If you’re reading this article, you no doubt already know that the RV is America’s ultimate choose-your-adventure ride. According to the RVIA (Recreational Vehicle Industry Association), about 10 percent of US households own an RV, and Covid-19 has certainly been a reason for the recent surge of RV sales.
More families have been looking to take a socially-distanced adventure, and hitting the open road in a portable home is the perfect way to do it. There is a broad gamut of vehicles in the RV market, from inexpensive models for the entry-level RVer all the way up to high-end, seven-figure class-A motorhomes.
Why is the surge in RV popularity important? Because you as an RV owner can take advantage of this by enjoying the fruits of an ever-growing industry. Whether that means exploring brand-new RV parks that have all the conveniences of any great resort, to making even more friends as you meet people on the road, to renting out your RV when you’re not using it. These are just a few of the points we’re going to cover in this article.
Here are five big RV trends you need to know for 2022 and beyond:
The demographics of RV owners are changing
For a long time, RV owners were viewed as aging retirees, but no more The RV owner demographics are shifting in a big way. A lot of this has to do with the #vanlife movement. Just look at some of the reality-based TV programs out there relating to van and RV living. According to an RVIA report, more than half of first-time RV owners are women, and more than half of those women are under age 55, with 23% being under 35! RVers are typically married, have an middle-class income and often times own a home.
That means that the RV life can literally be for anyone. Young families, solo adventurers, couples of all ages…you simply cannot pigeonhole the average RV owner any longer.
RV sales are on the rise
With this trend, we’re seeing RV sales continuing to rise as Americans flock to the great outdoors for. While “COVID-campers” are a definite thing for the last couple of years, actually RVing has been on an upswing for the last decade. The trend is buoyed by younger, more diverse first-time buyers. What’s more, remote work arrangements mean more and more people are exploring America’s most remote forests and the 16,000+ American RV parks while working from the road.
Smaller trailers are getting popular
Smaller, ultra-lightweight travel trailers will remain popular as more people become first-time RV owners. For many, it’s best to start small, then when they’ve lived the RV life for awhile, many of them upgrade. Even the smallest teardrop campers are towable by cars (and even some motorcycles!) which make them very desirable for those who want to get out of town but don’t own a larger tow vehicle lick a 4×4 truck.
Many RV owners are also pet owners
According to a University of Michigan study, more than half of RVers travel with their pets. And not just dogs! RV dealerships will tell you that traveling with pets is a big reason people RV. Both pet adoptions and RV sales increased during the pandemic. Coincidence? We think not! Animal companionship seems to be tailer-made for the RV life, especially for solo or couple travelers. More RV campgrounds are recognizing this and making the move to pet-friendly status.
RV owners sometimes rent out their camper
Many RVs are rented out when not in use by their owners. Just ten years ago there were only a couple of ways for RV owners to rent out their rig when they weren’t using it. Nowadays, there are a lot more platforms catering to RVers who want to make a little money to rent out their RV. Websites such as RVshare, Outdoorsy, RVezy, and RVnGO are just a few of them.
So in the off chance you have not joined the wave of RV owners and enjoying this amazing lifestyle, what are you waiting for?