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September 29, 2006

RVing

Excellent piece in today's New York Times, "Over the Top and On the Road," about 38th Annual Pennsylvania R.V. and Camping Show in Hershey, PA.

If you've never visited GoRVing.com, do so, as you're in for a real experiential treat. The site is sponsored by The Go RVing Coalition, which consists of the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA), Recreation Vehicle Dealers Association (RVDA), National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC) and other state RV and campgrounds associations.

According to PA's RV association, the PRVCA:
"There are nine million RVs on the road with an estimated 25 million Americans traveling in them. A recent University of Michigan Survey Research Center study shows the number of RV-owning households at an all-time high of 9.3 million, or one in ten of all U.S. vehicle-owning households."

That's quite a segment of the U.S. population. Interesting, the greatest goods-commoditizing operator on the planet, Wal-Mart, and the epicenter of the Experience Economy, the city of Las Vegas, represent two of the most RV-friendly (parking lot) destinations to be found. They both understand the buying power of these 25 million in-motion consumers.

See:
"This is Nowhere" (Camping at Wal-Mart DVD)
and
Wal-Mart Locator (RVer guide)

also:
Casino Camping (RVer guide)

Yahoo answers (message board)

Posted by Jim Gilmore at September 29, 2006 2:03 PM | Category: customers first 2006 | 1 Comment

1 COMMENT

Posted by: Sean at September 29, 2006 6:07 PM

you have to wonder if they mean RV when they say RV - if they are counting solely the self-contained vehicles. Because there are campers (which go on the back of a truck), as well as trailers, that many people all lump together and alternately use the term Camper/Trailer/RV.

I'd also be interested in knowing if this number includes van conversions.

FWIW, I myself, a single male, living alone, own 2 RVs. I use them both.

Wal-Mart camping is mostly confined to those people stopping for a night's rest and taking advantage of a free, safe, flat place to stay for a night. Robberies at truck stops are common, and even rampant at highway rest stops.