How the Future of RV Living and Travel Trends will Look Different in 2022
The RV lifestyle is on the rise, and it’s not hard to see why.
But did you know that in 2022 the RV industry is expecting a major change?
According to industry experts, the future of RV living will be much different than it is today.
There are a lot of exciting changes on the horizon for RV travel and living. But what will the future of RV living and travel look like?
In this post, we’ll take a look at some of the most anticipated RV trends that will shape the future of the RV community.
So, for those who are still on the fence about leaving your sticks and bricks and becoming a full-timer, here are some things worth knowing and considering about how the RV lifestyle is shaping up.
RV Trends 2021
Becoming Full-Time RVers Is The #1 RV Trend
While some people are experimenting as part-timers and weekend warriors, many have jumped into RV living as full-timers. And in 2021, that was an RV trend like no other.
Full-time RV living is and will continue to be the number one RV trend of both 2021 and 2022.
Personally, at least 50% of the fellow RVers we met this year and networked with along our travels told us that 2021 was their first year of RVing.
That’s double the number we met in 2020!
The reason is simple why people now, more than ever, are embracing RV living; freedom.
The RV lifestyle is designed to improve quality-of-life, whether you’re an RV remote worker, RV Digital Nomad, or full-timer.
A leading RV authority, Go RVing and reported by TravelPulse, found at the midpoint of 2021, 31% of summer leisure travel would be in an RV.
In addition, Go Rving found that RV ownership had reached a record high.
RV living and lifestyle continued to grow as a popular RV trend in 2021. And travel experts agree, RV living will continue to be a trend in 2022.
And Who are all our New RV neighbors?
According to Outdoorsy, it’s everyone, and we can vouch for that. Outdoorsy found Millennials and Gen X each represented a third, with the remainder being Boomers and everyone else.
And the RV Industry Association found that women are also dominating the ranks of new RV full-timers.
In spite of this incredible trend of people becoming full-time RVers, the New York Times attempted to use me to spin a completely different narrative of RV life in 2021.
When in fact, being a full-time RVer was actually beneficial during COVID.
The COVID Effect
COVID and vaccine issues continued to dominate American life in 2021, and full-timers were not immune from COVID’s impact.
In many ways, COVID is just another RV trend that full-timers, remote workers, and Digital Nomads need to adjust too.
One of COVID’s impacts was how quarantines hit us differently than everyone else.
We noticed the most dispersed camping that we have ever seen before.
For many, RV life was a way to escape the COVID chaos.
One benefit of living in an RV, due to the limited space, is we had better control over the health security of our home. For example, one simple tool, a quality dehumidifier, plays a big role in making our air safer to breathe.
Digital Nomads, But With A Home
One of the reasons becoming a full-timer was an RV Trend of 2021 was COVID.
As companies were shutting down and workers had to stay home, remote working became the norm.
So, if you can’t leave your home, move your home!
A big number of new full-timers in 2021 were the new era of remote workers choosing to be Digital Nomads with a home.
While that sounds backward, when it comes to the RV lifestyle, it works.
Digital Nomads typically do not have homes as they are location independent. However, the RV lifestyle makes our home location independent. Perfect marriage!
We met so many more Digital Nomads since COVID began than ever before. So, we got to grow our professional network and talk shop more often.
Remote working and being a Digital Nomad is all about connectivity, in all its forms.
A quality cell booster that ensured a reliable and stable connection made all the difference for us in 2021 to maintain our professional lives.
RV Living Is A Family Thing
An RV trend that we love in 2021 is RV living is a family thing. And that includes the furry members.
More than half of all RVers travel with our furry family members.
In fact, this is such an important RV trend that RV manufacturers began adding pet-focused features like; leash latches, hidden feeding stations, and dedicated bed or kennel space, to 2021 builds.
I will continue to dedicate more posts in the new year to the topic of living with our pets.
The Future of RV Trends in 2022
With 2022 upon us, what RV trends does the New Year hold?
RVing will Become More Luxurious
As RVing grows in popularity, so too will the level of luxury that is available in RVs. People are already starting to demand more from their RVs, and we can expect this trend to continue into the next decade.
Manufacturers are continuing to invest in new and innovative designs, as well as technologies that will make RVing more comfortable, efficient and fun.
We can expect to see more and more high-end features and amenities being offered with four season travel trailer packages.
We may also see more RVs with built-in solar panels, larger fresh water tanks, and and lithium batteries to allow for more independence while on the road.
Cost of Owning an RV will Increase
RV living is in the fast lane, and that will continue as an RV trend in 2022 as the demand for RVs are still at a record high.
But As RVing becomes more popular, the cost of owning and using an RV will also continue to go up.
Can we expect the prices of RVs to drop as the industry becomes more competitive? Seeing that supply chain demands can’t seem to keep up, the answer is unfortunately no.
RV Living Instead of Traditional Housing
More people will be living in RVs full time, as the cost of traditional housing continues to rise and more people look for alternatives.
Families will continue to transition away from their sticks and bricks and add freedom to their lives by investing in an RV.
A New Era of Digital Nomads
As the world becomes more and more digital, it’s not hard to see why people are choosing to work and travel via RV.
As the digital nomad lifestyle becomes more popular, remote workers will continue to transform into a new era of digital nomads taking their work with them on the road.
With all the comforts of home right at your fingertips, a life on the road is becoming increasingly appealing for many families.
In 2022, expect to see many more people hitting the road in RVs with their laptops, working from anywhere and everywhere they want.
Demand for Connectivity On the Road
Another trend we can look forward to in 2022 is that RV technology will continue to improve, making it easier than ever to stay connected and comfortable on the road.
Elon Musk’s, via SpaceX, internet solution, Starlink, will be something to watch in 2022.
Allowing digital nomads to be able to stay connected while on the road without worrying about data caps or outrageous roaming fees.
Starlink will no doubt be a game changer for the RV community.
Get Ready for More Electric and Hybrid RVs
Electric and hybrid vehicles are becoming increasingly popular due to their environmental benefits and lower cost of ownership.
With so many world leaders, including the US, recommitting to climate change, I think sustainability will become a huge RV trend in 2022.
After all, even Elon Musk again, this time via Tesla, has driven into the RV market.
RVs are already more sustainable than other vehicles, and technologies, such as solar power and EVs, will become trending topics.
In 2022, we can expect to see an increase in electric and hybrid RVs as people become more interested in these types of vehicles.
RV Rentals on the Rise
As people become more interested in RV living, they’ll want to try it out before they buy their own rig.
Renting an RV is also a great option for people who want the flexibility to travel wherever they want without the commitment of owning an RV.
The sharing economy will continue to grow, with more people choosing to rent RVs instead of owning them.
This will create opportunities for businesses that offer RV rentals, and it’ll be interesting to see how this industry develops over the next few years.
RV Parks & Campgrounds will Get More Crowded
It’s not hard to imagine that in 2022, RV parks and campgrounds across the country will be more crowded than ever before as demand for spaces continue to increase.
This means that RV parks across North America will become crowded, which could lead to higher prices and less availability during peak seasons.
RVing for long distances will become even more popular. With more families are choosing to travel in RVs instead of staying in hotels.
With airplane tickets becoming more expensive, travelers are turning to RVs as a more affordable way to see the world.
In 2022, expect to see more families hitting the open road in RVs, enjoying time together.
If you’re looking to go on an RV road trip sometime soon, it would be best to book your stay well in advance.
DIY RV Renovations
RV renovations are and will continue to be a big RV trend as people look for ways to personalize their RVs and make them more affordable.
There are many online resources that can help with this process, and the cost of conversion is often much cheaper than purchasing an RV outright.
But with the increasing popularity of RVing, expect to see more RV renovations in 2022 than ever before.
Heck, we converted a cargo trailer into a tiny home back in 2019 and this type of DIY camper is more popular than ever.
The Future of RVing
In 2022, the way we look at RV travel and living will have changed drastically. We’ll see new trends emerge as families abandon traditional housing in favor of RV lifestyles, which provide more freedom and flexibility when it comes to travel.
But with this growth will come increased regulation of the RV lifestyle by municipalities across North America.
So if you’re thinking about hitting the road in an RV in 2022, be prepared for new restrictions on where you can park and how long you can stay in any one spot!
What do you think the RV trends of 2022 will be?
What topic(s) would you like to see me talk about in 2022?
Just comment below and stick around so we can travel the new year together.
I just finished reading your article and I have to comment, it was an outright delight. Your writing practice is engaging and illustrative, making me feel like I was right there with you on your exploit. The picture you included were also stunning and really added to the overall experience. cheers