Report: RV Demographics Are Changing

Above, Camp Okihi in Kern County, California. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The old stereotype of RVers is changing. Gone are the days where the dominant age group of RV purchasers were retirees. 

The age of RV purchasers is getting younger and younger.

RV Travel has posted the results of a recent industry report on who are now buying RVs.

They begin with:

The cliché stereotype of retired, snowbirding RVers is long over. Recent data from the IDS 2023 RV Industry Trends Report shines a light on some surprising changes in RV demographics amongst buyers.

The report’s findings are largely geared towards RV dealerships to help make them more aware of their buyers’ changing preferences and purchasing styles. As industry-focused as this data is, it paints an interesting picture of the current culture of RVing in the United States. Here’s what they found.

To read more, go here. 

Retire In A RV

Above, The Beast at Camp Okihi. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One major thing that makes me prefer staying in my own RV than in a hotel room is that the DNA in one's own RV is their own. Whereas, you don't know what's been left behind in hotel rooms (especially ones who have poor cleaning staffs) by prior guests unless you check out the room with your "handy" CSI forensic testing kit that includes a blacklight.

But, that aside, there are reasons why retirees should retire into the RV lifestyle and MSN Money gives nine of those reasons.

They begin with:

Retirement is in sight. You’re ready to begin new journeys, hit the open road — and travel the blue highways in a recreational vehicle. 

And why not? You’ve earned it (literally), and with a comfortable cushion of retirement income, you can satisfy your yearning to roam the country, visit children and grandchildren — and, of course, hit the big sightseeing destinations. 

You won’t lack for fellow travelers. Approximately 10 million U.S. households own RVs, according to the RV Industry Association, and roughly 1 million Americans live in one full time. 

Even amid the uncertainty and gloom of the COVID-19 pandemic, current and future RVers are ponying up for wheels. Earlier in May, shares of Camping World Holdings (CWH) surged 35% after reporting first-quarter earnings that blew past analysts’ estimates. Sales of RVs are rocking, likely fueled by pent-up demand to go vacationing, along with interest from “covid campers,” people no longer willing to stay in a hotel or motel and seeking a self-contained way to travel.

To read more, go here. 

RVers Make The Best "Preppers"

Above, The Beast within easy walking distance to the Kern River in California. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Who do you think are at the ready whenever disaster or some other urgent event happens?

According to Do It Yourself RV, "RVers make the best preppers". They give five reasons why they think this is so.

As a rule, I generally keep plenty of supplies in my motorhome, including several days worth of food and all the clothing I need. I can take off at a moment's notice.

They wrote:

When you think of the word “prepper” do you imagine a person hiding out in their underground shelter surrounded by MRE’s and draped in camo? While this is true in some cases, there are various types of people who prepare for unsafe situations or an uncertain future. One of these types is the RV owner. 

As motorhome, trailer, or van travelers, we need to not only prepare to be on the road or in the wilderness for days or weeks, but we also need to anticipate problems down that road. What if we get a flat tire? Can we maneuver our 30-foot trailer around at the end of that dirt road? The next gas station is 150 miles away! 

If you are a long-time RV owner, you will already be familiar with some or all of these tips, but if you are a new RV owner, welcome to the ranks of the best preppers.

To read more, go here. 

RV Gray Water Tank Tips

Above, dry camping at Camp Okihi near Bakersfield, California. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Besides food, water is the most important commodity in life. Water is necessary for drinking, washing and cooking.

When boondocking (dry camping), managing water is vital so that filling up a gray water tank (waste water) won't force campers to leave a scenic camping spot to seek out a dump station.

RV Life has some tips on saving and conserving a gray water tank.

They begin with:

Typically, managing gray water is the main challenge for most RVers when dry camping for extended periods. Most RVers generate way more gray water than black water and will fill up the tank by days or even weeks ahead of the black tank. Follow these tips to help limit the amount of gray water you generate and the amount that enters your gray tank.

To read more, go here.

Flag Pole Buddy Information

Above, at the Peter Lebeck clampout at Camp Okihi. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

At the recent two clampouts I attended, I received some admiring looks at my flagpole set-up on The Beast and some queries.

Above, at the Platrix clampout on the Keene Ranch. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For those (and others) who are interested, the flagpole set-up is the Flag Pole Buddy. I purchased it online from Camping World. The Flag Pole Buddy comes with a flagpole that extends 22' and mounting hardware and a U.S. flag.

It mounts on an RVs roof ladder. I first used it during my August Great American Eclipse trip to Idaho.

Above, at the Lava Hot Springs City Center KOA in Lava Hot Springs, Idaho. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I recently attended the California RV Show at the Fairplex in Pomona and there was a booth for the Flag Pole Buddy in the big accessories tent.

With those inquiring Clampers and others in mind, I picked up some literature and have scanned it. It is posted below.

Unusual Teardrop Trailer

Above, the teardrop camping trailer with a forward galley. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One thing that is always fun about clampouts is seeing RVs of all kinds and descriptions.

They range from travel trailers, fifth wheels, pop-up campers (also known as tent trailers), Class A, Class B and Class C motorhomes of difference sizes.

During this weekend's Peter Lebeck clampout, one trailer caught my eye, since it belongs to one of the group of Clampers we were hanging around with, was a homemade teardrop trailer.

This teardrop was unusual since it has the galley at the front of it. Most teardrops have the galley at the rear. My grandfather built one in the 1940s and its galley was at the rear.

Above, my grandmother cooking at the rear galley of
 the teardrop trailer that was built by my grandfather.

Teardrops are making a comeback since they can be towed by 4 cyl. vehicles due to their size and light weight. They can be bought with all the "bells and whistles" that other RVs have and they can even be bought as kits.

Clamper Oktoberfest At Camp Okihi

The Fall clampout of Peter Lebeck Chapter #1866 of E Clampus Vitus at Camp Okihi near Bakersfield is now history. It was an enjoyable weekend of fun and friviolity (despite having one of my camp chairs stolen following last night's initiation ceremonies). It had been years since I last attended a Peter Lebeck clampout.

There were about 80 Clampers and 4 PBCs in attendance.

Above, the Kern River flows alongside of Camp Okihi. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The weather was nice and the clamp-site, Camp Okihi, was perfect. It was on the north shore of the Kern River.

Someone asked me if there are fish in the river and the answer is yes. I was with a Clamper who decided to try his luck at a little fishing and within five minutes after his casting his hook into the river, he caught himself a small bass. He tossed it back in. But the catch is recorded in a photo below.

Friday night was enjoyable with a Oktoberfest-themed dinner. Most everybody, including XSNGH Glenn Thornhill and myself, arrived on this day.

Saturday began with breakfast provided by the chaper's cook crew (with some food donations by the membership). Relaxation and the PBC interrogation took place with a hot dog lunch (by the chapter taking place at noon).

The evening events were the PBC initiation and raffle.

As I had mentioned, Camp Okihi was a perfect location for the clampout. It is rumored that Kern County is putting it up for sale. This would be unfortunate (besides being stupid) for future generations. The politicians are rumored to be saying that it is "too expensive" to keep up. Naturally, all they are interested in is the money from some greedy developer to blow on something dumb. The people of Kern County should try to get the politicians (if the rumor is true) to retain the camp.

Here are a bunch of photos from the clampout (since a picture is worth a thousand words):

Above, relaxation, conversation and adult beverages. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, The Beast. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, XSNGH Glenn Thornhill. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the Peter Lebeck Chapter store. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, some of the goods for sale at the store. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the Catch of the Day. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the gathering for the PBC interrogation. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, XNGH Gary Julian and XSNGH Glenn Thornhill at the interrogation. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, enjoying some German beer.

Above, the official chapter bar sign. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, one of the Friday night raffle items. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, yours truly at the interrogation. Photo by Glenn Thornhill.

Above, the Saturday night dinner chow line. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the Saturday night chow. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the bar. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the area of Camp Okihi where our camp was located. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Glenn and I will be doing all this again in two weeks when Platrix Chapter #2 holds its Fall clampout in Tehachapi.

SATISFACTORY!