In the past year and a half, demand for RVs has been enormous. Consumers have sought ways to escape the stresses of the pandemic, which has led to a surge in camper prices. As we look ahead to 2022, many wonder whether prices will remain high or start to return to pre-pandemic levels. 

Demand for RVs has been through the roof

When the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic hit in the spring of 2020 and lockdowns ensued, many Americans started to grow weary of being cooped up indoors. At the same time, they were hesitant to travel on planes or stay in hotels for fear of coming down with the virus themselves.

While this was bad news for many travel industry components, it was great news for RV manufacturers. RVs and other sorts of camper vehicles provided just what consumers had been craving: the freedom to hit the open road and see new sights while still staying relatively isolated and protected. 

Demand for RVs has been so high that RV manufacturers are expected to show a 20% increased in production in 2021 versus 2020. They’ve been struggling to find enough workers to meet the demand for vehicles. RV owners have struggled to find parking spots for campers, with so much new competition for the spaces. 

Will RV prices go down in the next year? 

All of this has folks wondering whether prices have finally reached their peak or whether they can expect to remain high into 2022. RV Magazine speculates that the latter is more likely. 

First, they note that demand for RVs remains high, while manufacturers struggle to catch up from pandemic-related shutdowns that put their production on hold for months. Some societal changes may prove to be more long-lasting than expected initially. For example, many employers have done away with the requirement that employees be physically present in the office and do not plan to return to that old model. As a result, some employees will likely choose to do their work while on the road in their RV.

RV Magazine also points out that some people may take a while to adjust to the idea of possibly getting on a plane, even with the development of vaccines. Those who are hesitant to travel by air might also contribute to the continued high prices for RVs. 

Finally, Getaway Couple points out that with the rise of the Delta variant, we may not be as out of the woods as we thought when it comes to the pandemic. This fact, combined with low RV supply and high demand, could easily mean that prices will stay high into 2022. 

It’s still possible to find a relatively affordable RV

Though it’s more challenging to find an affordable RV than it used to be, it’s still not impossible. First, as RV Lifestyle points out, some consumers who splurged on an RV in 2020 will likely decide that it’s not the lifestyle for them after all. When they do, they’ll probably put their used RV up for sale. That may be one way to find a relative bargain. 

There are also affordable new RVs to be had if you know where to look. Top Notch Outdoor recommends several of them, including the Forest River Flagstaff E-Pro Travel Trailer. It sleeps two to four people and features AM/FM stereo with Bluetooth and USB port, a 12-Volt TV with a built-in DVD player, a rear ladder, a Wi-Fi Range booster with available Wi-Fi connection, and a roof mount solar panel. Best of all, it starts at just $9,995. 

Also ranking high on Top Notch Outdoor’s list is the Jayco Jay Flight SLX Travel Trailer, which sleeps anywhere from three to nine people. Starting at only $9,000, it features an array of modern technology and a beautiful interior that includes solid hardwood cabinet doors and brushed nickel faucets. 

If you’re feeling the need to hit the road in an RV, keep your eyes peeled. Higher prices don’t mean all campers are out of reach.