Actually the numbers are estimated to be more than a million. I can't remember where that came from, but it was somewhere in the RV industry and I have no doubt.
firedude wrote: Actually the numbers are estimated to be more than a million. I can't remember where that came from, but it was somewhere in the RV industry and I have no doubt.
Seems like I recall same numbers. Probably a fairly recent article related to Escapees or RVIA. Maybe someone else can be more specific regarding the source.
In the 2000 census there was a catagory called "other non-standard housing" defined as boats, recreation vehicles and other such residences which have no permanent physical address. Based upon the 2000 census that number was estimated to be 260,000 people.
How many in that category are full time RVers is unknown.
My best guess would be maybe 3/4 are. That would mean that there are about 200,000.
Clay (WA5NMR), Lee,(Wife) Codi, Brandi (Shelties) and Damncat (damn cat)
Full Timing in a 2004 Winnebago Sightseer 35N, Workhorse chassis, Honda Accord toad
I remember reading an article in the business section of the local paper near the end of last year, that over 1 million people full time in RV's and they expect the numbers to climb as the Baby Boomers reach retirement. With the values of their homes dropping, some are selling for the best price they are offered and getting RV's. Even a lot of the younger generation who work in offices are selling their B&S, purchasing a large MH and travel while doing their work on line. I don't think the information came from the RV manufacturers.
Impossible to get an accurate count. I think the 1,000,000 number that is talked about in the industry is just an optimistic guess.
Interesting "fact" from 2000 Census: There are 116,000,000 housing units in the US. Most are single family homes, then apartments and mobile homes. Also, according to the Census folks, a tiny fraction (0.2 percent) of the housing units are classified as "other" which would include "RVs, boats and vans." That would mean that in year 2000, 232,000 RVs, boats and vans were being used as housing units.
While the 1,000,000 sounds good, I don't think there is any way to back up that claim.
Sort of like counting the homeless. A number gets thrown out. Repeat it often enough and it will then get accepted as a fact. JMHO
Bryan
Free and easy down the road I go . . .
Bryan & Keiko
Max the RVing Basenji
2005 Dodge Ram 1500
2007 Keystone Passport 285RL
Census figures can be way off, we have not given the info since Full Timing now over 14 years, and were never included in the 2000 census. Lots of full timers boondock, and would be even less likely to be included.
Bob & Nadine 1984 Allegro 23 feet, always at home!
Living Life With a "Golden Age Passport"
and Thousand Trails VIP Membership, Priceless!.
I do not believe the actual number of Fulltimers will ever be acurate. I live in Canada and the Census takers only go to Residential addresses so there is no one even counting us. I assume they have come up with a number they assume live in other forms accommodation. From what we all have experienced it seams like the government will find numbers that suit there needs not that of the people. Is it not better to show that everyone has a home and living the American Dream. I assume that a number around 300 thousand in North America as a whole is realistic.
Paul & Kathy
Canada
08 F350 Superduty DRW Power Stroke 6.4
07 Cedarcreek 37CKQS
04 Explorer Sportrac
07 Mirage 5x8 Cargo Trailer
In 2006, the INSURANCE industry reported there were over 1 million insurance policies in effect for people who lived fulltime in an rv. Now in order for you to accept that figure, you must also accept that many and mostly the majority of that number live in rvs that are fixed. As to how many TRAVELING fulltime rvers, I suspect that changes every month and is a very lower number..
You might be very surprised at the amount of people who buy rvs , and park them in rv parks, or their own property, for years, versus buying homes or renting apartments.
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