If baseball doesn’t watch out, it will get replaced as America’s favorite pastime.
RVing has been gaining popularity in recent years and over the past couple of decades. The RV Industry Association (RVIA) estimates that RV ownership has grown 62% over the last 20 years.
And, you may be surprised about who’s buying these new RVs.
So could RVing be the next great pastime? Let’s look and see.
Millennial Families Are the Largest Segment of New RV Owners
While the 55+ community largely dominated the RVing lifestyle, the RVIA research indicated that RV ownership split somewhat evenly amongst several age demographics. For example, the 18-to-34 age group makes up 22% of the RV market.
Interestingly, 84% of the millennials and gen-Zers in the study indicated they were planning to buy an RV in the next five years, and 78% stated they planned to buy a new trailer.
The boom in younger generations testing the RVing lifestyle waters is largely due to the increase in remote learning and work. Solo travelers, couples, and families can do video conferences and submit homework assignments from their RVs anywhere in the country.
OPINION: These are the worst RV brand IMHO.
Childhood Memories Created Today Is Tomorrow’s Family Tradition
The younger generations RVing are creating memories with their families and loved ones. The children in these rigs will grow up and look back at their RVing adventures and want to pass them on to their kids. It’s similar to how previous generations passed on a love for tent camping and getting out into nature.
For this reason, we can confidently say that RVs won’t go anywhere anytime soon.
RVing will likely become a family tradition for many families over the next couple of decades. Don’t let the packed campgrounds catch you off guard. You might as well get used to booking campsites well in advance for years to come.
What Type of RVs Are Families Using?
RVing families often select travel trailers. This is largely because travel trailers are among the lightest RV options and typically provide the most usable space. Plus, you don’t always need a massive dually to pull most travel trailers.
Considering that most RV owners use their RV for 20 days or less, owning a massive truck could be wasteful. For the remaining 345 days of the year, RV owners don’t want to deal with the hassle of owning an enormous truck that’s hard to steer, park, and expensive to maintain.
REVEALED: An RV mechanic shares which RV systems will break first.
How Do I Get Started in RVing?
If you want to jump into RVing, start learning all about RVs. Get on YouTube and watch as many videos as you can. Many of the videos are from individuals traveling full time in their RV.
However, they can provide valuable insight into selecting an RV, what gear you need, and other information to help you stay safe and avoid wasting money.
Additionally, the internet can become a valuable library of information. You can find RVers that provide checklists for shopping for an RV, packing lists for your first trip, and even detailed lists for what to do when arriving and departing a campsite.
Some RVers admitted to researching for months before they felt comfortable jumping in and purchasing their first RV.
How Much Does RVing Cost?
The cost of RVing can vary quite a bit. You’ll find many YouTube videos with experienced RVers telling you how cheaply they live out of their RV. RVing can be relatively inexpensive if you can pay cash for your RV, own a capable towing vehicle, and plan to boondock relatively often.
However, you can also easily spend several hundred dollars a month on an RV payment, over $1,000 a month on a new truck payment, and hundreds of dollars a month on campsites. In the end, it can cost almost as much to live in an RV as it does in a house.
If you don’t plan to travel full-time, you’ll also have to factor in the costs of storing your RV between trips, especially if you live in an HOA or don’t have room to keep it at home. Depending on the location and storage facility, it could cost $100 to $200 or more per month to store your RV.
Additionally, no matter how often you use your RV, you still have to consider the costs of repairs and any accessories or camping gear you’ll need. Drinking water hoses, camping chairs, and firewood are typically required, but they’re not cheap.
Pro Tip: Is RVing Cheaper than Renting?
Is RVing Worth It?
RVing is a fantastic way to make memories with your family and friends and grow as an individual. There’s something special about getting out into nature and getting fresh air that can enhance your life.
It’s exciting to see younger people starting to embrace RVing. RVing may be the bridge between generations as the younger and older generations park next to each other in campsites. If you factor in the pros and cons, you might find RVing worth it.
Do you know anyone jumping into RVing now that it’s becoming popular?
Discover the Best Free Camping Across the USA
To be honest with you, we hate paying for camping. There are so many free campsites in America (with complete privacy).
You should give it a try!
As a matter of fact, these free campsites are yours. Every time you pay federal taxes, you’re contributing to these lands.
Become a FREE CAMPING INSIDER and join the 100,000 campers who love to score the best site!
We’ll send you the 50 Best Free Campsites in the USA (one per state). Access the list by submitting your email below: