Average age of RV'ers

I've been out in RV's since I was a baby. Bought my first Coleman Cheyenne popup at 19. 6 years and two upgrades later...here I am.

We both were in scouts as young kids and camped in pup tents too when in grade school and up till 18 but that is not what this thread is about. It's about RV'ing not tent camping. My parents had purchased their first TT (16' Bonanza) in 1954 and we went RV travel and camping a lot in the state parks in Michigan in the summers. It dose remain though that both of us in actual years of camping including in tents is really about 68 years each now and us old farts are still doing it as I type and not about to stop anytime soon!

We married in 1961 and purchased our first RV unit in 1965, a new 8' Georgie Boy Truck Camper for our 6 cyl single cab floor shift pickup. Wife and I plus 2 still in diapers used the snot out of it. Added a 22' Banner TT a few years later for more room as the kids got bigger and pulled it with a V-8 Station Wagon as we needed more passenger room and the kids being a boy and a girl in the TT too. Kept the Georgie Boy TC too as it was paid for and perfect for days at the beach etc.

Always have had a TC ever since and still do and will even with all our other RV's we have as they are so useful and nimble and fit a real need and want. Can pull a boat with them or other trailer and still have your small home right with you. Fits in about any CG site or no site at all and also in a normal parking lot slot too. Far different than what's required for a TT, 5th wheel, MH rig size needed place to park anywhere!

Started camping as a boy scout in a pup tent, camped in a tent until I was about 35 then got an old TT. Have had a variety of TT's since. Dw is now 86 and me 77, now have an Aliner and still camp locally, might be the last year tho. Its been fun bit all good things come to an end sooner or later..

It only makes sense to me to start when you are not retired. I know how much I make now and what my health is. If I wait until I am retired, it may never happen. Our health may not let us or our finances. We can't live for tomorrow (although we plan for it). We work hard to play hard, while we can.

Good, that means our rule of trying to travel and camp weekdays when possible. will be peaceful. The xer's will all be at work.

Bought my first RV just over two and a half years ago when I was 43 so I am pretty close to the average discussed.

Cloud Dancer wrote:
I'm still in, trying to raise the average.
BTW what's the most sensible way of demanding higher quality?

Let's not assume that RV manufacturers use forums such as this one to find their flaws and disgruntled customers; write letters directly to the manufacturers and dealers. Got word processing software built directly into your 'puter so multi tasking on different platforms is easy.

Let's stop wasting OUR time and/or money fixing items that should have been dealt with at the factory. Overwhelm dealers with minor repairs and in turn, they will use the power of their quarterly or semi annual meetings w/ manufacturers to lower THEIR overhead and demand a better product.
This idea may cost a little more which blows a hole in the "Walmart solution" but should fill some people with pride in the "Buy America" movement.

Finally, just vote with your pocketbook. After years of research of RVs online ( Nooo. If you fail the specs test online why would I waste money to see your products at the Hersey RV show?!? Hullo!!!) I put my money down on a Canadian RV. No idea why Canadians are doing better at this type of manufacturing than this country but I'm not an economist who needs to analyse it; just a consumer with bucks on the barrel head who is not swayed by "purty" being the be all, end all.

I have camped my whole life(53 years) in some form or another. Before entering college, my parents always owned a popup camper, then in college I got a hand me down popup. After college I took a few years off and with the help of mice, lost use of my popup. I than switched to tent camping for 20 years, than back to a popup for 8 years or so, now we own a travel trailer for the last 2 years.

When marrying my bride, her idea of roughing it was a three star hotel. ;(

I have loved it all.

Dean

I'm 41 and really enjoy with my family. I could easily go full time if my job was portable.

Cloud Dancer wrote:
I'm still in, trying to raise the average.
BTW what's the most sensible way of demanding higher quality?

I think the only way to only buy from manufacturers that make better RVs. I was on a dealer lot this weekend and the difference between a 2017 (used) Forest River and 2014 Northwood was astonishing. I liked a 2017 Weekend Warrior but time will tell if they are quality or not (new ownership).

But you pay more. There has to be a balance. I like that Outdoor RV offers a 1-2-3 warranty. Even Northwood only offers the industry standard one year warranty.