The Future of RVing

The industry is in a constant state of evolution. Technology: More technology incorporated into the RV similar to auto trends including blind spot indicators and communication techniques. Better and lighter building materials: on lower end RVs, exterior and interior moving to all aluminum framing, high gloss exteriors, nitrogen filled tires,etc.
Energy: influences from other environmental industries like built in solar panels, ambient heating sources. Campgrounds: that can check you in with a card reader that can identify you and your rig and set up your fees with the swipe of a card at a booth or laser reader on your windshield, similar to EZ PASS on turnpikes and toll roads.

livelylittlecampers wrote:
I am developing an article and podcast segment about the future of RVing/camping. I wanted some of the expert input from the RV.NET audience. What trends do you see developing in the coming years? For example--

I think we will see greater numbers of campgrounds in the Northeast begin to stay open year round. Today's RV's can handle winter camping--

so I think campgrounds need to catch up.Have at it guys and girls--would love to hear your opinions!Best--Jeremy

Don't know where you are getting that information from? :?

Regarding the RV's? NO almost all of them are NOT set up for freezing temps. Can you use them? Sure after you drain all the water lines, cover each and every window with insulating material and sit in a dark cave and still be cold in an uninsulated box. And MH's with expansive windshields letting all the cold in.:R

Regarding CG's staying open in the winter in the cold states?
NO. water freezes and unless they run electric to all the spigots AND install 1,000 a piece new code frost free pumps and/or dig all new water lines below the frost line which the water will STILL freeze in the lines and break them, etc.etc......

So NO they are not going to invest that kind of insane amount of $money for a few paying camping crazies that want to use a CG in the dead of winter, in an RV that is not capable.

CG's in the midwest and northeast will continue to close around OCT 1 from now until the end of time. Water freezes and CG water systems are shut down period.:B

livelylittlecampers wrote:
I was thinking that more campgrounds would stay open for campers who boondock and are willing to camp without water. I think there is money to be made in what is now considered the off-season in the Northeast.

Best--Jeremy

Normandy farms in foxboro, ma was year round until 2012 and Pine Acre in Oakham, ma is still year round. I have never camped at Normady farms but for the past 4yrs have been at Pineacres. So right now there is not a lot of snow and it's 30*F "ish" but camping in the winter in that area would be tough. The roads alone are narrow and hilly, but not alot of traffic. That area of central /western mass is 1000'+ in elevation which has more snow and ice. If they say rain in boston we get snow. Not saying it cannot be done just your a special breed.

Now Normandy farms is close to Boston not too far from the ocean and rather flat so why is one open and the other closed during the winter? Hit or miss business? or campers want more isolation from city life?

1) More big trailers needing 50 amp service.

2) High-end all electric 5th wheels entering the market within two years. No propane at all (like high-end Class A's now)

3) Continued cutbacks at COE and other federal campgrounds as Congress tries to make agencies make recreation self-sustaining. (Continued issues with water usage and droughts will also hurt the COE.)

4) Cutbacks also at state parks in make states as the cost of providing full services water, sewer, 50Amp gets higher.

5) Bigger splits in the RV market between small weekend campers - and live-in larger rigs.

6) Demand for more 55+ commercial RV parks. Decreased demand for 'family campgrounds'.

7) Some 55+ parks might stay open a little longer, but I really doubt campgrounds where there is snow on the ground are going to stay open. The economics don't justify the expense.

Just my opinion, worth exactly what you pay for it.

TWO THINGS HAPPENING. one the way of the huge class A,s will slide backwards some,, why ,fuel ,cost, size. and #2 smaller class rv,s will pop up fuel effient engines, will become the norm in rv,s. fuel will not always be $2.bucks a gal . when this little spurt of cheap fuel is over . $5.bucks a gal will be the norm.the baby boomers are dying off.

Looking at the above responses, you came HERE for expert advice? ROTFLMAO!

My useless opinion? For a huge number of economic reasons, I see serious downsizing of rigs in the next 10 years as people who are so ridiculously upside down realize that perhaps that 500K "investment" that is now worth 100K or less wasn't such a good idea.

In luxury digs, there is a small amount of room for upgrading infrastructure (emphasis on the "small" which is very likely to not be realized in a shrinking market) but as to the rank and file mid to low market private entities, there is practically no room and as to public properties, forget about the upgrades suggested by others here for 2 very important reasons: 1) There is no expansion land. 2) There is no money, and THAT money situation, friends, is where the discussion ends. Hopefully.

I predict that some will camp and some will not. Those that do, won't understand those that don't and those that don't, won't understand those that do.

Altern wrote:

2oldman wrote:
..

I wholeheartedly agree.

Couldn't have not said it better myself!

midnightsadie wrote:
the baby boomers are dying off.

Baby boomers are between 50 and 70. I hope they aren't all dying off...

I see a different power (drive) system for motor homes. More on the diesel/electric like the railroads use. I see also more rear mounted engines. I see campgrounds with the exception of Mega Corps going out of business. I see hotel/motel companies getting involved in the RV campground business. All of which could benefit the average RVer of tomorrow. There are few campers left as defined when I started over 40 years ago. It is a different hobby. We used to worry about trannys and engines, today they worry about TV and Internet hook ups.