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Survey Shows RV Owners Are Adjusting to Higher Fuel Costs

RESTON, Va., -- Despite high fuelprices, 82 percent of RV owners say RV vacations cost less than other typesof vacations. This is one of the reasons why so many RVers plan to travelthis spring and summer. Most RVers are simply adjusting to fuel costsrather than not traveling in their RVs, according to a new study.

The latest biannual Campfire Canvass survey of RV owners, conducted bythe Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA), reveals that 76 percentof RV owners intend to use their RVs at least as much this spring andsummer as last year.

Of those who said their plans would be affected, 58 percent said they"dtravel to destinations closer to home, 35 percent said they"d travel fewermiles and 34 percent said they"d stay longer at one destination.

"Because there are more than 16,000 campgrounds throughout the country,RVers have the flexibility to cut costs by staying closer to home," saysRichard Coon, president of RVIA. "Whether they travel five or 500 miles,they can still have a great outdoor experience."

Surprisingly, one-third of RV owners say fuel costs won"t affect theirtravel plans, according to the study. Their travel intentions reflectresearch by international travel and tourism experts PKF Consulting. Theyfound that even as fuel prices increase, RV trips remain the mostaffordable way for a family to go because of the significant savings onhotels and restaurant costs.

Many families are taking shorter, more frequent weekend trips in theirRVs. According to the survey, nearly 75 percent plan to spend at least fiveor more weekends in their RVs.

John Bargo, a computer operator from Milwaukee, Wis., says that theprice of fuel isn"t going to stop him and his wife, Nora, from travelingthis spring and summer, including spending two weeks in Gettysburg, Pa."Most of our trips will be closer to home, and on our one long trip toGettysburg, we"ll spend more time at that location and not move around asmuch," says Bargo.

In addition to turning off home utilities to save energy when traveling,RV owners also take additional measures to be more energy efficient whilevacationing in their RVs. For example,

According to the survey, RV owners appreciate the recreational andhealth benefits associated with RV travel:

RVers enjoy an array of activities during their RV vacations. Favoritesinclude: camping (86 percent); sightseeing (80 percent); hiking/walking (71percent); biking (43 percent); grilling/cookouts (66 percent); and visitingfriends/family (65 percent).

The Internet is another boon for RVers, who can access online maps,travel information and weather reports while on the road. According to thesurvey, 56 percent of RV owners access the Internet, while 63 percent havelaptops in their RVs.

The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (rvia.org) is the nationalassociation representing more than 500 manufacturers and componentsuppliers producing approximately 98 percent of all RVs made in the UnitedStates.

Visit GoRVing.com for more information about RVing, or to get a free DVDabout how to get started RVing.