
Go RVing released a report focused on Covid buyers—consumers who bought their first RV from 2020-2022 during the pandemic—and other first-time owners, an extension of the latest Go RVing RV Owner Demographic Profile.
Go RVing found Covid buyers demonstrated a strong RV lifestyle commitment, even after the pandemic’s end.
According to the report, the typical Covid buyer is between 18 and 54 years old (73%), with an average annual income of more than $75,000 (49%). Approximately 50% of Covid buyers live with children, and 56% are employed full time.
Covid buyers use their RVs for camping (67%), swimming (50%) and cooking (50%). Buyers use the RV a median of 30 days per year.
Over two-thirds of Covid buyers (68%) said they planned to buy another RV, and many are planning to repurchase soon. Nearly half (45%) said they planned to repurchase within two years, and 9% said they would repurchase within the next 12 months.
The report found Covid buyers, as with other first-time owners, were motivated to buy an RV by past camping experiences (36%) and the desire for a change in travel methods (36%). However, Covid buyers showed a greater tendency to be influenced by the need for temporary living spaces, social media and peer influence than other first-time buyers.
The report showed Covid buyers favor conventional travel trailers (49%). A large majority (69%) bought their RVs new. Despite the ongoing social distancing rules in place during most Covid buyer purchases, the report found most bought RVs in person (93%).
Many buyers financed their purchase through cash (48%), while a significant portion used private finance (21%) or dealer finance options (24%).
Go RVing said brand loyalty is strong among Covid buyers, with 86% saying they are likely to buy the same brand again. The consumers cite positive experiences (36%), strong quality (29%) and desired features (25%) as key factors. The report compares Covid buyers with first-time RV owners. Covid buyers tend to use their RVs slightly more often than other first-time buyers and are more likely to say they use the RVs more than expected.
Among the seven segments identified in the Go RVing RV Owner Demographic Profile, Covid buyers are most likely to be Family Campers (35%), a higher rate than overall current RV owners (30%). A quarter of Covid buyers (24%) are Casual Campers, lower than the overall rate of 31%.