RV Travelers Continue to Save on Trips Despite Rising Gas Prices, Reports Michigan Association of Recreation Vehicles and Campgrounds

    OKEMOS, Mich., May 15 Gas prices may be going up this
summer but recreation vehicle owners won't be letting that keep them home.
They know the savings they reap from their home-away-from-home will more than
make up for any added expense at the pump.
    Recreation Vehicle Industry Association's bi-annual survey of RVers
revealed more than half of RV owners -- motor homes, travel trailers, truck
campers and folding trailers -- plan to be traveling more this summer than
last.  As well, nearly a third plan to travel the same amount.
    Bill Sheffer, Michigan Association of Recreation Vehicles and Campgrounds
director, predicts the RV industry in Michigan will remain relatively strong.
"What we all should observe is that despite higher gasoline prices,
unemployment remains at a low level.  Many automobile workers, although
temporarily laid-off, still will draw 95 percent of their pay.  This tends to
create RV owners with time to use them!"
    With the tightening economy, RVers remain ahead of the financial game.
They are racking up savings reaped by utilizing their vehicles and not staying
at hotels and motels, or dining at restaurants.  A recent hotel/motel study by
J.D. Power and Associates explored room costs.  An average night's stay ranged
between $53 and $114 per night.  Meals were generally not included except in
the case of a high-end hotel.
    While meal expenses vary from traveler to traveler, any comparable family
meal purchased instead of prepared in the convenience of a recreation vehicle
will be more expensive.  In fact, the meal savings will take the traveler
miles down the road.  In addition, the family can eat when they want without
searching for a restaurant, waiting for service and/or tipping the waitperson.
    For more information about RVs, the camping lifestyle and campgrounds in
Michigan, visit the Michigan Association of Recreation Vehicles and
Campgrounds web site, http://www.marvac.org .