The Future of RVing

[livelylittlecam]

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

[rockhillmanor]

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

[Nvr_lost]

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.

[Altern]

2oldman wrote:
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I wholeheartedly agree.

[wildtoad]

korbe wrote:
The trend that I notice is that RV's are becoming more reliant on the need for shore power.

Yep. 50amp service will become the norm for all but the smallest rv. Even the new Winnebago 31C which is still a relatively small MH comes with 50amp. Residential refers, ice makers, multiple TV's, electric heat will all continue the drive for "More Power".

State parks will have to modernize to keep up with the demand for this power. I know of two parks here in SC that have short term plans to add sites that have full service w/50 amp service.

[DrewE]

I wouldn't be too surprised to see a high-end all electric (or mostly electric) motorcoach with a hybrid drive system. There are some city busses being made and at least experimented with that are hybrid or fully battery electric. On a motorcoach, you could enlarge the hybrid battery bank if needed and also use it to power the house systems, allowing the elimination of the separate generator and potentially the entire propane system. I doubt it would be cost effective, at least for some time, for any but high-end units.

[kellertx5er]

downtheroad wrote:
If the trend continue....which it has for a couple of decades now, RV's will continue to get bigger, heavier, and have more frill/bells and whistles. This will require the trend for trucks to get bigger and more powerful.

On the other hand, there is a very real industry trend for smaller, lighter RVs and the use of lighter materials in larger units.

[livelylittlecam]

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

[2oldman]

..

[korbe]

The trend that I notice is that RV's are becoming more reliant on the need for shore power. Which in turn means more generators are being used when these RV's are location in dry camping areas. And that increased use of generators has spoiled some of the otherwise quiet campgrounds, IMHO.

[lots2seeinmyrv]

I would like to see a trend in more 55+ Adult RV Resorts in EVERY state with activities geared towards seniors.

There are plenty of Family Campgrounds geared towards families which is great but there are a lot of us that would like to see more Adult oriented resorts across the Country.

[downtheroad]

If the trend continue....which it has for a couple of decades now, RV's will continue to get bigger, heavier, and have more frill/bells and whistles. This will require the trend for trucks to get bigger and more powerful.

[Terryallan]

Not sure you will see many more CGs stay open in the winter. Yes the RVs can handle it. But most of the CG facilities can't. Freeze proof water faucets, and bath houses that won't freeze are expensive. and then still after you get that done. You have to require that your customers unhook their water at night so that their water hose doesn't burst, and run water every where.

It all depends on if the CG owner's want to put that much money into the CG.