From Travelmole Newswire Special Features, July 10, 2008:
Surprisingly cheapest type of vacation: RVs
Despite record-breaking fuel prices, typical RV trips remain the least expensive types of vacation, according to a new study comparing vacation costs.
"Typical RV family vacations are on average 27 to 61% less expensive than other types of vacations studied,” according to PKF Consulting, an international firm with expertise in travel and tourism.
Even factoring in RV ownership and fuel costs, the study reveals that RV family vacations tend to be significantly less expensive than other types of vacations.
PKF analyzed major costs that would be incurred by a family of four taking eight different types of vacations for three, seven, 10 or 14 days to such popular travel destinations as the Grand Canyon, Cape Cod, and Napa, Calif.
"On average, RV vacations were more economical than the other types analyzed in all but one case," said Kannan Sankaran, PKF's lead researcher for the study. "Even as fuel prices increase, our findings show that almost all RV vacations are still significantly less expensive than non-RV ones."
The study showed that a family of four traveling from Phoenix, Ariz. to Napa, Calif., with their folding camping trailer for 10 days, staying in campgrounds at the local average of $33 per night, would save 52 percent, or $2,379, over the same trip taken by car, staying in hotels averaging $122 per night and eating in restaurants.
The study also shows that fuel costs would have to more than triple for trips in lightweight travel trailers or folding camping trailers to be more expensive than the least expensive non-RV vacation. Almost 80% of the RV market consists of towable RVs, including lightweight units which can be towed by car, van or pickup.
Report by David Wilkening
2008 Itasca Meridian 37H, All. 3000MH (6-auto), Freightliner XC Chass., Cummins 6.7L Turbo, (Sweet! Delivery 03/12/08). Tow: '07 Dodge Gr. Caravan, Me, Him; Sugarbear, Apr. Toy Poodle; Pepe, Blk Toy Poodle; Hero, fat Siam.-mix polydactyl cat/Alarm Clock.
I totally agree with this article. We are a family of 6. Just the food savings alone is worth it for us. Even a quick stop at McDonalds can run us $40. Most hotels won't rent a room to a family of 6 you have to rent two rooms.
Being the accountant number cruncher I am, this is the only way for us to travel.
Cost of a RV vacation kind of depends on your RV lifestyle choices. Popup campers are quite inexpensive. Even tent camping is only a little less expensive, considering investment in decent equipment and similar daily fees. On the other hand, some large motorhomes have ownership costs of $200 to $1000 a day, even when not in use.
Cruise industry will tell you how a cruise is the least expensive vacation. Cheapest cruises start well under $30 per day, per person. But they can also go beyond $1000 per day, per person; a different style. None of them go to the Grand Canyon, but try driving your RV to St. Thomas.
Seriously - good article. We just finished a 10 day trip with the 5er and after tallying the numbers, it was less expensive than had we used the car and hotel / restaurant it - only about 10% less and that's just the variable costs. (food - fuel and pillow rental) The anxieties over fuel cost leading up to the trip were unfounded
From someplace in SE Wisconsin
2006 Silverado 2500 Ext-cab / reg box / D/A
2006 Jayco Eagle 325BHS
2001 Goldwing, Cyclemate trailer and a tent (to remind me why we have the Jayco)
1999 BMW 1200C (007 bike) too cool to part with
If I include the TOTAL cost of purchse/ownership of our motorhome, it's MORE costly for us to vacation in our own motorhome. I simply see it as an expensive luxury.
Willie & Betty Sue
Miko & Sparky
2003 41 ft Dutch Star Diesel Pusher/Spartan
Floorplan 4010
Blazer toad & Ranger bassboat
Offline
Online
.jpg)
