Our thanks to the almost 500 RVers who, in less than five days, took the time to help us learn more about "who we are" -- i.e., what types and sizes of RVs do we own, what are our preferences in RV parks, etc. Our part of the bargain has been to tabulate the data for you, and to share the information we've collected. While the data we summarize below is interesting, we're poised now to start compiling some really interesting information -- stuff which has simply not existed before. We can examine what we like and dislike about RV parks; what types of campground memberships we have and how we'd rate them; what types of RVs do we own, and what's our opinion of their quality, warranty service, etc. We think this will give us a new, collective "voice" in speaking to RV park owners, RV manufacturers, and other groups and organizations. We hope we will continue to earn your support and assistance with this new initiative.
What Types of RVs Do We Own?
We found owners of motor homes claim 58% of our audience, followed by fifth wheels at 23% and travel trailers at 10%. However, except for a tiny fraction attributable to owners of vans, a significant number -- 42% of us -- are involved with a tow vehicle of some type.
What Size RVs Do We Have?
This one we found a bit surprising. More than half of us own RVs which are over 30 feet. While we didn't ask, that probably implies a fair percentage of slider units out there, too. All this seems to suggest we probably have a keen interest in finding RV destinations with sites which are both "big rig" and "slider friendly".
Where Do We Prefer to Stay?
Here we could have used the label "private campgrounds" to refer to both "commercial" and "luxury" categories, in which case presumably we would have had 57% indicating a preference for privately owned RV parks, as opposed to public camping facilities, membership campgrounds, or boondocking. The survey results suggest the majority of us are likely to have a keen interest in the qualities and amenities offered by private campgrounds, and we will be doing a follow up "poll" to see precisely what it is we like and don't like about privately owned campgrounds.
About Our RV Lifestyle...
It appears we're fairly serious about RVing, with nearly 80% reporting they're on the road at least one month per year. And while we have a great deal of interest in full-timing, only 14% of us have actually taken the Big Step. From the "comments" section, we inferred that many readers visit the site because they are "researching" a possible move to full timing.
And What About Age Categories?
As we expected, the survey data is showing we come from all age groups, with the biggest contribution coming from RVers in their fifties. This observation means we represent a variety of perspectives, from young families to those who are retired. The graphic above, though, seems to have "Baby Boomer written all over it, with more persons joining the ranks of RVers at earlier ages. The data we collected on employment status seems to confirm this, as those working full or part-time outnumbered the "retired" category by a margin of 54% to 46%, with the vast majority of those still employed reporting they are employed full time. It seems "RVer" is no longer synonymous with "retired" -- which we think signals some significant changes in store for all of us in the years ahead.
A Sampling of Reader "Comments and Suggestions:
comments: Saw your site listed in a Good Sam "Highways" article and decided to give it a peek. Seems to be well thought out and informative. I'm going to bookmark it for future use!
comments: Cool site. Needs more huge graphics and banners clogging up the browser. We just got a 10 MB connection to the internet and your pages pop up too fast!
comments: I like technical topics that help me keep my RV and tow vehicle in good repair for problems that my be unique to RVing and towing. I also like to hear about great places to visit and things to do. I am a gadget person, so news on new gadgets is of interest. I also like computer information as I travel with a lap top computer and use a GPS on the road. I do e-mail and I have a digital camera to take photos and send on e-mail.
comments: I like the section were questions are asked and answered. I would like to see a section for people to register there e-mail address where we could get in touch with friends and fellow rver`s.
comments: I have been enjoying your
site for almost a year now. I wouldn't change anything. If people
want the things they get on some of the commercial sites here
they aren't appreciating your site for what it is, non-biased
(mostly) and commercial free. My wife and I have a 29' Alpenlite
fiver on the way and are planning on spending more time on the
road in the future. You can bet we will be looking into laptops
and modem friendly campgrounds.
Thanks for all of the INFO.
comments: The quality of the info has always been excellent. It would be nice to see the answers to the questions. Also, your audience would be great for a chat room.
comments: Folks I think your doing a great job here. I find that your providing a lot of information useful to those of us considering the fulltime life style. Please... keep it simple and basic..the best meals I remember as a child were basic meat and potatoes. Those gave me sustance to grow on..as does your site here. Wisdom doesn't have to come in a package with fancy paper and a big red bow. Thanks for opening your front door and asking us all in!
comments: Just now signed on. Haven't had time to peruse all the paths, but the intro section looks like you have a very useful service going here. We are in our 19th year of RVing, and in our 2nd owned MH, after 3 seasons of renting. I anticipate that we will be able to make some usefull contributions.
Just read the article,"Plugged in & camped out" , in Good Sam's Highways magazine for November . Found it very interesting, and got your web page address from it. Now you are in my favorite places, so I can come back, and read all your interesting articles.
It's nice, to be able to just go to
a site, where you know there's something of interest for you .
I have just glanced through the begining of your page, and I'm
totally impressed with all you offer, and what you want to add.
I especially like your idea of having input from other RVers,
where we could all share our experiences, good or bad. This is
definitely a must site for all RVers, and will pass it along to
my friends.
comments: Hi, found your site when we were buying our FIRST RV.
Haven't even tried it out yet! An article you published on How
to buy a used RV was of great benefit to us. Thank you!.
comments: It's great to have a place to ask questions and share experiences with others who are interested in the RV life style.
comments: Read about you in this months' HIGHWAYS. Looking for modem friendly sites and like NICE campgrounds. Traveled 20,000 miles in this our first year and looking forward to many more. Need hints regarding destinations and differnet places. Always open for information. Thanks.
comments: Since this is our first time to view the site, I don't have any comments to make. We are looking for information on "modem friendly" parks that are actually "modem ready". All our children have computers, so we can keep in touch with them via e-mail. It is important to us to know which parks have gotten ready for this new technology. We would PLAN to stay at the parks that qualify.
comments: Opportunity to associate with other RVers and compare experiences and knowledge of different sites. Would like to know how to find various articles for sale or information re- RVs.
comments: Have enjoy your site. Got some very helpful information when we were ready to buy a new tow vehicle and a new hitch. Would be nice to get more information on unusal laws that some states may have regarding motor homes.Such as we come from IL. and they only allow a Motorhome or trailer to go 55MPH. Thanks for a great site.
comments: the site you have created
really sounds great. anything we can do to
help in surveys or anything else that will make rving more enjoyable
for everyone just ask. tremendous idea!!!!. this is our first
visit to
your site and we hope that we can contribute in any way to make
it a
sucess. thank for all your hard work, its appreciated greatly.
comments: This is my favorite RV site, and I have many bookmarked.
I especially enjoy the postcards because that is a unique feature
of the site. I also enjoyed hearing you in Moscow a couple of
summers ago.
comments: Not only do I like this site, I appreciate the help and advice I have received from its creators, Tom & Stephanie Gonser. They have pointed us to a number of enjoyable spots to visit and helped to get campground operators to offer online access to RVers.
comments: I have enjoyed visiting RVers Online.I haven't had the time to explore it fully, but I intend to. I have especially enjoyed the cafe reviews.
comments: Particularly like the mailbox and RV Advisors but in general your whole site is very interesting.
comments: The only way RVers Online could be better is if there RVers Online #2--# 3 ad infinitum--keep the great work and work I'm sure it is. All features are great--like to possible have some travelogs--improve ???- One thing more, happy to see that you were finally given some recognition in new Highways magazine for your spreading the word about modem friendly campgrounds.
comments: My first impression is that you have undertaken a very ambitious and time consuming project for which I commend you. I've been tooling around in Class A's for at least ten years, but I'm a brand new laptop owner. This is my first visit to your web site. I am impressed. I'll be back often.
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