There are a growing number of RV problems facing all RVers today. Whether full-time or weekend warriors, the issues are the same. Some problems come with the territory. But most on our list today are all relatively specific to this moment in time. We’re all living in a post-covid world, and during a time when the popularity of RVing skyrocketed. So what are the topical issues that are affecting our ability to enjoy RV life today?
RV Fuel Prices
Only six months ago we were excited to find diesel fuel under $3/gallon. Today, we’re “excited” to find it under $5/gallon. The average RV travel distance per year is 5,000 miles. However, we know many full-time RVers who travel far more than that. Using an average of 12 miles per gallon, that’s 417 gallons of fuel. This difference in fuel prices means the same travel could cost $1,000 more this year than last year. Will part-time RVers choose to stay closer to home? Will full-time RVers choose to travel less? We’ll have to wait and see. But for right now there’s definitely a bit more pain at the pump for all of us. Be sure to research which RV discount cards and fuel rewards programs might benefit you best.
How to Find RV Campsites
In the recent past, RV Parks and Resorts became in high demand. Many were often fully booked a year in advance. We couldn’t believe it when we called one park and they already had a waitlist for two summers into the future. And now it seems that boondocking areas are starting to fill up too. We guess it only makes sense, everyone has to go somewhere! But as avid boondockers, it’s frustrating to see that many free, open areas are now becoming designated dispersed. These come with a limited number of sites or are even moving to a pay model. So yeah, it’s becoming difficult to find places to park your RV, no matter what style of camping you prefer. We’re seeing an increasing amount of reviews saying things like “don’t even try to arrive after Wednesday to get a spot for the weekend.”
RV Problems and Quality Issues
Everyone knows that just because you buy a new RV, doesn’t mean it won’t have some issues right off the lot. We expect this. What we (RVers) didn’t expect was the number of issues on new RVs produced during the pandemic. People are now saying “don’t buy an RV that was built during covid”. It’s widely known that many manufacturers had no choice but to do anything they could to keep up with the surge in demand during a time when the supply chain was greatly disrupted. “Covid RVs” have many issues due to the rapid speed at which they were being produced, the lack of staffing, and the inability to get the right part for the job. Hopefully, most RVers who purchased new RVs in the past two years are shaking out all the issues now, getting them fixed, and will have great RVs going forward.
RV Price Increases
Supply and demand principles are running double duty on RV prices today. With a small supply due to staffing shortages and supply-chain issues and a surge in demand from increased interest in RV and domestic travel, RV prices are through the roof. Many RVers wonder if their demand will drop off as international travel opens back up. We also wonder if supply will increase as the supply chain returns to normal and Americans get back to work. But in the here and now, prices are just silly. J.D. Power and Associated published a 2021 third-quarter report that shows an increase of 39.1% in the price of travel trailers as compared to the third quarter of the prior year. So, it’s a seller’s RV market today, making it problematic if you want to do anything but sell your RV. Luckily, if you have an RV to trade in, you’ll likely get more for your trade-in today too, thus helping to offset the increased price for a new RV.
Loneliness While Traveling
This last one is a tale as old a time, but it endures amid these new RV problems. RVing can be lonely, especially as a full-time RVer. You leave your family, friends, and community behind, with dreams about the freedom of the open road, camping in nature, and seeing beautiful places. Fortunately, there are many apps and groups built to help nomads connect. We recommend joining Xscapers RV Club and attending some of their rallies to meet like-minded working-aged RVers, like us! If you prefer to plan less and connect in on-the-go, the app Nomad Near Me will show you other RVers who are camping nearby and give you the chance to message each other and potentially meet up.
Despite all of these RV problems and challenges facing today’s RVer, most of the people we meet on the road seem determined to continue following their dream. Many RVers we have met in the past couple of years have no plans to stop any time soon. We’re all in this together and we can overcome many of these challenges with kindness. Be friendly to your RV neighbor, and lend a hand if they’re having an issue. We’re a strange, fun bunch of humans, this RV community, try to see the humanity in your neighbor and not view them as competition for that last campsite.
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