What RVs Say About the American Economy

[Duke_26]

Looks like another good year ahead!

https://www.theatlantic.com/business...icator/511787/

"The RV industry predicts that 2017 will be a banner year, with manufacturers shipping a record 438,000 units, up 4.4 percent from 2016."



Happy New Year [emoji322]


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[Dustdevil]

That's a great forecast, and I hope it's right. Unfortunately, not all sectors of the economy are healthy. The industrial sector is still struggling with an oil and gas industry that has been in its own depression for about 18 months. Some positive things on the horizon, but the crystal ball is a bit fuzzy these days. I do believe there was a large portion of the business to business economy that was waiting until the election was over to move in any particular direction with new investment and any moderately significant project. Some of those projects are suddenly moving forward with great urgency as of the moment the election outcome was final. Not necessarily that it was anticipating a particular outcome, but simply because it's over. I am hopeful this coming year will find some significant recovery in an industrial marketplace that has seen some significant ups and downs in the last few years.

[Seann45]

Now lets see a graph of new campsites created to put these RVs in

[Mdiwade]

My DW and I have been talking about where we can put in a couple parks for years, way before we purchased. The investment is step to domit correctly.


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[LiftedAWDAstro]

We have already booked our entire summer camping due to having issues getting into campgrounds when we want on sites we want.

[wanderlust]

Originally Posted by LiftedAWDAstro

We have already booked our entire summer camping due to having issues getting into campgrounds when we want on sites we want.

We typically book 6-11 months in advance, depending on where we are going. We stay primarily in State or National CGs and booking window dates vary but generally 11 months out is the max.

[LiftedAWDAstro]

I think NY state parks are 9 months advance booking. We do state parks 95% of the time. Part of the reason we book the whole summer is we almost never camp alone so we like to have 2 - 4 sites right next to each other. We booked 7 trips with 3 of them being 7 - 9 days each with our daughter, son-in-law and grand daughter. Total of 39 nights so far. Our daughter has a 2017 Jay Flight as well.

[dewey02]

It would be interesting to see a chart of how many RVs are "still on the road" as they do for pickup trucks. I guess someone could do this by getting information on how many RVs get their licenses renewed each year.

Then compare that total number with the capacity of public and private campgrounds. I am so glad that we are retired and can camp during the week at state parks. It is quiet, peaceful and sites are available. Come Thursday night through Sunday afternoon, the places completely fill up and become crazy with noise, outside speakers blaring, etc. We spend weekends at home.

[360Bridges]

Originally Posted by Seann45

Now lets see a graph of new campsites created to put these RVs in

Exactly! I think more people are selling their homes and moving into RV's with the thought that it is more affordable than a mortgage. I know in our area where we have military ship yards and many bases, the rent is a minimum of $1700 for a 2-3 bedroom because thats what the BAQ permits, so the greedy landlords jack the price up to the max BAQ! Min wage was just increased to $15 an hour in the city (Seattle) for business owners employing over 500...otherwise its anywhere from 11-13hr. THATS INSANE!! I think Seattle and the surrounding areas are definitely starting to complete with the Alaskan, Hawaiian and San Fran economies!

[TCNashville]

Originally Posted by dewey02

I am so glad that we are retired and can camp during the week at state parks. It is quiet, peaceful and sites are available. Come Thursday night through Sunday afternoon, the places completely fill up and become crazy with noise, outside speakers blaring, etc. We spend weekends at home.

Not retired yet but still able to do 5 or 6 trips during the week in summer. We never camp on weekends or holidays. Lucky for us because most folks don't have that option.