Monday, June 9, 2008 10:26 PM CDT
RV campgrounds reap benefits of high gas prices
By NATHANIEL WEST, Staff Writer
nwest@jg-tc.com
MATTOON — Recreational vehicles aren’t exactly known for their fuel efficiency. In light of high fuel prices, conventional wisdom would suggest RV and camper trailer sales — and usage, for that matter — would be taking a hit right now.
However, as camping enthusiasts decide to remain in the area rather than travel abroad, local RV campgrounds are thriving. Camper and RV dealerships, meanwhile, are finding ways to make ends meet, said officials.
“I think we’ll probably just ride it out,” said Becky Shockley, an official at Cross County RV Center in Mattoon. The fuel situation “hasn’t put the business at a standstill by any means. We’re still selling on a regular basis.”
More than half of Cross County’s sales are to out-of-state customers — especially “snowbirds”: people who travel in RVs to warmer climates in the fall and winter months, said Shockley.
“Motor homes and larger luxury fifth-wheel (trailers), those are not affected” by the gasoline prices, she said.
Cross County also continues to sell larger units to traveling workers — such as those installing oil pipelines or cell towers — who invest reimbursements from their employers in mobile homes rather than spend the money on hotels, said Shockley.
But sales of smaller “weekender” RVs and campers have declined, she added. “We can see a little slowdown there” because of the fuel crunch, Shockley said.
The situation is almost the reverse at Owen Motor Sports near Charleston, where smaller units are selling better than larger RVs and fifth-wheel trailers. The gasoline hike “has slowed down everything, but it seems like the used units and small units are moving (because) people are staying closer to home,” said Jarrod Moran, general manager.
At the same time, Owen Motor Sports also deals in fuel-efficient motorcycles and scooters, sales of which “are up tremendously,” said Moran. Although motorcycle and scooter sales haven’t completely offset the RV/camper slump, he added, “It’s definitely helping out.”
And campgrounds that cater to RV and fifth-wheelers are busier than ever.
“To be honest, whenever the gas prices get bad, the camping gets good,” said Barb Galvin, co-owner of Robin Hood Woods Campground near Lake Shelbyville. “People are tending to stay closer to home, (so) camping really is helped by poor gas prices.”
Leases of sites for the entire season seem particularly popular, as renters would rather park their RVs and trailers for the whole summer and commute back and forth in more economical vehicles, said Galvin. “We have had a huge demand this year, to where I’ve got people on a waiting list,” she said.
“It’s a relatively very inexpensive way to vacation. It’s a lot cheaper than taking (the family) to Disneyworld.”
At the Casey KOA Campground, co-owner Cathy Clinkman said, “We feel that we’re probably a little bit up this year. We’re seeing more people who are camping closer to home.
“I think it’s (because of) the gas, from what I’ve heard from people.”
Contact Nathaniel West at nwest@jg-tc.com or 238-6860.
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