With the start of a new year comes new resolutions. Everyone has been dreaming about having more of something. For those with the travel bug, your ‘more’ might be more road time.
Have you been dreaming about purchasing an RV? Curious about newly opened resorts? Maybe you are daydreaming about boondocking.
If you are ready to turn those dreams into reality, 2024 is your year! This new year will have you ‘waking up’ to new models; decreasing interest costs; new places to travel, stay, and play; and an overall cheaper cost for travels. Ready to make your dreamy New Year’s resolution part of your new reality? Read on for all the latest RV opportunities that will give you more.
More Selection
According to the RV Industry Association (RVIA), there will be a healthy-sized increase in RV production this year. They estimate an increase of 11.8%-15.8% of vehicles made in 2024 as compared to last year’s production number. Specifically, they are saying there should be a median total of 350,000 RV units on the market this year. And with all the new models hitting the sales lots this year, it would be difficult to not locate the perfect RV camper.
For instance, Forest River’s Wildwood Grand Lodge 42VIEW destination trailer offers exactly what the name suggests. Views from the comfort of both lofts, from the sofa, or through the sliding-glass entrance. Spiral steps lead to the main bedroom loft, which features a king bed, and two bunks in the second loft are accessed by a set of steps near the bathroom.
If a travel trailer is more your speed, there are new models made specifically for couples. Models are available from Jayco that are small in size but are big in comfort and practicality.
More RV Shows in 2024
Perhaps you will know what you want when you see it. 2024 makes it easy to find that perfect model you’ve been dreaming about. There are several RV expos set for the early months of this year, including two from FMCA. Some dates and locations:
- FMCA’s 108th International Convention & RV Expo, March 20-23, 2024, Tucson, AZ
- Great Alaska Sportsman Show, April 5-7, 2024, Anchorage, AK
- FMCA’s 109th International Convention & RV Expo, August 14-17, 2024, Redmond, OR
- America’s Largest RV Show, September 11-15, 2024, Hershey, PA
- Washington State Evergreen Fall RV Show, September 27-29, 2024, Monroe, WA
FMCA holds two RV Expos a year, each in a different location. Twice the opportunity, twice the fun.
America’s Largest RV Show is an annual event held during September in Hershey, PA. Commonly known as the Hershey Show, there will be nearly 1,500 RVs available for inspection, highlighting this year’s models as well as 2025 models. Check out the newest accessories, upgrades, and vacation destinations as well.
More Locations
Speaking of vacation destinations, there are plenty of those to choose from! Some are annual favorites of many, while others are newly opened for 2024. Last year, there were a total of 15,462 campgrounds and RV parks throughout the United States.
One of the newest RV parks has just opened its gates, increasing that number to at least 15,463.
Southern Sands Signature RV Resort is an all-inclusive luxury RV resort, just minutes from Arcadia, Florida’s historic downtown. This spacious dog-friendly resort boasts a refreshing swimming pool, five pickleball courts, a dog park, a Tiki Pavilion, and a busy activity calendar. Stay a weekend at one of the 184 available sites or opt for an annual spot and stay as long as you’d like. Become friends with other ‘locals’ within the resort, ensuring you always have a pickleball partner.
Another new in 2024 RV resort is in Buford, Georgia. The new Camp Margaritaville RV Resort Lanier Islands makes camping a breeze each season. A dog wash station, water park (opening summer 2024), pool, pickleball courts, and a kids’ playground are a few of the extras for guests.
More Bang for your Buck
This year is set to bring lower costs: lower gas prices, and lower interest rates. Of course, people want to travel more when gas prices aren’t ridiculously high. Fortunately, we’ve seen a drop in cost at the pumps. According to GasBuddy analysts, we can expect gas prices to continue dropping throughout the year, with the average cost getting as low as $3.38. The decrease is supposed to continue into 2025, so make those resort reservations soon for this year, and beyond.
Interest rates are likely to decrease throughout the year, according to hints from the Federal Reserve. Wall Street economists predict rates could drop as many as five times in the upcoming 12 months. Just another reason why 2024 is for dreamers looking to make a big-ticket purchase, such as a new RV.
More Free Camping Locations
Excited about the lowering gas prices but still want to travel as inexpensively as possible? Boondocking could be your method to save some green. For a point of reference, Wyoming is said to be the state that offers the largest number of free campsites.
While there are plenty of parking lots that allow for overnight stays, boondocking in a country setting is becoming more popular each year. For those who truly want to be one with nature while saving money, boondocking is for you. Park on undeveloped and remote pieces of land. The USDA features guidelines on how and where to boondock in national forests and BLM land. Also, there is an app called US Public Lands that displays free public lands for camping.
Looking for a few locations to get the ideas pumping? Consider some of these popular destinations:
- BLM Land nearby Moab, Utah
- Ocala National Forest in Ocala, Florida
- Wrangell-St. Elias National Park in Alaska
More friends
Looking to have a pickleball partner at every RV resort you frequent? Make new friends this year while living your best life out on the road. Consider joining an FMCA chapter or two. Look for online groups that provide great chat opportunities with other RVers. FMCA’s Facebook group — RVs & Camping – On the Road with FMCA — is one great example. You can also follow RVers on Instagram, become a member of one or two other RV social membership sites, and/or join other Facebook groups for RVers. Follow the resorts you plan to visit and jump in the conversation, meeting folks with your same interests.
2024 holds a lot ‘more’ for each and every one of us. Lucky for us travelers, more can be found behind the wheel of an RV.
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Kevin Tadlock is president of National Vehicle in Omaha, Nebraska. He is an avid outdoorsman and spends all the time he can with his wife and two daughters experiencing nature. He loves RVs and has spent the last 15 years helping buyers and sellers find each other without paying for a dealer or broker. National Vehicle is an RV marketing firm in Omaha, Nebraska; for more information click here! |
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