PHOTO COURTESY OF JAYCO
INNOVATION CONTINUES TO DRIVE THE RV INDUSTRY
PHOTO COURTESY OF JAYCO
“ Lauan plywood provides the combination of strength , thin construction and lighter weight , all critical in RV construction .”
BRUCE HOPKINS
Despite rising fuel costs , the recreation vehicle industry is doing just fine , thank you .
“ People aren ’ t going to stop camping and traveling ,” says Bruce Hopkins , vice president of standards and education for the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association ( RVIA ). “ They ’ ve made the investment because it ’ s their passion , their lifestyle , and they ’ ll find a way to keep enjoying it .
” If you ’ re buying a half million dollar motor home , whether gas is two or two-fifty a gallon isn ’ t going to make a lot of difference to you . And those who like to camp in a towable RV can leave it at a campground and use a smaller car to commute home .”
According to the RVIA , 70 percent of new RV sales are towable RVs , and 30 percent are motorhomes . Today ’ s typical RV owner is 49 years old and married , with an annual household income of $ 56,000 . As baby boomers retire the industry expects a surge in sales , but it isn ’ t waiting quietly on the sidelines for this demographic to mature . Innovation is making the RV more attractive to a greater range of enthusiastic wanderers .
“ The most significant change lately has been the slideout , the expandable room sections that increase the square footage of the RV when parked ,” says Hopkins . The sport utility RVs , or SURVs , is another big thing . The back wall folds down like a ramp , letting people carry loads – four wheelers , antiques , bikes , dogs and even horses . SURVs give you a lot more flexibility with an RV ; you can sleep in it but you can also haul cargo of a variety of types .
“ There ’ s a trickle-down effect to innovation in this industry . You see these really outlandish , cool motorhomes that sell for a million and a half , and some of the included amenities and technological options become available in more affordable models . Technology ,
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