Despite today’s fuel prices,
typical RV trips remain the least expensive type of vacation, according
to a new study comparing vacation costs.
PKF Consulting, an international consulting firm with expertise in
travel and tourism, found that “typical RV family vacations are on
average 27 to 61 percent less expensive than other types of vacations
studied.” Even factoring in RV ownership and fuel costs, the study
reveals that RV family vacations tend to be significantly less expensive
than other types of vacations.
“This study re-affirms what RVers have long known, that RV vacations
deliver greater economic value compared to other types of vacations,”
says Richard Coon, president of the Recreation Vehicle Industry
Association (RVIA). “RV vacations continue to be the most affordable way
for a family to travel because of the tremendous savings on air, hotel
and restaurant costs. And these savings offset the cost of fuel.”
PKF analyzed major costs that would be incurred by a family of four
taking eight different types of vacations for three, seven, 10 or 14
days to such popular travel destinations as the Grand Canyon, Cape Cod,
and Napa, Calif.
“On average, RV vacations were more economical than the other types
analyzed in all but one case,” says Kannan Sankaran, PKF’s lead
researcher for the study. “Even as fuel prices increase, our findings
show that almost all RV vacations are still significantly less expensive
than non-RV ones.”
Fuel prices would have to more than double for typical motorhome
vacations to become more expensive than other forms of travel, according
to PKF Consulting. The study also shows that fuel costs would have to
more than triple for trips in lightweight travel trailers or folding
camping trailers to be more expensive than the least expensive non-RV
vacation. Almost 80 percent of the RV market consists of towable RVs,
including lightweight units which can be towed by car, van or pickup.
RV owner John Bargo, a computer operator from Milwaukee, Wisc., agrees
with PKF’s findings. “When you figure the cost of driving in a car,
staying in hotels and eating in restaurants, it’s a lot more expensive
than bringing your lodging and food with you.”
Dennis Silipena, a 55-year-old service and parts manager from Hammonton,
N.J., also appreciates the affordability of RV travel. “I’ve owned an RV
for 25 years and I’ve enjoyed significant savings over other types of
vacations. I pay $30 to $40 to stay in a campground rather than $150 to
stay in a hotel. And it’s a much nicer experience staying in my RV.”
The study showed that a family of four traveling from
Phoenix, Ariz. to Napa, Calif., with their folding camping trailer for
10 days, staying in campgrounds at the local average of $33 per night,
would save 52 percent, or $2,379, over the same trip taken by car,
staying in hotels averaging $122 per night and eating in restaurants.
Taking the same vacation by a Type C motorhome would save $1,704, or 37
percent, over going by car.
A week-long family vacation towing a conventional travel trailer from
Salt Lake City to the Grand Canyon compared to the cost of taking the
same trip by airline, renting a car and staying in a hotel would be
$2,647, or 65 percent less expensive.
Shorter getaways by RVs were also found to be more economical. For
example, a family taking a three-day vacation from Pittsburgh, Pa.to
Lancaster, Pa., would save $323 or 31 percent by towing a conventional
travel trailer, rather than going by car, staying in hotels and eating
in restaurants. The savings would be even greater — $889 or 52 percent —
for families taking the same trip by a Type C motorhome rather than
flying.
Among the RV vacations analyzed by PKF, even those taken in an
ultra-luxury Type A diesel motorhome were less expensive than flying and
staying in a hotel. Only a family taking a vacation by personal car with
hotel or renting a condo and cooking for themselves would spend less
than a family taking a trip in a Type A motorhome. “Owners say the added
space, comfort and convenience while traveling justify the investment in
a Type A,” noted Coon.
In addition to major expenditures required from the
start to finish of each vacation, PKF factored in an estimated cost of
ownership of the RVs analyzed: a folding camping trailer, conventional
travel trailer, and Type C and Type A motorhomes. Research included
documenting average ownership periods, residual values, annual days of
use, insurance and applicable interest deductions.
“RV vacations are a great way for families to spend time together and
bond,” said Coon. “Whether it’s in a luxury motorhome or a basic folding
camping trailer, RV vacations offer value that lasts a lifetime.”
The PKF study considered only quantifiable economic factors, not the
comparative quality of each vacation. As a result, the convenience,
flexibility and quality family time cited as major benefits of traveling
in an RV could not be addressed.
The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (rvia.org) is the national
association representing more than 500 manufacturers and component
suppliers producing approximately 98 percent of all RVs made in the
United States.
Visit GoRVing.com for more information and to get a free video on how to
get started RVing.
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