RV Sales Boom As People Drive to Vacation Destinations
The COVID-19 pandemic has been catastrophic for many businesses, but not for the RV industry. Local and national sales are booming.
“We were pleasantly surprised with the amount of people interested in buying RVs,” said Sarah Kornovich of Minneapolis Trailer Sales in Rogers. “We’ve been really lucky and fortunate that people are still coming out.”
At Minneapolis Trailer Sales, RV purchases typically peak in spring, but this year it’s higher than usual.
RV sales boom during COVID-19 pandemic
“We have a lot of first-time RVers coming in,” Kornovich said. “It’s kind of a new hobby, new way to vacation in the summer with their kids.”
Because of the pandemic, people are cooped up and eager to discover nature in socially-distant ways. That has fueled sales of RVs, says Kornovich.
“I think this is a great way to be able to get on the road, get in the outdoors,” Kornovich said. “Experience kind of what Minnesota and the surrounding areas have to offer while still social distancing and being safe.”
KOA Maple Grove Becomes Popular Destination
At Minneapolis Northwest KOA campground in Maple Grove, RVs are everywhere.
“It’s a fun place to be,” said Jeff Schwartz of Maple Grove, who splits time between Arizona and Minnesota.
“We usually try and stay three or four days,” said Nancy Pierce of Houston, Tex. “Then move on to the next area.”
RVs parked at Minneapolis Northwest Koa in Maple Grove.
For those craving a trip, but are skittish about getting on a jet or staying in a hotel, avoiding crowds is easy for RV folks at the KOA Maple Grove location.
“It’s our own space,” Schwartz said. “We don’t have any problems with people interfering with us.”
“Everybody here does the social distancing,” Pierce said. “Wave from at least six feet away if not farther.”
So just how popular has RVing become? According to one RV rental site, bookings across the U.S. have increased by 1,000 percent since April 1.
RV and trailer lovers say this nomadic lifestyle breaks up the monotony of being in the same place at the same time.
“We’re going a little farther north up to Lake Superior,” Pierce said. “Then we don’t know where we’re going.”
