Best printers for Home

Best Mixer Grinder

Best wired Earphones

Best 43 Inch TV in India

Best Wi Fi Routers

Best Home Theatre in India

Smart Watch under 5000

Best Laptops for Education

Best Laptop for Students

<ul class="summary-list"><li>While the general surge in <keyword id="1323206" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="RV">RV</keyword> popularity during the coronavirus pandemic isn't millennial-specific, the demographic's rising interest in RVing has now started positively impacting sale and rental numbers.</li><li>Millennials are now more interested in buying an RV than any other age demographic, according to a survey from the <keyword id="10185660" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="rv-industry-association">RV Industry Association</keyword>.</li><li>A <keyword id="1970484" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="millennial">millennial</keyword> favorite, the Class B <keyword id="2372797" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="camper-van">camper van</keyword>, has seen an exceptional increase in sales and shipments.</li><li>According to data from RV rental platform <keyword id="8927515" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="outdoorsy">Outdoorsy</keyword>, bookings made by the demographic spiked 70% from 2019 to 2020.</li></ul><p>Millennials have been renting and purchasing more RVs than ever before as road trips continues to be a bright spot during the coronavirus pandemic. </p><p>According to new data from <a href="https://rvshare.com/">RV rental platform RVshare</a>, 73% of millennials both this and last year reported they were "likely to take an RV trip in the future."</p><p>But this year, with borders closed and travel options limited, millennials started showing positive sentiment shifts towards <keyword id="1327762" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="road-travel">road travel</keyword> vehicles. While 14% of millennials in 2019 said they were "unlikely to take an RV trip in the future," only 6% of the demographic said the same in 2020.</p><p><strong><em>Read more: </em></strong><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/investing-tips-strategy-future-of-transport-evs-5g-bny-mellon-2020-12?r=bc-sub"><em>A stock picker at a $558 billion firm lays out 2 under-the-radar trends disrupting the future of transportation- and explains why Slack and Virgin Galactic are perfect fits for his portfolio</em></a></p><p>This rise in RV interest during the coronavirus pandemic isn't exclusive to millennials. According to a <a href="https://www.rvia.org/news-insights/46-million-americans-plan-go-rving">RV Industry Association survey published in June</a>, 20% of US respondents<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/rv-sales-skyrocketing-as-lockdown-ends-2020-6"> reported becoming more interested in RVing </a>as a result of COVID-19, which initially decimated other travel options like <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/photos-deserted-empty-airports-world-coronavirus-air-travel-2020-2">flights</a> and <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/royal-caribbean-wonder-of-the-sea-2020-9">cruises</a>. </p><p>"Van life is the ultimate uniter, and it sees no age," Jen Young, cofounder and CMO of the RV rental platform Outdoorsy, told Business Insider. "Traveling via RV provides people with the ability to travel away from crowds and camp in a location where fresh air and open space are your two closest companions - a welcome reprieve after months spent in confinement."</p><p>While this general boost in road travel popularity isn't millennial-specific, the demographic's increasing interest in RVing - which the RV Industry Association attributes to the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/rv-camper-van-travel-trailer-makers-changing-digital-nomads-2020-9">"work form anywhere" boom </a>- has now started to show in sales and rental numbers.</p><h2>The changes in millennial RV purchasing and renting habits</h2><div type="image" title="Elevate camper van from Outside Van" height="1666" width="2222" msid="79891067" hostid="261"></div><p>Outdory's data show millennial RV rental bookings spiked 70% from 2019 to 2020. The same demographic also accounted for 35% of Outdoorsy's first-time renters, which made up 90% of the platform's bookings this year.</p><p>Besides RV rentals, this is the first time millennials have been more intent on purchasing an RV than any other age segment, according to a survey from the RV Industry Association. Of those surveyed, 30% of millennials reported they were likely to buy an RV in the next year, while only 26% of Gen Xers and 8% of Boomers said the same.</p><p>This millennial interest in purchasing RVs has been reflected in sales data from <keyword id="4619616" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="thor-industries">Thor Industries</keyword>. The RV maker said 21.18% more millennials purchased a Thor travel trailer in 2020 compared to 2019, although this sales increase was even greater between 2017 to 2018 at a 23.27% boost.</p><p>The only age demographic that say an increase larger than the millennial spike in travel trailer purchases are Gen Zers, which bought 26.24% more Thor Industries trailers in 2020 year-over-year as the younger generation matures into adulthood. </p><p><strong><em>Read more: </em></strong><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/welcome-stamp-barbados-family-moved-pandemic-remote-work-2020-12?r=bc-sub"><em>An HR exec and her family are waiting out the pandemic in Barbados using the Welcome Stamp visa program and have 'zero regrets' - here's how they pulled off the big move</em></a></p><p>A millennial <keyword id="828598" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="60" keywordseo="Road-Trip">road trip</keyword> favorite, the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/rv-types-guide-explained-classes-2020-7">Class B camper van</a>, has also seen an exceptional boom this year with a 56% uptick in camper van shipments compared to 2019. While Class A and C RV shipments decreased in September 2020, camper van shipments jumped 57.9%, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/rv-shipments-continue-to-rise-through-the-coronavirus-pandemic-2020-10">according to data from the RV Industry Association</a>.</p><p>This boom in camper van shipments continued into<a href="https://www.rvia.org/news-insights/rv-shipments-post-second-best-october-record"> October</a> and <a href="https://www.rvia.org/news-insights/november-2020-rv-shipments-43">November</a> with a 115.1% and 125% increase year-over year, respectively. It's therefore unsurprising that<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/camper-van-conversion-companies-resilience-in-sales-despite-the-coronavirus-2020-5"> camper van conversion companies </a>- including makers like <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/mercedes-benz-sprinter-camper-van-waitlist-2020-12">Outside Van</a> and <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/off-highway-vans-doc-holiday-family-friendly-camper-van-conversion-2020-8">Off Highway Van </a>- have also been reporting a surge in sales, inquiries, or waitlist times. </p><p>"Millennials are wanting unique experiences - to get outside and connect with nature, or maybe just to reconnect with themselves or their friends and family," Young said. </p>

Millennials are flocking to RVs like never before during the pandemic, new data shows

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="9353394" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="rvshare">RVshare</keyword> has raised over $100 million from <keyword id="6354544" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="kkr">KKR</keyword> and previous investor <keyword id="10153076" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="tritium-partners">Tritium Partners</keyword> as the <keyword id="1323206" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="RV">RV</keyword> rental platform sees continuous bookings growth into the fall.</li><li>RV rental companies and makers have stayed resilient throughout the coronavirus pandemic.</li><li>According to RVshare's news release, this <keyword id="6355120" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="investment">investment</keyword> will allow the peer-to-peer rental platform to tap into KRR's "network" and "resources," and grow the company as the industry continues to boom.</li></ul><p>RV rental platform RVshare has raised over $100 million from KKR and previous investor Tritium Partners, <a href="https://rvshare.cdn.prismic.io/rvshare/5ce431ca-43d5-48f4-9142-5836722b7928_RVshare_KKR+Announcement_FINAL.pdf">according to a news release from RVshare</a>.</p><p>This investment comes at a time in which <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/rv-sales-skyrocketing-as-lockdown-ends-2020-6">RV rental companies and makers have stayed resilient amid the coronavirus pandemic</a> that has otherwise tanked the travel industry. </p><p>RVshare is just one example of this general massive industry growth: from early April to May 19, the rental platform saw a 1,000% increase in bookings.</p><p>"I think we're going to see a lot more demand," <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/rv-sales-skyrocketing-as-lockdown-ends-2020-6">RVshare CEO Jon Gray told Business Insider in June</a>. "I think you're now getting a new group of people buying them, which has people who are substituting it for more luxurious vacations that they typically took."</p><p>Gray's previous prediction has so far been correct. According to <a href="https://rvshare.cdn.prismic.io/rvshare/2a386fac-e602-43b1-8423-7b8e6269ed5b_2M+Press+Release_FINAL.pdf">RVshare's news release in September</a>, the company saw fall bookings increase 123% year-over-year.</p><p>According to RVshare, this over $100 million investment will allow the peer-to-peer rental platform to tap into KRR's "network" and "resources," and grow the company as the industry continues to boom.</p><p><strong><em>See more: </em></strong><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/why-private-equity-giants-like-kkr-buying-life-insurance-companies-2020-7?r=bc-sub"><em>KKR is making a big push into the $30 trillion insurance industry — here's why private equity is starting to look more and more like Berkshire Hathaway</em></a></p><p>"I am very proud of our employees and thankful to our customers for helping build RVshare into the market leader it is today – and we are only at the beginning of where our business can go," <a href="https://rvshare.cdn.prismic.io/rvshare/5ce431ca-43d5-48f4-9142-5836722b7928_RVshare_KKR+Announcement_FINAL.pdf">Gray said in a statement about the investment</a>. "This financing and the support of KKR's global platform positions us well to invest in future growth and provide the best experience for our owners and renters."</p>

A company that lets anyone rent an RV just raised over $100 million as RV and road travel continues to skyrocket in popularity

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="1323206" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="RV">RV</keyword> dealers have been seeing a spike in purchases now that summer is coming and states are starting to ease lockdown restrictions.</li><li>Marathon Coach, an RV maker, predicts its sales will be 30% higher this year compared to last year, according to Marathon Coach president and owner Steve Schoellhorn. </li><li><keyword id="2957024" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="AirStream">Airstream</keyword> saw an 11% increase in RV sales between May 1 and May 21 compared to the same period last year, according to Airstream CEO Bob Wheeler.</li><li>Interest is so high, Airstream has been struggling to keep up with customer orders, especially because many factories were shut down for at least 40 days.</li></ul><p>RVs are becoming the go-to vacation for many Americans coming out of lockdown.</p><p>Dealers have been seeing a spike in purchases now that summer is coming and states are slowly starting to lift stay-at--home restrictions.</p><p>According to a study conducted by <a href="https://koa.com/">Kampgrounds of America (KOA)</a>, which runs a series of privately owned campgrounds, 34% of prospective US and Canada-based campers say that road trips will be the safest form of <keyword id="6354692" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="Travel">travel</keyword> when stay-at-home orders have been lifted. This increasing interest in road trips may also lead to 46 million Americans will take an RV trip in the next year, according to the <a href="https://www.rvia.org/news-insights/46-million-americans-plan-go-rving">RV Industry Associatio</a><a href="https://www.rvia.org/news-insights/46-million-americans-plan-go-rving">n</a>.</p><p>The <a href="https://www.rvia.org/news-insights/46-million-americans-plan-go-rving">RV Industry Association</a> also found that 20% of US residents surveyed have become more interested in RV travel than flying, tent camping, cruises, and rental stays rental amid <keyword id="1754604" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="coronavirus">coronavirus</keyword> concerns. This jump in RV interest is already <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/rv-rental-companies-spike-bookings-states-lifting-stay-home-orders-2020-6">being reflected in the rental space</a>.</p><h2>RV sales are skyrocketing — and not slowing down.</h2><p><div type="image" title="Heather DeSantis airstream" height="1750" width="3500" msid="76360732" hostid="261"></div></p><p>A <a href="https://ir.thorindustries.com/investor-resources/press-releases/press-release-details/2020/THOR-INDUSTRIES-RELEASES-NORTH-AMERICAN-RV-CONSUMER-SURVEY-REPORT/default.aspx">Thor Industries study</a> recently found that 40% of people in its survey will use their RVs as often as usual, while 39% of people said they would be using their vehicles more often this year.</p><p>The study also found that 78% of potential RVers will purchase a build this year, while 18% of current RV owners will also be purchasing another build.</p><p>"I think we're going to see a lot more demand," <keyword id="9353394" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="rvshare">RVshare</keyword> CEO Jon Gray told Business Insider. "I think you're now getting a new group of people buying them, which has people who are substituting it for more luxurious vacations that they typically took."</p><p><a href="https://www.thorindustries.com/">Thor Industries</a> itself — which owns several RV brands such as Jayco, Keystone RV Company, and Dutchmen — has seen an upwards trend in RV sales during the course of this month.</p><p>"It may not be consistent in every state over last year, and there are still some states that are shut-in, but we saw significant traction starting two to three weeks ago with new customers who really hadn't considered the RV lifestyle coming out," <keyword id="4619616" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="thor-industries">Thor Industries</keyword>' president and CEO Robert Martin told Business Insider. "The retail numbers aren't out yet but we're getting a sense from talking to dealers that many are … quite optimistic about the rest of the year." </p><p>Thor Industries also noticed that its dealers' web traffic had been spiking throughout the time of stay-at-home orders, which likely indicates that many people were researching and considering possible RV builds for the summer now that other travel options — such as flying or international travel — are no longer being considered, according to Martin.</p><h2>The new interest is now being directly reflected in growing sales at RV companies like <a href="https://www.airstream.com/">Airstream</a> <strong>and <a href="https://www.marathoncoach.com/">Marathon Coach</a>.</strong></h2><p><div type="image" title="Employees work on an Airstream travel trailer at the Airstream factory Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014, in Jackson Center, Ohio." height="905" width="1810" msid="76360738" hostid="261"></div></p><p>Airstream, which is also a part of Thor Industries, originally predicted that sales would be down 70% in April amid stay-at-home orders. Instead, sales only dropped around 30%, according to Airstream CEO Bob Wheeler.</p><p>Wheeler attributes this lack of extreme drop in sales to dealers' decisions to pivot to remote and virtual RV showings, which successfully contributed to sales even amid stay-at-home orders.</p><p>By the next month, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/airstream-atlas-camper-rv-built-on-a-mercedes-benz-sprinter-2020-4">Airstream</a> saw an 11% increase in sales between May 1 and May 21 compared to the same period last year, which was also a high performing month for the company, according to Wheeler.</p><p>"Since we came back in May, sales have literally been through the roof, well beyond what we think was just pent up demand from the month of April," Wheeler told Business Insider. "Orders continue to come in and retails continue to happen at a very brisk pace, so there's something going on here that it's beyond just a bit of pent up demand."</p><p>Marathon Coach has also been seeing an increasing demand for its RVs as more people have begun to adjust to the "new normal." Now, the company predicts its sales will be 30% higher this year compared to last year, according to Marathon Coach president and owner Steve Schoellhorn.</p><p>However, this rise in sales numbers doesn't come as too much of a surprise to Schoellhorn.</p><p>Early on the pandemic, Schoellhorn was both concerned yet "cautiously optimistic" about the business, predicting if the lockdown only lasted a few months, Marathon would still have a chance to "have a really good year."</p><p>"I was calling and emailing customers that I have a personal relationship with and immediately I was getting feedback that they were going to spend a lot more time RVing and not go on cruises or travel internationally anytime in the foreseeable future,," Schoellhorn told Business Insider. </p><p>The rise in Marathon's sales isn't location-specific: all three of its locations (Oregon, Texas, and Florida) have seen increasing sales. </p><p>Non-brand specific dealers have also been positively impacted by this increase in sales: Camping World's stock climbed 35% early May, surpassing analyst predictions, due to a strong <a href="https://investor.campingworld.com/press-releases/press-release-details/2020/Camping-World-Holdings-Inc-Reports-First-Quarter-2020-Results/default.aspx">first quarter of RV sales</a>, <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-05-08/camping-world-surges-after-demand-for-rvs-drives-profitability?sref=p7zS9UoY">Bloomberg reported</a>.</p><h2><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/coronavirus-gas-prices-dropping-covid-19-russia-saudia-arabia-2020-4">Low gas prices</a> are adding extra fuel to the RV fire.</h2><p><div type="image" title="gas price mississippi" height="1334" width="1778" msid="76360740" hostid="261"></div></p><p>"When fuel prices are high or low, it does affect the lower level priced RVs more," Schoellhorn said. "When there's more people coming in when prices are low, that tends to, over a five or 10 year period, have a trickle up effect."</p><p>Schoellhorn also predicts that Marathon Coach will keep several long-term changes that were initially implemented amid the pandemic</p><p>This includes not only the basics of social distancing and cleanliness but also changes to the process of selling its RVs.</p><p>"I think we're going to have to continue to sell coaches remotely because people still aren't going to be anxious to hop on a plane to go look at a coach, so we may have to bring it to them if we have a tentative deal,"  Schoellhorn said. "And obviously continue the video conferencing and video walkthroughs of coaches."</p><p>The video tour method has allowed Marathon — and Airstream, which adopted a similar strategy — to sell builds even as the economy was spiraling downwards.</p><h2>Airstream has been struggling to keep up with customer orders.</h2><p><div type="image" title="Employees work on an Airstream travel trailer at the Airstream factory Oct. 22, 2014, in Jackson Center, Ohio." height="1667" width="2222" msid="76360742" hostid="261"></div></p><p>According to Wheeler, Airstream is now behind market demand because its factories had to shut down while retailers were still successfully selling builds. However, Wheeler isn't concerned about meeting these ever-increasing demands.</p><p>"The thing about the RV industry is that it's very scalable," Wheeler said. "It's a matter of  bringing people back into the workforce, so we'll get there."</p><p>In order to keep the return of manufacturing safe, Thor Industries and Airstream has implemented several precautionary measures for its workers. This includes taking the temperature of all of its employees when they arrive at work, staggering work hours, observing social distancing in common areas, and fogging manufacturing facilities once a week.</p><p>Airstream is also now shifting some of its floor plans to accommodate the growth in digital nomads who are now deciding to work from home while on the road. For example, Airstream is creating designated workspaces and desks in its RV designs to accommodate the company's existing "<a href="https://www.airstream.com/connected/">connectivity package</a>" that provides a data and WiFi boost plan.</p><p>"This could be just the beginning," Martin said. "We're pretty encouraged, and I'm happy [RVs] can be an outlet for many people that have been stuck in their home.</p><p>"Even if they're not going far, they're just getting a different change of scenery and enjoying the outdoors, and that's just healthy for everybody," Martin continued.</p>

RV makers are seeing surging demand as stay-at-home orders lift and some companies are struggling to keep up

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="1323206" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="RV">RV</keyword> rental companies have seen a spike in bookings as several states have started lifting stay-at-home orders.</li><li><keyword id="9353394" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="rvshare">RVshare</keyword> saw a 1,000% increase in bookings from early April to May 19, while <keyword id="8927515" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="outdoorsy">Outdoorsy</keyword> saw a 1,500% increase from the lowest booking day amid the pandemic to the highest booking day during the third week of May.</li><li>Many of the bookings reflect new trends, such as more last-minute bookings, longer booking times, and more first time users.</li></ul><p>As the summer season starts to descend on the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/half-of-travel-supported-us-jobs-eliminated-by-april-coronavirus-2020-4">pandemic-crumbled travel industry</a>, one vacation method has started to shine through: RV rentals.</p><p>As more states have started lifting stay-at-home orders, and more people are now considering a summer vacation again, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/camper-van-conversion-companies-resilience-in-sales-despite-the-coronavirus-2020-5">interest in camper vans</a> and RVs have begun rising.</p><p>This interest in road trips, and subsequently RVs, is now being reflected in the current spike of RV rental bookings. For example, <a href="https://rvshare.com/">RVshare</a> has seen a 1,000% increase in bookings as of May 19 from early April.</p><p><a href="https://www.outdoorsy.com/">Outdoorsy</a>, another RV rental company, is also seeing a similar surge in bookings to the tune of about 1,500% from the lowest booking day amid the coronavirus pandemic to the highest booking day during the second to last week of May. The platform has also seen a daily 450% booking growth since April 1.</p><p>"We're already a pretty fast-growing business, but this is definitely unprecedented," founder and chief marketing officer of Outdoorsy officer Jen Young told Business Insider. "The curve is a very steep hockey stick."</p><h2>Like most industries, however, the RV rental companies saw shakeups amid the pandemic</h2><p><div type="image" title="RV" height="1780" width="2373" msid="76225503" hostid="261"></div></p><p>"We saw an immediate fall-off in bookings and a wave of cancellations come through for people who were not sure that they would be able to go on vacation," RVshare CEO Jon Gray told Business Insider.</p><p>This drop in bookings, however, changed for RVshare on April 17, when Texas announced the reopening of state parks, and Florida reopened some beaches.</p><p>"From that day forward, we've seen robust growth week after week," Gray continued. "The first week after April 17, the business more than doubled and it's just been on a tear ever since."</p><p>Outdoorsy also experienced this strong growth: this past week, the company recorded its highest number of bookings in a single day, reflecting a 240% year-over-year growth.</p><p>The stark increase in bookings isn't the only new trend that's cropped up as states have started loosening restrictions. RVshare and Outdoorsy have both been seeing an increase in first-time visitors to their websites.</p><p>In May, around 88% of Outdoorsy's bookings have been made by first-time Outdoorsy users.</p><p>And while most trips are booked two to three months in advance, Outdoorsy has been seeing a rise in more spontaneous bookings created just one to three days before the actual rental is set to begin. Now, half of the rentals are being booked for the same week, often for trips that are longer than average.</p><p>"As the virus progressed, we all started to get the sense that actually road travel and outdoor travel really had a place in the future of the overall travel category for so many reasons," Young said. "In our world, you take your hotel with you,"</p><h2>Like Outdoorsy, RVshare has also been seeing more last-minute bookings.</h2><p><div type="image" title="Winnebago RV campers dealership lot" height="776" width="1035" msid="76225505" hostid="261"></div></p><p>The rental platform's booking window — which is the time from when somebody first makes a booking to when the trip actually begins — has reduced by a third comparing this year to last year's booking trends.</p><p>"As restrictions are lifting the time from, 'holy crap I can go on a vacation' to booking a vacation has shortened," Gray said. "Also people are concerned that they won't be able to go, so they're waiting until the last minute to book."</p><p>In order to ensure safety amongst the RV owners and renters, both Outdoorsy and RVshare have set guidelines for the platforms' RV owners, such as disinfecting the vehicles between bookings.</p><p>RVshare distributed guidelines to its renters that included CDC regulations and instructions on how to clean items like laundry and "porous surfaces," according to Gray.</p><p>Along with creating new cleaning and safety standards, Outdoorsy created a blog series about cleaning that featured a doctor and professional panel. And because the platform allows RV owners to deliver their own home on wheels to the renters' campsites, the RV exchange can be contact-free.</p><p>"People [have] started getting excited, and they're like, 'Wait a minute, I can rent a vehicle, I can get out of town, I can go check out a little lake or a fishing hole or a nearby trail, and I can have a great campfire and stay overnight,'" Young said. "And that makes an awesome travel destination, and it scratches that need that everybody's feeling to travel again and to be mobile."</p>

RV rental companies say they saw a more than 1,000% spike in May as more states come out of lockdown

<ul class="summary-list"><li>My family of 5 rented an RV through RVshare in <a href="https://www.insider.com/what-its-like-taking-train-through-florida-brightline-premium-review-2023-6">Florida</a> and we didn't have to drive it.</li><li>The RV was delivered to our camping spot and we loved the experience despite the extra fees.</li></ul><p>Living the RV life seems so adventurous, carefree, and all-American.</p><p>But when I think about all that's involved — <a href="https://www.insider.com/my-rv-family-vacation-experience-2018-6">living in a tiny space with my family</a> of five, driving a beast of a vehicle, emptying all the waste — it's not exactly my idea of a fun, comfortable vacation. Still, this summer, with hesitation on my part and prompting from my kiddos, we <a href="https://www.insider.com/what-its-like-staying-in-van-in-hawaii-not-worth-it-2022">decided to give RVs a try</a>. </p><p>We opted to use <a href="https://affiliate.insider.com?h=0cf584c431d7940936369a6f20b394631d29be010334b069b05fc1c3ea1ba3e0&amp;postID=64c2beb365b8b21917b7c126&amp;site=in&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Frvshare.com%2F" target="_blank" rel="noopener">RVshare</a> since we know virtually nothing about these recreational vehicles. It's a rental platform for RVs that's somewhat similar to sites like Airbnb, Vrbo, or Turo. </p><p>Here's how it went. </p><h2>We chose an RV with bunk beds and opted to have it delivered to a campground</h2><div type="image" title="two kids in a bunk-bed room in an RV smiling, one on bed and one on cabinet next to image of queen-size bed with sheets/towels on the bottom" height="900" width="1200" msid="102339473" hostid="261" sizebytes="50848"></div><p>First, we had to choose our vehicle and location.</p><p>RVshare has more than 100,000 vehicles, ranging from luxury motorhomes to camper vans, <a href="https://www.insider.com/overlooked-states-you-should-visit-from-someone-who-visited-all-50-2022">across all 50 US states</a>. When booking, you can get an RV you can tow, one you can drive, or one that will be delivered to a campsite you select and set up for you. Being newbies, we went with that last option.</p><p>Through the filter on the RVshare website, we narrowed down which RVs were available the weekend we wanted and could be delivered to the location we wanted. We chose to spend a weekend glamping at Camp Margaritaville in Auburndale, Florida, which is between Tampa and <a href="https://www.insider.com/surprising-things-living-in-florida-from-new-yorker-2023-7">Orlando</a>. </p><div type="image" title="wood kitchen with black appliances in an rv next to image of toilet, sink, and shower in an RV next to an open door" height="900" width="1200" msid="102339478" hostid="261" sizebytes="59022"></div><p>We chose an RV that had a room with beds for all three kids plus a master bedroom, shower, toilet, and kitchen with a fridge, stove, and oven. </p><p>We were able to look at pictures, read descriptions, and even send questions to the RV's owner ahead of our trip. </p><h2>The trip came with a bunch of extra fees, but it felt worth the cost </h2><p>Our RV rental cost $139 a night, which beats the per-night cost of any hotel accommodations we've had in recent memory. But numerous other fees drove up the price.</p><p>We paid a $79 cleaning fee, a $90.15 service fee, and $43.83 in state and county taxes. We paid a $199 fee to have our RV delivered to a specific location plus an extra $49 to have the vehicle supplied with bed linens and towels. The total cost of the RV rental for our two-night weekend was $738.98.</p><p>The rate felt comparable to what we would spend on a few days at a hotel for our family of five. But this was a completely different, more unique experience that I'm glad my children got to enjoy.</p><h2>Overall, we enjoyed our RV experience and we'd try it again </h2><p>Our kids thought the sleeping arrangements were so cool and they loved <a href="https://www.insider.com/camping-at-disney-world-not-worth-it-fort-wilderness-review-2022-11">being at the campsite</a>, which included a pool, games hosted by the staff, and tons of kids — my own included — riding around the area on bikes and roller blades.</p><p>We ate meals at a picnic area right outside our RV, my daughter <a href="https://www.insider.com/best-trick-to-make-perfect-scrambled-eggs-recipes-review-photos-2022-4">cooked eggs</a> on the vehicle's tiny stove for breakfast, and we made the camping experience complete with s'mores.</p><p>The process of returning the vehicle was super easy, too. We emptied the trash, cleaned out the fridge, locked it up, and returned the keys to a lock box. </p><p>Now that we've experienced a bit of the RV life, we feel like we can be a little more adventurous. Next time, we might rent an RV you drive. </p>

My family of 5 spent $739 to rent an RV and get it delivered to a Florida campground. It's perfect for first-timers to try this form of travel for a low price.

<p class="source"><span>Courtesy of RVshare</span></p><p class="caption">Ginnie Springs, anyone?</p><ul class="summary-list"><li><a href="https://rvshare.com/">RVshare</a>, the first peer-to-peer RV sharing platform with over 100,000 RVs, released its <a href="http://go.rvshare.com/trend-report">2020 trend report</a> on November 12.</li><li>The report found that while families are still renting RVs for a classic, all-American <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/category/national-parks">national park</a> vacation, they're also booking RVs to explore more unknown locales.</li><li>Business Insider spoke to RVshare CEO Jon Gray about why RV rentals are trending and where clients are traveling to.</li><li>Turns out, Ginnie Springs in northern <a href="http://businessinsider.com/category/florida">Florida</a> - which is gaining Instagram fame for its clear waters and jungle-like flora - is the RV hotspot of 2019.</li><li><a href="http://businessinsider.com">Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.</a></li></ul><p>Plenty of people will fondly remember visiting <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/category/yellowstone-national-park">Yellowstone National Park</a> in an RV with mom and dad as the classic American vacation of yesteryear.</p><p>But now, travelers are looking for <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-transformational-travel-is-impacting-the-luxury-sector-insignia-2019-11">more transformative, unexpected vacation destinations,</a> even if they're driving there in a recreational vehicle.</p><p>Business Insider spoke to Jon Gray, the CEO of <a href="https://rvshare.com/">RVshare</a>, the world's first peer-to-peer RV sharing platform, about current RV trends following the release of <a href="http://go.rvshare.com/trend-report">the company's 2020 travel report. </a></p><p>"We've been asking our customers 'where are you headed?' and obviously Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon are standout destinations, but Ginnie Springs kept coming up," said Gray, "and I had never heard of it."</p><p>Below, take a look inside the destination RV-ers are loving this year.</p>

The hottest destination for RV travelers right now is a 200-acre park with natural springs in northern Florida, and it's becoming Instagram-famous for its unbelievably clear water

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="1323206" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="RV">RV</keyword> sales have been increasing as people have started looking for ways to travel during the summer while still social distancing.</li><li>There are several RV and RV <keyword id="6354464" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="trailer">trailer</keyword> types available on the market.</li><li>For those looking to purchase or rent an RV for summer trips, here's a guide explaining the different RV class and trailer types.</li></ul><p>RVs and RV trailers are no longer just for older folks looking for post-retirement travel plans or suburban families looking for a summer getaway.</p><p><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/rv-sales-skyrocketing-as-lockdown-ends-2020-6">RV sales started skyrocketing</a> when states started their first rounds of lifting stay-at-home orders. And now, RV interests have been hitting new customer segments, such as millennials looking to fulfill their "digital nomad" dreams.</p><p>But for first-time home on wheels buyers and renters, the RV and RV trailer market may seem daunting. </p><p>Each RV and trailer type differs from the other in size, floor plan, weight, and design to fit the needs of different customers. For example, large toy hauler trailers allow families to bring both their children and their ATVs and kayaks on the trip. But other trailer types, such as the teardrop, may not even include an interior kitchen due to its smaller size. </p><p>Whether you're looking to purchase your first RV, or you've been browsing RV rental platforms Outdoorsy and RVshare for a weekend RV getaway here's a list of different RV and trailers, explained:</p><h3>Class A: the largest RV.</h3><p><div type="image" title="Goss RV motorcoach" height="1408" width="1877" msid="77037527" hostid="261"></div></p><p>Class A RVs are the largest of the three RV classes.</p><p>According to <a href="https://www.outdoorsy.com/blog/big-guide-to-rv-classes">Outdoorsy</a>, Class As are typically built on a diesel or gas-powered vehicle, commercial truck, or commercial bus chassis. This expansive size allows its interior to have the same amenities as any traditional foundation-based home, although this often means it can be the most expensive RV type. </p><p>Because of this, the Class As are a popular choice for people who want a luxuriously large RV for full-time living on the road, according to <a href="https://www.generalrv.com/blog/rving-101-rv-types/">General RV</a>. </p><h3>Class B: the smallest RV.</h3><p><div type="image" title="Boulder Campervans in a 2020 Mercedes Benz Sprinter 4x4" height="1668" width="2224" msid="77037535" hostid="261"></div></p><p>The Class B is the smallest motorhome of all three classes.</p><p>This segment is commonly otherwise known as a <keyword id="1071256" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="camper">camper</keyword> van or a converted van. It's also currently popular among many millennials looking to pursue <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/advanced-rv-mercedes-benz-sprinter-camper-van-off-grid-desert-2020-5">#VanLife</a>, and recently, many van conversion companies have seen a <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/camper-van-conversion-companies-resilience-in-sales-despite-the-coronavirus-2020-5">skyrocketing request in builds</a>.</p><p>Because Class Bs are often small, the vehicles typically don't include the same spacious amenities as a Class A. However, it's still possible to have the kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, and dining area basics with the right floor plan by being creative and integrating multi-purpose furniture, such as a dining table that can be flipped into a sleeping space.</p><p>Class B's are also easier and cheaper to operate and don't require any kind of special driver's license. </p><p>Nowadays, many Class B RVs in the US are built on Ford Transits, Mercedes-Benz Sprinters, and Ram Promasters.</p><h3>Class C: the in-between RV size.</h3><p><div type="image" title="RV covered by trees shade" height="1998" width="2664" msid="77037545" hostid="261"></div></p><p>As counterintuitive as it is, the Class C RV is smaller than a Class A, but bigger than a Class B.</p><p>Class Cs are known as "versatile" RVs that have more space for amenities and beds with its average length sitting between 20 to 31 feet, according to <a href="https://www.outdoorsy.com/blog/big-guide-to-rv-classes">Outdoorsy</a>. The class can also often be identified by the over-cab sleeping area, according to <a href="https://www.expeditionmotorhomes.com/blog/what-is-the-difference-between-class-a-b-c-motorhomes/#:~:text=The%20Class%20C%20motorhome%20is,in%20one%20Class%20C%20motorhome.">Expedition Motor Homes</a>.</p><p>Class C RVs are often built on the chassis of pickup trucks or vans, making it more fuel-efficient and less expensive than the Class A.</p><h3>Pop-up camper: the <keyword id="835751" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="camping">camping</keyword> tent on wheels.</h3><p><div type="image" title="pop-up trailer occupy las vegas" height="1220" width="2440" msid="77037552" hostid="261"></div></p><p>Pop-up campers are towable units that can be expanded by unfolding its sides, which are often made of canvas, according to <a href="https://rvshare.com/blog/rv-classes/">RVshare</a>. This makes it similar to a more structured, above-ground camping tent that's more affordable than other RV or trailers, according to <a href="https://www.outdoorsy.com/blog/big-guide-to-rv-classes">Outdoorsy</a>.</p><p>And because the pop-up campers have lightweight foldable components, they can often be easily towed.</p><p>Pop up campers typically range between eight feet to 16 feet, although this size expands when the roof is popped up and unfolded, according to <a href="https://popupadvice.com/pop-up-camper-dimensions/">Popup Advice</a>.</p><h3>Travel Trailer: the most popular trailer.</h3><p><div type="image" title="An employee Lee's Family Trailer Sales and Service stands in the doorway of a travel trailer while customers look around inside at their operation in Windham on Thursday, May 28, 2020. " height="1660" width="2213" msid="77037560" hostid="261"></div></p><p>The travel trailer category is relatively broad, but this versatility means it can fit many sizes, floor plans, amenities, and budget requirements that customers may have. According to <a href="https://www.thorindustries.com/rv-types/travel-trailer">Thor Industries</a>, it's also the most popular towable with a length between 13 to 40 feet.</p><p>Travel trailers often require a pickup truck, SUV, or van with a hitch to be towed, according to <a href="https://www.outdoorsy.com/blog/big-guide-to-rv-classes">Outdoorsy</a>.</p><h3>Fifth Wheel Trailer: the largest trailer.</h3><p><div type="image" title="32 foot fifth wheel trailer in 2007" height="1185" width="2369" msid="77037567" hostid="261"></div></p><p>Fifth wheels are the largest RV trailer segment available and can often be identified by its raised extension like that of an over-cab in the Class C RV segment. This extension then hangs over and attaches to the vehicle that is towing it, which is often a pickup truck, according to <a href="https://www.thorindustries.com/rv-types/fifth-wheel-shop">Thor Industries</a>.</p><p>Fifth wheels average between 25 to 40 feet. Due to this size, fifth wheels often have plenty of space for rooms and amenities. This also makes it a good trailer for those who want to travel with a larger group of people or folks who plan on camping at a single site for a longer time.</p><h3>Teadrop Trailer: the tiny rounded trailer.</h3><p><div type="image" title="TAB teardrop trailer" height="1665" width="2220" msid="77037574" hostid="261"></div></p><p>Teardrop trailers fall on the lighter and smaller end of the RV trailer spectrum, according to <a href="https://campaddict.com/teardrop-camper/">Camp Addict</a>. Because of this, the pint-sized trailers can often be easily towed, although the interiors won't be as decked out with amenities as a Class A RV. </p><p>To accommodate this, teardrop makers have to be creative, either by offering a larger trailer size and floor plan, or using pull-out units and tables — such as a pull-out kitchen — to utilize the exterior space of the trailer. </p><h3>Toy Haulers: the trailer that has room for extra outdoor or water toys.</h3><p><div type="image" title="2016 Seismic Jayco Toy Hauler" height="1036" width="2071" msid="77037581" hostid="261"></div></p><p>Toy haulers are built like a home on wheels with a large garage to store outdoor gear and toys like motorbikes, snowmobiles, or kayaks.</p><p>However, it's not technically its own trailer segment. Toy haulers — which are generally 21 to 40 feet long — often come in the form of a travel trailer, fifth wheel, or one of the motorhomes, according to <a href="https://www.thorindustries.com/rv-types/toy-hauler">Thor Industries</a>. </p>

A guide to the 8 types of RV explained, from Class A to camper vans

<ul class="summary-list"><li>The <keyword id="1323206" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="RV">RV</keyword> industry continues to remain resilient through the coronavirus pandemic with more RVs shipped in September 2020 than September 2019.</li><li><a href="https://www.rvia.org/news-insights/september-rv-shipments-31-percent">According to RV Industry Association's September 2020 survey</a> of RV manufacturers, last month saw the shipment of 41,509 RVs, which is a 31.2% increase from September 2019's 31,639 shipments.</li><li><keyword id="6354692" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="Travel">Travel</keyword> trailers, fifth-wheel trailers, folding camper trailers, camper vans, and truck campers all saw an increase in popularity in September, while orders for Class A and Class C RVs decreased.</li></ul><p>The RV industry's resilience to the coronavirus pandemic's tumultuous effects on the travel industry continued to remain strong in September, according to the <keyword id="10185660" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="rv-industry-association">RV Industry Association</keyword>'s survey of RV manufacturers.</p><p>The upward trend was <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/rv-sales-skyrocketing-as-lockdown-ends-2020-6">initially revealed towards the beginning of the pandemic</a> and has continued to gain steam. <a href="https://www.rvia.org/news-insights/september-rv-shipments-31-percent">According to a </a><a href="https://www.rvia.org/news-insights/september-rv-shipments-31-percent"> September 2020 survey</a><a href="https://www.rvia.org/news-insights/september-rv-shipments-31-percent"> of RV manufacturers by the RV Industry Association trade group,</a> September saw the shipment of 41,509 RVs, a 31.2% increase from the 31,639 RV shipments in September 2019.</p><p>"The demand for RVs continues to be strong heading into the fall and the industry is on track to surpass last year's numbers, despite the six to eight-week closures earlier this spring," RV Industry Association President Craig Kirby said in a statement. "Between the growing trend to work and learn from your RV and the incredible fall and winter RV travel options, we do not see the demand for RVs going down anytime soon."</p><p>According to the study, while March, April, and May saw a dip in RV shipments this year compared to 2019, the months of June, July, August, and September have all seen a boom that has surpassed 2019's shipment numbers with no signs of an incoming downturn.</p><p><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/2021-living-vehicle-luxury-travel-trailer-with-a-home-office-2020-9">Travel trailers</a>, fifth-wheel trailers, folding campers, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/camper-van-conversion-companies-resilience-in-sales-despite-the-coronavirus-2020-5">camper vans</a>, and <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/scout-campers-kenai-truck-camper-sleep-6-2020-8">truck campers</a> all saw a boom in September, while shipments of <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/rv-types-guide-explained-classes-2020-7">Class A and Class C RVs decreased</a>.</p><p>The survey said 37,990 of the RVs shipped in September were towables, mostly travel trailers, which is a 35.3% increase from last year. Meanwhile, motorhomes trended downwards by 1% compared to 2019, making up only 3,519 of last month's shipments.</p><p>The numbers confirm interest in RVs has been steadily rising nearly all year. Shortly after states started lifting stay-at-home orders, both RV rental companies and RV makers started seeing an increase in bookings and orders, respectively.</p><div type="image" title="rv national park" height="2592" width="3456" msid="78920945" hostid="261"></div><p>For example, RV rental platforms RVshare saw a 1,000% increase in bookings from early April to May 19, while Outdoorsy saw a 1,500% increase from the lowest booking day during the coronavirus pandemic to the highest booking day during the third week of May.</p><p>In line with these rental trends, RV makers have also seen a boost in sales. This includes Airstream, which saw an 11% increase in RV sales from May 1 to May 21 compared to the same period last year, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/rv-sales-skyrocketing-as-lockdown-ends-2020-6">according to Airstream CEO Bob Wheeler</a>. Interest was so high, the road travel maker struggled to keep up with customer orders, in part because many factories were shut down for at least 40 days amid the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic's arrival in the US.</p>

RV sales continue to soar through the coronavirus pandemic with no end in sight and shipments rising 30% in September alone

<ul class="summary-list"><li>The number of <keyword id="80487" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="walmart">Walmart</keyword> stores that have allowed overnight <keyword id="1323206" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="RV">RV</keyword> <keyword id="49274" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Parking">parking</keyword> has decreased from 78% in 2010 to 58% now, according to data from the head of OvernightRVParking.com, Jim O'Briant, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/31/business/walmart-rv-overnight-parking/index.html">provided to CNN for a report by Nathaniel Meyersohn.</a></li><li>This data comes at a time in which RV makers are seeing a <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/rv-sales-skyrocketing-as-lockdown-ends-2020-6">skyrocketing increase</a> in inquires and sales.</li><li>Walmart's parking lot has historically been frequented by overnight RVers.</li><li>A Walmart representative told CNN that RV parking policies are decided by store managers, and the corporation as a whole does not track the number of locations that allow it.</li></ul><p>Walmart stores that offer overnight RV parking are becoming increasingly more difficult to find, according to data from OvernightRVParking.com, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/31/business/walmart-rv-overnight-parking/index.html">CNN's Nathaniel Meyersohn reported</a>.</p><p>Over the last decade, the number of Walmart stores that have allowed overnight RV parking has decreased from 78% in 2010 to 58% now, according to data given to CNN from Jim O'Briant, who heads <a href="https://overnightrvparking.com/index.html?">OvernightRVParking.com</a>, a subscription-based database with over 14,500 parking and no parking locations. </p><p>Walmart has historically been cited as a popular spot for RV enthusiasts looking for an overnight parking spot.</p><p><a href="https://rvshare.com/blog/how-to-find-free-overnight-parking/">According to a blog by RVshare.com</a>, Walmart — along with stores like Camping World, Cabelas, and Cracker Barrel — is a "favorite" location for free overnight RV parking, and an article by <a href="https://roadtrippers.com/magazine/find-safe-rv-parking-over-night/">Brent Rose </a><a href="https://roadtrippers.com/magazine/find-safe-rv-parking-over-night/">in Roadtrippers Magazine</a><a href="https://roadtrippers.com/magazine/find-safe-rv-parking-over-night/"> about finding safe nighttime RV parking </a> even called Walmart the "best-known chain friendly to overnighters."</p><p>"I estimate that I've probably spent the night at 70 different Walmarts around the US and Canada over the years," <a href="https://roadtrippers.com/magazine/find-safe-rv-parking-over-night/">Rose wrote in the Roadtrippers article</a>. "While they aren't glamorous, Walmart parking lots typically have good security and plenty of space to park."</p><p>According to <a href="https://corporate.walmart.com/frequently-asked-questions#:~:text=Can%20I%20park%20my%20RV,lots%20as%20we%20are%20able.">Walmart's frequently asked questions section</a>, the company considers RV travelers "among their best customers" and therefore allows for RV parking when possible depending on store managers, space, and local laws.</p><p>Walmart did not immediately respond to Business Insider's request for comment.</p><p>A Walmart representative told CNN that RV parking policies are decided by store managers, and the superstore corporation as a whole does not log the number of locations that allow it.</p><h3>This decrease in Walmart's overnight RV parking spots, which counters the company's historical trust among the RV community, has been reported by CNN at a time in which 46 million Americans are planning to take a RV trip in the next year, <a href="https://www.rvia.org/news-insights/46-million-americans-plan-go-rving">according to the RV Industry Association</a>.</h3><p><div type="image" title="A recreational vehicle stops for gas and is fully prepared for a road trip with an RV, Jeep, Kayak and bicycles April 4 2019, Kingman, Arizona" height="1356" width="1808" msid="77303524" hostid="261"></div></p><p>This could potentially affect both long-time RVers and those who are new to the RV world, of which there may be many this year. Over the past several months, RV and camper van companies have seen <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/camper-van-conversion-companies-resilience-in-sales-despite-the-coronavirus-2020-5">skyrocketing interest</a> and, in turn, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/rv-sales-skyrocketing-as-lockdown-ends-2020-6">purchases</a> as states started lifting stay-at-home orders and summer vacationers started nixing international travel plans.</p><p>According to CNN, there isn't a clear explanation of the decreasing number of overnight RV parking-approved Walmart locations.</p><p>Several people familiar with the RV industry told CNN this may be a result of recent laws in several towns and cities that have banned overnight RV parking, including <a href="https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2019/03/27/overnight-rv-parking-banned-in-berkeley/">Berkeley, California</a>, and <a href="https://www.denverpost.com/2019/03/27/colorado-springs-rv-parking-ban/#:~:text=The%20ordinance%20extends%20citywide%20a,%2C%20and%20the%20third%2C%20%24125.">Colorado Springs, Colorado.</a></p><p>Others involved in the RV world have hypothesized that this may be a direct result of the lack of overnight parking etiquette displayed by some RVers.</p>

An increasing number of Walmart stores are banning overnight RV parking over the last decade, according to data

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Infinity pools, multimillion-dollar clubhouses, tennis courts, and spas are among the many amenities at luxury <keyword id="1323206" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="RV">RV</keyword> resorts.</li><li>RV lots can come with villas or cottages that are outfitted with private kitchens, sun decks, fire pits, and private pools.</li><li>Many luxury resorts only allow Class A motorhomes, which are the largest and most spacious type of RV and can cost up to $2 million.</li><li>COVID-19 has increased sales of motorhomes and inquiries for RV resorts as <keyword id="6354692" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="Travel">travel</keyword>ers are looking for safe ways to travel domestically.</li></ul><p>The sun is setting in Indio, California, and Dan Cross and wife, Colleen, are driving a golf cart along a palm tree-fringed path.</p><p>They're heading to their friends' home for dinner, where dinner is served on a private outdoor patio near the pool. Mountains loom in the distance and the blazing sun fades away as the friends talk in <a href="https://www.desertshoresresort.com/">Desert Shores Motorcoach Resort</a>, the luxury <keyword id="9293857" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="rv-resort">RV resort</keyword> the Crosses have called part-time home for the past 12 years and where a lot costs an average of $400,000.</p><p><div type="image" title="desertshoresresort (7)" height="1630" width="2173" msid="77506641" hostid="261"></div></p><p>The Crosses have been RVing for nearly 35 years, and they've been in the high-end RV market for most of that time. Their primary residence is in Iowa, and they chose California to escape the cold Midwestern winters. They stay at Desert Shores from November through April, and to live there is to have a social existence. </p><p>"There's an awful lot of socializing going on within the park," Cross told Business Insider. "During a typical week, you find people inviting their friends and neighbors over and having dinner on their patios."</p><p>RVing has long been a popular travel option, but as the coronavirus pandemic led to border shutdowns around the world, many Americans have turned to old-fashioned domestic road travel to satiate their cabin fever. RVshare, a peer-to-peer rental marketplace, reported a 650% increase in bookings since early April.</p><p>RVs are hotels, cars, and offices in one — with the added perk of bathrooms and WiFi. For families on the go, the sights and national parks in Western states like South Dakota, Wyoming, Arizona, and California remain top RV destinations. But for travelers who appreciate the finer things in <keyword id="6360041" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="life">life</keyword>, luxury RV resorts, which are similar to five-star hotels, prove to be extremely popular.</p><p>Not just a place to park your RVs, RV resorts have spacious lots and operate essentially like country clubs, with monthly dues in exchange for access to a wide array of amenities.</p><h2><strong>No ordinary RV park</strong></h2><p>Just 30 minutes from Palm Springs and Joshua Tree National Park and one hour from Big Bear Lake, Desert Shores has 141 lots.</p><p>All guests at Desert Shores sleep in their motorhomes, but each of those lots also has a villa. They're aptly named "villas": Each measures between 1,200 and 1,800 square feet and is replete with its own pool, hot tub, and patio. Indoors, space opens up to a kitchen, a great room, a bathroom, and a garage. Owners can put their lots into a rental pool and renters must stay for a minimum of 31 days. </p><p><strong><div type="image" title="desert shores pool rv" height="694" width="925" msid="77506644" hostid="261"></div> </strong></p><p>Guests also have access to a 10,000-square-foot clubhouse, pool, spa, kitchen, ballroom, fitness center, tennis courts, a dog park and enhanced security.</p><p>Darren Leigh Smith, Desert Shores' Broker, says the resort attracts buyers seeking an upscale experience. </p><p>"Our guests are primarily snowbirds from colder states, and most are self-made husband-and-wife duos who have built small businesses together," Smith said. "All of the hard work they put in affords them the time to enjoy life away from work more. They come to Desert Shores because of the extra space we provide with our large lots and casitas, which allows them to invite their kids and grandkids to visit, which can be hard to do with typical RV resorts."</p><h2>Welcome to your land yacht</h2><p>These specific restrictions match most of those who own Class A motorhomes. Like many of the luxury RV resort offerings, Desert Shores requires guests to have Class A motorhomes (also referred to as bus conversions and motorcoaches), which typically measure 36- to 45-feet long. They're the largest on the market, sleeping eight to 10 people.</p><p>These are also considered the most luxurious RVs out there and cost anywhere from $50,000 and to $3 million.</p><p><strong> <div type="image" title="Featherlite RV" height="1875" width="2500" msid="77506649" hostid="261"></div></strong></p><p>Among the many companies that create Class A motorhomes are Monarch, Marathon Coaches, Prevost, and Anderson Mobile Estates. These motorhomes are often regarded as "land yachts" for their expensive fabrics and flooring, top-notch appliances, and even rooftop hot tubs. <strong> </strong></p><p><a href="http://www.featherlitecoaches.com/">Featherlite Coaches</a>, a luxury motorcoach manufacturer, creates conversion motorhomes on the Prevost bus chassis with floor plans that can include multiple bathrooms, bunk beds that convert to closets, and dinettes that convert to coffee tables for entertaining. Many are even installed with Amazon Alexa voice controls, Apple TV, HDTV satellite antennas, and cellular routers to stay connected even in the most remote locations.</p><p>Mark Eisenhart, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Featherlite Coaches, told Business Insider the company has seen a marked increase in sales and deliveries of coaches since mid-May. Compared to the same months last year, sales and deliveries have more than doubled, Eisenhart said.<strong> </strong></p><p>"As more executives need to travel, and more families search for a safer way to travel and vacation, coaches offer a method to satisfy both needs," Eisenhart said.</p><h2><strong>The North Carolina RV resort beloved by Fortune 500 execs</strong></h2><p>The camaraderie and like-minded community is what draws people to RV resorts.<strong> </strong></p><p>"RV people are different. They like being outdoors, and they like being with their spouse," said Kyle McCain, an RVer and President of the Board of Directors at <a href="https://www.mtn-falls.com/">Mountain Falls Motorcoach Resort</a> in Lake Toxaway, North Carolina. "Any one of us can get on an airplane and fly to the Ritz-Carlton. But if you're at an RV resort, you like being with similar people."<strong> </strong></p><p>Mountain Falls attracts an affluent clientele that includes Fortune 500 business executives, developers, oil company executives, hoteliers, and wine connoisseurs. McCain says COVID-19 has positively impacted sales at Mountain Falls, reporting a 127% increase in revenue and 102% increase in rentals over the last year.</p><p><strong> <div type="image" title="mountain RV" height="1122" width="1496" msid="77506652" hostid="261"></div></strong></p><p>There are 230 lots, most of which come with a cottage and can set you back $1.2 million to $3 million. There's no lack of activities to partake in on-site: the RV park has tennis courts, pickleball courts, a fitness center and spa, a nine-hole golf course, and two pools. That's in addition to a concierge who organizes off-property activities like hiking, and a chic clubhouse with stately stone fireplaces and a dining room.</p><p>"At Mountain Falls, ownership is inspired by the absolute beauty we're surrounded by — a state park wilderness on one side and the Blue Ridge Mountains on the other side," McCain said. "That, combined with the best amenities and social events that we, as 38-year RVers, have ever experienced."</p><p>Lisa Proctor and her husband, both of whom are retired, have been traveling to Mountain Falls for four years. They head there for the summer months to escape the sweltering Tennessee heat. Their small dog Roxy has been a trusty companion on their travels.</p><p>"RV living is, more than anything else, about being outside and away from the noise, confinement and complexity of urban life," she told Business Insider.</p><p><div type="image" title="Mountain Falls RV park" height="1004" width="1339" msid="77506655" hostid="261"></div></p><h2><strong>'A piece of paradise forever'</strong></h2><p>While some love the seclusion, others choose resorts for their proximity to the ocean and world-class golfing. Enter: <a href="https://www.naplesmotorcoachresort.com/">Naples Motorcoach Resort</a> in Naples, Florida.</p><p>Many RVers love Naples Motorcoach Resort because they can bring their boats for day trips or fishing in the Gulf of Mexico, to which the resort offers direct access. The 184-lot luxury resort's grounds feature manicured gardens, palm trees, and tidy green lawns. Among its amenities are three pools, fitness center, poker room, private theater, billiards room, and a ballroom.<strong> </strong></p><p>Chad Geffert, General Manager of Naples Motorcoach Resort, told Business Insider that owners typically build custom casitas with amenities like tiki huts, outdoor kitchens, and fire pits. Lots range from $129,900 to $289,000, excluding the cost of the customizations.</p><p><strong><div type="image" title="NaplesPicture" height="1637" width="2183" msid="77506660" hostid="261"></div></strong></p><p>"RV ownership has gone up in the industry, and I think it's related to the fact that RVs are probably the safest way to travel for the next few years," Geffert said. Of Naples Motorcoach's clientele, he noted, "It's all large-scale, Class A motorhomes. When people come down from the north, they'll spend the whole season down here. It's more of a long-term resort with the option to buy and have a piece of paradise forever."</p><p>At <a href="https://www.hearthsidegrove.com/">Hearthside Grove Motorcoach Resort</a> in Petoskey, Michigan, vacationers are able to access the outdoors in complete luxury. Lots have cottages with chic amenities and contemporary interiors, but they do not come cheap: Purchasing a lot can cost up to $1 million. </p><p>The resort is ensconced in lush woodlands and is just minutes from the lake with easy access to golfing, sailing, fishing trips, and cooking classes with local chefs. It's the perfect family-friendly resort.</p><p><div type="image" title="Hearthside Grove The Only 5 Star Luxury RV Resort in Michigan 1" height="1250" width="2500" msid="77506664" hostid="261"></div></p><p>The ease of having an RV, especially during COVID-19, is paying off for several travelers. Cross and his wife will return to Desert Shores for their usual November to April season, but in the meantime, they're hoping to take a trip up to Michigan with the lifelong friends they've met at Desert Shores resort.</p><p>"We've built probably the best friends of our lives there," he said. "Like family." </p>

You Searched For "rvshare" and got 10 results

Millennials are flocking to RVs like never before during the pandemic, new data shows

Brittany Chang

A company that lets anyone rent an RV just raised over $100 million as RV and road travel continues to skyrocket in popularity

Brittany Chang

RV makers are seeing surging demand as stay-at-home orders lift and some companies are struggling to keep up

Brittany Chang

RV rental companies say they saw a more than 1,000% spike in May as more states come out of lockdown

Brittany Chang

My family of 5 spent $739 to rent an RV and get it delivered to a Florida campground. It's perfect for first-timers to try this form of travel for a low price.

Michelle Spitzer

The hottest destination for RV travelers right now is a 200-acre park with natural springs in northern Florida, and it's becoming Instagram-famous for its unbelievably clear water

Taylor Borden

A guide to the 8 types of RV explained, from Class A to camper vans

Brittany Chang

RV sales continue to soar through the coronavirus pandemic with no end in sight and shipments rising 30% in September alone

Brittany Chang

An increasing number of Walmart stores are banning overnight RV parking over the last decade, according to data

Brittany Chang

Inside the wild world of luxury RV travel in America, where an RV site can cost up to $3 million and business is booming amid the pandemic

Emma Reynolds

Popular Keywords

Buying Guides