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has adopted the motto “Hunt, Camp,
Overland,” says Melis. “We see a lot of
growth opportunity and overlap in these
three activities.”
NEMO Equipment, meanwhile, has
had a presence in the overland com-
munity since the first Overland Expo
in Arizona, a “do-it-yourself” event for
four-wheel-drive and adventure motor-
cycling enthusiasts that first launched
about 10 years ago.
“It’s possible to make an experience
around the vehicle as good or better
as you’re going to get with any hotel or
vacation home,” says NEMO founder
and CEO Cam Brensinger, “and I think
that’s where a lot of the appeal lies,
especially for the younger generations.”
Kelty, likewise, not only designs
products for the growing vehicle-
based adventure sector, “we’re even
living the van life,” says Eric Greene,
Kelty president. Kelty is currently on
a cross-country tech rep Wander Lost
Tour, embracing and spreading #van-
life culture at festivals and more than
400 retailers across 30 states.
RVs Going
One place where we see the
growing trend quantified is within
recreational vehicle sales. In 2017,
RV manufacturers and dealers expect
sales to drive toward a new record,
reaching the highest mark since the
Recreation Vehicle Industry Associa-
tion started tracking sales in 1979.
Through the first five months of this
year, total RV shipments were up 12.2
percent over 2016, which was also a
record year for shipments, and during
the past 12 months or so, year over
year growth in shipments has routinely
hit double digits. Manufacturers expect
to ship 446,000 RVs in 2017, which
would represent a doubling of ship-
ments since 2008.
Keep in mind, we are not only talking
about those massive, Type A motorhomes
typically associated with retired grandpar-
ents. Rather, the various types of travel
trailers and towables make up the lion’s
share of sales and represent much of the
growth, now accounting for 87 percent
of the units sold, show RVIA’s figures.
Even within the motorhome category,
dealer shipments of the “conventional”
Type A motorhomes have been relatively
flat to declining the past several months,
whereas shipments of Type B “van camp-
ers” and Type C “mini” motorhomes have
been astronomical, routinely hitting annual
growth rates upward of 20, 30 and 40
percent month after month.
RVIA believes these smaller mo-
torized homes and trailers attract a
younger, more diverse customer base
than is traditionally associated with RV-
ing, and some research seems to prove
that out. The top prospective RV buyer,
as identified by a Nielsen study per-
formed for Go RVing, is about 45 years
old, tech savvy and part of an “active
family” with kids. According to findings
from RVIA, RV owners aged 35 to 54
posted the largest percentage gains
in ownership during the past decade.
Industry proponents believe the smaller
RVs and travel trailers, in particular, are
more appealing to younger consumers,
as opposed to Baby Boomers who buy
larger motorhomes as part of a “life-
altering” decision, or one that will occupy
much of their time after retirement.
2017 Motorhome Shipments and Monthly Change over Prior Year
Type
Jan ’17
% Chg.
Feb ’17 % Chg.
Mar ’17 % Chg.
Apr ’17 % Chg.
May ’17
% Chg.
Conventional Type A
1,955
-2.9% 1,910
-9.2% 2,033
-0.6% 1,635
-18.2% 2,288
25.6%
Van campers Type B
365
19.3% 443
63.5% 427
30.2% 471
34.2% 659
89.9%
Mini Type C
2,608
33.2% 3,245
35% 3,353
28.8% 2,994
12.4% 3,216
20.6%
All motorhomes
4,928
7.4%
5,606
9.7% 5,813
16,8% 5,100
1.7% 6,163
27.5%
Source: Recreational Vehicle Industry Association
Primary Accommodations for New Campers
Source: KOA
I would like a store/brand to know who I am when I walk into
a store because of location-based technologies
(e.g., iBeacons, RFID, geofencing)
Source: Salesforce Research
Strongly/somewhat agree
Strongly/somewhat disagree
39%
27%
14%
6 %
73%
86%
Millennials
(18-34)
Generation X
(35-54)
Baby Boomers
(55+)
26%
43%
48%
18%
31%
3%
27%
4%
New to camping
in 2015
New to camping
in 2016
Tents
RVs
Cabins
Other
A prime example of the integration of
vehicle into the campsite, the original
TailGater Tire Table by Barr Mitts uses a
vehicle’s tire for its main support. Stable
regardless of ground conditions, it’s built
to stand rugged road travels.
The Sportz Truck Tent 57 is one of eight
tent models from Napier Outdoor that
fit “every truck on the road,” says the
company. The tent’s rear access panel
allows for easy accessibility to the truck’s
cab for added convenience and storage.
Inside
Outdoor
|
SUMMER
2017
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