RV is not by any means a new way to travel and vacation. But it did gain a lot of popularity in 2020 which has carried into 2021. In fact, RVezy, an RV rental company, conducted a survey that found Americans viewed RVing as the safest way to travel in 2021.
Last year regular travel plans were canceled and normal vacation options all but disappeared due to COVID-19. People quickly grew tired of being in lockdown. But concern for health and safety limited the options on what they could do.
Enter RVing!
The safety benefits of RVing during the pandemic
With social distancing rules in place, many restaurants and stores shut down and people leery of staying at hotels, RVing made perfect sense.
It allowed people to travel in their own personal space. They didn’t need to find a hotel to stay in where other people had also stayed. They didn’t need to rely on restaurants being open when they needed a bite to eat. There was no need to find a public restroom when trying to get to the end destination. And no one really needed to cross paths with others if they didn’t want to.
Campgrounds that were open along with boondocking options allowed people to escape their “lockdown” and get out in nature. It was a vacation without crowded locations. And it allowed people to follow the safety protocols so they could feel good about traveling while keeping their family safe and healthy.
People still feel better about RVing even though 2021 brought with it vaccinations and vanishing restrictions. And it’s having a big impact on the RV industry.
The growth of the RV industry
While Spring tends to be a busy time for RV sales, 2020 was unlike anything the industry had experienced before. People first-time buyers rushed out to purchase new and used RVs. And current owners worked on upgrading what they had.
It breathed new life into the RV industry.
Many manufacturers struggled to keep up with the surge in demand. Prices of new and used RVs increased. But people were still more than happy to join the RVing community.
Many people rediscovered their love for the outdoors in 2020. Many took up new hobbies that they could enjoy in nature. And they’re not planning on stopping now just because things have opened back up.
Why people feel safer RVing
When it comes to travel, the RVezy survey found that the vast majority of people ranked “safety” as their number one concern. Many of these same people view camping to be low-risk. This allowed the dots to connect themselves.
RVs allow people to elevate the safety and comfort that they experience when camping. Many families that used to enjoy tent camping found that RVing added a level of safety for them. They had their own space to use instead of relying on hotels and Airbnbs.
Here are some of the reasons people view RVing as the safest way to travel.
You can keep your distance
RVing allows you to keep your distance as you travel. Even though places are beginning to open and more and more people are getting vaccinated, social distancing is still of concern to many.
When you are in your RV, you can have the comforts of home while being away from everyone. You can find those uncrowded destinations to enjoy and get off the beaten path.
You can travel with your own “community”
If there are certain families or groups that you’re comfortable being around, you can travel together. You can set out on the road together in separate RVs and enjoy vacationing as a group.
Or you can all share an RVing experience together. This isn’t something that you’d have the same room to do if you’re in a car and trying to find hotels on the road.
You can choose your own destination
RVing allows you to choose where you want to go and move around as you need to. If you end up in a location that feels a little too crowded for your comfort, you can easily head somewhere else. This isn’t as easy to do if you have hotel reservations or have booked an Airbnb.
You can visit a popular state park, cruise along the beach, through the mountain, or anywhere between. RVing opens up the way you can enjoy the outdoors.
You know the space is clean
When you stay at a hotel or Airbnb, you have to trust that it’s being properly cleaned. This was cause for concern before 2020 but it’s taken on a new meaning ever since.
When you travel in your RV, you know it’s clean to your own standards. You know you don’t have to worry about who was eating at the table before you showed up or if the bedding really was washed. You can rest easy knowing your space is cleaned and sanitized.
RVing in 2021 and beyond
We’re excited to continue seeing how the RV industry will continue adjusting to the surge of new RVers in the community. It’s anticipated that there will be more innovation in the market and that manufacturers will be challenging each other with designs and new layouts.
This is a great time to start your RVing journey if you haven’t yet. Sky River RV is here to help you get set up with the perfect fit for your family to enjoy safe travel in 2021 and beyond.
