According to a study done by the University of Michigan, baby boomers account for more RV ownership than any other group. Boomers are typically known for shunning all things made popular by their parents, but like their parents, RVing seems to be the activity of choice during retirement. As a cheaper and more carefree option for life after work, life in an RV allows the traveler to experience the beauty of the backroads and small towns off the beaten track. You can stay for a day, a week, or months if you really enjoy a place, or you can just pick up and move on once you’ve seen as much as you can handle of a certain town.
Many RVer’s will tell you that an RV isn’t just a vehicle, it’s a lifestyle. Which is why the 10 miles per gallon hasn’t really deterred RVer’s from continuing with their lifestyle. They will tell you that in general, the expenses of living on the road are less than what you would pay in a home. Showers are 6 gallons of water, toilets are flushed with a quart of water, and less electricity is used. So, the cost of gas is not really an issue, and overall, the cost of traveling in an RV is less than the cost of a traditional vacation. The decline in sales of RVs has been said to be attributed to the slump in the economy, and not so much the increase in gas prices.
RV on the Road
With 400,000 modern nomads currently on the road on a consistent basis, it’s easy to see why living in an RV has such a draw to it. Beautiful landscapes, sunsets and sunrises, and the freedom of the open road. But, none of this comes without proper planning, and learning the skills necessary to maintaining such large vehicles in different climates and road conditions. I’d say learning how to read an Atlas rather than relying solely on your GPS is very important. Planning rest stops and avoiding difficult terrain will save you a lot of headaches and stress. In case of emergency, learn how to change a tire before the trip, have canned goods on hand, and keep flash lights, with extra batteries, on the RV. In the summer, have the cooler ready with fluids, and in the winter be sure to check the road conditions because it can be impossible to drive the vehicles on icy or snowy roads.
MSJ Live to RV
Make sure you check out MSJ before you leave for your next road trip and customize a shirt to proclaim your love of RVing!