We asked the same thing four years ago. But since then, the average age of RV buyers has dropped. Even four years ago, most RVers were in their 50s and older. But today, RVs are selling fast to those in the 20 through 40 age group. Many have opted for living on the road rather than in one place.
The ability to work remotely is making this possible for many North Americans. Four years ago, before Zoom and employers who were willing to allow their employees to work from home (or anywhere), it wasn’t so easy to combine travel and work.
So, please, let us know how old you are. In next Saturday’s newsletter we’ll compare the results of this survey with our last one in 2017. The results should be interesting.
##RVT1015
Wow! We just entered our 70’s and have been reading RV Travel for longer than I can remember…which is not as long as it used to be! The information that I have learned from reading RV Travel has been extremely valuable and enhanced our camping experience over the years in many ways. I am surprised to learn of the demographics that responded to the survey. Newer Rver’s surely need information about their rigs and Rving in general. If Facebook posts are any indication, this is a ripe market.
We are 75 and 73 years young, or old depending on the day. We are full time RVers since retirement, thinking we would find some place to grow up, or old, and settle down. We are still looking for that place! Every place we think we like is either too expensive or too far from family. After much thought, I wish we had downsized to a retirement community near our family before beginning this extended travel lifestyle. At 65 the road was long, winding, and inviting. At 75 the road is shorter and the curves sharper.
73 and have been camping for many years. My sweetheart and I have been married 52 years today. We are blessed to be in good physical condition. Biking, and hiking gives us much joy while out in nature. She’s a saint. We are full timers in our Allegro RED.
Happy Anniversary to you and your sweetheart, Allen, and many more to come! Have a great day! 🙂 –Diane
I’m 78, my lovely cougar wife is 81. We must be doing something right, when people hear our age they are amazed as they guess my age to be late 60s and my wife at mid 60s. We’ve been married 5 years and are looking forward to celebrating our 25th anniversary in 2041. We’re still active and camp every chance we get, we have reservations for my youngest son’s wedding Oct 9 in Pensacola, and we have reservations in Fl for the colder winter months here in TN. We are enjoying everyday the Lord gives us and thank him each morning He wakes us up.
Just entered my 70s, hope to be able to answer a poll like this for many more years
Sounds like a good idea, Tom. I’ll be keeping tabs on you, and will look for your response the next time we ask this question. Take care. 🙂 –Diane
65
There is a big difference between being 71 and 79. On this survey you should have had 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80+. Would have provided a clearer picture of RVers age.
Currently 69; I’ll reach 70 later this year. I’m in reasonably good health, have received two doses of the Moderna vaccine, wear a mask the few times I need to go out to resupply and, have been “isolating in place” in a SAFE RV park since March 2020. As much as I’d love to resume RV travels, I’m not DYING to do so. I find it amazing that SO many people simply refuse to take simple protective measures. Many of these folks don’t think twice re wearing a seatbelt or using other simple safety precautions. Sadly, since the beginning of the COVID pandemic, TRUE leadership has largely been M.I.A. (and OFTEN contradictory) thus leaving a void that encourages some people to take actions (or FAIL to take actions) that could help resolve the problem. Earlier this month, a newscaster stated that we’re now in the FOURTH WAVE of the pandemic. I would dispute that. In his book “The Great Influenza” about the 1918 Influenza Pandemic” John Barry did an excellent job of explaining what happened.
How many readers are former RVers that read to keep up with their old hobby/lifestyle? I think when I hang up my keys, put away my hitch and park the TT on the pad as a guest house I’ll still be interested in the life and continue to read magazines and newsletters. Are you an active Rver would be a good follow up to this question.
Active or inactive WOULD be a good question. Few younger readers….? Maybe that many younger ones have not really been buying RVs, like surveys state. Or bought but have not really RVd, just another unused toy, like boats. Or don’t have time to read a REAL RV newsletter. Or, like me at that age, I knew it all and did not have to research. (On the other hand, where would I research? – no internet. You just went out and did.)
Now that my mother has passed away I am noticing I am no longer interested in RVing. I mean I am but not the major trips we use to do. I plan to spend a summer in Maine but then after that try to find RV land to buy possibly in NC to just sit and enjoy retirement on. RV lifestyle is fun but now that everyone is getting older we are realizing we did it almost all while our daughter was growing up. So who knows maybe one or two trips more but then retire in an RV?
My answer is always “in my 30s”.
Will still be true when I hit 90.
While the question is interesting, it should be asked along with the related questions of either how long have you been RVing or How old were you when you started camping? In our case, either would answer might be a give away that we have been too long or not long enough.
My husband is 87 and I am 84. We have been RVing for over 50 years. Started with truck camper and 5 children. This was the only way we could afford to take vacations then.Then went to trailer. Quit camping while children were in sports. Got a pop-up when they went off to college. We got a vintage airstream 16 years ago and are still enjoying the freedom and friends that RVing provides. Do not have any regrets. Over the years we have encountered all sorts of situations (fridge door fell off, forgot to lower antenna etc) camping is still the best way to go.
That’s the way, keep going until it hurts too much to go, then go a little further. We had a 38’ motorhome, no accidents, but a few small incidents convinced me it was time to get something smaller that was easier to maneuver, now in a 23’ TT and still going.
I turned 75 yo last year and in the middle of de-winterizing my TT I tripped on something on my parking pad behind my house and injured my knee and worst was my shoulder. I landed right on the edge of the shoulder. I thought the pain and bruising would fade, it did but the weakness continues. I wasn’t able to lift my hitch to install it on my Jeep. I figured if I gave it enough time things would get better. I was wrong, my doctor took Xrays and told me it was arthritis. I’m a solo camper so don’t have anyone to help. It took me till late Aug. to realize this chapter of my life is done. I’ve camped most of my life and I will really miss it. So, I’m selling my TT and hope to save the profit so I can possibly get a used van or small teardrop I can use.
So, my message is don’t take things for granted, enjoy every minute.
I’m sure that if it’s that bad, that some accommodations can be made. they make camper conversions for a paraplegic in a wheelchair, they make driving systems for people with limited mobility. I’m sure all you need are some creative solutions.
There is a tool that you can carry a hitch with one hand and holds it level facilitating installation easily.
41
It looks like you have a great opportunity to bring younger RV’s into the fold. I assure you that 90% of RV’ers are not over the age of 60.
I’m 72 years young and my wife us 62. We got the RV 4 years ago and we have a 93 Itasca Sundancer 24 ft motor home. We look to travel well into my 80’s. We are having a ball.
74 this October
72 by the calendar…45 or 50 (well, maybe 55 on some days) in my head…
just turned 71. we started this RV thing in 1986…35-years ago or nearly half my life.
Re. Richard Hughes.
It’s OK. We, when married, never had kids and contributed to several school systems
I think the real answer is how old is the reader of this newsletter.
Both my wife and I worked remotely full-time the last year that we worked. Actually, my wife worked alone in a satellite office on the east coast for a west coast company for five years. However, that all ended in early 2018 with our retirements. We both could still remotely work our old jobs if we cared to do so. The pandemic persuaded my former federal agency to allow full-time teleworking to all employees. My wife’s former company allows, or disallows, it on a case-by-case basis.
Younger than my 80 years. Or at least I feel that way. Sure I have my aches and pains but my children now think I need to rest or sit on my butt. They don’t want me on the riding lawn mower although it rides so smooth. I cant change oil in my truck although I can roll right under it. I want to be active, I think it keeps me going.
Yep, I did all my own work until a year ago, I had one last oil filter left in my supplies and decided to use it on the toad we still had. An hour and 45 minutes later I finished the job that use to take 30 minutes. I came in to clean up and told DW I was officially retiring from oil changes. Yesterday while waiting for my prescriptions I let Walmart change the oil in the new truck, while I watched!
Still working at 57, however two more years and retirement.Those seven percent in their eighties giving me lots of hope!👍
Not surprising as most seem to be baby boomers. We are in our late 70’s. If we knew we would live this long we would have taken better care of ourselves.
Amen to that!
I’m old enough to know better but young enough to not care.
I’m 52 about to retire in a few years. I’ve enjoyed reading and gleening information about what to expect when my time to see the world arrives.
93% of readers here are over 60! Guess it’s not that surprising.
I see younger people, with children, more often. Sadly, some are living full time in older RV’s because they have lost their homes due to the pandemic. Some, however, have sold their homes because of the uptick in the real estate market and ability to work on line. One couple told me, the long term fees at the campground, no property taxes, available restroom and showers make their income easier to live on. He works his local job, she works at home, for a hospital three states away, a job she had before their move into their 5th wheel, and their kids attend local schools. Since they pay no property taxes, I assume they are not supporting the local schools in that way, but at this point, no one seems to be complaining.
The local school taxes are part of the expense of the campground which is passed along in the fee to the camper. Yup we are paying the taxes, just not getting credit for doing so.
I never had kids, but was always happy to contribute to public education.
We all get the credit.
No surprises here.
Although interesting, this is the age of RVers that read this newsletter. May not reflect the average age of RVers.
Just what I was thinking.
Unless I have to answer that question, I always say “you’re only as old as you act”.
Lots of “baby boomers” out there!
Ya it’d like we are a multiply of rays coming out of the wood work and love RVing and bred on to camping from our youth. Started camping when I was six and even through my 20 years I camped. UK, Europe and Australia (most memorable was Jarvis Point, waking up to kangaroos around the tent with the cockatoos and kookaburras hollering sounded like jungle. And my children wading out in the bay and the dolphins swimming in and allowing themselves to be petted. Awesome! My daughter at 38 has returned and talks about her child camping and is taking her daughter’s camping and tells them about her experiences. And my old son camps. Love of the outdoors. My question is how many children were conceived during a camping trip that are now baby boomers?
Glad to see I’m still on the “younger” side of the curve, barely, and that I’m still not old enough to know better….
Good grief, we’re old.
72 going on 35. My body says I’m getting old, my mind won’t let that happen.
“Saint Peter, Don’t you call me. I owe my soul to the company store.”
Almost 70
Ditto
Turn 63 tomorrow. Wife is 66