Study Finds Pandemic Drove RV Interest Up 162 Percent
RVs became a popular way to travel and enjoy the outdoors while limiting exposure to COVID-19.
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According to a study from online financial lending services provider LendingTree, interest in RVs went up 162 percent in 2020 from the year prior. The study credits the COVID-19 pandemic for the markedly increased interest; lockdowns and social distancing prompted vacationers to seek out a safer, more socially distanced alternative to air travel and hotel lodging with RVs.
June saw the interest peak with a 303 percent year-over-year increase in the number of people completing purchase query forms for RVs. And, late June and early July saw the most search interest in RVs in at least five years, according to Google Trends.
“The numbers show that people see RVs as a safe way to avoid going stir-crazy,” said Jenn Jones, auto expert at LendingTree, adding, “It gives families a way to cook and eat in their own bubble, rather than masking up and going to a restaurant.”
2020 was already shaping up to be a record year for RVs even without the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. January and February saw RV interest up 41 percent and 56 percent respectively compared to the year prior.
The study also found that interest in boats rose 104 percent in that same period of time. Interest in cars and light trucks dropped 26 percent.
