Fueled by young people RV dealers see boost in business

Many RV dealers across the country are seeing a big boost in business, according to a University of Michigan study. Years out of the great recession, the industry is making a comeback and it is being fueled by younger people.

Robert Gallaher is preparing for an RV trip across the U.S. that he and his family will likely never forget.

“I grew up doing it with my parents, my wife grew up doing it with hers and we just wanted to give the same experience to our kids,” said Gallaher.

Gallaher was drawn to the RV lifestyle for a number of other reasons too, but cost is key.

“With five kids this is probably the most cost effective way to travel,” said Gallaher.

At 31-years old, Gallaher is on the cusp of a growing trend across the nation – A younger generation buying RVs.

In fact, according to a University of Michigan study, more RVs are now owned by ages 35-54 than any other group. It’s an age group that RV dealer Randy Scianna says they are targeting more now than ever before.

“In the last two years we have seen a demographic change in the age of the people that are buying and it has gotten much younger,” said Scianna.

There are several theories that Scianna has behind the growth, a major one being that new RVs are safer.

“The boost is coming from the uniqueness of the safety in the travel of RV,” said Scianna. “It’s the safest way to travel across the country.”

The RVs of the past are quite a bit different than the one’s of today.

“It’s not your grandma’s RV anymore and it’s not only your grandma who is buying it,” said Jules Wilson, an RV marketing director.

According to Wilson, the other big thing that is bringing in younger people is the technology that some of the RVs come with.

“Everything you would want in your home you can now have on your home on the road,” said Wilson.

We are talking about a fire place, an oven, a double door refrigerator, a king size bed and even touch screen controls… something that Scianna is a big fan of.

“I can have control over my water pump, my water heater, interior lights, exterior lights and security lights,” said Scianna.

Beyond all the bells and whistles, Gallagher says he appreciates the flexibility his RV gives him.

“We don’t have any reserved reservations anywhere, we just play it by ear and go where we want to go and see what we want to see,” said Gallaher.

Something that will likely serve him well as he heads off to tour the land of the free.