Will RV Travel Surge After COVID-19?
One thing is for certain, we can’t predict the future. However, RV travel is becoming more attractive as each day of the COVID-19 pandemic continues.
Today we’re looking at the reasons RV vacations might increase in the aftermath of these trying times.
While we don’t encourage recreational travel during this outbreak, we do think the time is ripe to begin dreaming about your next bucket list destinations.
The Benefits of RV Travel
RVing has become quite popular in the USA. This type of travel is all about the journey. You truly begin your vacation the moment you step inside and turn the key.
In an RV you have immediate access to your living amenities. This means the kitchen, bathroom and entertainment center are just a few feet away.
Better still, families with kids won’t have to worry about restless passengers looking out the window, wondering when they’ll get to the destination.
Controlled Environment
Hotel rooms, even the luxurious ones, can be unsettling. The beds have seen hundreds of different guests.
Traveling in an RV eliminates the need to sleep on a strange mattress. As we become a nation more aware of germs, RVs allow you to have control over where you lay your head.
Additionally, your bathroom is always available. No more truck stop toilets or fast food commodes.
Cleanliness is controllable when you vacation in an RV.
Kitchen Benefits
COVID-19 has taught us to think twice about who is preparing and delivering our food. The RV, again, solves this problem.
Hopefully when this passes we’ll eat out with the same confidence we did before. Regardless, vacationing in an RV gives you the control to choose. The RV kitchens usually includes a cook top, oven & microwave.
Many even have large, residential refrigerators.
Avoid the Crowds
RVing usually happens away from the urban population-centers.
COVID-19 probably won’t go away all at once. Vacationers, especially RVers, will most likely seek destinations in nature as we ease back into normalcy.
This could lead to increased traffic at National Parks. However, there are hundreds of National Forests and Recreation Areas to explore (very likely with little traffic)
Free Camping in an RV
Our absolute favorite part of RV life is free camping (aka boondocking). No other type of vacationing allows you to stay for free at the destination.
You have to do a bit of front end research, but with proper planning and tools, you’ll get to camp free of charge across the USA.
Here’s our 20 favorite free camping sites.
Will These Benefits Lead to a Surge in RV Travel?
We think so! Let us know what you think in the comments.
America has definitely been rattled by this pandemic. However, it’s hard to tame the will of USA citizens. People still want to vacation and explore.
RVing gives you control over your environment along with excitement of exploration.
Kind of hard to predict. I do think that folks will get back on the road, but how soon and in what volumes will remain to be seen. Your good points of why you RV are the reasons we RV travel, and is for most who do. If anything, the increased recognition for the need of hygiene may encourage others to vacation with their own private bathroom, ala an RV!
I absolutely believe that RV travel and other types of camping will surge when this is over. Many people, including us, have had to cancel several outings, and they will all want to get back out there as soon as we can.
I agree with your points, but not many people are thinking about starting the RVing lifestyle. My dozen or RVing how-to book sales have been way down lately.
I think it all depends on each person or families finances. If your job is gone how are you going to pay for it. I know very few people who want to live this life. Out of 330 million there is an estimated 1 million full timers.
On another note the only reason trump would keep the national parks free is so that after a bit he can say they are broke so since they can’t operate let’s give them away to the 1% to exploit.
I liken the surge in RVing (Post Carona Virus) to the January influx of newbies flocking to the gym in January. Things will settle back to post Covid-19 levels after a few months. Newbies will complain about crowded and expensive RV parks, slow or no internet or cell service. Bugs, lack of bathrooms. Be patient.
I think “recreation” will be replaced with “lifestyle” LV. There is not going to be the emphasis on recreating, but I believe there will be a huge surge in people wanting a simpler lifestyle that they believe gives them more control over the way they live their life. Much the same as we full-timers have already adopted. People may not full-time to drive the country, but it will be a type of tiny-house living that is mobile. Slight change of frame. Be Well.
Well, for full time Rver’s, things won’t change alot.
We may have to travel slower for quite a while, but hopefully we will still get to see more of our great Country!
People are learning now they need less. Many loosing income will mean looking for simpler life style. Making life changing plans. Stay Safe my Driven n Viben Family
I see things differently. From what I see and hear individuals and families are going to come out of this Trump Virus thing financially destitute….some are going to loose their homes, some are going to be kicked out of apartments….that is just what happens when you are unemployed for for a month or more. A majority of the population is going to emerge behind on every payment they currently have and be needing to catch up and cut back….I just do not see the discretionary income to purchase an RV. With that said we could possibly see a huge uptick in individuals purchasing TT’s to use as stationary homes thus filling mom & pop campgrounds which would eliminate sites for Weekend Wonders….I suspect the travelers amongst us will be affected by those TT’s and 5’ers that take up spots in campgrounds on a permanent basis. As you an see I do expect life for us to change (we are travelers-6-mos a year)….just not the way you see it.
I will offer this bit of advice:
GOVERNMENT STIMULUS CHECK 💯💯💯
So here’s what’s up:
1. To Tenants: If the government says you don’t have to pay your rent and there’s a ban on evictions, you better do whatever you can to pay your rent. There will be major repercussions when evictions bans are lifted. Don’t think you’ll get a free ride out of this. PAY YOUR RENT! Your landlord has bills to pay too.
2. To Homeowners: If the government tells banks to stop mortgage payments, DO WHATEVER YOU CAN TO PAY YOUR MORTGAGE!. Some lenders are saying you don’t have to pay for 3 months but on the 4th month, all four payments are due in full. Do not take a chance and not pay. Major foreclosures will come from all this. The banks didn’t help homeowners in 2008-09 and in 2020, it’s still the same. Pay your mortgage.
3. If the utility company suspends payments, you.better. PAY. ANY. AMOUNT. YOU . CAN! They are like banks, they will want their money eventually and when all this clears up, you’ll owe an exuberant bill and still won’t have any utilities. Pay whatever you can.
4. If you get a government stimulus check, this check is to help pay your bills. That means you pay your rent, your mortgage, your utilities, your insurance, your car payment, y.o.u.r. b.i.l.l.s. This is not for frivolous spending.
5. The real problem is, many who will get the stimulus check….you won’t pay your bills then be crying and wailing saying
“They evicted me. They cut off my power, they repossessed my car…”
All while you’re broke and carrying that empty purse you bought with your stimulus check.
It’s not a free for all, people think wisely!
Don’t worry Jerry. IMHO most people don’t think about anything until it’s time to do it!
I have thinking about this lately. We are both retired and wondering if RVing is the way to go. Of course there is also the snowbird route. With gas prices so low, the RV thing looks real good, but we all know they won’t stay there. Like the virus, I guess I will have to wait on the idea of an RV until things are back to normal.
Great article, and many solid points to live by. As full timers ourselves, its been refreshing to be away from the metropolitan city and be able to have a semi-normal life. Thank you for your insights!