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Post by bigbill on Jan 25, 2015 20:49:35 GMT -8
John we have been doing a lot of group travel over the last 25 years and have made many fantastic memories, the only problem is now that many of the group are into their 80s or crowding them the group is getting smaller. Last year we traveled from Ohio to Florida by ourselves as no one else was up to the trip. We also like the short trips of 400 miles or less but even those are becoming harder to gather a group. One of the younger guy's (68) wife past away Thursday so most likely we have lost another from the group, I hope not but time will tell. Bill, I live (and restore my trailers) on a busy collector street. I get lots of "drive by" tire kickers that are interested in the vintage campers. I have made some observations about the demographics of the people that stop to talk and ask questions, as I feel they are really "the core of our hobby" today.
Most are Women, I would say more than 60%.
Most are interested in what I call small, to small/medium length trailers, 13' to 17' because they are not intimidated by towing a smaller trailer. They also like the idea of finding something small enough that they could tow it with an existing vehicle. They also have the space to park and store a small trailer.
They all have "A Camping Story" about family, or when their kids were little and they went camping.
They only know of two brands names of trailer's........Shasta, and Airstream, neither impress me.
Age.....They are all 50+, many are retired and want to do something before "their time comes" to slow down.
Price is usually not a consideration, as most drive up in a $60K to $80K import car or SUV.
It difficult to get any consumer sales movement going, but I see this hobby of restoring trailers growing by leaps and bounds.
Yes John I agree completely I have known for a long time that the collector market for cars, trailers, and boats is mostly 50+ because younger people lack two things the fond memories and the money.  |
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Post by vikx on Jan 25, 2015 22:48:16 GMT -8
SusieQ, Thank you for sharing with us. It's so SAD to lose a loved one. Listen to what she says, people. Get out and take a walk when on a long trip...
Poncho, Harry Cat would be delighted to go camping... *I* am the one who wants to stay home and fix them. Harry would be the hit of the camping party. LOL
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MarthaS
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Post by MarthaS on Jan 26, 2015 6:21:19 GMT -8
My BF and I have only been dating for 2 years. In that time we took a trip (flew to SLC & drove) out to the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone and in November we took a last minute 10-day trip to Utah and visited 6 National Parks. We tent camped both of those trips.
We are currently planning a 16-day trip to the Northwest this year. We have really ramped up the rehab of our trailer but are still debating whether or not to take it. I have been shopping for my own teardrop camper and if I have one by then it will be either to take the trailer or teardrop. My BF said he'd love to take the trailer but it will probably add a day to our travels due to the slower speed we'll need to go and of course it will cost a little more in the way of gas consumption. I love the idea of having our trailer with us on that trip. I guess it will be decided for us depending on if Emmylou is ready to go (she's already road-ready) or if I bite the bullet and buy a teardrop.
No matter what we'll have a blast and thanks for the information SusieQ. I'm so sorry for your loss but I've gained the knowledge of what you've shared. Something I hadn't heard of before.
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John Palmer
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Hi, From a vintage trailer guy located in Santa Ana, CA. It's good to see lots of activity here.
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Post by John Palmer on Jan 26, 2015 9:12:16 GMT -8
SusieQ, I'm very sorry for your loss.
As a guy that spent most of his adult working life "sitting in a car" as a road salesmen driving 40K miles per year covering three large states, you scare the hell out of me! But, it is very good advice, and we sometimes get caught up with the idea of "getting to our destination", and do not spend enough time "enjoying the journey".
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hammie
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Post by hammie on Feb 14, 2015 15:32:40 GMT -8
SusieQ, I'm very sorry for your loss. As a guy that spent most of his adult working life "sitting in a car" as a road salesmen driving 40K miles per year covering three large states, you scare the hell out of me! But, it is very good advice, and we sometimes get caught up with the idea of "getting to our destination", and do not spend enough time "enjoying the journey". SusieQ I'm so sorry for your loss as well. John, I like what you say about enjoying the journey and not just making it about the destination. We take really long road trips in the summer and average 3500 miles camping per summer. One of the things about having a camper instead of packing a tent in the car, is that it will force us to slow down, take more days to get where we are going and enjoy the journey a bit more. We love a good road trip, but it will be nice to slow it down a bit and stop more. |
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Feb 15, 2015 6:23:51 GMT -8
Hammie, you make a good point.
When we tented across country we covered 500-700 miles a day between overnight stops. With a vintage camper in tow, 300 miles takes about the same time. We're always stopping for long lunches, naps, hikes, or to (ouch) gas up. And since my wife doesn't like to drive the "big rig", we can only cover so much ground.
Slow is good...but I have to admit, there are states in the Midwest that go on forever at 55mph.
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John Palmer
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Hi, From a vintage trailer guy located in Santa Ana, CA. It's good to see lots of activity here.
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Post by John Palmer on Feb 15, 2015 9:29:38 GMT -8
Hammie, you make a good point. When we tented across country we covered 500-700 miles a day between overnight stops. With a vintage camper in tow, 300 miles takes about the same time. We're always stopping for long lunches, naps, hikes, or to (ouch) gas up. And since my wife doesn't like to drive the "big rig", we can only cover so much ground. Slow is good...but I have to admit, there are states in the Midwest that go on forever at 55mph. The biggest time consuming "problem" traveling with anything vintage (car/truck/or trailer), is that every time you stop, you have to give tours and tell the history to all the people that stop and want to see it!
It's like traveling with a Circus!
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