Fluctuating gas prices have been driving motorists crazy this year, but RV drivers aren't really affected by changes of a few cents-per-gallon. RVs have many advantages, but unfortunately, fuel efficiency is not one of them.
The Athens Banner-Herald reports most motorhome owners are still RV trip planning this year, in spite of higher fuel costs, but they are changing their plans a bit to accommodate the expense. A survey conducted by the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) found 60 percent of RVers will take shorter trips closer to home to avoid spending too much at the pump.
The cost of RV travel is still well below that of other vacations. This is because a motorhome is an all-inclusive means of traveling and lodging. When you go RVing, you don't have to worry about spending money on plane tickets, hotels, rental cars or dining out. A motorhome is your means of travel and your home for the duration of the trip. Most RVs are equipped with kitchens so you can prepare your own meals, which saves a lot compared to eating at restaurants for every meal.
"RV vacations were more economical than other vacations analyzed, regardless of trip duration, trip distance or region of the country where the vacation takes place," said Kannan Sankaran, vice president of PKF Consulting, the firm that conducted the RVIA survey. "As the data indicate, while fuel costs are a component of the overall vacation cost, they are not significant enough to materially affect the outcome of our analysis."
The Athens Banner-Herald reports RV sales are on the rise this year, and they are expected to be 5 percent higher than last year's sales. In addition, manufacturers have taken the rising cost of fuel into consideration in the design of new campers. Across the board, RV manufacturers are working to make their motorhomes lighter, more aerodynamic and smaller in an effort to improve the fuel economy of their vehicles.
Even though it may cost a bit more to fill up the tank of an RV than it would a car, traveling in an RV allows families to see the country in a unique way. Staying at RV campgrounds is a great way to teach kids about nature while traveling and sleeping in comfort.