We’ve been watching travel shows to scratch the travel itch- we started with Europe and Japan, but have recently really gotten into a US travel show where a guy travels all over the US towing his Winnebago and visiting cities, national parks, shorelines, events, etc- and of course RV parks- all over the US.
We have never been interested in this type of travel, but have recently started talking about the different ways we would do it if we were going to do it. We’re not really serious (we don’t think), but honestly who knows what the nature of travel will be in the future, and we imagine others are probably doing exactly what we’re doing and may be even more motivated to go for it.
But then we think: this guy already comes across no-vacancy RV parks sometimes when he doesn’t plan ahead and merely shows up. And sometimes he has to settle for lesser parks with not great amenities (no electricity, dump station, WiFi, etc).
So let’s say US RV travel blows up (like the way it seems everyone has become a cyclist or kayaker in our area and bike paths and local reservoirs are choked with people these days). Let’s say a ton of people see these pre-Covid shows, assume that’s what their experience will be, go and invest a shitoad if money in an RV, are committed because of the investment, and all hit the road at the same time.
Could it become absolutely impossible to enjoy RV travel because roads/popular RV destinations/RV parks become absolutely overwhelmed with new enthusiasts in the next X years?
Well, the reservable National Park campgrounds in the west that I’ve looked at are pretty booked up, both for RVs and tent sites. On a recent drive down the California coast, the campsites at state parks have been full. Of course they’d be pretty much full during the summer anyway, so I don’t know what that says. There’s always the option to boondock in National Forests and Bureau of Land Management areas, but the prime spots in those areas are grabbed pretty quickly by those in the know. I’m sure there are still decent overnight spots available for those willing to drive a little ways down a dirt road in less developed areas of the west.
I wouldn’t think it will be all that likely. Depending on the level of amenities you require in your campsite, new RV parks are easy enough to set up as long as there is someone willing to make a buck by letting you park in their back yard. If you’re willing to use your own generator/solar electric source and only really need a water source and dump station then you can set up nearly anywhere willing to host you.
Long-time, second generation RV-er here. Grew up with my folks towing theirs behind the family car, and my wife and I got our first trailer in 1981. Currently on our 6th trailer, the one we bought for retirement.
I’m seeing a noticeable increase in full campgrounds here in Texas, with popular state parks already reserved every weekend through October (max reservation period). When I checked last week, a few parks had zero vacancies at all, even mid-week. Every site, every day, for 3 months – full.
However, there are still lots of vacancies in the private parks, especially in the high-end versions. Those are very nice, but their nightly cost is twice that of state parks, and they’re often more densely packed. One drawback to high end parks is a maximum age limit on your RV, usually 10 years. This can be a problem for owners of older RVs. They will refuse entry if they see your rig is old.
I don’t know how this will play out, but I’m not too worried about the increase in RV sales clogging the system up long term. They’re like boats, they don’t get used much after the first year. I expect it to be like the gym in January, after New Year’s resolutions. It’ll clear out after a while and we serious RV-ers will get the parks back. Might take a full year though.
I feel this is the case. Setting up an RV park isn’t all that big a deal. If a lot of new RV’ers expand the market, the supply of RV parks will quickly catch up.
RV sales in the US have been on the rise over the last several months due to COVID. I would expect that in a year or two, that you will be able to get a great deal on a used RV.
RVing is a fit for a specific type of person or family. The recent rise in popularity is a trend due to people not wanting to fly. As with most things this will revert back in time.
I believe you’re correct, but have mixed feelings about this. I need to buy second RV in about 18 months, so the surplus of used ones will probably help me. But from a larger perspective, it seems as though a lot of families have re-allocated their entertainment budget to things like RVs, pools, and other personal sporting equipment. Since we’re talking about Americans, they took out loans for all this stuff – and that could be a serious drag on the return of the airline/hotel/travel industry. A whole lot of future entertainment spending is being tied up in loan payments. I don’t know how big this effect will be, though.
