrocketing, this could mean less space in parks. Many people want to have fun without feeling cramped and worried about being too close to other campers. The good news is that many campsites have a layout that allows you to stretch without fear of getting too close to your neighbor. Privately owned and operated campgrounds usually have full hookups, internet, and laundry facilities as well. Government-run campgrounds offer fewer amenities. You can always find a place perfect for your travel needs if you do a little research.
RVs aren't just for the family that loves to travel. They've been used during the pandemic to help frontline healthcare workers. Many of the essential workers are living in an RV so they do not spread the virus to their families. In fact, some owners have offered their RVs to those in need. This often gives essential workers a way to live at home without living in their actually house.
Besides the fear of the virus, people realize an RV is a good thing to have during hurricane season. They find it's a way to evacuate in times of threatening weather. They can pack up belongings in the RV while still having a comfortable, safe environment.
Another thing that could encourage more sales is that many people are now working remotely. Some RVs come equipped with dedicated workspaces. The desks even come out of the wall so people can easily work. Gas is also at its lowest price in five years. This means more people can hit the roads in large vehicles without fear of high prices.
One of the only problems people are having with buying their new RVs this year is finding storage. Most people can't park the large recreational vehicle at their home so they're forced into trying to find storage. Many places are stacked full of boat and trailers this year. It can be tough to find an open spot. If you find one, you might be forced to pay a premium price due to demand.
One huge trend in domestic travel this year besides buying an RV is renting one. In fact, some retails have seen interest grow by 650% since 2013. Many people had to re-book their reservations that were canceled during the shutdown. Instead of investing in an RV, this gives people the chance to try it out by renting it. People don't have to stay in a hotel and they get to experience the luxury firsthand.
The RV trend probably isn't going anywhere. People see the excitement and feel the road beneath them for a thrill in travel. The good news is that you don't have to be retired heading South for a break anymore. As more and families learn about the secret to traveling without fear of a hotel room, they'll jump on the RV bandwagon.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional consultation or advice related to your health or finances. No reference to an identifiable individual or company is intended as an endorsement thereof. Some or all of this article may have been generated using artificial intelligence, and it may contain certain inaccuracies or unreliable information. Readers should not rely on this article for information and should consult with professionals for personal advice.