HOME ON THE ROAD: AMERICANS HITTING THE RV ROADWAYS

Summer's here and RVers are on the road, by the hundreds, thousands and even millions.

More than 7 million recreation vehicle owners -- ranging from simple folding campers to custom conversions of buses (motor homes) costing as much, or more than a half-million dollars -- will hit the roads with their families on the Labor Day weekend.

That could translate into more than 22 million vacationing travelers on the highway during a brief three- to four-day period in early September.

The nation's recreation vehicle owners are taking more summer trips than ever this year.

More than half of the nation's 8.6 million RV owners plan more and longer trips.

Many of the trips include children or grandchildren, and about half of them include the family dog, cat, hamster, bird or fish.

With the economy humming, fuel at lower prices than a year ago, and RV sales at a 20-year high, 1998 has been a banner year for RV owners on the leisure-time road.

In all, RVers are expected to log an average of 3,200 miles on their summer excursions, spending almost 10 full weekends on the road, up from an average of eight weekends, last year.

RVers spend a lot of time on the road between the Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day weekend.

"There are 15 weeks between the Memorial and Labor Day weekends," said Jerry Schwab, president of Cape Town RV Sales, Interstate 55 and Airport Road. "National surveys indicated that RVers will spend six weeks (41 days) on the road this summer. That's up more than a third from 1997."

Recent statistics reveal that 69 percent (5.9 million) of RV owners traveled on Memorial Day, with 67 percent (5.8 million) on the road during the recent Fourth of July weekend.

These RV travel figures were gathered for "Campfire Canvass," a semiannual nationwide survey of RV owners, tabulated by Robert Hitlan Research Associations Inc., Vienna, Va., for the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association headquartered at Reston, Va.

Sales of RV vehicles have experienced some phenomenal sales the past two years, up more than 50 percent each year.

"There was a boom in sales of RVs during 1993," said Jeff Beddow, spokesman of the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association. "The majority of sales increases were in the lower end -- campers which are towed behind a car or truck."

"The 1990s could be termed the RV decade," said Schwab. "Recent surveys have found that heads of households, aged 18 to 54, have a strong interest in purchasing RVs."

One survey, by "Campfire Canvass," found that there are almost 9 million RVs on the road, with more than 100,000 a year being added to the fleet.

The typical RV owner is 48 to 50 years old.

Lower prices and changes in lifestyle have played a major role in the RV boom, said RV experts.

"I think the focus of our nation on the environment has really helped the RV market," said Schwab. "A lot more people are realizing that the outdoors is there to enjoy. People are realizing that the RV can be gentle on the environment. There's no reason to leave a drop of water on the ground, no need to have a fire outside, no reason to leave any trash."

In addition, a young family can get its first folding camping trailer for about $4,000.

You can spend as little or as much as you want on an RV. They range from folding campers to custom conversions of buses (motor homes), costing up to $500,000, said Schwab. More than half of the industry is not motorized, however.

Unmotorized vehicles include the folding camping trailer, average price $4,352, up to $11,000; the truck camper, which fits in a pickup truck bed, $5,000 to $16,000; the travel trailer, $11,000 to $49,000; and the fifth-wheel trailer, which is towed by a truck, $11,000 to $75,000.

Motorized vehicles start with a custom-van conversion at an average price of about $30,000 ($15,000 to $40,000). They include the compact motor home, average price, $45,000 mini-motor home, and the larger motor home, with an average price of $80,000 to $90,000.

Many RV units provide all the conveniences of home -- microwave oven, gas range, color TV, stereo systems, queen bed, full bathroom, shower and flush toilet, refrigeration ... and a roof over your head.

The first motorized recreation vehicles were something to see. Recreational camping in the 1920s was "bed and breakfast" style with a 1928 Model A Phaeton, which had its dining and sleeping conversion equipment stored in the running board.

When RV-ing started, it was called "auto camping" because most of the vehicles were actually cars with add-ons and modifications that made them more suitable for camping, a recreational pursuit enjoyed almost exclusively by the upper middle class because car prices were out of reach of the average American.

A lot of people actually end up buying a used vehicle.

Schwab and Don Hill, general manager of Cape Town RV sales, are users of RVs.

"We have been in every state, most of them in RVs," said Schwab "One of the things I find in traveling by RV is that you never get the feeling of leaving home. You just take it with you."

"It's a home away from home," said Hill. "We usually take a trip every summer."

The Hills' -- Don, wife, Laurie, and sons, Brad and Josh, -- have made some long outings during recent years, including a two-week trip to Wyoming and Colorado.

"It was a 14-day trip to Yellowstone and Mount Rushmore a couple of years ago." said Hill. "One summer we visited the New York area for a family reunion."

Instead of making hotel reservations, RVers make RV overnight park reservations.

There are more than 16,000 RV Parks and Campgrounds near national parks, forests and popular tourist attractions.

"Directories are available, listing sites, services and prices," said Hill.

One of the great things about RVing, say Schwab and Hill, is discovering the outdoors and being outside, no stress and no worries.

RV Fun Facts from 'Campfire Canvass'

Recreational vehicle owners are planning more trips this year.

More than half (51.5 percent) of the nation's 8.6 million RV owners are taking more summer trips, and more owners are using their vehicles year-round.

Following are some "RV Fun Facts," provided by a "Campfire Canvass" nationwide survey of RV owners.

RV Fun Facts

-- RVers will travel an average of 41 days in 1998, up 35 percent from a year ago.

-- More than half (51.5 percent) of RV owners will take more trips this year.

-- RVers will log an average of 3,185 miles on their excursions, for a total of 276 billion miles -- the equivalent of 50,000 trips to the moon and back.

-- Fifty-six percent will travel with children or grandchildren.

-- Forty-seven percent will be accompanied by the family pet.

-- Eighty-one percent of RV owners keep their vehicles packed and ready to go at a moment's notice.

-- There are more than 9 million RV owners.

-- Seventy-three percent anticipate travel over Labor Day weekend.

-- State parks are the most popular destination over holiday weekends.

-- RVers plan a lot of activities while traveling -- camping, fishing, swimming, hiking, biking, boating, shopping, sightseeing.

-- Favorite campsite dishes, in order of preference: Steak, hamburger, hot dogs, fish, chicken, barbecue. RVers travel in comfort. Many RVs include satellite TV system, VCRs, cellular phones, personal computers and washer-dryer units.