RVs are having a moment right now. And when we say moment, we mean a long, 18-month moment, with no signs of slowing down. This blog will share 5 RVing trends that you cannot afford to ignore and that you will not want to miss.

RV Trend 1: Working remotely while living the RV lifestyle

Up until the Covid-19 pandemic, most people who considered themselves full-time RVers were retired couples. They had raised their children, retired from their jobs, and were fulfilling their dream of spending their retirement together, touring the United States.

Today, many individuals, couples, and families can embrace the RV lifestyle for extended periods or full-time. Many RVers had jobs that went remote because of Covid-19. Others sought a new career that could be done remotely after experiencing a shift in priorities because of the pandemic. Many parents have decided to homeschool their children rather than continue to enroll them in public or private schools. Not only does homeschooling make RV life accessible to families, but it provides hands-on lessons in a variety of subjects like geography, social studies, history, science, and physical education.

Regardless of the reason, people have figured out how to go full-time RVing long before becoming empty-nesters or retiring from their jobs. We expect this trend to continue as Generation Y represents more of the workforce and starts families of their own.

RV Trend 2: Vacationing with your dogs

According to a survey done this year, between 75-80% of pet owners view their pets as their fur-baby. This data was consistent across the Baby Boomer generation, members of Generation-X, and Millenials. With such a large majority of pet owners feeling a parental connection to their dogs, it is not surprising that RVing with dogs is so popular. In fact, according to I A Magazine, “RV dealerships will tell you that traveling with pets is a leading reason why people RV.”

Dogs are the perfect companion to go RVing on vacation. As pack animals, dogs love to go on adventures with their humans. A well-trained, socialized dog can fit seamlessly into RV travel. Not only does your pet love going on vacation with you when you have your pet with you on vacation, but you also do not have to worry about your pet at a boarding kennel or with a pet-sitter. And of course, if there are vacation destinations you want to explore where your dog cannot accompany you, use a GPS temperature Monitor like Waggle to get peace of mind when your pet is alone in your camper.

RV Trend 3: Small RVs and Vanlife

With Millennials becoming a key demographic in the RV market, they have embraced smaller RVs and vans. While van life has been around since the early 1900s, a small niche of society embraced it. In the last 18 months (about 1 and a half years), it has exploded in popularity due to a combination of Covid-19 lifestyle changes and glimpses into the lifestyle on Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok. According to Camper Report, “Among the many RVs to choose from, the Class B motorhome seems to be the pick of the litter for millennials. Besides being compact and easy to drive, camper vans are becoming the new homes-on-wheels for digital nomads.”

Of course, there are benefits to small RVs regardless of the owner’s age. They are much easier to drive or tow. They are typically less expensive and do not need a tow vehicle as large (or as expensive). Vans are even less expensive, especially when owners DIY the interiors and skip amenities like plumbing and electricity. Smaller units can be a factor in where to go RVing, as they will fit in smaller campsites and a greater selection of RV parks. Vans can be used as regular everyday vehicles and fit in standard parking spots, which is impossible when camping in a 5th wheel or Class A rig.

RV Trend 4: Unique floor plans and modern finishes

It used to be that you would find identical floorplans across many different brands of RV units. Now, RV manufacturers are offering innovative, functional floorplans that mimic regular houses or are geared for specific lifestyles more than ever before.

Of course, RV camping is the perfect way to blend a love of travel and the outdoors with the creature comforts of home. As a result, many RV companies have started to offer some of the trends we have seen in home decor, like brighter colors, grays instead of brown, white shaker cabinets, and larger windows to provide more natural light.

Keystone RVs has created one floorplan with a mudroom complete with a shower that you can use to wash off muddy dogs and children, and a different option with a built-in pet kennel in the bedroom. Today, you can find floorplans more in line with the open-concept living that we see in stationary homes.

RV Trend 5: Technology

According to Go RVing, “In today’s climate, many RVer’s are making the transition to working remotely, and manufacturers are catering to this by equipping models with features like natural lighting, smarter work stations, easy storage, and dual battery charging systems.” In addition to the innovations listed in their article, you can find advancements like solar panels, systems that help you know how much your loaded RV weighs, and technology to help you open your slides and turn your lights on and off.

Perhaps the best part of the current trends and emerging technology in the RV world is that all these advancements help you get outside enjoying nature, rather than keeping you inside, attached to your computer or television. And that is an overall trend that we can embrace and celebrate.