Types of RV Travel

By definition, an RV provides temporary accommodations while traveling. An RV can be motorized or it can be towed behind a vehicle.  It can provide all of the necessities i.e. heat, a kitchen, sleeping quarters, a bathroom, or a portion of them.  It can be self-sufficient, harnessing power from solar panels, a generator, or large batteries, or it can be plugged into power at an RV park.

The joy of RV Travel

For those old enough to remember, back in 1954, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz made a movie called “The Long, Long Trailer.” It was a classic comedy which greatly popularized RV travel and the RV lifestyle.

Americans were in love with the RV life back then. Many an American family enjoyed summer trips to the beach and the mountains, living out of an RV for several days, or a week, traveling the new Interstate Highway System to see the wonders of America.  And, for sure, there are millions of Americans who still follow that path today.  In fact, according to recent industry sales figures, the RV has never been as popular as it is in 2022.

The necessity of RV Travel

But there is another side to the RV lifestyle picture which is also becoming quite common in 2022, and that is owning an RV out of necessity, for no other reason than the fact that traditional housing is beyond the grasp of many Americans.  With high rents and skyrocketing housing prices, middle-income and low-income Americans are finding it impossible to live in a traditional manner, so the RV is a logical alternative.

For those who have friends or family who own property, parking an RV on that property is the only way many can afford to live under cover.  Many find an affordable RV park to live in.  And still more park their RV on a city street and live there as long as the authorities allow them to do so, rent-free but also dangerous and tenuous at best.

Finding the necessities i.e. power, water

The options are numerous for those attempting to find necessities on the road while RVing.  One can stay at a campground which has those necessities, like a KOA.  Yes, you pay for it, but they are numerous around the country.

Others choose to be self-contained, meaning that they find their own power using solar panels, generators, or large batteries, capable of “boondocking” for several days without hooking up to traditional power sources.  In addition, water run through a filtering system provides the drinking water necessary, so that all remains is a supply of food.

There are literally thousands of campgrounds across the United States, ranging from state park campgrounds to private campgrounds owned by corporations like KOA.  There are also individual homeowners who will rent a camping space on their property i.e. a farm, a vineyard, etc for a small fee, and many of them have water and power available to travelers.

The options are growing rapidly

It is, in fact, virtually impossible to travel a hundred miles without being in proximity to some sort of RV campground.  In fact, may WalMarts and other major box stores allow RV parking in their parking lots for overnight stays.  And there is no indication that the RV lifestyle will diminish anytime soon.

It once could be said that Americans loved their RV’s.  Today it can be said that yes, Americans do love their RV’s, but many also NEED their RV’s for economic survival.