Despite record-breaking fuel prices, typical RV trips remain the
least expensive type of vacation, according to a new study comparing
vacation costs. PKF Consulting, an international consulting firm
with expertise in travel and tourism, found that "typical RV family
vacations are on average 27 to 61 percent less expensive than other
types of vacations studied." Even factoring in RV ownership and
fuel costs, the 2008 study reveals that RV family vacations tend to be
significantly less expensive than other types of vacations.
PKF analyzed major costs that would be incurred by a family of four
taking eight different types of vacations for three, seven, 10 or 14
days to such popular travel destinations as the Grand Canyon, Cape Cod,
and Napa, CA.
"On average, RV vacations were more economical than the other types
analyzed in all but one case," says Kannan Sankaran, PKF's lead
researcher for the study. "Even as fuel prices increase, our findings
show that almost all RV vacations are still significantly less expensive
than non-RV ones."
Fuel prices would have to more than double for typical motorhome
vacations to become more expensive than other forms of travel, according
to PKF Consulting. The study also shows that fuel costs would have to
more than triple for trips in lightweight travel trailers or folding
camping trailers to be more expensive than the least expensive non-RV
vacation. Almost 80 percent of the RV market consists of towable RVs,
including lightweight units which can be towed by car, van or
pickup.
RV owner John Bargo, a computer operator from Milwaukee, WI, agrees
with PKF's findings. "When you figure the cost of driving in a
car, staying in hotels and eating in restaurants, it's a lot more
expensive than bringing your lodging and food with you."
Dennis Silipena, a 55-year-old service and parts manager from
Hammonton, NJ, also appreciates the affordability of RV travel. "I've
owned an RV for 25 years and I've enjoyed significant savings over other
types of vacations. I pay $30 to $40 to stay in a campground rather than
$150 to stay in a hotel. And it's a much nicer experience staying in my
RV."
The study showed that a family of four traveling from Phoenix, AZ. to
Napa, CA., with their folding camping trailer for 10 days, staying in
campgrounds at the local average of $33 per night, would save 52
percent, or $2,379, over the same trip taken by car, staying in hotels
averaging $122 per night and eating in restaurants. Taking the same
vacation by a Type C motorhome would save $1704, or 37 percent, over
going by car.
A week-long family vacation towing a conventional travel trailer from
Salt Lake City to the Grand Canyon compared to the cost of taking the
same trip by airline, renting a car and staying in a hotel would be
$2,647, or 65 percent less expensive.
Shorter getaways by RVs were also found to be more economical. For
example, a family taking a three-day vacation from Pittsburgh, PA. to
Lancaster, PA., would save $323 or 31 percent by towing a conventional
travel trailer, rather than going by car, staying in hotels and eating
in restaurants. The savings would be even greater -- $889 or 52 percent
-- for families taking the same trip by a Type C motorhome rather than
flying.
Among the RV vacations analyzed by PKF, even those taken in an
ultra-luxury Type A diesel motorhome were less expensive than flying and
staying in a hotel. Only a family taking a vacation by personal
car with hotel or renting a condo and cooking for themselves would cost
less than a family taking a trip in a Type A motorhome. Owners say
the added space, comfort, and convenience while traveling justify the
investment in a Type A.
In addition to major expenditures required from the start to finish
of each vacation, PKF factored in an estimated cost of ownership of the
RVs analyzed: a folding camping trailer, conventional travel trailer,
and Type C and Type A motorhomes. Research included documenting average
ownership periods, residual values, annual days of use, insurance and
applicable interest deductions.
The PKF study considered only quantifiable economic factors, not the
comparative quality of each vacation. As a result, the convenience,
flexibility and quality family time cited as major benefits of traveling
in an RV could not be addressed.
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