RV Campground Enthusiasts Hit The Road In Record Numbers
By Shanne Graber
Of the Post-Dispatch
Saturday, Jul. 09 2005

Aboard the Lumbard family's RV home-on-wheels, nature is near, no-vacancy signs mean nothing, and two kids screaming for a bathroom stop is virtually - and blissfully - unheard of.

CAMPING IN CENTRAL FLORIDA RV PARK CAMPGROUND

The Lumbards rented a 29-foot Holiday Rambler and left Arlington, Texas, for a two-week vacation. On Thursday, they pulled into the Casino Queen RV campground park in East St. Louis.

"We thought twice about camping, because of the gas prices," said Gail Lumbard, an occupational therapist. "But when you add up hotel and food, we're going to run about the same."

A lot of campground campers RVers apparently feel the same. Nearly 70 percent of campground RV owners planned to travel more this summer than they did a year ago, according to a new survey by the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association. They'll crisscross the country despite gasoline costing about $2.25 a gallon nationally, up from $1.89 this
time last year.

The reason, enthusiasts say, is tied to that age-old belief that the freeway means freedom. That, and saving a few bucks, too.

"RV owners are very determined," said Ken Sommer, a spokesman for the RV association. "They keep on traveling despite the fuel prices because that's only one component of overall vacation costs." A family of four can spend 65 percent less on RV trips, compared to travel by car or plane and the associated costs of hotels, research by PKF Consulting showed.

On average, RV travelers spend approximately $24 per night for a site at a full-service campground, no matter how many family members are in the vehicle.

Gas prices had little effect on the industry last year, either. In 2004, RV shipments rose 15 percent over the year before.

RV clubs are out in even bigger numbers this season. They've even become cool - in a kitschy kind of way. Consider an event called the Airstream Family Day. Planned for Sunday at the Sheldon Art Gallery's west parking lot on Washington Avenue, the all-day festival includes '50s and '60s music, dancing, vintage caravan movies and barbecue. Again, that's dancing. At an RV show.

The reason for the growing appeal, industry experts believe, is because the fastest-growing segment of RVers are between the ages of 35 and 54. They're a tech-savvy group that loves gadgets.

And because they want those gadgets to be mobile, RVs are getting fancy. It's not uncommon to find them with surround-sound stereos, flat-screen TVs, gourmet kitchens and Global Positioning Systems. Campgrounds themselves are keeping pace. Many now offer day spas, satellite TV, Wi-Fi access, even Starbucks.

The Lumbards, who are in their 40s, have kids who are 12 and 14. They had considered taking a road trip in a car.

"But having (to stop) to go to the restroom will kill a trip," Gail Lumbard said.

On this trip, the Lumbards have visited Yellowstone, Mount Rushmore and Pikes Peak.

"We were 100 yards from a black bear," said Donald Lumbard, an airport security screener. "For the kids, this is better than a textbook."

On the other side of the Casino Queen RV campground, George Taylor sat in the shade, reading a Tom Clancy novel. A wind chime swayed from his awning, which was strung with plastic lamps shaped like owls.

He, his wife and their grandson pulled in July 1 from Metropolis, Ill. ("Home of Superman," Taylor pointed out.)

The Taylors pull their 33-foot Jayco behind a one-ton pickup that gets eight miles to the gallon while pulling the RV.

Despite the cost of fuel, they take their RV to Florida every winter. But pump prices do have some impact.

"It discourages us a little bit," said Taylor, 75, a retired electrician. "Other than going down to Florida, we gave up a lot of our extra travel."

Gas prices haven't hurt RV sales, which are at a 27-year high, the RV association reports. And factory-to-dealer shipments of RVs rose more than 2
percent during the first four months of 2005 over the same period last year. There are, of course, a few luxuries RVers give up. Traffic is unpredictable. Engine trouble can kill an outing. And in a stiff wind, the Lumbards' Holiday Rambler will rock a bit.

"It's not going to handle like a Lexus or anything," Donald Lumbard said. "But it's comfortable."

*************END*****************
 

Central Florida's Newest RV Campground Park & Resort

866-468-2099 ext. 101 Treasure Coast RV Park Crossroads Parkway Fort Pierce, Florida  34945 Rates & Reservations CLICK HERE FOR MAP For reservations or information, please call 866-468-2099 ext. 101 or 772-468-2099 ext. 101.   Email: Questions and Comments treasurecoastrv@mail.com

Florida Camping Campground RV Park Central Treasure Coast Florida Easy Turnpike & I-95  Access. Close to Beaches, Golf, Entertainment  and Dinning. Treasure Coast RV Park Crossroads Parkway Fort Pierce, Florida  34945 For reservations by phone, call between 8:00 A.M. and 7:00 P.M. Major Credit Cards are accepted.

Near Central Florida Counties Martin County Orange-Seminole Osceola Pasco Pinellas Polk Sarasota Seminole St. Lucie Volusia-Seminole Palm Beach Brevard Hernando Hillsborough Lake Manatee-Sarasota Near Central Treasure Coast Florida Cities PT. ST. LUCIE RV FLORIDA RECREATIONAL CAMPGROUND GIFFORD ROSELAND HUTCHINSON ISLAND  FT. PIERCE TREASURE COAST RV PARK SEWALL'S POINT VERO BEACH FLORIDA TURNPIKE RV CAMP-GROUND RIO FELLSMERE WHITE CITY WABASSO SEBASTIAN RV AND I-95 FLORIDA TURNPIKE PALM CITY RV ST. LUCIE COUNTY RV PARK AND CAMPGROUND PORT SALERNO JENSEN BEACH RV MARTIN COUNTY CAMPING SITE INDIANTOWN ORCHID ISLAND RV STUART RV FAMILY CAMPGROUND INDIAN RIVER SHORES