Will the Delta Variant Increase the Popularity of RV Life Even More?
RVing increased in popularity in 2020 due to COVID-19 forcing people to work from home and do online school. Campgrounds have been bursting at the seams for the past year and a half. You need reservations for destinations like national parks, and long lines have tested everyone’s patience. So will the Delta variant get even more people out on the road RVing? Let’s find out.
With the Delta Variant Raging, Plane and International Travel Is Risky
The Delta variant is proving highly contagious, and it’s affecting public health and the travel industry. Being indoors with others increases your chances of getting sick. As a result, public transportation is increasingly tricky. In addition, many countries are requiring a quarantine period upon entry. The quarantines can be up to 14 days, and you have to pay for the hotel and other expenses. These factors are once again making domestic air travel and international travel risky.
COVID May Have Hurt the Travel Industry, But RV Life Is Booming
The one part of the travel industry that isn’t struggling during COVID is the RV industry. RVing is a logical choice for those who have had to cancel their vacations due to the pandemic. It’s an alternative option for those who don’t want to risk international or air travel.
RV manufacturers have been struggling to keep up with new orders. Campgrounds are at capacity across the country. And it’s been challenging to find used RVs for sale. However, as the summer comes to an end, we’re starting to see more used options out there. But will it last?
Will the Delta Variant Increase the Popularity of RV Life Even More?
It’s hard to say at this point if the Delta variant will increase the popularity of RV life even more. Many kids have gone back to school in person, so parents need to stay put for the school year. Professionals who’ve been working remotely are starting to go back to the office, even if it’s just a couple of days per week. Getting away during the week to RV will be more difficult for many.
We’ll better understand how the Delta variant will affect RV life in the weeks and months to come. From December to March, the southern states are usually a good indicator of how busy campgrounds and destinations are. Keeping an eye on the number of RVs sold across the country will also contribute to the qualitative data.
Benefits of RVing in a Pandemic-Stricken World
If we’ve learned anything during the pandemic, it’s that mental health is extremely important. Getting outdoors, being active, and taking breaks from work help promote a healthy lifestyle. Travel and vacations are great ways to do that for those who have the means. Let’s see how RVing can be the right choice when most forms of travel are unsafe.
It’s easy to distance yourself from others when RVing. Besides getting groceries and fuel, there are few reasons to come in close contact with others. For example, you don’t need public restrooms if you have a self-contained RV with a bathroom. And many campgrounds are doing virtual check-ins, so you don’t have to go inside a building to register.
Your RV Is Your Own Private, Sanitary Suite
An RV can be your mobile suite on wheels. You’re responsible for the cleaning, and you dictate who’s allowed inside. It’s the most risk-free way to travel during a pandemic. A self-contained RV makes it possible to wash your hands regularly and use your soaps and cleaning supplies. You can also plug in an air purifier to help remove dust and particles to keep yourself healthy.
No Need to Board Crowded Planes
RVing keeps you off crowded planes that make it difficult to social distance. You can manage how many people you come in contact with when RVing. Road trips also provide more opportunities to see more destinations versus flying over them. And if you’re RVing off the beaten path, it’s possible to avoid others for days.
You Can Avoid Hotels
Staying in hotels can put you at unnecessary risk versus having your own private, sanitary RV. Rather than stressing about what germs might be lurking in a hotel room or how many people you might come in close contact with, you can put your mind at ease in a self-contained RV. Plus, who doesn’t love to have their own sheets and towels?
Experiencing the Outdoors is Less Risky Than Other Activities
The CDC states that you’re “less likely to be exposed to COVID-19 when you attend outdoor activities, stay at least [six] feet apart, and limit the amount of time spent with people who don’t live with you.” RVing can help you check all of those boxes. Outdoor activities also promote physical and mental health. Instead of being trapped indoors during the pandemic, getting out for walks and bike rides can boost your energy all around.
Can the RV Industry Keep Up?
The question remains if the RV industry can keep up with this fast-growing RV boom. Manufacturers have been experiencing delays on parts, causing RV dealers to wait on units for months. Therefore, consumers are purchasing RVs before they’re complete. View almost any RV dealer’s website, and you’ll see a “coming soon” label for nearly all of their new models. Call the dealer, and you’ll find that many of those have sold, or you may need to wait six months.
We may start to see more used RVs soon. Some people who purchased an RV during the pandemic may decide to sell now that they’re back to work or their kids are in school. Whether that continues with the Delta variant looming is yet to be seen.
It’s a strange time in the RV industry and our lives, but we like to focus on the positives. RVing is a great way to travel and see our beautiful country. We hope you get out there this year and experience healthy outdoor activities. Have you been RVing during COVID?
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