Rvers Are Taking To The Road In Record Numbers

Those of us who live in the Inland Northwest know when the RV season arrives.

It’s that time of year when the roads are crowded with huge, slowmoving motor homes bearing out-of-state license plates driven by people who seem to be more concerned with getting somewhere than being somewhere.

Although that’s the picture many of us love to hate, it’s not always an accurate one. But it is correct that when the sun shines, RVers hit the road.

During the 100 days between Memorial Day and Labor Day, RV owners will spend an average of 39 days on the road, according to a survey by the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association.

With 8.2 million RVs out there, and with each averaging 2,000 miles a season, the whole group could circle the Earth about a half million times.

So in between all this driving, what do RVers do? When polled, the majority of RV owners said that at the end of the day their most popular activity is roasting marshmallows. They also said that telling stories, playing games and singing songs were their next-favorite activities, in that order.

RV owners tend to meet unusual people on the road. For instance, when polled about the most famous person they had ever met, a random sample of RVers said Elvis topped their list, followed by Mickey Mouse, Smokey Bear, President Clinton and Roy Rogers.

Seventy-five percent of RV families are planning an extended RV vacation this year. Most will stay out an average of 15 days on that single trip.

Where do RVers actually go?

Fifty-five percent of RV owners like to park near a lake or river. About half said national or state parks were their favorite campgrounds. The mountains, RV resorts, and beaches were the next favorite places to stop and pitch the aluminum tent.

Are RVers sedentary people? Not really. Sixty percent of RV owners like to hike, and about half listed swimming and fishing as among their most popular outdoor pursuits. Shopping, biking, boating, and golfing also ranked high on the to-do list.

This year, the industry expects to hit a 10-year high. If you’re interested in RVs, but not quite ready to visit a dealer, where can you learn more? Contact the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association at P.O. Box 2999, 1896 Preston White Dr., Reston, VA 22090.

Another organization - Go Camping America, P.O. Box 2669, Dept. 23, Reston, VA 22090 - also features a toll-free number, 800-47-SUNNY where you can request a trip planning kit to help understand the growing world of RV camping.