In the video below, Jason Epperson breaks down some fascinating data from a new RV Industry Association (RVIA) study.
According to the study, RV owners are using their rigs way more than they used to. But here’s the kicker: There are actually fewer RV owners than we thought. And the number of full-time RVers? It’s gone through the roof!
Who owns RVs in 2025? The surprising truth!
Unlike some surveys that only talk to a small group of people, this one surveyed 3,000 RV-owning households, with each interview lasting about 20 minutes. That’s a pretty solid sample size, giving us a clearer picture of the RV world. This study helps the RV industry make informed decisions about the types of RVs to build and how to market them.
However, it’s important to remember that the RVIA is an industry association. They decide what information gets released to the public. So, while this data is valuable, it’s always wise to take it with a grain of salt. Numbers can be presented in different ways to highlight certain points.
Here are some of the big takeaways from the study (watch the video below for more details):
- Here’s the first big surprise: According to the study, there are 8.1 million RV-owning households in the U.S. That’s about 6.7% of all vehicle-owning households. Sounds like a lot, right? But here’s where it gets interesting. In 2021, a similar survey estimated 11.2 million RV-owning households, or 10% of vehicle-owning households. So what gives?
- 4 million households are former RV owners.
- 9 million households say they intend to buy an RV at some point.
- A whopping 88.2 million households have zero interest in RVing.
- RVers are using their rigs more than ever. In 2021, the median household used their RV for 20 days a year. Fast forward to 2025, and that number jumps to 30 days a year. That’s a 50% increase! This explains why it’s often so hard to book a campsite and why RV service centers are swamped.
- How often and how far are RVers traveling? The median is nine trips per year, with each trip covering about 250 miles. This suggests that many RVers aren’t embarking on cross-country adventures, but rather taking shorter trips closer to home.
Meet the RVers
- Casual camper: Casual campers make up 31% of RV owners. They use their RV for about 20 days a year, representing 50% of their vacation time. Most (70%) own a conventional travel trailer.
- Family campers: Family campers account for another 30% of RV owners. Like casual campers, they use their RV for around 20 days a year, dedicating 50% of their vacation time to RVing.
- Escapists: Escapists represent 20% of RV owners. They’re on the road for two months (50 days) or more each year, with 64% of their vacation time spent in their RV.
- Avid RVers: Avid RVers are a smaller group, making up 8% of RV owners. These folks use their RV for three months (94 days) or more each year.
- Snowbirds: Snowbirds make up 4% of RV owners.
- Adventure seekers: Adventure seekers account for just 1% of the RV population.
Spotlight on long haulers: The rise of full-time RVing
Why the name change from full-timers to long haulers? The RV industry has a somewhat complicated relationship with full-time RVing. They don’t necessarily want the government to view RVs as housing, which could lead to increased regulations and code requirements.
Long haulers use their RV 365 days a year. While most are full-timers, some use their RV as a home office or as an accessible vehicle. However, 75% of long haulers bought their RV with the intention of full-timing.
Here’s the big news: Long haulers now make up 6% of RV owners, compared to just 1.5% in 2021. That’s a fourfold increase! This means there are approximately 486,000 long-hauler households (which can include spouses and children) on the road. With at least 75% of those being full-timers, that puts the number of full-time RVers somewhere between 750,000 and 1 million people (including everyone in the household)!
Interestingly, only 66% of long haulers travel with a spouse, which is lower than other RVing categories. Also, 61% of long haulers travel to different locations, while 39% stay put in one campground.
More 2025 RV demographic takeaways:
- Forget the image of RVing as solely a retirement activity. The reality is that 61% of RVers are between 18 and 54 years old. Only 39% are 55 or older.
- More than half (53%) of RVers have an average annual income over $75,000. A significant portion (50%) are employed full-time, while 24% are retired and 26% are employed part-time.
- Family life is alive and well in the RV community, with 43% of RVers having children in the house.
- Almost half (45%) of RVers pay cash for their rigs, while the rest opt for financing.
- A whopping 83% of RVers are likely to purchase the same brand for their next RV. Why? The top reasons include a good experience with the brand (38%), strong quality (32%), and desired features (24%). Only 17% are unlikely to stick with the same brand.
- Despite the common belief that most RVers travel with pets, the data suggests otherwise. Around 40% of RVers travel with pets, and those pets are mostly dogs.
Popular RVing Hobbies
What do RVers do in their free time? Here are some popular hobbies:
- Fishing (47%)
- Hiking (44%)
- Visiting local attractions (37%)
- Bicycling (33%)
- Kayaking (16%)
- ATV/four-wheeling (15%)
So, what’s the main takeaway from all of this data? The majority of RVers aren’t full-time travelers embarking on epic journeys. Instead, they’re weekend warriors who enjoy camping close to home. Understanding these trends is crucial for both the RV industry and consumers.
MORE FROM RV MILES:
- Do you need a special RV driver’s license? It’s complicated
- Is the 10-year rule finally changing?
- Proposed Quartzsite price increases—$600 for boondocking?
- How to improve national park trips
- Every way to haul bikes with an RV: For trailers, 5th wheels, and motorhomes
More articles you might really like
- RV review: 2025 Forest River Wildwood Grand Lodge 44VIEW
- Lessons learned from the theft of our RV in storage
- 30,435 Grand Design RVs recalled again for same gas leak danger
- Is it time to quit RVing? Our readers respond
- RV electricity: How to install a 30-amp RV outlet at home
- Around the Campfire: RVers discuss the downsides to workamping
##RVT1199
It is an interesting study. What surprises me the most is age demographics. We mostly camp in areas with no hookups and it’s mostly people 55 and older. I can only assume that the younger people(under 55) prefer all the hookups and other amenities such as TV, cell service, and internet. I originally thought 55 and over would be the majority, but apparently not.
Nothing surprising about the “weekend warrior” conclusion. Even in the 1960s, that would have been the majority of RVers. Not many RVers back then would have wanted to full-time in a 16′ Shasta “camping” trailer!
Thank you for calling attention to the video and summarizing it, Cheri! Some interesting things here, whether tentative or accurate. Have a great day and safe travels!
I believe the conclusion that today’s RVers are using their rigs more than before may be false, and here’s why. The survey showed a precipitous drop in owners since 2021. It is reasonable to assume that maybe those folks didn’t use their RV that much so left the “lifestyle.” Those that were engaged and using their RVs more would then make up a larger % of the new sample vs actually using their RVs more. Could just be a dynamics change in the sample vs a “real” increase in use.
During the pandemic, I saw storage lots stuffed with RVs on holidays, which was never that way pre-pandemic. Those low-usage people are greatly reduced, but the high usage folks are still there.
Long-hauler sounds strangely derogatory for industry marketing speak. The phrase, “in it for the long haul” describes a situation, job or strategy that is an undesirable drudge but promises a slim hope of long-term reward. Really? That certainly does not describe my lifestyle. My husband and I call ourselves “Forever Campers.” We’re living on the move in our 30′ Airstream trailer, Beauty, for as long as we want, or for as long as we live, or for as long as it’s legal, safe and desirable. 10 years now, so far, so fabulous. Give us an off-grid hot springs or fancy desert or wine country resort over any of the over-rated, over-sized “solutions” the real estate/housing industry pushes on seniors