• Read Parts One and Two.
• Read Part Three.
• Read Part Four.
PART FIVE
How Fifth Wheel Trailers have ruined RVing
Today, about 85 percent of all RVs sold are towables. At the low end are popups and short (24 feet or less) travel trailers. Many are lightweight, cheap, and can be towed easily by the family car. What this means is that anyone of even modest means with an SUV, lightweight truck or even four-cylinder automobile can own an RV.
Camping World and many other dealers will gladly finance even the least-expensive trailer for 12 to 15 years (and 20 years on some), which is far beyond the life expectancy of most. Plenty of naive buyers fall for this, and I suspect most regret it later for reasons I have explained elsewhere.
In the RV industry, as in every other American manufacturing business, “bigger is better,” which in the RV world can also mean “more new gizmos and gadgets is better.” Every year RV manufacturers try to outdo their competitors with new features. In the process of doing so year after year, they have created “mobile homes” — vehicles as suitable for “living” as traveling. I am referring mainly to towable RVs, although luxury motorhomes fit the bill, too.
Today’s large fifth wheels and travel trailers are so comfortable they could easily be compared in how they’re used to “mobile homes” of yesteryear. The difference is that present versions can be easily moved from place to place with a pickup truck or other passenger vehicle. It was a big deal to move a mobile home: They were designed to stay in one place, and usually did.
Think about the RVs (travel trailers mostly, and early motorhomes) from the mid-20th century: They were downright primitive. Few people could live in one full-time without sacrificing most creature comforts. And few did. Oh, yes, there were trailers back then that were used as homes, and they could be easily towed from place to place. But when residents of many low-end parks became labeled “trailer trash,” the vehicles were rebranded as “mobile homes.” Today, they are known as “manufactured homes.”
Fast forward to today. Even an $80,000 fifth wheel trailer can be equipped with multiple slide-outs, a residential refrigerator, fireplace, big screen TV, outdoor kitchen, heated floors, soaking bathtubs, wine cooler, built in vacuum, washer and dryer, dishwasher and, increasingly, two bathrooms. They’re as comfortable as most traditional homes or condos — and at a fraction of the cost — and they come fully equipped with all basic appliances and furniture. And no property taxes to pay, either!
In 2016, shipments of fifth wheel trailers surpassed Class A motorhomes almost four to one. In 2017, shipments climbed to more than 4.5 to one. In January 2020, fifth wheel shipments were nearly five times greater than motorhomes. In other words, of the two most popular full-timer rigs — fifth wheel trailers and motorhomes — the popularity of fifth wheel trailers is growing faster.
The reason: They sell for far less than a motorized RV and, per foot, offer more living space. Of course, with no engine they are far less expensive to maintain. The federal government, by the way, allows the owner of any self-contained RV to write off the loan interest the same as if it were a home mortgage (check with your accountant).
Even though shipments of conventional travel trailers are far greater than fifth wheels, from my observations, fifth wheel trailers are overwhelmingly more popular with full-timers. It’s easy to live in one without sacrificing any creature comforts. The advent of the toy hauler option meant abundant storage space, serving much the same function as a garage back home. You can, with one of these RVs, “take it with you,” as many full-timers do.
RV manufacturers, by adding new creature comforts every year, have made the RVs so comfortable that people who might have otherwise bought a vacation cottage or second home at the beach or in the mountains buy an RV instead. Why build a second home that doesn’t move, when you can buy one (fully furnished, of course) that’s equally comfortable and for far less money, that you can move on a whim to the ocean, a mountain lake or into the warm desert in the winter?
Or maybe you could just park your home in a senior retirement park, maybe one in the Southwest or Florida in the winter and then back up North in the summer. Not a bad life. . .
RVs are, by definition, made for “temporary living.” That’s according to the RV Industry Association. Yet they are now being advertised as “full-time ready.” Some insurance and extended warranty policies will not cover full-time living. That will likely change, but for now any new full-timers should read their policies carefully. Thousands of current full-timers who believe they are insured are not. In an accident they could lose their life savings.
Also, a comfy fifth wheel trailer is almost made to order for families where the breadwinner travels. That means pipeline workers, wind machine crews, or construction workers on temporary assignments. An RV can be a comfortable home for traveling nurses and for entrepreneurs who can work from anywhere because of modern communication technology. There’s no need for a worker to leave his or her family behind at home and rent a motel or apartment. With the RV, he or she can bring the family along wherever an assignment awaits and then easily move on to the next one.
The downside for you and me to this ease of mobility for temporary workers is that RV parks across America, once popular with RV travelers, are now heavily occupied seasonally or even year-round by these nomadic workers who need a space with full hookups. In some cases, as I have noted before, companies rent an entire RV park for their workers. The result is that just dropping into an RV park on a whim for RV “travelers” is far harder: Reservations, often far in advance, are necessary far more often than not.
So when I say fifth wheel trailers are “ruining” RVing, I am not talking about the RVs themselves. Frankly, if I weren’t so nomadic by nature, I’d buy a fifth wheel trailer as my only home.
No, I am referring to a fifth wheel’s incredible comfort, and how appealing it can be to make one your home — not for recreational purposes but for living purposes. And because so many fifth wheels are being sold for “living” — for RVers who travel to camp or see the sights, available space in RV parks is increasingly unavailable. The idea of “going where you want when you want” as advertised by the RV industry a big, fat joke — a leftover slogan from yesteryear that should be retired.
Of course, full-timers live in motorhomes and traditional travelers as well. But when I look into my crystal ball, I see more full-time RVers opting for fifth wheel trailers in the years ahead.
And it’s these RV owners’ long-term occupation of RV park spaces that I believe will ruin RV travel for those who travel with the purpose of “going where they want when they want.” I see the future of RVs being more as about RV “living” than RV “traveling”.
NEXT SATURDAY: I’ll sum up my thoughts.
##RVT938
At least those traveling workers are trying to make a living rather than relying on public assistance.
Word!
Thank you for saying that.
They’re just doing their jobs like everyone else. It makes perfect sense for them to live in an RV and use it to travel from place to place.
There are many parks, here in the Gulf area, that are really for the temporary worker crowd. I have stayed in a few, generally over night. Better than Wal-Mart. These workers do need somewhere to live while in an area for short work periods.
I have a less than 30′ Class B/C and try to use State and local parks. Many parks that I use, the big boys cannot get in. Different flavors for different folks.
Chuck, you just couldn’t help yourself anymore, you had to take a shot at CampingWorld. All of your editorials lately have 3 reoccurring themes 1. Evil CampingWorld 2. Evil 20 year loans 3. The good old days of camping,
Honestly they are getting a bit boring and redundant. Have you ever thought about writing about the wonderful RV’ing most of enjoy in the 21st century.
Yet, you keep reading them. Must be the FOMO syndrome, haha. Never been to Camping World, haven’t finance a 20 year loan and the good ole days of camping are the writer’s cherished thoughts.
Leo, we’ve been on the road 14 years as full timers, and our opinion is the exact same as Chuck. Experience counts.
Leo Suarez, as editor, every story on this website has my stamp on it — the good, the bad, the ugly. I only write a fraction of everything. We cover all aspects of RVing.
Evil Camping World? Yes, for some people, maybe not you, but many others. Evil 20 year loans? Absolutely! (I am not the only one who says that, far from it). The good ol’ days of camping? No, they were different. Times change, but the industry continues to sell the idea of “go where you want, when you want,” which is a lie. RV buyers fall for that. Then they can’t find a campsite in the vacation season anywhere near a popular tourist location and are angry.
I don’t think the good ol’ days were better — in some ways, yes, in other ways no. I bet you haven’t read a fraction of what I have written in the last 20 years — millions and millions of words, positive, negative. . . . I know that most readers enjoy RVing — no doubt about it: and you have a thousand places you can read all the goodie “Isn’t everything wonderful” crap. Yes, a lot is wonderful, but some is not.
I care about the little old lady who wrote me and said her husband had died suddenly and she needed to sell their expensive RV but because of the long-term loan she had to come up with $80,000 to pay it off. “What can I do?” she asked, and I know she was crying as she wrote it.
I care about the family that buys a new RV and then sits around six months, making payments, watching their one-year warranty expire, while the RV sits in the shop. That’s who I care about. You, me and others who enjoy our lives as RVers are doing just fine and a lot of what I “whine” about does not apply. If you are bored with what I write, for Pete’s Sake, there are websites and blogs galore that you can read without anyone saying anything that might rock someone’s boat (er. . . RV). No need for you to stick around here and just get more upset.
If I get too far out of line I’ll lose my readers and I’ll know I was running my mouth too much. But, frankly, circulation is growing faster than ever, and more people are voluntarily subscribing for as little as $5 one time (you don’t) to keep my voice in the industry and not silenced like my friend Greg Gerber, who got blackballed by the industry and run out of business because his advertisers didn’t like what he said, which was honest and appreciated by his readers (our reader’s financial support frees me of such pressure).
Please, feel free to submit an article about how you see things. If the writing is good, we’ll publish it. That goes for anyone else in the audience. We have a lot of space to fill with 400 issues a year. Who else out there in the RV publishing world publishes that many handmade newsletters (as opposed to automated articles, mostly lifted from other publications)?
I’ll keep doing what I do because I feel strongly about what I say, and because I worked my fanny off through the years building a large and mostly loyal readership. Again, am I being defensive? Yes, I am.
When I retired 15 years ago we bought a 5 year old motor home for a fraction of the original cost and set out to see the country. We had an awesome few years traveling all but 4 states, 4 Canadian Provinces and Alaska. I became a reader of RV Travel from the beginning and learned much from it. Thank you for your years of knowledge and dedication. The last long trip we took was 2 years ago from our home in Florida to the northwestern states. We have very seldom made reservations but on that trip we found it more difficult to follow our nose. Now that I’m older and less inspired to take long trips we camp with our kids at a family camping area one of our sons developed in a rural area. We bought a 5th wheel for the comfort. We do take a short trip to a state park now and then. I’m glad we got to enjoy the way it used to be. For a new generation there is a new experience that inspires them to own an RV. For us, memories of how it used to be are difficult to squeeze into the new paradigm. So I guess my bottom line is this; new and younger people buying RVs today will find their adventure as we did only in a much different way. One day they will opine about the good old days when everything was perfect in their RV world. Happy trails to all who set out on their own adventure.
I love the way you put that ❤️ I deliver the RVs fifth wheels and travel trailers. I think I’ll purchase a fifth wheel to move about the country at will for we enjoy different scenery without having to build a home in a state to experience living in a differently state.😊
Did Alaska lose statehood? 😉
When the Aliner club had a rally in Morgan City to attend the festivities and parades, the campground filled up with fifth wheel trailers. Most of the folks were families that already owned 3/4 to 1 1/2 ton trucks and were used to Louisiana’s weather patterns by the third coast.The designers of the city owned campground made sure they had plenty of space to drive and park, as well as walking trails and playgrounds. Still, there was no RV’s in the middle, just Aliner popups and monster fifth wheelers.
People do things differently than you, so you use your pulpit to demean them. They have spoiled your fun, or at least the way you remember it. BooHoo. You are ruining your newsletter with your perpetual whining.
I agree Joe
I don’t see it that way, Joe.
I don’t see the problem either Joe. The world would be a much better place if folks who disagree could just disagree. Keep up the good work Chuck, and crew!
We are in a park today that is full (We got the last site left), yet we have not seen a living soul the entire 3 days! I was told that several new plants in the area are attracting out of state contractors and all parks in the area are full. (One park told us they set up some “impromptu” sites with just water and electric, but we were able to find this one FHU.)
When we volunteered with USFS, we were told they had to leave a set % of sites as non-specific…first come, first-served with max days in.
But, hey…this isn’t so bad…we have the entire park to ourselves!
No worries… you have the right to live your life as you choose. Certain busy-bodies believe they have the right to not be inconvenienced or offended by different people and lifestyles. Go work for a living — you’re the good guy here.
As far as people living in RV parks while working, median rents from 1960 to 2019 increased by 61% and median wages increased by 5%. We have a housing crisis nationally.
We bought a 24 ft pull behind with no slides from a by owner in AZ. we were new to this method and didn’t know if we would like it. We do. We take 2 months in the winter to get out of MN. We are going to up grade to a little longer trailer with 1 or two slides. If I went to a 5th wheel chances are I would have to upgrade to a 3/4 ton or a 1ton to handle the capacity plus retro fit the PU for a 5th wheel. The expense is not worth it to us. We will never buy new as the stories we here from people we befriend at parks is neverending.
The current nomadic life lifestyle should be no surprise to anyone.
http://www.footwork.com/vital_en.asp
Read the book “ Boom Bust Echo” by David K. Foot it predicted this phenomenon.
With internent, video conferencing, mobile phones, one can be anywhere and still be at home. The larger size of pickup trucks with Diesel engines with massive towing capacity has also changed the dynamics of RVing. I some times wi see what came first larger trailers or larger trucks.
I am confused. Based on the title of your article, are you blaming the RV manufacturer, the retail sales dealer, or the rv’er for this trend. I see it as a fact of life, not something to blame someone for. I am still a traveler and just want to do more, but I don’t blame these folks for wanting to live in these beautiful units. Maybe these articles are just depressing, since I look forward to the travel, and I don’t seem to have all these issues with it.
“I am confused. …and I don’t seem to have all these issues with it.”
First and last words sums up your thought on the issue, the rest was just filler. :-/
I saw facts and opinion. I did not see any blame.
I don’t really miss my fifth wheel anymore
Traffic has gotten so heavy and campgrounds so full and not built to get 50 or more feet of machinery into. I’ve right sized to a truck camper. Last night I pulled into a camp and first question “do you have a reservation?” No,I replied, I never know where I will be but I’m small. She looked out the window and said “I’ve got the perfect place for you “ Done deal. Yes,I miss a lot of the room I previously had but I can go just about anywhere and
Park anywhere you could put just your truck, no more walking from the back of the parking lot. Tollway cost a lot less,better fuel mileage, no registration fees or license. We just came from Death Valley and all campgrounds were full but the overflow and the had some smaller fivers there but no room for the big boys.
Leo
I think that he is trying to warn the unsuspecting new RV owners that a 15 and 20 year loan on an RV is a loan that is guaranteed to put the unsuspecting new RV owner that they are going to be “Underwater” on their loan for a good decade. Someone needs to be warning new owners as the number of owners that are crying out loud that something has come up that makes their travel days largely “over” and they would like to sell their rigs, but have to come up with $50,000 to $100,000 just to get rid of their now greatly depreciated “investments” and pay off their loans. I take my hat off to him for raising that warning and keep repeating it again and again….. lots of boomers are up to their ears in debt and have no way to get out. Keep it up!!
And he is 100% correct that the mobile work force is changing the way we all travel…. The world has changed.
Since starting the RV life 6 years ago, we have had 3 rvs. 1st one was a 38ft pusher with a tow behind, the 2nd was a 41ft 5th wheel, and 3rd was a 30 ft gas rv with a tow behind. The problems we ran into with the first 2 was.many parks have limited sites for the larger rvs. The third Rv is good for finding parks, easy on gas and has enough power to take us where we want to go which included Alaska for 5 months. We started workamper 2 years ago and now get to see as many parts of the country that we want by working a few hours with free sites. Works great for us and we are going to continue this for a couple more years.
Whine. Whine Whine. Always complaining about someone else.
Want some cheese with yours?
John T, so its whine, whine, whine. If you were the editor, tell me what you would write about. Remember, we produce 400 newsletters a year. It’s not easy. Would appreciate your thoughts.
Solar. Problem solved with rv parks. We rarely stay in a park now that we installed solar. And we have minimal solar compared to most. 35′ 5th wheel with 350 watts and 1500 watt inverter. Propane fridge. Love life our way.
I would really enjoy some info about and a map of or a link to BLM land for camping in the northwest. Mostly because I know that the mega RV’s won’t stay there.
Thank you for your time,
Larry
As a full timer, aren’t you just as much a part of the problem as the workers staying in an RV park. The fact that you have been doing it longer doesn’t give you priority. Either group makes it harder for those passing through to find a spot. Nor should those passing through have priority over long term guests.
But the “R” in RV as I understand is for Recreational, no?
https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/mobile-home-origin/
Ii need a personal loan not one to purchase a car I need some help.
I want a rv, i just don’t want one that will rot down before it is paid off. I can’t afford a 100 k for a airstream (the only one that i know of that don’t leak) I am stuck with my old pop up apache, because at 46 years old it still don’t leak and is not rotton. My uncle had a new travel trailer that rotted down in 5 years…. he sold it for $1000 . A RV dealer told me the problem was the same on almost all Rv’s.
Check out the Oliver travel trailers made in Hohenwald Tn , one piece fiberglass shell better than airstream
Been following the RV Travels newsletter and occasionally enjoying sections of it…Since much of the newsletter leans towards people who want full hookups, amenities and all the latest gadgets I tend to skim it looking for articles that are more general in nature or pertain to wild camping/boondocking. I am part of the % of your readers that like internet when we get it but when we don’t have it we do other things.
I read your latest series on the state of RVing in America and found it compelling until today.. Much of what you say is spot on, however the rational you gave for placing the blame for lack of camping spots on 5th wheels IMO didn’t validate the title. In reality your article dealt more with the mindset of todays RVers which I believe is the crux of the problem you are concerned about. I looked to see your research and facts to back up the title but found very little to actually that singles out 5th wheels
My pushback to this weeks segment is… its not about type of RV owned! Rather it’s about the people who own them and the their preferred camping style. In our first year of travels we actually encountered more people who travel in trailers, class C’s, and class A’s than 5th Wheels. As you know camping is much different today than when we were young (I’m 63) and not just in the number of RV’s on the road. Today instant information/communication is the norm. People “want what they want and they want it now.” They have to be able to run all their gadgets and basically bring their home and all their electronics including speciality cooking appliances with them when they camp. This reality applies to owners of Class A’s, Class C’s, 5th Wheels and TT’s. A second factor playing a role in fewer spots is length of time people are looking to stay in one place. RV’s have become an option for those who are still working and move around to work or are just hope to find cheaper living residences. As a result RV parks contain people who are more like homesteaders than camping. Private RV Park owners are also part of the problem! They cater too long term residents. They want their parks filled which is understandable. Maybe If more private RV parks had maximum allowed stays like public campgrounds (DNR, National, Corp of Engineer, etc) more spots might be available to those who are camping vs living.
For us the choice of a 5th Wheel over a Class A was about $$,$$$. We chose this route and paid cash for a older diesel truck and well built Carriage 5th Wheel (10’s of thousands less than the cost of similar year Diesel Pusher). We wanted diesel for fuel mileage, towing power, and better towing capacity so when we get into the mountains and have the power to adequately Tow and Stop without going over the GCWR. We also like having one engine so if we lose the truck for a week or two we find a place to park while the truck is getting repaired and save hundreds on a hotel room. We boondock 80% of the time in out of the way spots with a 35′ 5th Wheel. We invested in Solar and explore places that offer peace and quiet instead of staying in (can of sardines) RV parks or listening to generators most of the day. We explore and go to camping areas that have space for a big rig but w/o the hookups or amenities. BTW, we’re currently boondocking in a Florida National Forest for $4 a night!!! It’s beautiful, relaxing and quiet enough to hear the birds sing. We live and travel in our 5th Wheel staying a max of 7-14 days at any single location. We’re retired and not in a hurry and we have a set a fuel budget that guides our traveling. Last year 2019 (our 1st year) we drove a little more than 10K miles, this year we will only go 13-15K.
Again, it’s not the type of RV you own, it’s the people who buy them and lifestyle they desire to live! To each his own! Thanks for hearing me out…
Randy
We travel from CA to FL every year. On our way out we pretty much focus on getting to FL, with some extra days built in for weather. So we have are regular stopping places. Since we book our Florida stay (3 different places) when we leave every year we know our dates. A few years ago we would just call same day or maybe a day ahead to make sure we had a spot long enough for us so we wouldn’t have to unhook. Now, I do make them way ahead. So far going out the only place where it was needed was on the panhandle of Florida where they were turning people away when we arrived. On way back at same park, which we booked a week prior, we got the last spot. When we arrived, they had turned away 15 folks looking for a spot. A park we stay at west of Houston has gone from you can get in calling same day to probably will be difficult in the future. Said they are becoming a permanent site park. Lots of oil & gas workers. Told us we can call up to 3 weeks in advance in the future to see if they would have an overnight spot. Driving thru the area along I-10 from the LA border of Tx to after San Antonine most parks look filled with trailers and 5th wheels. Fulltimers or workers. That area is booming. Lots of building going on. Will try looking for a new spot for next year, but we also may just shorten our trips and stay in the Western part of Tx, NM & AZ. For those of us who enjoy using our RV’s as a way to travel and explore, it is getting more difficult. Fortunately we’ve been making this trip for 15 years and we were able to see a lot of the country because we didn’t have to worry about changing our minds on a whim of where we wanted to go. We also do a trip late spring, before schools are out for the Indy 500 and take different routes back. That is not quite as difficult, but still making reservations in advance. We feel so blessed to have done what we have….200,000 miles on this motorhome (since 2002), 100,000 on previous. Seen all of Canada, some of Mexico and all but 4 states. We just aren’t quite ready to totally give it up. We will see.
Hello All, Chuck nailed it again. By far, we see more 5th wheels in all the places we go. And in lots of places in west TX you cannot find a spot, all taken up by the oil workers. If the COVID-19 keeps going, this will all change, oil prices are collapsing, and layoffs are coming, which means, workers loosing job, maybe losing the 5th wheel, and parks being empty again. There is a big QUESTION MARK ahead for the RV industry and the folks who own/purchase/use RV’s. No one knows how any of this is going to shake out. We are staying home until Mid May.
You DO pay property tax on a travel trailer. At least in SC you do.
I guess since I’ve never lived the wonderful nomadic lifestyle of the RV world of days gone by, I don’t really miss it. I don’t mind planning trips in advance. The 15 or so trips I’ve taken abroad I have planned way in advanced because as a full-time employee I only had so many vacation days and also to get good airfare deals. It was the same when we took camping trips, even the short weekend ones. I always planned our many tent camping trips with the kids because in my experience the trips always go better when you’ve done a little planning 🙂
Our last two trips were to Death Valley in California and Monument Valley in Utah/Arizona. I made reservations for both campgrounds months in advance. Since I had some time before our trips began, I was able to research all the wonderful sites to see and experiences to experience. Did we have a good time? Not only good, we had a FANTASTIC time on both trips! We did lots of site seeing and hiking and we also had some down time to relax. Did I feel stifled because I had to plan a little in advance? No, I actually felt a little freer because of my research I knew all that the areas had to offer and could pick and choose what we wanted to do when we wanted (sound familiar?).
Life and society will always keep changing and I believe we are in a flux period right now. As the demand for more campgrounds becomes higher, I think eventually the number of campgrounds will increase. You know supply and demand economics. I mean even “Not in my backyard” California is getting a new State Campground!
For me, I will continue to plan in advance and if I can’t get in somewhere, I’ll go somewhere else and will still absolutely enjoy all of my camping experiences.
Being a weekender or a couple of weeks at a time camper are two different animals. We full timers can “go where the wind blows” (if we want). Come to a fork in the road and we have the choice to take it. I tend to take the roads less traveled and haven’t really experienced any problems with RV parks, But travel to very popular destinations will cause reservation problems and as you state those places by their very nature requires advance planning.
Chuck, you are right on. Availability of recreational sites is being addressed by new RV park development in many parts of the country. It will take some time, but the private sector will fill the need in the near future. There is demand for vacation leisure RV sites and I think you’ll see more new parks coming on line. Not everywhere, but where they are most needed by RVers.
I generally avoid RV parks like the plague. They are usually pack in too tight together or too damn costly. The roads are usually very narrow. I would rather stay at a walmart or a truck stop than many RV parks. I do not need things like swimming pools or rec centers. If I had to stay in expensive RV parks I would quickly go broke. Very rarely will I go to an RV park, maybe once every year or two. If a person looks very carefully he can usually find a place to park. If the area looks a little rough and I am am tired I will put mr smith and mr wesson on guard duty. I suggest you read the travels of tioga george. This guy traveled all over and did it with far less income than most of us. George was my inspiration and it was a sad day when he died. If you can, start with his blog from day one and read forward. I have solar panels on my roof and the only limitation is food and water including the holding tanks.
George if you are looking down at us you must be laughing. My hat is off to you.
The long term residents don’t have to take over the whole park. I know a park near San Antonio that generally has short term availability but it’s less than desirable. The park has one area that is attractive. There are trees and grass. The rest of the place is nothing but an asphalt parking lot with hookups. Guess who gets the nicer area?
The problem is not the 5th wheels but the parks who don’t set limits on the number of full time spaces or nights in a park. Like others we avoid those parks.
That enters in the picture, as well.
For an RV Park Owner it’s ALL ABOUT THE MONEY and the OCCUPANCY RATE at your RV Park. Just like the airline business if that plane takes off with an empty seat or that RV site is open for the night it’s completely lost revenue forever.
Having said that SHORT TERM RENTALS produce significantly “Mo Money” on a monthly basis than Monthly Rentals therefore why would anyone not want to rent a property or RV space on a Monthly basis?
I’ll answer that Question!
Bad RV park location? Area Weather on a Yearly Basis, Lazy Owner? Technology Ignorant Owner? Limited Site Development? We could go on and on about the reasons why owners choose the easy way out by choosing to rent RV spaces to long-term renters! All of these reasons can/could be overcome IF the owner wanted to or cared to do so.
We personally own and personally manage our Lake Home that is exclusively listed for Short Term Rental on VRBO. Based up on the homes value, location and ameneties this home could rent for $2000-$2500/month as a long-term rental. This month of March 2020 alone our lake home will generate over $6,500 in rental revenue and we are not yet “In Season”! It’s MARCH and our home is rented for 27 of the 31 days in the month! Yes we are in the South by not that far south! Our “Guests” also pay the clean-up fee for our housekeeper to clean the home over and over again after each and every rental. What a deal! Our home stays in excellent condition as a result. We did NOT purchase our lake home for the purpose of Short Term Rental HOWEVER why not short term rent the home when we are not using our Lake Home?
A RV park can be much more lucrative Dollar wise for the RV Park owner with short term rental that is basis upon less than weekly rentals. As with anything “Mo Money” means “Mo Work”! Most RV Park owners are LAZY!!! Show me the “Easy Money”! All the time forgetting that long-term renters will JUNK UP your property and cost you a lot “Mo Money” over the long term as long-term renters DO NOT CARE AT ALL about your property!
Yes there are many factors for RV Park owners to consider as mentioned earlier such as location, weather, improvements and lost rental nights. In my opinion in the end the RV Park owner is a BIG LOSER in choosing to rent to long-term tennant’s for all the reasons mentioned above.
IF we as short-term traveling renters can continue to talk about and convince RV park owners of the greater revenue potential of remaining a true short term rental RV park maybe just maybe the good ole days of just dropping in on a RV park for a nightly or several night stay might make a comeback!
I am responding to this article … The dysfunctional RV industry and you. Part 5 (3/8/20)
Chuck, I love what you do with RV Travel and I’m usually supportive of your articles, however, I feel compelled to react to your recent article. I’m not angry, I just want to offer some other thoughts.
RVers know how it’s getting much more difficult to find available parking spaces and you keep telling us how many personal problems you have encountered but, this time you aimed your gun at me and accused me of ruining the RV industry.
My wife and I wanted to buy a condo in a small town to have as our Winter retreat. After months of considering our options, we settled on a town we love. We previously owned a large estate in this town and sold it because it was too much upkeep and we did not utilize the two other houses on the property.
When I suggested we move back to this wonderful town in Southern Arizona, she said, “There are no condos for sale downtown.” My response was, “So we’ll buy one and bring it to town.”
We bought one of those “Monsters” that you call “An industry wrecker,” We bought a 44′ 5th wheel and had it delivered (we do not own a tow vehicle to move it). So now our winter home is a 1-bed / 2-bath, 425 sq. ft. luxury condo, with all those wonderful luxuries and conveniences you mentioned, permanently situated on The prime spot in the only RV park in town. We love it and every day people express their approval and jealousy that they didn’t think of it before us.
Chuck, I have always taken pride in my creative mind. I think outside the box. I find ways to get around, over or under hurdles. I haven’t done anything bad, illegal or against the rules and I certainly don’t want to ruin an entire industry. I just found a way to conveniently live with the options that were available to us.
Actually, as I read your article (opinion), I kept thinking, “Gee it sounds like Chuck is upset because he used to be able to write on paper from his Selectric typewriter, but now that there is this damn internet thing, everyone can write articles and millions of damn people can read them. It just isn’t right that all these people are breaking the rules by taking advantage of the way we live in the 21st Century.”
Think 21st Century Chuck. Maybe people are living in 5th wheels because:
1. Homes in the highly desirable locations are financially out of reach for the majority of people,
2. Some people don’t want the upkeep of a big house
3. We have very little maintenance
4. The money we save on property taxes goes to other things we want and need
5. At any time, if I feel like I want to experience living somewhere else, I just call a tow driver and move my home to a new adventure
6. We just don’t want or need a bigger house
7. We have chosen a more practical, fiscally sound housing alternative
The other thing you are overlooking is, the gentleman that has owned this RV park for 35 years has grown tired of fielding several phone calls from each would-be guest and answering all the same questions before they make a decision to stay for a night or two. He’s found a smarter way to avoid hearing all those same excuses of why people want to cancel their reservations. He has eliminated the heavy lifting of keeping track of reservations. And maybe most importantly. he now gets to enjoy cocktail hour every day because all his spaces are rented by full time RVers and 5th wheel owners. The rent comes in like clock work, he has no work to do and the neighbors (full-timers) take better care of his property than RVers who don’t care how they leave the place. Our neighborhood is now occupied by fun people, who take care of “The Hood” and we have friendships that add to our lives.
Bottom line, it seems to me that you don’t want me to have what I want and you don’t want the park owner to be happy … you want a parking space available for you, when and if you have a desire to pass this way? Who’s happiness is most important here Chuck?
I like you so I’ll offer a logical solution, join Harvest Hosts, RV Golf Club and/or Boondockers Welcome. You’ll find beautiful places to stay in your RV, at zero cost.
Jim, totally agree with everything you say. I’m coming to understand that I am preaching to the choir with this website and newsletter, and while I totally believe that what I am saying is at least mostly true, I’m getting repetitive and coming across like a whiney old guy who yearns for the good ol’ days. I’ve got to find a new way of getting my messages across to the proper people rather than complaining to everyone here, most of whom, I fully admit, are enjoying their RV travels and simply adjusting/coping to new realities of RVing in the early 21st century.
You put a lot of work into this comment and I appreciate that hugely. Maybe it’s time for this old guy to step to the sidelines and become a coach and not try to be the quarterback. Thank you very much for your concern.
I joined the RV world full time 2 1/2 years ago when I retired. I was and still am looking to fulfill the wanderlust I’ve had since I was a teenager. I see more and more the issues and problems you are discussing. There is one thing I do see that you haven’t touched on at least not yet. You did talk about reservations and the need to be ready to hit send on your computer. But what about all those spaces that are empty although a campsite may be fully reserved? I started going to a state campsite in Rhode island two years ago and by luck got in for two nights. About 20 percent of the sites were empty. I got wise, reserved a spot for last summer while I was there. Again I was stunned by the number of sites empty for days even weeks, at a time because someone made a reservation and didn’t use it. Don’t get me started on Reserve America.
The same thing happens Oregon where my wife and I love to visit. You can’t extend your stay because the sites are reserved and they don’t open them up until the end of the second day of no show.
The RV industry is in shambles. Even in high dollar units they cannot build without a myriad of problems, this is across the board. The other night I was talking to a retired police officer moving through an RV resort where we reside. He has the same 2018 REDWOOD model 5th wheel that we own. He said he has had over 80 problems including major problems like bearing failure, bent axle, slideout tearing up floor. I have been RVing since 1968 when I bought an 18 foot Mobile Scout in college. I have owned Class C, Newmar and Holiday Rambler 5th wheels that I pulled on circuses. I have never had the problems people are experiencing today, and am leary of touring with our REDWOOD 3881 ES. A powerful association for RVers should be formed. There is power in associations. I worked for the largest music association, and for Warner Bros. Music. Pete Rosa
Firstly, I want to thank the author for all of your contribution, as I usually really like these articles, but this one was very one sided. So I would like to provide both with no malice towards either side.
I live full time in an RV park paying monthly. Most people in the park are as well. I have a 32ft bumper pull travel trailer behind my 16ft box truck, which might as well be considered in the same category as the gigantic fifth wheels and motorhomes. As the article argues, I do have all the comforts of home, especially with the box truck as storage similar to a house garage. But why is that bad? You listed all of those advantages like it was the reason for ruining the industry. But the manufacturers still make and offer all different sizes with and without all the features. And the park owner seems quite happy with the terms. Surely making slightly more money from a daily rate is not worth all the time and effort of dealing with new people coming and going constantly, and possibly not renting every day. Also we take care of the park more because we live there.
Then there is the other side of traveling the country hopping place to place maybe just a few days each destination. The classic “where you want, when you want”, which I can also do with my setup. I have no problem leaving my full utility hook ups behind and boondocking in remote and beautiful locations, which is the only way I want to really travel anyway. Why would the true traveller want to try to make reservations and post up in the suburbia of a standard RV park? If I’m in the mood for traveling, there is no shortage of amazing locations with lots of boondocking space, no reservations needed.
I think it’s great that RVs can be a more financially achievable version of owning your own home and staying in one place. And if you don’t enjoy boondocking in georgeous and often free locations, then you shouldn’t expect to be able to travel with that same level of freedom and availability. At the same time, for those that can’t just boondock everywhere, I understand. Some are traveling with large families that simply don’t have the resources to go without utilities and stores close by. Most of those families are just traveling seasonally and already plan their trips and reservations months in advance. I can also confirm in Florida, new parks are currently on the rise ready to fill all the new demand. RV living does not have to directly interfere with RV traveling.
Next project, solar, for even less reliance on RV parks!
Electric TOmatO, your last sentence is the current problem. RV living does in fact interfere with RV traveling. I’m not blaming as my true desire is to dump my sticks and bricks and do what you do. But until I can talk the boss into it RV traveling is made more difficult by having to have reservations so far in advance that the romantic notion of easy moving is lost, not just because of full timers, but the popularity of RVing in general. The growth in RV parks has not kept up with the sales of RVs in general so full timers just exacerbate the situation. I hope to join you in the minimalist lifestyle one day. Until then, happy trails.
I formerly sailed, and it seems the situation was that marinas were filled with boats kept there permanently. However, most marinas reserved a few slips for transients. It would be nice if campgrounds also kept a few sites available for people passing through. That would be on a “first come, first served” basis. I suspect those sites would be filled every night.
What the industry really needs is more developers interested in building RV parks and not just resorts, and manufacturers interested in building quality RVs. Someday it will happen.