Recreation Vehicle Frequently Asked Questions

What is a recreation vehicle (RV)? An RV is a vehicle that combines transportation and temporary living quarters for travel, recreation and camping.

RVs are either motorized or towable. Motorized RVs include van campers or type B motorhomes, "mini" or type C motorhomes and type A motorhomes. Towable units are folding camping trailers, truck campers, fifth-wheel travel trailers and conventional travel trailers.

Conversion vehicles are vans, trucks and sport utility vehicles that have been modified for added comfort and convenience by a company specializing in customized vehicles.

The annual retail value of RV and conversion vehicle shipments is $13.7 billion.

There's an RV for every taste and budget, starting from about $3,600 for a folding camping trailer and $4,500 for a truck camper, to an average of $14,700 for a travel trailer and $76,390 for a motorhome. Conversion vehicles average $37,680 and are sold by auto rather than RV dealers.

Who is the RV traveler? A University of Michigan Survey Research Center study for Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) found that one out of every 10 vehicle-owning households in the United States owns an RV. That number rises to one in nine among households headed by 35 to 54 year-olds.

There are currently a record 8.6 million RV-owning U.S. households and 9.3 million RVs on the roads.

Reflecting an increasingly younger, family-oriented RV market, almost half (45 percent) of today's RV owners are between 35 and 54 years-old, outnumbering those over 55 (40 percent).

The average RV owner is 48 years old, owns a home, is married and has a household income of $47,000.

There are an estimated 30 million RV enthusiasts in the United States.

Why do people choose and use RVs? Flexibility and convenience -- RVs offer a convenient, hassle-free way to see America. RV travelers have the freedom and flexibility to go where they want, when they want -- without the worry and stress of inflexible schedules, advance reservations, overbookings and lost luggage.

Comfort -- With fully-equipped kitchens and baths, rooms that slide out at the touch of a button, central air and heat, TVs, VCRs, surround-sound stereos and more, today's RVs provide travelers with all the amenities of home while on the road or at the campground.

Family appeal -- RVing is a uniquely enjoyable way to travel as a family. In fact, families that frequently vacation by RV report that it fosters an increased sense of togetherness and helps improve family communication. Louis Harris research found that 92% of parents who own an RV said that RVs are the best way to travel with family and children.

Affordability -- RV vacations are more affordable than travel by personal car, commercial airline or cruise ship, according to a recent vacation cost comparison study conducted by the travel and tourism research firm PKF Consulting. Even factoring in RV ownership costs, and considering resulting tax benefits, a family of four can save up to 70 percent when traveling by RV.

Lure of the outdoors -- RVers can enjoy the mountains, beaches, parks, popular tourist attractions and small towns whenever they want, without giving up the comforts of home. With the new sport utility travel trailers and motorhomes, RV travelers can easily haul their ATVs, snowmobiles, motorcycles or other outdoor vehicles right on board.

Versatility -- In addition to travel, camping and outdoor recreation, RVs are being used year-round for a wide variety of other purposes, like shopping, tailgate parties at sporting events, pursuing special interests like horse, dog and antique shows and other hobbies.

Rentals available -- Renting an RV is a popular way to "try before you buy." The RV rental business is a $135 million industry and growing.

Where do RVers travel? With more than 16,000 public and privately owned campgrounds nationwide, RVers are free to roam America's highways and backroads for a weekend or months at a time.

Privately owned RV parks and campgrounds are found near popular destinations, along major tourist routes and even in metropolitan areas. These campgrounds appeal to travelers by offering a variety of activities to keep the whole family happy, including swimming pools, game rooms, playgrounds and snack bars.

RV travelers seeking a resort atmosphere are especially attracted to the new breed of luxury RV resorts with facilities such as tennis courts, golf courses and health spas.

Facilities at public campgrounds tend to be simple, but offer great scenic beauty. Public lands are popular for hiking, fishing, white water rafting and many other outdoor recreational opportunities.

What does the future hold for the RV market? Shipments of recreation vehicles totaled 300,100 units in 2000, resulting in the second highest annual shipment total since 1978 despite a U.S. economic downturn affecting many industries.

The University of Michigan projects the number of RV-owning households will rise from the current record of 8.6 million to 10.4 million in the year 2010 -- a gain of 21 percent, outpacing overall U.S. household growth of 15 percent.

Among all U.S. households, one-in-five intend to purchase an RV in the future, according to the University of Michigan study.

Changes in the frequency and duration of vacations favor the RV industry. Americans are traveling more but over shorter distances and on weekends with less planning, according to recent studies. For RV owners, this is a convenient travel pattern.

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