BLOG RVers on hanging up the keys: ‘It’s just not worth it anymore’

[Neal]

https://www.rvtravel.com/campground-crowding-1189b/

 

[Dan_Frisbie]

• Are you finding campgrounds booked up or is finding a site not a problem?
• It's area seasonal. Depending on where you're going at any given time of the year, sites can be easy or hard to locate. You have to plan and anticipate.
• What do you like best about RVing?
• My home is here. My sheets, my bed, my food, my furniture.
• What are your pet peeves?
• Loud campers, especially people that feel the need to share their outdoor TV/projector with the entire campground and busy-bodies.
• Are rising costs affecting your camping style?
• Not at all
• Do you have favorite campgrounds or RV parks?
• Government parks (Military and COE, National State, and Community Parks) are the best.
• What is the most memorable experience you have had RVing?
• Got married at the Indian Rally on Indian Point in 2023
• Do you have any tips or secrets you’d like to share?
• Mind your own business in campgrounds. Leave other campers alone.

 

[Texas Clodhopper]

This past summer, we camped in 7 different western states and never stayed in a park where there weren't empty sites. However, that doesn't mean much because rv'ers make reservations but never show up and don't cancel their reservation.

What has changed post-COVID is the cost of camping, and this can be related to corporations buying mom-and-pop campgrounds and increasing the prices, inflation, and of course the influence of supply and demand.

 

[Neal]

IMHO, there are obviously a lot of factors involved. The economy first and foremost, post pandemic RV craze which now is turning into "back to the office", party's over, and of course the costs which have not come down as RV manufacturers, campgrounds, etc. are all still holding onto their post pandemic pricing. (preaching to the choir, I know). So when will this turnaround? My guess is two years to stabilize but don't think it will return to what we experienced in the pandemic era for a very long time. This will return to the retirement dream instead of the pandemic lifestyle, I'm guessing.

I'm just wondering how RV manufacturers are going to stay in business, and related dealers as everyone is playing poker face and not budging. Someone is going to have to give and get business happening again or jobs are going to be lost, at all levels I presume, and companies closing doors.

I love the lifestyle, the people, the experiences. Next year will be a slow one for me again but we'll see how things go.

 

[Russellvh]

Agree with Dan. I love to travel and want my bed nightly and my bathroom.

 

[Dan_Frisbie]

IMHO, there are obviously a lot of factors involved. The economy first and foremost, post pandemic RV craze which now is turning into "back to the office", party's over, and of course the costs which have not come down as RV manufacturers, campgrounds, etc. are all still holding onto their post pandemic pricing. (preaching to the choir, I know). So when will this turnaround? My guess is two years to stabilize but don't think it will return to what we experienced in the pandemic era for a very long time. This will return to the retirement dream instead of the pandemic lifestyle, I'm guessing.

The price of used RVs has been steadily dropping. I've been looking to upgrade to either a Super C or DP for the towing ability. Many of these rigs are priced about the same as my gas Class A was 2 years ago.
I know I'll take a hit when selling mine, but it still may be an overall good deal.

 

[AbdRahim]

The campground prices are beginning to restrict where I go. Places that used to be reasonable are now $2,000 or more per month. Not sure an average campground is worth that. Everyone wants to call themselves a resort. Very few qualify in my opinion. Some of the more popular places have a waiting list for a month stay or or restrict the stay to shorter times. I love this lifestyle, but end up ricocheting between the same places, where I can get value for the dollar.

I enjoy camping where campers are social, so seasonals can be cool. Less fun when

 

[Joe Hogan]

Traveling in a Motorhome is expensive (somewhat less with a tow behind) , and you have to expect frustrations, less than perfect accommodations, and potentially some unpleasant interactions.
You have be be knowledgeable about your rig and willing to be handy with repairs.
It does take effort, sometimes a lot of effort. When that effort exceeds the enjoyment, it may be Time.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

To be honest. My kind seldom frequent forums like this.

We enjoy the life but what attracted us was its affordability! That's right, for us it was for some of us the only way we could make the ends meet.

Although it is still possible, many are looking at overpasses, and cardboard boxes, as the next and only option.

I personally live in the outdoors, you know, real camping, so I meet many fine folks from all over the spectrum, but if the trend continues, I won't be able to do as I have been. My change will be after many of my real friends will be living in their children's house. That is if they have family.

You are looking at hanging up the keys! You are fortunate!!!

 

[Fish]

I suppose what I do isn't really even camping. Got started with rv life just to not have to rent a motel room when living out of town for work. A few travel trailers, a gas motorhome, a few more travel trailers, a fifth wheel, and now this diesel pusher. Now I come to Florida in Nov.-June just to escape the cold IL weather. The last 2 years I've parked the motorhome in the shop when we got home in the spring and it never moved until we came back in the fall, except for a trip to the truck shop in town for oil change and lube. Probably be the same way this year unless I get offered an out of town job I can't turn down, and at almost 68 years old that's getting less likely.

I've got more room, more wildlife, and more recreational opportunity at home than I've seen at any campground/resort I've ever been to. I guess I'm different in that I've already seen a lot of things and traveling around seeing others or the same ones again doesn't interest me.

I've actually considered selling this motorhome and buying a park model rv and just leaving it here in Florida, then driving the suv down for the winter since it costs me $1200-$1400 to get here and back in the motorhome every year. I think I could do it with no net expenditure and maybe even come out money ahead. I look at these park models though and read bad reviews and horror stories on all the new rv's from the companies that make them. Then I put that idea on the back burner again.