Traveling differently: RV and vanlife still in vogue!

The pandemic will have continued to rekindle interest in van life, which was already on the rise, and the appeal of recreational vehicles. Today, despite the economic slowdown and the lifting of travel restrictions, the craze is far from drying up.

“Our lifestyles have changed with the pandemic, says Sylvain Gauthier, president of the Association of Recreational Vehicle Dealers of Quebec (ACVRQ). She brought attention to detail, many are now looking for a sanitized, hassle-free environment. Sleeping in our environment provides peace of mind for traveling and pursuing activities.”

“Interest has not diminished, on the contrary,” continues Mr. Gauthier, who says he is surprised to have noted in October that the Salon du VR de Québec had reached 20,000 visitors, 2,000 more than the previous edition. .

Dear, the RV?

However, we agree that for travelers who want to play nomads or invest in a vehicle, such a trip is not cheap. “When you think of financing, you have to qualify between that of an automobile versus that of an RV, it’s different,” argues Mr. Gauthier.

Long-term loans make financial planning easier and provide stability, he believes. “There is no other method of financing where you can go up to 20 years with a fixed interest rate. No mortgage offers that!” he added.

But both for the purchase and for the rental, Mr. Gauthier is unanimous: “there is no more room for improvisation, you have to anticipate according to your needs and plan from the first months of the year or the previous year.”

Alternative energies

Thus, the off-road trend, combining the thirst for freedom, autonomy and comfort, continues to stand out with people wishing to venture on non-traditional circuits. In this sense, alternative energies fit in perfectly, favoring the spontaneity and autonomy necessary to camp, for example, in the fields of a farm or in nature.

“Fossil energy has given way to solar energy, autonomy is greater, both from the fridge, to the lighting, including the microwave. These accessories are more expensive, but people are now willing to afford it. We are seeing a strong evolution that was thought out during the pandemic, especially with lithium batteries everywhere.”

Different ways of traveling are also defined by the fact that people are eager to make the most of them and stretch the seasons. It is less and less rare to see RVs set up squarely at the foot of the ski slopes.

“We can thus take a break for lunch, find ourselves in our family cocoon during the day”, he illustrates.

When asked about the arrival of electric RVs, he maintains that it is on the way.

“It will not be there this year, what we are seeing now is a lot of vehicle conversion. But the electrical supply is coming. As was done with solar energy, you have to redefine yourself,” he says.

Practical information :

• The Montreal RV Show will take place from March 2 to 5 at the Palais des Congrès de Montreal www.acvrq.com/salon-du-vr
• It will welcome exhibitors who will present new products, from tent-trailers to truck campers, including class A, B and C motorhomes, and specialists and speakers offering trip planning, rental and maintenance services.
• Terego, au Québec, and Harvest Host, in the United States, are applications which, on annual subscription, offer enchanting sites (vineyards, farms, microbreweries) in which to settle down for the night. Reservations required.