Hitting the Road in a Bubble

RVs Take Off

By William Bradford Nichols

November 2020 – Back in 2005, my family made our first trip in a recreational vehicle. My wife and I drove from Washington to Florida in an old Winnebago with two toddlers, and we loved every minute of it. When the summer was over and it was time to leave the Winnebago, both of my children cried. To them, it was home. 

Due to the recent pandemic shutdown, my family and I have considered going out on the road again and, apparently, we’re not the only ones. According to RV Share, their rentals are up 650% nationwide this year.  And two local dealerships have told me it’s not just rentals that have taken off; sales are up as well. 

One of the first things I discovered when I spoke to them is, if you want to get an RV, you better get a move on it. There is a backlog at the factories due to the amount of RVs purchased this year. Nick Ricecamp, the manager at Gerzeny’s RV World in Bradenton, says they usually have upwards of 250 units on the lot at any given time. Right now, they are down to 70. The reason? Families. Families — and even groups of families–who have never owned an RV are buying them for the first time. From the smallest $11,500 camper trailer to the largest $280,000 38-foot Class A bus type RV, everything at Gerzeny’s is selling out.

Ricecamp observes that many grandparents are either buying for the first time or are upgrading for something large enough to take the grandkids out in. “There are so many things to do here without ever leaving this country,” he says. “Camping is fun for the kids and the adults. And it’s so much better than having the kids sitting around playing video games.”  

Well-heeled travelers seeking an RV fit for a millionaire may find it at The Motorcoach Store in Bradenton, which “only deals in the highest of the high end,” according to owner Bradley Twait.  From the most expensive production RVs, like Newmar’s King Aire, to the most expensive custom RV’s, Bradley has them all. One of the brands that Twait sells, Newell, only makes RV’s to order and the price tag can reach upwards of $2.6 million. “We’ve got one in stock for $565,000,” he says. “That’s a savings of $1.7 million and it only has 19,000 miles on it.” That particular model has 1.5 baths, a huge master bedroom, a full kitchen, and a huge master bedroom with en suite bathroom that houses a modern looking shower made with stone and tile—and that’s just the start. 

One reason for the sudden popularity in RVs is that it is a safer way to travel. If you are in an RV, you don’t have to fly in a plane or stay in a hotel. You do not have to stand in line at a breakfast buffet or even eat out at all. You can cook in your RV or on the barbecue you stowed in one of the ample luggage compartments. There’s no need to interact with anybody outside of your party at all, except maybe for the occasional shopping trip. 

But what if you like to enjoy amenities at a destination location? RV’s do not come with pools, tiki bars, or an oceanfront view—but many RV parks do. 

Right here in Sarasota, at the 55 and up Sarasota Sunny South RV Park, you can enjoy a heated pool, a dog park, a poolside tiki bar, a state of the art gym–all just minutes away from golfing, shopping, and crystal clear beaches. 

For those who want a family friendly experience, Sarasota’s Sun-N-Fun RV Resort has all the same amenities with the added features of mini golf, a waterslide, a climbing wall, and playgrounds. They also offer long-term stay discounts and special offers for all you active duty military and veterans out there.

I think the real question when it comes to RVs is: is it worth it? My grandfather used to say that you can’t put a price on freedom. And I cannot, but Twait and Ricecamp can, and that price just might be a lot better than you think.

ABCs of RVs

• Class A’s are for travelers who want the most luxury that money can buy. These vehicles have full sized refrigerators and most have 1.5 bathrooms. The insides are bigger than most studio apartments and far, far prettier.  Some have dual sinks, stainless steel appliances, and tile floors.
• Class B’s are about the size of large delivery vans. Some have slide-outs on the side and pop-tops that allow them to sleep up to five people.
• Class C’s are 32 to 38 feet long. Some can sleep up to ten people comfortably, especially if you get a model with bunk beds.