Gas prices not stalling RV sales
In spite of increased fuel prices, RV ownership is at an all time high.
In the last four years, according to a recently released industry-sponsored study, recreational vehicle ownership has jumped 15 percent to an estimated 8 million U.S. households having at least one RV.
The RV Consumer in 2005 study was conducted between January and June by the University of Michigan Survey Research Center for the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association.
“We found that one in 12 households have an RV of some sort,” said Richard T. Curtin, director of Surveys of Consumers, from his office on the University of Michigan campus in Ann Arbor.
“We wanted to make sure we accurately gauged the strength of RV ownership,” he said, “so we interviewed 3,000 households and asked them about any possible RV that they owned.”
Curtin has been researching the RV consumer for 25 years.
“In the most recent survey we recorded the highest portion of households to own an RV since we started studying trends in 1980,” said the research scientist. In that 25-year span, the numbers have catapulted 58 percent – from 5 million to nearly 8 million.
The 2005 study also revealed:
“The highest ownership rates are in the 55-to-64 age range, where one in 10 vehicle-owning households has at least one RV.
“The average RV owner is age 49, married, owns a home and has an annual household income of $68,000.
“Generation Xers (those under age 35) posted the largest gain in RV ownership rates over the past four years.
Curtin predicts that within five years, 8.5 million households will own RVs – an 8-percent increase over today’s numbers.
Part of this increase is reflected in the fact that Baby Boomers will be retiring in greater numbers and will have the money to purchase recreational vehicles.
“In addition,” he said, “many of the generation following the Baby Boomers have found this type of recreating is very appealing.”
“Clearly the study is verifying what we in the RV industry have felt all along,” said RVIA media relations director Ken Sommer. “A whole new younger generation is discovering the benefits of RV travel.”
More young couples with children are going to RV shows, buying RVs and taking advantage of RV parks and campgrounds, said Sommer during a telephone interview.
Possible glitch
When it comes to using an RV, said Curtin, the cost of fuel is a small part of the total expense.
In the past year, “people have perhaps cut their trips somewhat shorter or they have traveled more to nearby places,” said the research scientist, “but we haven’t noticed in the data that they absolutely have thrown their hands up and said, ‘I can’t afford to go any more.’”
The one thing that could throw a monkey wrench into the rosy growth prediction, however, is the “availability” of fuel.
“It would be a completely different story if fuel was not available,” Curtain said.
“That certainly was true during the energy crisis in the mid and late-1970s,” he said. “Then there were rules promulgated by the government that you could only purchase 10 gallons of gasoline at a time and only every other day, depending on your license plate number; with no Sunday sales. That had a devastating impact on the RV industry.”
For more information
“Recreational Vehicle Industry Association, P.O. Box 2999, Reston, VA 20195; (703) 620-6003, www.rvia.com.
“Go RVing, a promotion coalition of the RV industry, will send you a free DVD, CD-ROM or video that “will introduce you to the world of RV travel and camping.” Go to www.gorving.com.
“University of Michigan Survey Research Center, P.O. Box 1248, Ann Arbor, Mich.; (734) 764-8354; www.isr.umich.edu.
“Inland Northwest RV Show and Sale, Jan. 19 to 22, Spokane Fair and Expo Center, 404 N. Havana St.; admission: $6 for run of show, kids 12-and-under free with an adult; 446-4256; www.spokanervshow.com.