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Camping during COVID-19 brings an increase in RV sales

Posted at 4:11 PM, Jul 18, 2020
and last updated 2020-07-18 22:20:09-04

BOISE, Idaho — Following the Governor's stay-at-home order, people were thirsting for adventure and visiting the outdoors in Idaho.

That has lead to an increase in RV sales as these recreational vehicles provide a way for people to get outside while also having their own controlled environment.

"You don't have to worry about someone else's germs or somebody else sleeping in the bed, it is all your stuff," said Pat Fitzgerald, the sales manager at Bretz RV & Marine. "It's your family, so it is really safe, you don't have to do some of the things that you have to when you stay in a hotel or fly on an airplane."

Fitzgerald told us Bretz RV & Marine had a slow spring when the pandemic first hit, but the months following have more than made up for that.

"Idaho is traditionally a great market for RV's, but we have seen a spike this year," said Fitzgerald. "Business is booming, and we are seeing the same thing in July."

We also checked in with Boise Family RV Rental, a small family business that's experiencing the same thing.

We talked with the owner on the phone who was driving home from a camping trip, he told us the area around Warm Lake was packed with campers.

He also says his fleet of trailers and an RV has been booked all summer with reservations well into August.

Here is a link to the COVID-19 camping report from Kamground of America.

The KOA report highlighted that one-third of leisure travelers who weren't interested in camping changed their minds.

The report cites affordability, getting outside after being cooped up in their houses and more comfortable social distance practicing as the reasons why.