There’s no denying that COVID has shaped our entire year. It’s hard to remember back to those first couple months before all the changes began to happen. In one way or another, the pandemic has impacted and reshaped just about every industry there is. Some have struggled to continue and others have seen business boom as COVID reshapes how people are able to live and make decisions in the current situation. The RV industry falls into the latter.
The travel and tourism industry all but shut down in the early days of the pandemic. People were discouraged to go out and about. And even if they did, there wasn’t much to do. Restaurants, event halls, and amusement parks were closed. Many of the beaches were closed and even some of the parks.
But as the country has worked on reopening carefully, a travel trend has emerged. Flights and hotel stays have dramatically dropped their prices, but the demand isn’t there. People looking to stay safe and healthy are unsure of the risks involved with hopping on a plane and keeping their scheduled vacation plans. But that doesn’t mean they were ready to just sit at home.
People have taken to RVing as a way to enjoy vacation and get a break from the stress and worries that have come along with 2020. This shift is impacting the way people buy and use RVs and it’s a trend that’s not likely to disappear in the near future. Here’s what you need to know:
People are reconnecting with the outdoors
The mask mandates in many areas of the country have encouraged people to find ways to enjoy their time outdoors. Social distancing rules have cautioned people from connecting together in small areas indoors. And, people have used this as an opportunity to rediscover nature and the outdoors.
The closure of popular theme parks and luxury resorts has reminded people that nature is always there waiting. People from all generations are taking time to fall in love with the sights, sounds and activities that await them in nature.
While COVID was able to shut down many campgrounds across the country, it didn’t stop people from finding ways to explore and enjoy the outdoors. Many shifted their focus to boondocking and going off grid.
The challenges that COVID has brought, have changed some of the things that people are looking for when RVing.
People are ready to buy
The demand for RVs has skyrocketed. While there are still ways that people can rent RVs right now in order to enjoy a quick vacation, many people are looking at this as the time to invest in vacations and memories for years to come. We don’t know what the next several years will look like or what the “new normal” will look like as we continue to move forward. But what we do know is that right now owning an RV provides a safe way to enjoy traveling around the country.
RV dealerships have seen a noticeable shift in people that are merely browsing through the inventory and dreaming about “some day buying an RV” to wanting the process to move as quickly as possible so they can take one home now. And it makes perfect sense. When you own an RV, your family is the only one in the RV. You know how clean everything is. You’re able to use it the way that you want and you can travel with your own bathroom and kitchen in tow.
There’s been a shift in the popular RVs
As new people are joining the RV family, there has been a shift in which RVs are topping the popularity list. Those that don’t own a vehicle that can tow a travel trailer or fifth wheel are finding that Class Cs and campervans are a great fit. The smaller size makes them easier to drive and maneuver while still providing them the basic necessities to enjoy their vacation time.
There’s also been a jump in the number of older RVers that are switching over to campervans and Class Cs as they no longer need the extra space since their children have grown. This is a great time for people to make the switch if they’ve been thinking about upgrading or downsizing because RV dealers are working with short supply and trying hard to keep up with the growing demand.
But don’t think that doesn’t mean that families aren’t still buying larger RVs. Those with larger families and even couples that prefer additional space, are still buying up the Class A RVs and travel trailers. Trailers provide families with a nice option to easily keep the kids safe while traveling in their standard car seats while towing the camper behind. It’s a win-win for many families.
There’s been a shift in RV features and the amenities that people are looking for
Many people are looking to extend their time out in nature amidst the COVID pandemic. This means there’s been a rise in the number of people that are looking for RVs that can support this type of camping behavior. They want rigs that can increase the time they can spend on the road.
If this is what you want, consider looking for the following:
Improved resource management
This can include things such as solar panels to support your need to keep your devices charged and ability to camp off grid without sacrificing some of the comforts of home. It also includes larger tanks for freshwater, greywater and black water.
Many RVers are also looking to have generators for their rigs to support them being able to stay off grid for longer.
Convertable sleep spaces
People aren’t necessarily concerned with having a bedroom or bunk space for each person. If you’re OK with creative sleep spaces, you can find RVs with have numerous options for hide-a-bed sofas or chairs. You can even consider bringing along a tent to allow some to sleep outside to expand the sleep-able space that you have with your RV. This allows you to experience the best of both world by having an easy to drive camper with the comforts of home while still having a place for everyone to sleep at the end of the day.
Are you ready to jump on board?
While no one can tell what the future holds, people have used the COVID pandemic as a time to join the RV family. There is a huge country out there just waiting to be explored. If you’re ready to explore your options for getting started, contact us today.
