PKF Consulting, an internationally recognized consulting firm with expertise in travel and tourism, found that “typical RV family vacations are on average 26 to 74 percent less expensive than other types of vacations studied.”

Even factoring in RV ownership and fuel costs, the study reveals that RV vacations are more economical than those taken by personal car, commercial airline or cruise ship.

PKF analyzed major costs that would be incurred by families taking nine different types of vacations to such popular travel destinations as the Grand Canyon; Orlando, Fla.; Cape Cod; Napa, Calif.; and Alaska. PKF selected three types of RVs typically used by families for vacation purposes– a folding camping trailer, conventional travel trailer and Type C motor home.

“In all cases, RV trips were more economical than other vacations analyzed, regardless of trip duration, distance or region of the country,” says Kannan Sankaran, PKF’s lead researcher for the study.

“Even when fuel prices rise, our data show that each RV vacation would still be significantly less expensive,” Sankaran explained. “While fuel costs are a component of the overall vacation cost, fluctuations in fuel prices aren’t significant enough to affect a family’s decision of whether or not to take RV trips over other types of vacations.” According to the study, fuel prices would need to triple to make RVing more expensive for a family of four than other forms of travel.

Vacations using a personal car, staying in hotels and eating in restaurants–the least expensive of the non-RV travel options– were found to be 36 percent more costly on average than going by RV.

The study showed, for example, that a family of four traveling from Washington, D.C. to Dennis Port, Mass. for 10 days with their folding camping trailer in tow, staying in campgrounds for the local average of $25 per night, would save 54 percent, or $1,696, over the same trip taken by car, staying in hotels averaging $120 per night and eating in restaurants. Taking the same vacation by motor home would save $974, or 34 percent, over going by car.

On a trip from Atlanta to Orlando for a week, a family of four would save $1,658, or 53 percent, by traveling in their motor home and staying in campgrounds averaging $27 per night, rather than flying, renting a car, staying in hotels averaging $125 per night and eating in restaurants.

A week-long family vacation towing a conventional travel trailer from Salt Lake City, Utah to the Grand Canyon compared to the cost of taking the same trip by airline, renting a car and staying in a rental property would be $2,820 or 70 percent less expensive.

Shorter getaways were also found to be more economical by RV. For example, a family taking a three-day vacation from Pittsburgh, Pa. to Lancaster, Pa. would save $271–or 31 percent–by towing a conventional travel trailer, rather than going by car, staying in hotels and eating in restaurants. The savings would be even greater–$1,049 or 62.2 percent–for families taking the same trip by motor home rather than flying.

According to PKF, renting an RV is the most affordable way to tour Alaska. The study shows that 14-day RV rentals were less than half the cost of Alaskan all-inclusive cruises, including roundtrip air fare, and 69 percent less expensive than trips involving air fares, car rentals, hotels and restaurants.

In addition to major expenditures required from the start to finish of each vacation, PKF factored in an estimated cost of ownership of the RVs analyzed. Research included documenting average ownership periods, residual values, annual days of use, and insurance and applicable IRS interest deductions for second-home mortgages.

“RV travel offers great value and affordability,” says Coon, “but there are other key reasons to travel by RV, too. RVs are a comfortable, convenient, stress-free way to travel, enjoy the great outdoors and spend quality time with family.”

The PKF study considered only quantifiable economic factors, not the comparative quality of each vacation. As a result, the convenience, flexibility and quality family time cited as major benefits of traveling in an RV could not be addressed.

RV Vacations Save Money

How going by RV reduces family vacation costs vs. other vacation types, according to a comprehensive study comparing travel expenses to popular U.S. destinations:

Source: Leading tourism research firm PKF Consulting. When vacationing by RV, a family of four can spend up to 74 percent less compared to other vacation types. RV vacations were found to offer big savings over travel by car or plane with hotel accommodations or rental properties. Even the most expensive RV trip is one-third the cost of a cruise excursion and one-fifth the cost of an all-inclusive package getaway. For more information, contact RVIA's Kevin Broom at 703/620-6003, extension 304.

These rules and regulations are for the benefit of the members and the maximum economic use of the campground. From time to time it may be necessary to change these rules to achieve the goals of the campground. Therefore, the owner or manager reserves the right forever to make changes. The interpretation of these rules is at the discretion of CRCR management.

In order to provide an equal and fair usage of the campground, the following shall apply:

1. Length of Stay

   1. Members may stay free at Cedar Ridge Camping Resort (CRCR) for up to 14 consecutive days in one visit. (Consecutive means following one another in unbroken order. Four days constitutes a visit.)
   2. After each free visit, the member may stay on a space available basis at regular park rates.

2. Reservations

   1. Reservations will be accepted for members only. Campsites are on first come, first served basis.
   2. Reservations will be accepted for the cabins. A deposit may be required.

3. Site Usage

   1. Management reserves the right to set aside sites for staff.
   2. Sites will be assigned by the check-in staff according to availability. No more than 6 people, whether or not they are members or a single family may occupy one campsite except by permission of management.
   3. Recreational vehicles must not be left unoccupied for 24 hours on a campsite without management approval. Vehicles left without permission may be moved to the Storage area at the owners risk. You will be charged moving and storage rates set by Management.

4. Dues

   1. Dues run on an annual basis and must be paid in advance annually. In the event dues are not paid within 30 days of due date, late fees will be assessed in accordance with your contract. If the dues become 90 days in arrears, without arrangements being made with CRCR, membership can be cancelled. A reinstatement fee will be charged to the member.
   2. Dues must be current to allow transfer and must be done by using forms provided by CRCR and a payment of $200 as a transfer fee. Transfer fee will be waived when membership is transferred to immediate family if in accordance with contract.

5. Destruction of Propery

   1. Any member who willfully or negligently defaces, damages, or destroys property or equipment belonging to CRCR shall be held liable for the full value or replacement cost, thereof, whichever is greater.

6. Legal Action

   1. Should CRCR be required to bring legal action against any person using the resort facilities to enforce any of the Rules and Regulations, or to recover damages to the resort property, CRCR shall be entitled to costs and attorney’s fees in connection to such action.

7. Resort Policies

   1. Check out is 1 PM for campsites. Check out is 11 AM for cabins.
   2. All guests and visitors must register at Check-in.
   3. Limit of two vehicles per site – or there is an extra charge.
   4. QUIET HOURS are 10 PM to 8 AM.
   5. PETS must be leashed, not left unattended and are not allowed in any buildings. Leashes may be no longer than 6 feet. Pets must be inside your rig during quiet hours or if you leave the resort. CLEANING UP AFTER YOUR PET IS MANDATORY. No pets on the grass. CRCR reserves the right to exclude any pets if complaints are received.
   6. No SMOKING in any of the buildings.
   7. No mats or rugs on grass sites.
   8. Clotheslines are not allowed. Drying any clothing outside, except bathing suits and towels is prohibited.
   9. NO WASHING OF VEHICLES without a permit.
   10. Air conditioners MUST be turned off if you leave the resort for the day.
   11. Use dumpsters located on the map. Put cigarette butts in small pails, not on the ground.
   12. CHILDREN MUST BE SUPERVISED BY AN ADULT AT ALL TIMES IN ALL AREAS.
   13. Pool hours and usage are posted.
       
       
       • Children and young adults under 14 must be accompanied by an adult while using the pools. No lifeguard on duty. No diving allowed. No glass containers allowed in the pool area. No running, jumping or horseplay allowed in pool area.
       
       
   14. PLEASE DO NOT WALK THRU OCCUPIED SITES OR ON MINI GOLF COURSE.
   15. Items in the RV/Boat storage area must be checked in & out at office and storage fees prepaid.

The Resort reserves the right to discharge any person who violates any law, these policies, rules & regulations or creates a disturbance in any way.