In The News

RV (Recreational Vehicles) Camping is a fast-growing vacation option as families look for opportunities to connect with nature and each other. Considered one of the safest and least expensive ways to vacation, RVs provide most of the familiar comforts of home and none of the familiar stress. An RV vacation can be over 60% cheaper than a traditional vacation at a hotel, bed and breakfast, or similar type of accommodation. ​(Source: RVIA)

During the pandemic, RV vacations became even more popular because they provided relief for house-bound families while still creating healthy social-distancing. Families were eager to opt for an RV vacation instead of boarding crowded planes and staying in cramped hotels. Another huge bonus is the option to prepare and cook meals independently while on the move (no need to eat at crowded restaurants). According to the US Travel Association, 68% of people feel much safer traveling by personal vehicle than taking a domestic flight.

While RV travel became a way for many families to experience freedom and control during the age of COVID-19, Americans continue to purchase RVs to access the great outdoors. According to multiple surveys, desire to spend time with family and friends, interest in exploring the outdoors, and using an RV as a basecamp for other types of outdoor recreation are the top reasons people cite for buying an RV. To support their reconnection with nature, there are about 18,000 campgrounds and parking facilities throughout the country—both public and private—which support RV camping.​ (Source: RVIA)

And while the motivations haven’t changed much over the decades, the demographics of RV owners have started to shift. The Go RVing RV Owner Demographic Profile, which is the most comprehensive study of RV ownership ever conducted, found that 22% of RV owners are under the age of 35. Additionally, nearly a third of the respondents in the study (31%) were “first-time owners,” underscoring the growth of the industry in the past decade.

Diversity has also increased among new buyers. While 85% of current RV owners identify themselves as White, that number drops to 76% when looking at RVers who bought their first RV in the past two years. Of those who bought their first RV in the past two years, 13% identify as Black, an increase from 6% of owners who purchased their first RV 2-6 years ago and from only 2% who purchased their first RV 7 or more years ago. Similarly, Asian and Hispanic or Latino RV owners have increased to 5% and 6% respectively, for RVers who bought their first RV in the past two years. The typical household income for RV owning households is about $62,000. These families spend an average of 3-4 weeks each year using their RV in some way. ​(Source: RVIA)

The RV and camping industry was already riding a steady uptrend before COVID hit. RV ownership has been steadily growing for decades with 62% more RV owners in 2021 than in 2001. Over 11.2 million households now own an RV. A record 9.5 million people are planning to buy an RV in the next 5 years.