RV's becoming more luxurious

By: Edward Valentine - [travel/land]
Not that long ago, vacationing in an RV was considered a fairly utilitarian form of existence.
Sure, it beat pitching a tent and sleeping on the ground for a few days, but it wasn't exactly luxurious. The RV lifestyle meant living in cramped quarters and doing without many of the things we are accustomed to in our day-to-day lives.
That's not the case today.
''You don't rough it anymore,'' said Barry Raye, business manager for Rayewood RV in Middletown. ''There is no need to compromise for the person who can afford it or is going to use it a lot.''
Gary Hosking, general manager of Camper's Barn in Kingston, agreed.
''Personal comfort while on the road, that's what everybody is looking for,'' Hosking said. ''Dealers are constantly stumbling over each other trying to be the first one out with something new.
''It's just a matter of time before somebody comes out with a Jacuzzi in one of these things.''
The biggest change? Universally, dealers agree that it's the increasing demand for slideouts, which increase living space from 8 feet while on the road to 12-14 feet while parked. Slideouts, which operate with the touch of a button, have been available for a decade or more. It is only recently, however, that they have become a must-have item for most buyers. The great majority of RVs being sold today contain anywhere from 2-4 slideouts.
''Even pop-ups have slideouts,'' said Raye. ''That's probably the biggest change in the industry. People are spending to get what they want, within reason.''
Gary Connell, co-owner of Imperial Trailer Sales in Troy, says the issue is livability, especially for mature users who spend considerable amounts of time in their RVs.
''Older people are upgrading,'' says Connell. ''They've done it now and they are moving up to something bigger and better.''
Andy Heck, general manager of Alpin Haus in Amsterdam, says today's RV buyers are asking for all the comforts of home - and the industry is responding.
''The industry keeps trying to get better and better, and customers want more and more,'' said Heck. ''More slideouts, more residential style living features inside the motor homes - right down to the type of faucets, showers and counter tops.''
Dealers said it's not uncommon to see amenities such as satellite dishes on motor homes, computer desks, plenty of phone jacks, fireplaces and more.
''People want all the bells and whistles,'' said Raye. ''I sold more pop-ups with air conditioning last year than I had in all the years before that.
''Your homes and cars have air conditioning, why wouldn't you want that in pop-ups?''
Hosking agreed that manufacturers are responding aggressively to the demands of the market, particularly experienced RV users.
''Your typical older RV'er is going to be into the full-time aspect and is usually going to buy something more luxurious,'' he said. ''Manufacturers have been accommodating that and trying to add as much living area as possible.''
Dealers also agreed that the industry as a whole is booming, running counter to an economic climate which has people spending conservatively in most other areas.
''The industry as a whole has exploded,'' said Hosking. ''The RV industry usually tracked the economy, but that hasn't happened. The industry has been growing by leaps and bounds.''
Hosking and other dealers point to the tragic events of 9/11 as a turning point in the industry's fortunes.
While some of this growth is likely coming from experienced users who may be trading up to bigger, more comfortable units much of the growth is coming from younger buyers with children in tow - a demographic that was not part of the RV equation a few years ago. Dealers say families are turning to the RV instead of airplanes for family vacations.
''Where your typical RV'er was of retirement age we are seeing a lot of younger families coming in and purchasing RVs,'' said Hosking.
The younger demographic has also expanded the way RVs are being used.
''We're seeing less full-timers,'' said Hosking. ''More people are using them on weekend getaways, summer vacations, 4-day weekends .. quick-hitting things.''
''The RV is being used more universally,'' added Raye. ''It's not just for special events.''
Raye said he has even had families rent motor homes from him for things like college shopping trips, and that his rental business has increased ''ten-fold'' over the last decade.
''It doesn't pay to own your own motor home unless you are going to use it a lot,'' he said. ''That's why renting has become so popular.''
The influx of younger buyers and renters aside, however, mature users will continue to be a driving force in the RV marketplace. Imperial's Connell says the majority of his business comes from people who have reached retirement age.
''We're seeing lots of older people buying,'' said Connell.
Heck, of Alpin Haus, said this is particularly true in the motor home market.
''The growth in the motor home market is coming from the mature crowd,'' said Heck. ''We've got a lot of people who will run away from this cold weather.''
Whether the demand is, indeed, driven by younger families wanting an easy way to travel with their youngsters, or by veteran RV users upgrading to bigger and better models, it's clear to dealers that the boom hasn't run its course yet.
''It's so affordable to get into it,'' said Alpin Haus's Heck. '' You can get a whole motor home for the price of an SUV.''

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RV Types/Price Ranges

Type Cost (New)

Pop-Up Trailers $4,500 to $12,000
Travel Trailer $9,000 to $35,000
5th Wheel Trailers $20,000 to $100,000
Class C Motor Homes $45,000 to $85,000
Class A Motor Homes $70,000 to $250,000

** Prices are rough estimates based on information from dealers interviewed for this story.

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