RV owners plan to use their vehicles more this spring/summer than last year, despite higher fuel prices. This finding comes from a newly released "Campfire Canvass" survey of 444 RV owners, taken as gasoline prices were climbing rapidly in March.

Almost 7 out of 10 RV owners surveyed plan to use their RVs more this spring/summer than they did a year ago. Over a quarter 27%) are planning to use their RVs the same amount as last year. Only about 4% of RV owners plan to use their RVs less this season.

These findings indicate that as in 2004, when RV shipments rose 15% despite record-high fuel prices, the price of gas will have little impact on RV use this spring and summer.

"RVers are as enthusiastic as ever about traveling this season," explains Dr. Robert Hitlin, president of Robert Hitlin Research Associates, Inc., who conducted the study for Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA). "Over the last several years it appears that spikes in fuel prices have had a minimal impact on RV travel plans. RVers are desensitized to these fuel price spikes because we have had several of them in the past few years."

A desire to take more mini-vacations emerged as the top reason for RV owners to travel more this season, the survey found. This trend reflects Americans’ increased preference for shorter, more frequent getaways, travel experts say.

The popularity of mini-vacations does not necessarily mean RVers will be traveling less in total this season. Close to half of those surveyed expect to travel more miles in total this spring/summer than last. RVers plan to log an average of 3,000 miles—nearly 100 more than last year despite the rise in fuel prices—and travel an average of 35 days and eight weekends this season, the survey shows. Nearly a quarter of respondents indicated they would stay closer to home. read more>>>