CBS San Francisco: RV Travel Surges

Some 56 million Americans are planning on traveling in a recreational vehicle this summer, more than double than what we saw before the COVID-19 pandemic.

For their first big vacation since the pandemic, Bay Area residents Pete and Gina Danford and their daughter, Sam, loaded up their recreational vehicle for a cross-country trip.

“With family and health issues, we decided to get something that was self-contained, so we could be in our own little bubble, we could travel safely,” Pete Danford said.

The Danfords are far from the only ones thinking that. The RV Industry Association says the soaring demand for RVs is driving a record year in production.

“We’re actually seeing more people heading out RVing this summer than last summer,” said spokeswoman Monika Geraci.

A third more RVs will be manufactured this year compared to last year. Currently, more than 11 million American households own an RV, up 26% over the last decade and 62% more than 20 years ago.

The pandemic has helped accelerate a national vacation trend.

“People have rediscovered the great outdoors,” said Geraci. “And at the same time, people are discovering RVing for the first time.” Geraci explained.

Check out the full article from KPIX CBS San Francisco Bay Area here.