Tri-State Outdoor News

One might assume that the lousy economy has put most all RV owners park their rigs and put travel plans on the shelf.

However, for many like Kathy McClane of Robinson, IL, that’s not the case. Many RVers are planning winter vacations and already making plans for next year. Some have planned to travel with their RVs to visit family or friends during the holiday seasons. And with gas prices lower (hopefully, they will stay down) the travel outlook for next year is brighter than might have been anticipated.

Kathy has been traveling with her dogs, Gigi and Noah for four years. And while a surgery and gas prices curtailed a planned trip to California this summer, the economy didn’t cause her to change plans for the winter.

“I stay at a KOA Kampground just south of Naples (FL),” she explained. “I really enjoy Marco Island and spend quite a bit of time there…I also go to church out there.” According to the Recreational Vehicle Industry (RVIA) Association, RV owners love the RV lifestyle, but just like everyone else, they’re concerned about today’s sagging economy and looking for ways to save money and cut costs.

Kathy McClane and her dogs, Gigi and Noah from Robinson, IL, didn’t let the economy interrupt her annual winter RV stay near Naples, FL.

A RVIA fall/winter survey indicates RVers are adjusting to the economy by traveling closer to home and staying longer in one place. By having their “homes on wheels” with them, RV owners say they can stretch their dollars by saving on costly airfares, hotels and restaurant meals.

The latest Campfire Canvass fall/winter survey (before gas prices dropped significantly) of RV owners reveals that 29 percent plan to travel more this fall and winter than last year; 56 percent plan to travel the same amount as last year; and 15 percent plan to travel less than last year.

Sixty-two percent of survey respondents say they’ll travel to destinations closer to home, while 38 percent say they’ll stay longer at the same destination.

One of the biggest reasons why RV travel appeals to families is because of the value that RV vacations offer. Eighty percent of the RV owners surveyed say RV vacations cost less than other types of vacations.

Many RVers love having their portable house on wheels. Some say they would much rather sleep in their own bed as one in a motel. For the Junkers, we travel with our two rat terriers and that’s another reason for the RV lifestyle.

The survey shows that 60 percent of RVers planned to take more mini-vacations (1-4 days) this fall/winter compared to last year. Because RVs have full kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms, RV owners can get away at a moment’s notice. And they don’t have to worry about hotel reservations or the hassles of flying such as long security lines and costly baggage fees. With an RV, everything is on board and ready to go.

According to a new study comparing vacation costs by PKF, an international consulting firm with expertise in travel and tourism, family RV trips are, on average, 27 to 61 percent less expensive than other types of vacations, even with today’s higher gas prices and factoring in RV ownership costs.

Forty-three percent of the survey respondents said they’ll use their RVs to attend festivals and fairs this fall/winter; 33 percent will use their homeson- wheels for foliage tours; and 30 percent for antiquing and flea market trips.

The survey reveals that holiday travel remains popular with RV owners. Among the respondents, 37 percent said they plan to travel in their RVs over the Thanksgiving weekend and 20 percent over the Christmas/Hanukkah season.

Fifteen percent of the respondents described themselves as “snowbirds” who’ll take extended RV trips to warmer regions this fall/winter. (I’m one of those and the campgrounds here in Central Florida seem to be well booked for the winter season.)

Visit GoRVing.com for more information about RVing and to watch a video on how to get started RVing.

PERSONAL WOW — While camping on Lake Rosalie, Fla., in mid-November, the space shuttle blasted off at night from Cape Kennedy, 60 miles away on the Atlantic.

A number of camper friends gathered by the marina to watch the launch. Several had seen previous nighttime launches.

I thought it would be a special experience, especially since this may be one of the last. What I didn’t anticipate was just how impressive the launch would be.

As the shuttle lifted off, the entire eastern sky lighted. Up went the shuttle, and we watched it until the booster rocket dropped away.

It was a wonderful campground experience.