Posted by on Jan 04, 2012
In a 2011 consumer survey conducted by the University of Michigan for the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA), 1 in 5 American households expressed interest in purchasing an RV. The two fastest-growing demographics in the RV Nation are retiring Baby Boomers and empty-nesters over the age of 55 and singles and young couples under age 35. The increasingly diverse RV buyer pool has spurred RV manufacturers to introduce a greater range of feature choices that allow RV buyers to customize their RV purchase at the factory or dealership level.
Personalized living space is one of the hottest RV trends for 2012. Using multiple and deeper slides, RV manufacturers have been able to abandon the traditional shotgun layout and introduce exciting new L-shaped floor plans in select 2012 RV motorhomes and travel trailers. The new floor plans provide RV buyers with greater flexibility in creating living spaces that suit their lifestyle.
Greater use of panoramic views, picture windows and skylights is brightening up RV interiors and creating a more fluid bridge to the natural world outside. Specialized built-ins and more efficient use of vertical space are giving RV owners the storage space they need for prolonged trips and full-time living. In recognition of the increasing interest in full-time RV use, RV manufacturers are offering full-sized kitchens and bathrooms as an option in a greater range of RV models. New RVs are also coming off the production line fully wired to accommodate advanced electronic, digital and wireless technology.
Posted by on Dec 30, 2011
As we ring in the New Year, the RV industry is poised to offer RV buyers a greater number and broader range of choices than ever before. The growing diversification of the RV Nation has triggered a move toward what the industry is calling “right sizing.” In order to meet the often different needs of today’s new RV owners, manufacturers are making it easier for RV buyers to customize their RV purchase to create the right size RV to fit their lifestyle and budget.
RV buyer interest in fuel economy, energy efficiency and environmental impact has created a growth market for RVs that are smaller, lighter, greener and cheaper.
Fuel economy. Most of the new travel trailers can be now pulled by a standard family SUV or mini-van, but the industry is aiming for an RV light enough to be pulled by an ordinary family sedan. The use of light-weight composite construction materials and more aerodynamic designs has already increased RV fuel economy and this trend can be expected to continue.
Energy efficiency. To minimize energy consumption, the RV industry has adapted a number of the green-construction practices used in the housing industry to the production of motorhomes and travel trailers. Installation of Energy Star appliances is now standard on motorhomes and travel trailers, and new models feature LED lighting.
Environmental impact. RV manufacturers are including more sustainable materials both in core contruction and interior features, including bamboo flooring, recycled glass tiles, paperstone countertops, wheatboard, hemp and coconut shells.
Next time: 2012 RV interior trends
Posted by on Dec 21, 2011
If you’re an iPad user, you’ll want to check out RVT.com’s newly updated FREE iPad app for RV buyers, RV sellers and RV dealers. We’ve just added a new search filter that allows iPad users to narrow their RV search to a specific U.S. state or Canadian province. Our updated iPad app also allows iPad users to search multiple states or provinces for their dream RV. Click the link above to download our FREE updated iPad app and see for yourself how easy it is to find the RV you’re looking for on RVT.com. You can download RVT.com’s free iPad app from the iTunes app store. It is listed as RV Classifieds in the travel category.
With the addition of this new search filter, RV shoppers can now use their iPads to search all 50,000 RVs for sale on RVT.com. iPad users can now narrow their RV search by RV type, production year, vehicle length, price and state or province location. RVT.com’s updated iPad app now provides iPad users with the same powerful search capabilities enjoyed by RV buyers who shop on the RVT.com website.
iPhone and iPod Touch users will also want to download our FREE RVT.com Mobile app which provides mobile users with full access to the RVT.com website and all its features while you’re on the go.
Posted by on Dec 19, 2011
On January 1, the average American employee will wave goodbye to nearly a week (6.2 days) of unused vacation time, according to a recent Hotwire.com survey. Companies used to let their employees roll over unused vacation days from one year to the next; but today the policy at most companies is “use it or lose it.” According to a Reuters/Ipsos poll, only 57% of American workers take all of their allotted vacation days, and U.S. workers receive less vacation time (2 to 3 weeks) than workers in other Western countries where 4 to 7 weeks of annual time off is the norm. In France, for example, 89% of workers use all of their 6 weeks vacation time.
If keeping your nose to the grindstone paid off, you might be able to rationalize skipping a few vacation days; but it doesn’t. Psychologists say taking even short vacations increases motivation, creativity and productivity; reduces job stress; and makes you healthier and happier.
So what does this have to do with buying an RV online? RV owners are more likely to take vacations than people who don’t own RVs. RVers are also more likely to leave their work at home and spend their vacations relaxing and enjoying themselves. RVing makes it cheap and easy to get away for a weekend or a couple of weeks. Don’t let your vacation days slip through your fingers. Buy an RV online and go on vacation!
Posted by on Dec 16, 2011
If you are an RV owner and are looking for a very special gift to give your grandchildren for Christmas, take them on an RV camping trip during their Christmas vacation. Leave their parents at home (that’s your Christmas gift to your own children!) and take your grandkids on an RV trip — just you and them. You don’t have to trek to Disney World or plan anything elaborate. Just take a weekend jaunt to a nice state park where you can spend some time enjoying the outdoors and snuggling up in the evening with a stack of story books and steaming cups of cocoa (heavy on the marshmallows).
These days, many children don’t get the opportunity to bond with their grandparents. You may be separated by distance or school and activity schedules may monopolize your grandchild’s time. But grandparents have much to offer children. Grandparents don’t carry the weighty responsibilities a parent must shoulder to raise a child in today’s complex society. Grandparents can fudge a little on bedtimes. They can overrule the 2-cookie limit. They can stop for ice cream even if it’s close to dinnertime.
Taking an RV trip with your grandchildren removes all the distractions of normal family life and lets you focus your complete and undivided attention on your grandchild. For children, that is the greatest gift of all.
Posted by Claire on Dec 07, 2011
Saving on vacation costs is one of the primary reasons people buy an RV online. Compared to other vacation options, vacationing in an RV will save a family of four between 28% and 59% on their total vacation costs; and a traveling couple, from 15% to 45%. In a study conducted by PKF Consulting, an international travel consulting firm, RV vacations were found to be less expensive than any other combination of travel and lodging choices, including travel by car or airline and lodging in a hotel, rental house or condominium. In each scenario, the RV vacation was determined to be the least expensive choice.
The PKF study also compared vacation costs for different types of RVs: a car towing a folding trailer (pop-up), a pickup truck or SUV towing a travel trailer and a Class A motorhome. Not surprisingly, motorhomes, which are larger and heavier than other types of RVs, were found to be a more expensive travel option than travel trailers or folding trailers. What was surprising was the relatively small cost difference between travel trailer and motorhome vacations. For a family of 4, a 3-day weekend trip in a travel trailer cost an average $623. Traveling by motorhome cost $647, a difference of only $24. Vacationing in a folding trailer cost $508.
In comparison, driving and staying in a hotel cost $903. Add the cost of flying and vacation costs rose to $1,678. Staying in a rental home only decreased vacation costs by $150 to $1,514.
Posted by on Dec 05, 2011
Imagine your family’s surprise and delight on Christmas morning if they find a toy RV parked under the tree with a big red bow on the roof and a card that says ”Look outside!” Better have your camera ready to capture the smiles and excitement when they look out the window and see the RV parked in your driveway.
The ultimate holiday gift, buying an RV promises exciting adventures and plenty of family fun. Many people consider buying RVs online because they’re looking for an inexpensive way to travel and vacation with their families. Or they may love nature and wish to immerse themselves in the great outdoors. Or they may be avid campers who are looking for an easier, more convenient, more relaxing camping experience. And RV owners reap all of those rewards. But the greatest — and often unexpected — benefit of owning an RV is the strengthening of the family bond.
RV families take more vacations and weekend trips. While RVing, parents have more time to focus on their children without the normal interruptions of daily life and weekend to-do lists. RVing gives families the opportunity to learn and explore together while building the kind of memories that will last a lifetime.
Buying an RV online is not just an investment in cheap transportation; it’s an investment in your family — and isn’t that the greatest Christmas gift of all?
Posted by on Nov 28, 2011
Online sales are expected to reach $1.2 billion today as holiday shoppers click their way to online bargains. Considered the busiest online shopping day of the holiday season, Cyber Monday offers great deals on all kinds of merchandise, including recreational vehicles. Today is the perfect day to hunt for your dream RV on RVT.com.
RV shoppers will find nearly 54,000 RVs of every make and model — both new and used — for sale on RVT.com. The many RV dealers that list their inventories on RVT.com are offering some incredible year-end close-out deals on new 2011 RVs as they move inventory to make room for the new 2012 RV models that are beginning to arrive. (You’ll find some 2012 RVs already listed on RVT.com.) Continuing the 2011 trend, 2012 RV models feature greater fuel economy, increased energy efficiency, more green features, more luxury features and greater use of sustainable construction.
RV buyers will also find many of these features among newer used RVs listed for sale on RVT.com. If you want to stretch your budget, you can get more for your money — more space, more sleeping accommodations, more luxurious features — by buying a used RV online.
Whether you’re looking for a new or used RV, you’ll find the best RV prices online at RVT.com not only on Cyber Monday, but every day of the year.
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