The sky is the limit when it comes to amenities you’ll find in motor-homes, travel trailers and fifth wheels these days.   Every thing from leather couches, washers and dryers, and even heated tile flooring, but with those things comes a big price tag, especially on a motorized RV.  Then when you get it home there’s the cost to fill up the gas tank on the RV, which can run as much as $300 or less for a tow vehicle.  However this not stopping campers from heading out to their favorite spots.

“We go with a group of 15 other couples and we have the schedule all planned out for the third weekend each month, we go somewhere for our weekend camp-out,” said Louise Frank, an RV owner.

According to the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association RV sales in 2011 were up 4.1 percent nationwide, and people at the QCAA RV Expo say the threat of high gas prices won’t stop them from buying and using their campers.  “It’s just a budget thing, if you’re going to make the trip it’s just like any other vacation, you set the money aside and you go,” said Chad Misfeldt, an RV shopper.  “It’s something that you work for because that’s something you enjoy to do.”

The cost has however changed some aspects of how RV owners travel.”We just don’t use it to travel very much, we keep it at the lake and travel there in the summer.” Frank says they also budget differently during trips, like camping during the week when rates are cheaper, or cutting back on other expenses.  “We still love to do our camping so we cut others ways, we may not go out to eat as much while we’re home,” said Frank.  “Even when we’re camping we go out for lunch instead of supper.”

Many are parking their campers on permanent campgrounds sites, or are opting to purchase a smaller lighter weight.  Going smaller and lighter weight pays for itself in fuel economy.  Although the majority of RV owners know that by going small, you are going to have to sacrifice room.  Whether that is storage room, living space or sleeping space.  The majority of RVs being build nowadays are pushing the envelope in design and comfort.  On the upside of the fuel situation, many automotive manufacturers are giving the consumer more towing payload with greater emphasis on fuel mileage.

The vast majority of RV consumers view their camping trips as a time to bond with the family and say eight miles to the gallon is a small price to pay for building memories that will last a lifetime.

Related articles

• 2012 York RV Show, March 9-11. (rvingiseasyatlerchrv.com)