As flying becomes a less desirable (and sometimes impossible) travel option, people of all walks of life are looking into the RV lifestyle. The initial appeal is obvious—the ability to travel on your own terms; the flexibility to bring your belongings, pets and kids; the access to incredible sights and nature with all the comforts of home; and last but not least, the ability to social distance and stay safe while still scratching the vacation itch. But don’t take it from us. Hear from longtime RVers about why RVing is the way travel—now more than ever.
You can pick up and go whenever you’d like
Planning a trip in advance is downright scary given our current realities—since there’s no way of knowing if you’ll actually be able do the activities you planned (thanks mandatory quarantines and shutdowns!) With an RV, you can pick up and go on a whim when you know the coast is clear—or cancel plans at the last minute if need be—without incurring the hefty costs associated with hotel and flight cancellations or last-minute bookings. RVer, Matt Rewis, told us about his experience traveling on a whim—and how amazing it can feel:
“We dreamed and worked for a long time towards our goal of buying our first RV. We were so excited to try it out for ourselves for the first time, we had a spontaneous idea: Why don’t we book a campsite tonight and practice setting it up!” he says. “So completely unplanned and out of the blue, we towed our new Jayco directly from the dealership to Fort Wilderness and spent our first night of RV ownership camping! We roasted hot dogs, watched fireworks from the beach, and generally celebrated achieving our family’s dream of buying an RV. It was truly a magical experience, and we’ll never forget that first night!”
It’s the vacation expense that keeps on giving
Anyone who’s spent a large sum of money on a vacation knows that sinking feeling of getting home and having to deal with the credit card bill or low bank account. On the other hand, you can purchase some RVs for the same amount you might spend on a big trip for the family—or at least make a sizeable down payment. And unlike the one-time trips, you’ll get far more bang for your buck—without additional and ongoing investments in flights and hotels.
“We scrapped our dream of a ten-year anniversary trip to Ireland, and instead bought a pop-up camper,” says longtime RVer Stephanie Puglisi (a now seasoned member of the Jayco family—has since upgraded to a Jayco White Hawk, then an Octane toy hauler and now travels in an Eagle travel trailer). “We considered it a celebration of our new life as parents and an investment in the next ten years of our family.”
It’s easy to be flexible if unexpected issues arise
Forget vacation planning—these days, the news can change mid-vacation. What happens if it’s too late to cancel or reschedule—or worse yet, you’re stranded? With an RV, that situation is avoidable—or at least far more enjoyable and far less expensive. Jayco owner Neil Potter recalls a time when unexpected bad weather actually made for good memories:
“Due to an unexpected freeze/snow, our two-night maiden camping trip was converted to a three-night maiden trip due to frozen roads back into Portland! Luckily for us, we were towing a house behind us. We attempted the drive home and quickly realized the roads were far too icy for safety. We simply turned our rig around, headed back out to the state park and enjoyed an extra night of fun!”
Even if things are smooth sailing (er … riding), it’s great to have the flexibility to change your plans on a whim.
“I always say that my favorite part of RVing is the flexibility and freedom,” says RVer Heather Brewer. “You’re on your own schedule, you can pull off anywhere to make lunch, take a nap, or go on a hike. You don’t have to look for recreation because it’s right outside your doorstep, and you can bring all of the comforts of home on the road with you.”
It brings back a spark of joy—and memories that will last forever
Let’s face it, we could all use a little unbridled joy right now. Hitting the open road and experiencing new things and amazing sights is a sure way to find it. Stephanie describes the feeling:
“For our family it is that magical moment when everyone, young and old and in between, is discovering exactly how exciting and joyful life can be. We find it each time we introduce the boys to a new place or experience. Each time we hike a new trail, swim in a beautiful lake, or revisit a family favorite campground. Family fun is in the rowdy water fights at the lake and the quiet moments fishing in the stream. It is the time we spend together, when the demands and the daily grind of life fade into the background.”
We couldn’t have said it better ourselves!
You’ll wish you’d done it sooner
If you’re still on the fence, don’t wait too long. Most who own an RV wish they hadn’t waited so long to take the plunge. Stephanie agrees:
“If you’re considering purchasing an RV and entering the lifestyle—just do it now. Don’t wait. We have received hundreds of emails from people who have purchased their first RV and so many of them wish they had done it sooner.”
Matt seconds that:
“Buying the RV has been the best decision we’ve ever made for our family. In this short time of ownership, we already have several trips and tons of lifelong family memories under our belts.”
Ready to find an RV that fits your family and lifestyle? Check out our Buyer’s Guide tool or download the ebook.
