RVs are as American as apple pie, Coors Light and the Florabama Lounge Interstate Mullet Toss. But that doesn't mean they're immune to certain economic realities like, say, a recession.
The RV industry has been hit harder than roadkill under a Winnebago because nobody's buying six-figure, 55-foot leviathans that weigh more than a Mack truck and barely break out of single-digit fuel economy. Who can get the financing? Even those who might be able to swing the payments aren't willing to bet fuel prices won't go through the roof again. That's why RV shipments nosedived 53 percent in October to a mere 13,500 units, says the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association. Winnebago alone lost $9.6 million as revenue sank 68 percent from $215.1 million to $69.4 million.
So, does this mean you're destined to vacationing in a pup-tent until someone figures out how to make a hybrid RV? Hell no! There are all kinds of cheap alternatives that will allow you to exercise your God-given right to take it all with you when you're getting away from it all.
Intense tents
Sportz Tent - the idea of sticking a tent on the back of a pickup and charging $300 for it is so brilliant we wish we'd thought of it. Napier Enterprises doesn't recommend driving with the tent in place but says its been done before without the tent blowing to Oz. We might have to test that. Photo by Napier Enterprises.
The Tear Jerker
T@B-Teardrop -- with an "AluFiber" skin (whatever that is) laminated over foam, the $17,000 Teardrop is so light you can pull it behind a bicycle when your truck gets repo'd. Though it looks like anyone larger than a Hobbit might have trouble getting inside, the folks at T&B squeezed two berths, a wee little dining table and a kitchen in there. Photo by T&B.
*Streamlined *
Airstream Flying Cloud ($50,000) - Airstream was making campers out of recyclable materials long before it was cool. A liberal use of aluminum, wood and steel imparts the iconic trailers with anvil-like durability, which is why 70 percent of all Airstreams ever built are still on the road. It also makes them light enough to pull behind your Prius. Photo by Prius.
Log Roll'n
Lodge-On-Wheels ($37,900)- It's as aerodynamic as a garden shed and about as heavy. It also looks like Grandpa Walton built it, and we don't even want to ask about the composting toilet. But the Lodge-On-Wheels is so blatantly dorky it's cool. We want one for Burning Man. Photo by Lodge-On-Wheels.
*The Woody Dutchman *
Tonke Campers ($45,000-$80,000) - Leave it to the Europeans to make something so utilitarian as a camper really freakin' swank. Tonke Campers are inspired by the classic Dutch yachts of the 1920s, which means they've got acres of polished wood, teak floors, glass windows and porcelain sinks with chrome faucets. They are nicer than our apartments. Photo by Tonke Campers.
Main photo by Catherine Mack Taylor for Wired.com.
