Fuel Prices and the RV Industry

• RV travel is a great value.The PKF Vacation Cost comparison study showed that a family of four can save 26-to-71 percent on vacation costs depending on the type of trip and type of RV used.More than 80 percent of RV owners say their RV vacations cost less than other forms of vacation.
• With fuel prices down more than more than a third from last year, more RVers may take long road trips again.When fuel prices rise, RVers adjust by traveling to destinations closer to home or driving fewer miles, according to surveys of RV owners conducted by RVIA and Zarca Interactive, a leading provider of online surveys and research technology.
• In a recent survey of RV owners, 90 percent said they’d use their RVs as much or more this summer than they did last year.Eighty-six percent say RVing is an affordable way to travel.Three-fourths save at least 25 percent when they travel in an RV — more than a quarter save 35-50 percent.
• To save on fuel, RVers typically spend more time enjoying the campground experience and less time on the road. More than 16,000 campgrounds nationwide give RVers the flexibility to save fuel and cut costs by staying closer to home. Whether they travel five miles or 500, they can still enjoy a great outdoor experience.
• Fuel prices would need to nearly quadruple from their current level to make RVing more expensive for a family of four than other forms of travel, according to PKF Consulting. PKF’s spring 2008 vacation cost comparison study shows that RV trips remain the most affordable way for a family to travel because of the significant savings on air, hotel and restaurant costs, which continue to rise.  
• Fluctuating fuel prices affect the cost of all modes of travel and transportation. Airfares and hotel rates rose rapidly when fuel costs increased and fuel surcharges were added.
• Many RV owners surveyed take additional measures to reduce fuel consumption through simple steps like driving 55 instead of 65 miles per hour, packing lighter to reduce weight in the RV, and turning off home utilities to save energy when traveling.RVers travel at a leisurely pace with no tight schedules for flights, hotels or restaurants.

Updated 06-05-09