RVing is different now, there’s no denying that. Like everything in life, it’s morphed into something so different from what it used to be. But for those of us who love it, the wide-open (okay, traffic-packed) road still calls…
Yet, the changes in RVing haven’t been all bad. For some, the technological advancements have made life on the road more comfortable—better connectivity, more options for off-grid camping, and newer rigs with modern amenities.
For others, the growing crowds, skyrocketing campground fees, and scarcity of reservations have chipped away at the simple joy of RV travel. There’s also a noticeable shift in campground culture, with some lamenting the loss of the quiet, communal spirit that once defined RV living.
Today, would you say that you still enjoy RVing as much as you did when you first started? Whether that was one year ago or 30 years ago… we want to know. Do you enjoy it more? Less? The same? Or has the magic worn off completely?
After you vote, please leave a comment and tell us why you answered the way you did. We’re looking forward to reading your responses. Thanks.
We bought our RV back “BC” (before COVID) as a way to try travel before retirement. My goal was to make dear wife (DW) bored by taking care of everything! From planning, routes, reservations, stops, driving, cooking… I wanted to make sure she was having a vacation. All she had to do is pick a date, a place and say how long.
Well, now we’re retired. We’ve added a few things to make our trips better ( like a TOAD and an electric skillet) and DW is starting to get more involved in the activities. While I still handle a lot of it, because she is more in the planning stages, she will tolerate minor inconveniences and it makes the traveling even better
I said less and it is because I am 18 years older and not as “spry” as before. Also, after those years and over 140K miles there is a lot of feeling of been there, done that instead of the excitement of it being all new and exciting. Still like it though.
Still interesting, but can be frustrating. Traveling on more blue highways. Staying away as much as possible from monster cities.
I enjoy RVing as much now as when starting. There’s always new experiences to enjoy even in some of the same places we’ve visited in the past. And looking forward to seeing new places and having new experiences keeps the RVing fresh and enjoyable.
It’s not as much fun as it was 20 years ago.
A major enjoyment of RVing was the spontaneity on jumping in the rig and taking off without worrying about reservations, crowding, and road rage.
Now it’s become almost grueling.
Just finishing up my 9th year of adventures and it’s still better than working. Every trip has offered something special and I’ve appreciated all the little things more than I could have expected. Life is what you make of it.
After 22 years, I enjoy it more because I’ve learned so much. I’m retired now so I can take time to avoid driving through major cities that stress me. Also more time to plan and make reservations.
I like it better. As we upgrade our coach and make it more accommodating, the experience improves. When we first got it, “what’s gonna break next” was the daily question. Now, there’s just enough odd end gremlins to keep me sharp but not enough to dull my enjoyment.
After 15 years of fulltiming, we still enjoy the thrill of travel & can’t imagine any other lifestyle for the remaining 5-10 years we have left to do this. Every day I wake up with the urge to explore around me. If we sit in one spot for a month or so, my “itch” to travel becomes almost unbearable.
Enjoy it more because we are (mostly) over the learning curve. We know how it works and what to expect. Doesn’t mean we don’t have unexpected repairs, but not as stressed about what to do.
I wish there was an option for “I enjoy it as much, just differently.” Gone are the days of driving 12 hours to get to the next destination (usually an amusement park). Now, we’re driving slower and taking longer to get to the next natural wonder or meet-up with friends.
We enjoy it more! It’s all about the little things we have changed/added over the years to make our rv more enjoyable and usable.
We enjoy it more because (thanks to this e-newletter) we have learned so much over the years. What to do. What not to do. How to unpack all the stuff we thought we needed (LOL). Yes, some parks seem to be overcrowded but that’s okay because the campers are enjoying the outdoors too. Yes, I do get annoyed with newbies who don’t use “campsite etiquette”. But overall…I love it!
We enjoy it about the same but our expectations have changed. We used to do long driving trips but in the last few years we’ve found just traveling a few hundred miles from home in the motorhome yields the same enjoyment. I just want to set up in a COE or State park, park my butt in a chair and enjoy some peace and quiet and pleasant scenery. I don’t need to travel cross country anymore to do that.
Also discovered that sky rocketing campground rates has taken the motivation out of traveling. Between that and fuel costs, tolls and potential mechanical problems, we find in some cases it’s cheaper to rent a cottage or small house for a week.
We actually enjoy RVing more now than when we began. We have gotten to a point that we have 3 RV’s. Two are on Lake Chatuge, in Hayesville, NC. We lease the land annually. One is a 41′ Park Model (which we have for my Father-In-Law), One is a 38′ 5Th. Wheel, which we stay in and we have our 2016 Leprechaun 319DS we use for Travel purposes, in Florida where we reside. The 2 in NC are Stationary. Both Have 42′ Decks and Aluminum Roof overs. Our view is to die for. We are surrounded by Mountains and Lake! We will probably never give that up, health permitting. Whenever we want something different, we hop in the Class C. The best of all worlds. Happy Camping!
I don’t consider permanents as RVing.
I still enjoy the actual being camped. But I know how much work there is to pack up and leave. And how much work waits at home to clean out and clean up. The work seems heavier as I get older. I’m 75 now and starting to feel it.
I voted less mostly because campgrounds seem to be catering more to permanents. I understand that some people buy a TT or 5ver as a retreat, but these are normally scattered with all sorts things that make them an eyesore and take the most desirable sites
I feel campgrounds should have dedicated areas for these, and leave rest for travelers.
We stayed at one park in Virginia that did this. The new owners set aside an a large ‘out of the way’ area just for these. They also put 12 sites to be used for overnighting, right near the bath house and office.
I voted for the same as I did from the beginning, with one exception- it’s a pain in the shorts to get reservations just about anywhere anymore.
At my age, I am just glad to be able to camp. No more hiking, boating Biking or tent camping. We now just spend most of our time at the campsite or in the motor home. Being physically disabled I am just glad to be out but it is not as enjoyable as when we were young and healthy.
Too many people and too much greed.
We enjoy it about the same but we enjoy it differently than 20 years ago and for different reasons. Our pace has changed, our health has changed and our schedule has changed. We prefer the lifestyle to airports, hotels and roomservice. If I could drive our rig comfortably in Europe it would be on a ship tomorrow.
So my RVing experience goes back half a century. There can be no comparison between today’s modern RV’s to those small, cramped RVs some 50 years ago. We can – and do – live several months at a time in our RV’s. Yes plural. We have 3 sizes: 40 ft Destination, 30 ft Bunkhouse, and a 15 ft cargo-toyhauler camper. Even the cramped 15ft TT, which we can load up with two 10 ft kayaks and two ebikes, beats those small RVs from way back when. I couldn’t have imagined the joy we experience from RVing now compared to even 15-20 years ago.
I started RVing in the 50s, where the RVs were smaller, the campgrounds were bare minimum, and most had “pit” toilets. They also were less crowded and campers were a lot less self-centered. Being in the position to stay at resorts has its pluses but there are trade-offs. Over all, we enjoy it more because we have time to enjoy it.
I love it! But I still “go camping,” not “RVing.” We spend little time traveling; we stay put. And we spend little time in the camper – it’s mostly just for sleeping. We’ve never turned on the TV. We only camp where there are spacious sites, and we love sitting around the campfire.
I enjoy it more, but probably that is because of being retired for many years and not having to rush or drive long periods of time to get to a cg, like I did during the working years. Still love seeing new places and traveling in states west of the Rockies. I still seem to find many cg’s that offer FCFS, as there are many BLM and USFS cg’s in the western states. City and county parks offer overnight parking as well, which is good because we are spontaneous and don’t like having to make reservations.
I enjoy camping and rving as much now as I did when we first began. The only thing I don’t enjoy is not going more.
Started with a Class B 40 years ago, went full time last year in a 43 foot diesel pushier, enjoying every day, even when something breaks.
Hmmm! Our family started with a pull behind when I was a kid in grade school, and it was a whole lot of fun – 66 years ago. When I became a married adult, we had fun traveling. Each year since then, little by little, it became just a little bit more not fun setting and breaking camp, so that part has made is not as fun as it used to be. Now, if Dad were still around to set up camp while my brother and I played and explored……..
We enjoy it more since we are now have the experience and knowledge from years of RVing.
Camping to get away from work was fun in our early days, then after retiring and RV’ing to go south for the winters was more fun, now going north in the summer to escape the HEAT for cooler weather great, But now going alone after my spouse’s passing, is not as fun as it used to be!
My wife purchased our Imagine 17MKE travel trailer back in 2020. We were fortunate in that we have had no real problems or issues with our tt. We typically take it camping for 3 to 4 days every 4 – 6 weeks. We love it, and camping, as much now as we did when we first bought it – maybe more so as we have more experience. State Parks are our prefered camping destinations. We stay away from RV Parks / Resorts as we enjoy nature and the natural beauties State Parks have to offer.
We have a slightly larger trailer by a few feet and I agree with your answer completely…the state parks with little or no hook ups offer the quieter trips as a rule.
Still enjoy RVing, as a kid, a young adult, and now close to retired citizen. Still love the trees, mountains, deserts, the hikes and wildlife. What is less exciting is the serious amount of planning it takes to visit the popular spots.
Even with all of the planning needed,…the road, mountains, and deserts still call.
Thank you, RV Travel! I do enjoy traveling in our RV more now than I did our first year, in 2017. I have acquired some experience and have a considerably better understanding of how to look after our RV. This includes both things to avoid or not do and things to do. Further, RV #2 has numerous safety features that RV #1 lacked. Have a great weekend and safe travels!
I want to cut down the time that we stay away from our kids and grandkids. Instead of six months maybe three or four.
We bought our P-W van because we like to wander and now it is almost impossible to find a campsite without a reservation. We don’t need hookups every night but I am not into boondocking.