26 Little-Known Facts About RVs

The RV industry has been experiencing a boom in recent years, with eight straight years of growth leading up to 2017. What’s more, according to a 2019 economic study from the RV Industry Association, the recreational vehicle industry has had a staggering $114 billion total economic impact in the U.S., from RV sales to industry jobs to campgrounds and travel. Who knew the recreational vehicle industry was such a powerhouse? Here’s a closer look at some of the little-known, colorful, or otherwise intriguing facts about the RV industry, culled from industry reports, association websites, and statistics research. Curious to learn some RV lingo before you hit the road? Be sure to read Boondocking and Other RV Terms You Need to Know.

Related: 17 Tips for RVers Riding Out the Coronavirus Pandemic

Motorized campers began to appear on the scene as early as 1910. That’s when the first “auto campers” were created and made commercially available. By many accounts, these vehicles, sometimes also called “camping trailers,” were the predecessors of today’s ubiquitous RVs. However, they were hardly as luxurious as modern offerings. In fact, they offered minimal comforts. 

Related: From Covered Wagon to Winnebago: The Evolution of the RV

By the 1950s, the industry truly started to come into its own, offering everything from do-it-yourself RVs to luxe 30-foot vehicles. It was around this era that many of today’s well-known RV brands established their businesses.

Related: The Most Outrageous Luxury RVs Money Can Buy

Hitting the open road in an RV is no small pastime. Each year about 25 million people opt to travel this way, according to the RVIA. That figure represents a significant share of the overall number of people who go camping in this country. For instance, in 2017, 41.8 million U.S. residents participated in camping of some type — car, backyard, or RV. About 1 million Americans RV full-time.

Related: What It's Really Like to Retire in an RV

While it may seem like RV vacationers are mostly families and boomers, younger generations are buying RVs these days in increasing numbers. Data from Statistical Surveys, Inc. showed that, from 2015 to 2018, the share of ownership by age range experienced notable growth among younger demographics. For instance, RV ownership for those between 35 and 44 rose from 18.42% to 20.75%. Among 25- to 34-year-olds ownership increased from about 5% to slightly over 8%.

Related: 22 Reasons Why #VanLife Might Not Be for You

While younger RV owners may be growing, the average owner, according to RV Life, continues to be around 48 years old. These individuals are typically married, have an annual household income of about $68,000, and travel about three weeks each year.

Related: 18 Reasons You Really Don't Want to Buy an RV

It should come as no surprise that America’s stunning national parks are a magnet for RV travelers. The most popular park among the RV travel set is Yellowstone, according to RV Life, followed by Grand Canyon, Redwood, and Crater Lake national parks. Some of the other top RV destinations in the country include Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia; Fairbanks, Alaska; and Yosemite National Park. Rounding out the top 10 destinations are Mount Rushmore; Key West, Florida; and Walt Disney World in Florida.

Considering renting an RV for your next trip? Choose from a wide variety of options at popular rental sites RVshare and Outdoorsy.

RV travelers should never have trouble finding a place to spend the night. According to a Wandering RV report, there are about 16,000 campgrounds and parking facilities (both public and private) that allow RV camping throughout the country. Looking for more places to park an RV? Here's How to Find Places to Boondock or Free Park in Your RV.

RV owners who are Good Sam Club members are eligible for 10% off at more than 2,400 parks and campgrounds across the country.

That #RVLife is apparently not just a beloved American pastime. Between 2012 and 2017, U.S. RV exports to China, Korea, and Japan totaled over $258 million, according to the RV Industry Association 2018 annual report. The RV industry in Canada meanwhile generates about $7 billion a year in sales annually, according to Wandering RV’s report.

Related: 20 Stunning RV Camping Destinations Across Canada

With the travel industry’s impact on climate change being a key topic of discussion these days, it might be comforting to know that an RV vacation can be more environmentally friendly than flying or driving and staying in a hotel. A study produced by PKF Consulting found that a family of four taking an RV vacation generates a smaller amount of carbon dioxide than a family that opts to fly to their destination, where they rent a car and stay at a hotel.

Related: Bucket List RV Trips Worth Planning

Given their love of the great outdoors, it should be no surprise that some RVers have taken extra steps to reduce the environmental impact of their vehicles. Go RVing says that nearly 20% of RVers use solar panels to run some of their on-board systems.

Related: Solar Panels and Other RV Accessories to Make Road Life More Luxurious

RV camping is certainly a family affair and that includes the family pet. In addition to the 90% of owners who agree that RVs are the best way to travel with kids, more than half (54%) also bring their pets along with them on RV vacations. Looking for dog-friendly campgrounds? Check out 16 RV Parks Your Pooch Will Love As Much As You.

RV design has come a long way over the years and is now able to accommodate disabled travelers. Various RV makers will provide modifications before delivery of a vehicle — everything from wheelchair lifts or ramps to widened entrances and interior pathways. Manufacturers can also create lower kitchen counters and cabinets and roll-in showers.

Related: DIY RVs and Vans You Have to See to Believe

Another evolution of the industry over the years — park model RVs, for those who want an RV that looks more like a traditional cottage or home. These unique creations bear no resemblance to an old-fashioned RV — imagine your summer cottage on wheels. But like traditional RVs, they require being hooked up to electricity, sewer, and water. Park model RVs, which are aimed at those who like to stay in one camp for an entire season, are under 400 square feet, range in price from $20,000 to $80,000 and can sleep up to 10 people. Hauling one of these homes, however, must be intimidating to say the least. 

Related: 30 Biggest Mistakes of First-Time RV Drivers

It seems there’s no end to the ways RVs can be customized. For those who love fishing in sub-freezing temps, a customized fish house RV may be the best approach to staying warm. These vehicles, which range in size from 6 to 30 feet, and in price from $3,000 to $20,000, according to Go RVing, are designed to be lightweight so that they can be towed onto the ice with an ATV. And banish images of some spare tin shelter. An RV fish house includes such creature comforts as heat, kitchens, bathrooms, beds, and satellite television. All that and, at the end of the day, you can fry your fish up on the RV stove.

Related: Best Fishing Spots in All 50 States

A 2019 RVIA report also found that a full 98% of the RVs purchased in the United States were manufactured here. Of the more than 100 manufacturers currently in business, most are, in fact, based in the U.S.  

Related: 76 Brands That Are Still Made in America

Of all the states in the country, Indiana leads the nation in RV production and manufacturing, according to the RV Industry Association. Nearly 83% of all the recreational vehicles made in this country come from the Hoosier state. Elkhart, Indiana, is widely viewed as the industry capital, where about 65% of recreational vehicles in the U.S. are made.  

Related: 21 Surprising Things We Learned at the RV Hall of Fame in Elkhart, Indiana

The largest portion of the RV market is made up of towable units, according to the RVIA. In 2017, 441,691 towable campers were shipped, a figure that represented 17.6% growth over 2016. Also according to the RVIA, about 12% of RVs on the market are motorized, while 88% are towables.

Related: 25 Affordable Camper Alternatives to an RV

While there are plenty of well-known companies that specialize in manufacturing RVs, Ford Motor Co. also has a part to play in the creation of these vehicles. It makes the chassis, engines, and transmissions for most of the motorhomes purchased in this country.

Throughout the United States, Wandering RV reports that there are about 7,000 dealers selling RVs who manage about $23 billion in revenue annually. These dealers also create about 50,000 jobs. Camping World is the nation's largest dealer, with more than 125 locations nationwide. 

Related: Where to Buy an RV Across America

The 2018 RVIA annual report reports that Texas gets the most recreational vehicle shipments from manufacturers at 9.5% of the total produced. California comes in second, receiving 7.3% of wholesale shipments, followed by Florida at 5.3%. After that come Ohio and Michigan, both of which receive 3.9% of the wholesale RV production.

A mere five countries account for the vast majority of RV exports from the United States, says Wandering RV. Our neighbor to the north, Canada, accounts for the lion’s share of the market, annually taking 90% of industry exports. 

Related: 10 Countries Where They Love RVs as Much as Americans Do

For the first time since the RV Industry Association (RVIA) began collecting data more than 40 years ago, RV shipments exceeded the half-million mark in 2017. Wholesale shipments reached 504,599, which was a significant increase over 2016 when 430,691 RVs were shipped by manufacturers to dealers.  Shipments declined in 2018 and 2019 to 483,672 units and 406,070 units, respectively.

Though used models and simpler models can certainly be found, RVs are not necessarily cheap. Given that reality, more than 200,000 indirect loans were provided in 2017 at retail locations that sell RVs, according to the Wandering RV’s report, totaling about $8.4 billion.

Related: 25 Mistakes to Avoid When Buying an RV

As part of its $114 billion overall economic impact on the U.S. economy, the RVIA reports that the industry supports nearly 600,000 jobs and 30,363 businesses, and contributes more than $32 billion in wages. It also pays in excess of $12 billion in taxes (federal, state, and local). That $114 billion impact is broken down between RV manufacturers and suppliers ($68 billion); RV sales and services ($20.1 billion) and RV campgrounds and travel ($25.6 billion).

Given that it is the home of the RV industry, it should come as no surprise that Indiana leads the pack, at $6.8 billion, when it comes to total direct economic output (RV sales and service plus number of RV shipments) in the industry, according to Wandering RV’s 2017 industry research report. California comes in second with annual output of about $2.2 billion, and rounding out the top three is Texas at $1.8 billion. Iowa didn’t fare so bad, either, with an economic output of $1.4 billion.

Even on a more local level, the RV industry is a force to be reckoned with. In Colorado, for instance, it has a $1.4 billion annual economic impact. That materializes in a variety of ways. RV manufacturers and suppliers in the state, for example, realize a $384.9 million annual economic impact, while $556.6 million goes to RV sales and services, and $496.1 million is taken in by RV campgrounds and travel companies. Also in Colorado, the RV industry supports 9,752 jobs and provides $491.7 million in wages. About 11,105 RVs are shipped to the state each year. Colorado is just one example. RVIA provides economic impact numbers like those for each state — find yours here.

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