Yesterday, it was 79 degrees outside and the pollen was visible in the wind gusts. Today, it’s 61, feels like 45 and we’re expecting storms tonight with a potential for snow flurries tomorrow.
Yep, it’s springtime.
Time to queue up and get an appointment to get the RV de-winterized. Having caused a pair of repair trips to Elkhart, Indiana, following my “self-winterization,” I’ve come to the self-realization that I need to leave critical matters to the professionals.
This year, I’m hoping we’ll see what hints at being a magnificent spring. In the South, spring has the ability to morph into late winter or midsummer heat and humidity, so it’s always a crap shoot.
If you’re looking forward to getting out into the great outdoors but don’t have the sunk cost of an RV, you’re not out of luck. It doesn’t mean you’ll be sleeping with the chiggers or sharing your food with the ants, either. You could go “glamping.” That’s one of those made-up terms that’s shorthand for glamorous camping- replacing the mud, muck and mess of soggy campgrounds with well-appointed, even luxurious, surroundings.
The Dyrt, rapidly becoming my favorite campground location app, has announced the winners of their 2025 Glampy Awards. Hokey, I know, but the awards are designed to “recognize and honor the most unique and innovative campground destinations around the country.”
They are unique.
From camping in luxuriously appointed tents to similarly equipped covered wagons, this year’s Glampy winners all feature stunning landscapes. Having seen Zion Glamping Adventures’ during a January visit to Zion, I know that’s an amazing vista. The others in the top ten aren’t slouches either. So…if you’re looking for an outdoor adventure with a minimal of discomfort, here are ten suggestions for 2025, courtesy of The Dyrt:
Knowing Zion, Cozy Heron, Timberline and Roaring River, I can say these are all great looking destinations. From the desert to the southern mountains, there’s something within decent distance for everyone.
If you’re actually looking to take your RV, popup or camp trailer out, I’d suggest (again) considering a Harvest Hosts membership. The annual fee gives you an inside track to unique camping destinations where you won’t be in a campground, but might be in a vineyard, brewery, distillery, golf course, or on a working farm. You might even consider adding a Boondockers Welcome upgrade, giving you access to 5,444 farms, wineries ,distilleries and other attractions, 3,621 “Boondocks Welcome” sites (from private farms to residences) and nearly 1,200 campground partners.
We’ve tried several, and they’ve all been great fun. We’ve also taken advantage of the opportunity to buy products from fresh beef to baked goods and local wines. Great fun on a budget.
If you’re looking to buy -or sell- an RV, you may be wondering just how the market’s doing. Well, RV Trader’s just put out their 2024 perspective and posed a question: will 2025 continue the trends? The trends have seen lower priced and higher-end RVs ($100,000+) surging while the mid-tier models have struggled.
The lower-end models had the highest growth -but high-end models also showed an increase of 5.3 percent in sales over 2023.
It was the opposite situation for the mid-tier. Here’s the RV Trader analysis:
According to RV Trader, the downward trend suggests two things: 1) mid-range buyers either opted for lower-end models to save money, or, 2) stretched their budgets for higher-end buys.
Trader also suggests financing challenges, like rising interest rates, made mid-price models less attractive compared to either “budget friendly or uncompromising luxury models.”
The crystal ball’s foggy when it comes to what 2025 will mean for RV sales/resales, because interest rates and inflation concerns may keep nervous buyers on the sidelines.
If you’re thinking of selling your RV, especially in one of the high-demand categories, there’s seldom a better time than right now. Spring fever can be the tipping point in decision making for potential buyers. If you are considering selling, RV Trader says to give pricing and listing strategies a hard look before listing yours. Underpricing turns off many potential buyers and overpricing turns off everyone.
Time to get outside - with Mother Nature’s cooperation, that is.
We’ll keep you posted.
— Jim Shepherd