You know RV life is trending up when YouTubers are offered $2 million for their campground!
Social media stars the RV Odd Couple shared that massive proposal in a video about the future of camping.
They offered some valuable information about what’s next in this booming industry and how you can prepare for it.
Let’s take a look!
About YouTubers the RV Odd Couple
The RV Odd Couple have become social media stars because of their big personalities and RV life content.
John, a Bostonian, had a remodeling company. The much-younger Mercedes is from Colorado and worked in the mortgage industry.
The couple had a successful remodeling business in Colorado, which they sold to move to Florida. Though they had a dream house, they were on the verge of divorce.
John had just become interested in the RV life, and together they decided to take a leap of faith and embrace a minimalist lifestyle.
As they began their life on the road, there was an unforeseen obstacle. Being new to RV life, they were seen as outsiders and not welcomed by other RV’ers they met. Through YouTube, they met supportive followers who helped them get started.
They chose a GMC 3500 Dually with Allison Transmission for their truck. Their home is a Forest River Sandpiper Luxury Fifth Wheel.
While on the road, they became frustrated with full campgrounds, canceled reservations, and being kicked out of RV parks. They decided to start their own campground to provide a better experience for campers – one that’s fun, safe, and beautiful.
So John and Mercedes bought Thunder Canyon, a 226-acre, 30-site park. Thunder Canyon had been closed for nine years, so it needed repair. The couple loves the property, though, and are looking forward to offering RV camping in the future.
Why Were These YouTubers Offered $2 Million For Their Campground?
That’s right. YouTubers John and Mercedes were offered $2 million for Thunder Canyon.
“We were just offered $2 million dollars for a property we bought for $750,000 last year,” John says in the YouTube video where they announced it. Many things influenced the high dollar value of the offer.
First, the RV industry has skyrocketed during the pandemic. People wanted to travel safely and not have to sleep in hotels. And with more people working remotely, spending time on the road became more accessible than ever.
In addition, owning a campground has become more lucrative than ever, especially with so many clamoring for suitable sites. Even if a company paid $2 million for Thunder Canyon, they’d turn a profit in no time.
Plus, people are investing more in real estate right now. With so much economic uncertainty, they’re opting for safer investments like real estate.
The Future of the RV Industry
The RV industry is growing rapidly due to the increased national cost of living. People also needed alternative travel and vacation modes during the pandemic, and RVs were the perfect solution.
Cairn Consulting reports that 72 million RVers will be on the road in 2022, which is up from 61 million the previous year. Jellystone Park reported revenues are up by an incredible 58 percent, and Yellowstone Park had a record four million visitors! In fact, campers reported frustration at having so many crowds to navigate.
With growth like this, the future of camping will be different than expected.
Overcrowded parks aren’t the only challenge to the industry. RVTravel reports that California legislators are considering a ban on portable generators, which would be a considerable blow to RVers.
To make matters worse, the Seattle Times reports that diesel stockpiles are at a 20 year low. Considering how many truckers will be on the road trying to solve supply chain issues, the diesel stores could decrease further before they recover.
What Can You Do to Prepare for the Future of RV Life?
It’s not all doom and gloom. If you prepare for the future, you have a much better chance of enjoying your RV travels. Here’s our best advice.
Reserve Sites Well in Advance
Reserve sites well in advance. Farther ahead than seems practical. Some popular campgrounds are already requiring reservations to be made a year or more in advance.
If you haven’t already downloaded apps such as Campendium and Allstays, we highly recommend you do. Campendium is an excellent resource for finding anything from dispersed campsites to RV resorts. All three offer free camping searches.
In addition, clubs like Escapees, Harvest Hosts, and Boondockers Welcome provide members-only access to campgrounds around the country and Canada. Escapees sites are typically low-cost, while Harvest Hosts locations are free with your membership.
Certainly, when YouTubers are offered $2 million for a campground still in need of repairs, places to park your RV are in high demand.
Try More Boondocking
If there’s even a chance portable generators will be banned anywhere, you may want to prepare backup plans and look into alternate power sources. RVers love solar panels and lithium batteries. They’re expensive to purchase initially but may be worth it in the long run if you’re ‘unplugged’ often.
Also, look at the appliances you use. Can you replace powered items with manual options or ones that use batteries instead of plugging into an outlet? Or are there lower wattage versions?
Sure. Your InstantPot is awesome, but is it more efficient to make chicken soup in a pot on your gas stove instead? Plus, there are more pieces to wash with the InstantPot, so you’ll use more water. Solar cookers are becoming more popular with boondockers too.
Lastly, do more boondocking to get familiar with how your rig works when it’s not hooked up to power. How much electricity and water do you use? How long can you go before dumping your tanks? Ask yourself how you can pare those down.
Pro Tip: Here’s a map of the 21 best free campsites.
Visit Popular Places During their Shoulder and Off Seasons
When choosing your destination, try to avoid peak season, so it’s easier to find campsites and tour those cool points of interest. A good idea is to aim for the off-season or the “shoulder season,” which is between the peak and off-seasons.
Keep in mind that the weather often determines the high and low seasons. For example, Central and Southern California typically don’t have an off-season. Most RV parks in popular towns along the coast will tell you to book a campsite for the holidays at least a year in advance. Some even have lotteries for holiday reservations.
On the other hand, some locations close during the winter months. This is especially true of state and county campgrounds at higher elevations or northern areas. Many don’t have insulated water hookups, so they drain the system and close the park. However, some do offer dry camping during colder months.
The point is, you’ll want to plan a little more in advance. The days of wandering like gypsies may be winding down.
Learn How to Maintain and Repair Your RV
You’ll have future security and save money if you learn how to maintain and repair your RV.
You can become a Certified RV Repair Technician through companies like National RV Training Academy or the RV Technical Institute. It’s a great way to earn money on the road too. Or, you can take an ‘average Joe’ course through businesses or clubs such as Escapees RV Club, which offers an in-person boot camp at many of their rallies.
There are tons of other in-person and online classes out there. One word of warning, though. YouTube is full of videos on how to repair this or maintain that. Not all sources are correct for your particular rig or system, so check their advice against your manual and review at least three videos to ensure they’re all telling you the same thing.
Have a More Creative Future in Your RV Life
In the video, John says, “We’re doomed!” to which Mercedes replies, “We’re more creative.” There’s a lot of wisdom in that exchange.
Given the overwhelming changes to RV life, it’s tempting to panic and feel defeated. Instead, think about how you could change up your RV routine. Instead of waiting at Yellowstone, are there less popular areas with well-reviewed RV parks? Can you find ways to reduce fuel consumption? New problems bring new solutions, so don’t be afraid to look for them.
You Can Still Enjoy Life on the Road
The future of the RV industry is transforming quickly. Besides more people hitting the roads, inflation is high, diesel stores are low, and generators are in jeopardy.
It’s great to have more interested people. However, it creates larger crowds, fewer resources, and higher frustration. Some RVers invest in real estate, including campgrounds, to increase their security and have a place to be if needed.
It seems incredible that investors offered the RV Odd Couple $2 million for Thunder Canyon, and they’re probably not the only ones receiving proposals. It’s the need for security, though, that has them saying they’re not selling – yet.
But, you don’t have to buy a campground to be more secure through all the industry changes. With some planning, following the tips we gave you above, you’ll find the confidence and resources you need to enjoy life on the road thoroughly.
How are you preparing for your future RV life?
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I call BS on not being welcome. Maybe by one who may of been having a bad day. But RV’ers are social and welcoming by nature.
Wait, I remember them talking about reaching out to some of you fulltime youtubers when they were starting out and getting a cold shoulder or blown off. It wasn’t about “Regular RV’ers”.
@Tony — yeah, I think that’s what Kyle was referring to, and he misunderstood or inadvertently mischaracterized it.
As for the portable generator ban that California legislators are “considering”, they’re not “considering” it — it’s already on the books. The ban itself is due to go into effect in 2024. So I would suggest to anyone who lives in California to contact their state legislators and tell them to reverse the ban.