10 July 2008

Surprisingly cheapest type of vacation: RVs

Despite record-breaking fuel prices, typical RV trips remain the least expensive types of vacation, according to a new study comparing vacation costs.

"Typical RV family vacations are on average 27 to 61% less expensive than other types of vacations studied,Ã¢â¬~ according to PKF Consulting, an international firm with expertise in travel and tourism.

Even factoring in RV ownership and fuel costs, the 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, Calif.

"On average, RV vacations were more economical than the other types analyzed in all but one case," said 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."

The study showed that a family of four traveling from Phoenix, Ariz. to Napa, Calif., 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.

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% of the RV market consists of towable RVs, including lightweight units which can be towed by car, van or pickup.

Report by David Wilkening