A new survey unveiled by peer-to-peer rental platform RVshare found more campers prefer staying in an RV compared with a tent, sparking the launch of the platform’s “Turn in Your Tent” program.
People are hitting the road in record numbers this summer, RVshare stated, with camping being a top vacation trend. The marketplace found Fourth of July bookings have more than doubled since last year, and 62% of survey respondents would rather stay in a RV. In response, RVshare unveiled a new program that offers a $250 credit toward an RV rental for donating a gently used tent to Gear Forward.
“Gear Forward is a great partner for this initiative as we look to give back to the camping community during National Camping Month, and help to introduce RV camping to some first-time RVers too,” RVshare CEO Jon Gray said. “For those who enjoy being outside in nature but prefer camping with more of the comforts of home, like sleeping in a cozy bed, enjoying air conditioning and a stocked kitchen, RV rentals are an ideal option.”
June is National Camping Month, as well as Great Outdoors Month.
When asked why an RV is ideal, 57% of respondents said they felt better protected from natural elements such as weather and wildlife, while 44% expressed interest in more friends and family joining a camping trip.
The online survey, conducted by Wakefield, found amenities such as a bathroom, mattress bed and controlled temperatures as reasons why campers prefer an RV over a tent.
RV renters will travel more than 40 million miles this summer, the company stated, more than double last year’s record-breaking summer season. Even with a return to air travel, interest in RVing continues to rise, fueled by a desire to get outdoors.
RVshare’s new Turn in Your Tent program will offer a complimentary $250 credit to be used toward a rental on the site. More than 100,000 models are available to outdoor travelers across the U.S. through the platform.
To participate in the program during National Camping Month, people can submit a request here for a prepaid shipping label to mail in a tent at a nearby UPS store. Individuals will then receive an RVshare rental credit to be used for a future booking via email.
