LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Summer is here, and your travel plans may be shifting a bit due to record-high gas prices. Despite the pain at the pump, many are not only hitting the open road, they're doing it in style.
13 Action News anchor, Tricia Kean, spoke with a local expert who says RV sales are booming.
"Everybody wants to RV," said Ronnie Corwin, general manager of Johnnie Walker RV on Boulder Highway.
HIGH DEMAND
In his 12 years in the industry, Corwin said he's never seen demand like this.
"It does surprise me," he said. "It doesn't surprise me that people love it, but it surprises me how busy we still are."
According to the RV Industry Association, RV shipments across the country have gone up by about $200,000 from 2020 to 2021, and this year continues to break records.
"They still are hot from the COVID craze. I mean, gas prices are still going up. So we thought we were going to slow down. But the overall cost of traveling in an RV is still way cheaper than going into a hotel," Corwin said.
Alan Richman just bought his fifth RV in the last 25 years and is not wasting time. He and his wife are leaving town in two weeks.
"We go every year to Mammoth and we're planning a two week vacation in Mammoth, which we are excited to go to," Richman said.
The national average for a gallon of gas is about $5. Richman says he loves not having to pay for a hotel room.
"I sleep in my own bed, and I wake up to birds singing and it's just gorgeous outside when you go camping," he said.
NUMEROUS FEATURES
Corwin points out today's travel trailers, motor homes and fifth wheels are far from roughing it. These behemoths come with air conditioning, solar power, a kitchen, bathroom, and plenty of sleeping space.
Best of all, he says RVs are bringing families together.
"You're all staying under the same roof. You're eating lunch together, eating dinner together. You know, there's no other choices. You get rid of all the technology, all the iPads, everything like that, and you get to enjoy each other," he said.
