Who's Buying RV's?
RVs are typically associated with older generations, throughout the 1980s the median owner's age was 50, and even today when you're stuck behind a travel trailer, elderly retiree drivers spring to mind, set upon enjoying their golden years visiting trailer parks across the country. However, while the largest age group of RV owners are indeed aged between 45-54, in 2013 the most rapidly increasing number of owners were from the 34-45 age bracket, according to the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association. The average RV owner's age is falling and is forecast to continue to do so for the foreseeable future.
As the benefits of a healthy, active and outdoor lifestyle are increasingly promoted as a counteraction to our stressful, modern lives, the RV stands out as an opportunity to vacation or live within the great outdoors, the ideal chance to escape the modern world while retaining its luxuries, to be immersed in nature without compromising on comfort. All this while remaining in control over where, when, and for how long. This is often an important freedom for younger and older generations alike, however in recent years with technological advancements creating a 24/7 availability through social media, younger RV owners particularly relish their own freedom to break free and make individual, independent plans.
The quest for a healthier lifestyle without compromising on amenities has not gone unnoticed by RV manufacturers and RV parks. RVs are increasingly built and designed to appeal to a younger, more active market, just consider how many now come with bicycle racks and the increase in sporting activities and amenities offered in RV parks nationwide. The RV lifestyle as a whole has been effectively rebranded as a healthy, low cost alternative to the traditional city break, that’s good for both the mind and body. Today's RV buyers, whatever their age, are much more likely to be focused upon keeping active than ever before. The ability to drive out to remote areas to go cycling or kayaking and then spend the night there makes the RV the ultimate companion for any person looking to enjoy being active outdoors. This is also important for both families trying to provide their children with quality family time that encourages them to develop an interest in nature and exercise while disconnecting from electronic devices and the Internet. Likewise, parents often recognize that they struggle to find the time to develop their relationships as a family, whereas RVs offer a great way for families to bond and to meet other like-minded travellers whilst discovering new places and living new experiences together.
This newfound enthusiasm for RVs can be found in both families looking to spend quality time together outdoors as well as couples and singletons looking to escape the stress of modern day living. RV parks that are geared towards a younger clientele tend to offer a wealth of activities and sports equipment aimed at both children and their parents, with quality often comparable to a four-star rated hotel. Spas, tennis courts, well-being classes and sports tuition are just some of the draws encouraging a younger generation to try out RVs without compromising any aspect of their vacation.
Another factor to consider concerning the increase in RV sales with younger owners is affordability and available financing. Today, there are many different types of RVs available, with one for every style and more importantly, every budget. The availability of credit has enabled many younger purchasers to purchase the RV of their dreams and the sense that they are investing in their future quality time as a family. With more credit available than in the past, younger generations are taking the opportunity to get their first RV earlier and to profit from the RV lifestyle for longer. The universal highlights of RV ownership, especially the freedom to discover from a home-from-home environment, ring particularly true for younger generations today.
Today's RV buyers are typically health conscious, active and often seeking an escape to modern life through their RV. With or without children, they are looking for an opportunity to reconnect with nature, keep active and to enjoy activities and new experiences at dedicated RV parks. Although the desire to escape technology and modern life is undoubtedly encouraging record numbers of people to purchase RVs, advances in modern technology itself are also responsible for making RVs a comfortable and attractive option in the first place.
Prospective RV buyers are presented with a wealth of different options and types which themselves can be further customized. The comfort standards of a modern RV are off the scale compared with the traditional images evoked of leaking trailer tents without modern amenities. While today's RV buyers may want to get up close to nature, they also want to do it in comfort. This is one of the main reasons for RVs impressive sales increases year upon year. As standards raise across the whole range, thanks to technology's quest to create ever smaller, cheaper gadgets, RVs have become trendy and comfortable. A way to relax and unwind against an everchanging backdrop. Perhaps it's not so much that today's RV buyers are so profoundly different to their predecessors, it's more that today's RVs cater to a greater range of desires than ever before, and therefore appeal to an ever increasing number of potential new buyers.