RV'ers wanted (or should be)
How come most states (I think Florida is the exception) don't realize and go after the RV'ers? Here's my thought - I know that when I pack DW and kids and spend 7+ nights in the mountains or the beac...
Forum Discussion
I too get emails and slick paper pamphlets from my neighboring states dept of tourism but virtually all of it is aimed at the car/plane tourist.
Here are some simple facts -- a decent campground is an economic engine for themselves and vendors around them. IF the CG is state-run and can operate at break-even or lose-a-little that just puts more of our $$ into the surrounding area. States should really have an epipahny that their Park system isn't just for school field trips, environmentalist or the retired. The State park campgrounds can attract and hold a large number of us dummies who (sometimes) spend money like drunken sailors. The private CG owner has a vested interest that Interstate fuel centers should be "encouraged" to have areas designed around RV'ers; and restuarants should be "encouraged" to have an area that will fit RV rigs, the list goes on and on -routes that avoid sharp 90 degree turns and are well marked. I'd drive miles more to stay on a route that I knew was designed to handle my needs.
There is even something to be said about our own states working to keep us instate. Georgia gets a little more fuel tax money during Spring Break week but the real money heads south to Florida. Last time I looked Georgia has an ocean coast line,as well. It just has a state park system that is 20 years behind the times and is not interested in keeping me home.
Someone mentioned earlier that we (RV'ers) don't have a lobby firm to take care of us. This is true. However, States, private campground owners and the RV manufacturers should come to realize that they are interdependent, they have a symbiotic relationship - they need each other to survive. If there weren't neat places for me to go RV'ing - I wouldn't own one. No CG's = No RV's = no Good Sams. There is your lobbying force: Private CG owners (smart state park systems)/manufacturers/Marcus(Good Sam).
Here are some simple facts -- a decent campground is an economic engine for themselves and vendors around them. IF the CG is state-run and can operate at break-even or lose-a-little that just puts more of our $$ into the surrounding area. States should really have an epipahny that their Park system isn't just for school field trips, environmentalist or the retired. The State park campgrounds can attract and hold a large number of us dummies who (sometimes) spend money like drunken sailors. The private CG owner has a vested interest that Interstate fuel centers should be "encouraged" to have areas designed around RV'ers; and restuarants should be "encouraged" to have an area that will fit RV rigs, the list goes on and on -routes that avoid sharp 90 degree turns and are well marked. I'd drive miles more to stay on a route that I knew was designed to handle my needs.
There is even something to be said about our own states working to keep us instate. Georgia gets a little more fuel tax money during Spring Break week but the real money heads south to Florida. Last time I looked Georgia has an ocean coast line,as well. It just has a state park system that is 20 years behind the times and is not interested in keeping me home.
Someone mentioned earlier that we (RV'ers) don't have a lobby firm to take care of us. This is true. However, States, private campground owners and the RV manufacturers should come to realize that they are interdependent, they have a symbiotic relationship - they need each other to survive. If there weren't neat places for me to go RV'ing - I wouldn't own one. No CG's = No RV's = no Good Sams. There is your lobbying force: Private CG owners (smart state park systems)/manufacturers/Marcus(Good Sam).
