RV TRAVEL BUBBLE

THIS SUMMER, we are all being asked to find new ways to “travel” while staying close to home, and in that spirit, Daytrips & Overnighters is pivoting once again. So, how do we manage to travel close to home, see the sights, enjoy some fresh air and soak up that summer sun while also staying safe in our bubble? Why, we just take our bubble on the road in a recreational vehicle (RV) of course! As we travel to other communities on Vancouver Island, we must continue to be mindful and practice social distancing and the other COVID-19 protocols we have come to know so well these last few months, but we are fortunate to live in a place that others flock to for their own vacation travel experiences. So, let’s see what RV travel is about, and what Vancouver Island has to offer.

The RV TRAVEL Bubble

According to a recent national survey by Abacus Data, Canadians are taking a fresh look at the idea of an RV vacation. While 81% of us feel that flying on an airplane for a vacation would be somewhat or too risky, 63% believe there is little or no risk in renting an RV, motorhome, or trailer, and 78% believe RVing would allow them to distance from other people safely. An RV can be much like a private travelling motel—or luxury hotel— room… a place to hide away from the rest of the world. And having your own travelling bubble can be a safe and enjoyable option especially given the current global situation.

To kick things off, spend some time considering what style of RVing you want to do. Are you an off-road into the wilderness kind of traveller? Or do you like the comforts of home with power and water hookups, and a reliable WiFi signal for your evening Netflix? Do you want to buy your own rig, or dip your toe into the RV experience with a rental first? Your answers will dictate the choices you make in both the type of RV you purchase or rent, and your final Vancouver Island destination.

Whether you buy your own RV, or perhaps rent one to give the whole idea a test run, there are many styles and options available. From cute as a bug teardrop trailers that can be pulled by smaller model vehicles, and pop-up trailers that give you a mix between tent camping and RVing, to a 30-ft-plus travel trailer with slide outs, or perhaps a Class A motor coach with a

king size bed and theatre seating with surround sound… there is something for every adventure and pocketbook. However, based on the RV’s recent surge in popularity, if you see something you like (particularly in the private sale of a used unit) get a move on and buy it before it disappears!

Craig Little, owner of Arbutus RV & Marine Sales reports that, “in the 32 years we have been serving the evergrowing Island RVing community, never before have we seen this type of growth in sales. Currently we are seeing a 40+% increase in deliveries to excited new owners and the product mix is as diverse as the buyers.”

RV rentals have long been popular in Canada, and travellers from around the globe are a seasonal staple on the highways and byways of Vancouver Island. This year, there is a real opportunity to vacation in our own backyard and to explore and stay in places that we might otherwise avoid during the usual high traffic tourist season. Sarah Littlejohn, Co-Owner & Marketing Director for Living Forest Oceanside Campground and RV Park notes that, “while we did have a few lean months, June has been as busy as last year, with locals taking up the sites that were filled by international tourists in past years. So, while our numbers haven’t changed, we have certainly seen an increase in British Columbians (and mostly Islanders) staying with us.”

Some favourite spots to picnic or to set up camp on Vancouver Island include:

Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park

– one of the most popular of BC campgrounds right in our own backyard!

Surfside RV Resort

– on Parksville Bay

Pacific Playgrounds Resort & Marina Miracle Beach Provincial Park Kitty Coleman Provincial Park Elk Falls Provincial Campground Tribune Bay Campsite

– on Hornby Island

Living Forest Oceanside Campground & RV Park Green Point Campground

– National Park at Long Beach

Bella Pacifica Campground

– Mackenzie Beach (Tofino)

If you are looking for the road (and campsite) less travelled, check out the Mosaic Forests website for their backroad recreational sites accessed via the significant network of forestry roads on Vancouver Island. Grab yourself a copy of Back Roads Map Book (BRMB), Vancouver Island edition, and you’ll have accurate, up-to-date maps to guide your travels. And if you have always wanted to give the back country a try without investing in the gear and vehicle needed—logging roads are no place for your average car—check out FarOut Wilderness, an outdoor adventure travel company specializing in overland vehicle and equipment rentals with self-drive itineraries like the Pacific Marine Circle Tour (four days) or the ten-day Nature’s Paradise Tour.

Canadians, according to the Abacus poll, are also increasingly looking for a unit already parked and waiting for them to arrive, much like a hotel room. Online RV rental platforms, like RVezy.com, are now applying the Airbnb strategy to the RV travel market, connecting travellers with RV owners who are renting out their private units. This removes the need for a towing vehicle and the associated time and expense of moving a unit to the holiday destination of choice. Private campgrounds and resorts like Pacific Playgrounds Resort & Marina are also stepping up to meet that demand, offering trailers in situ, so all you need do is drive up, unpack your belongings and sit back in your camp chair to enjoy the view.

There are so many options out there when it comes to trying out the RV lifestyle. And yes, it is referred to as a lifestyle… and they have the magazines, tradeshows, online groups, associations and YouTube channels to prove it! To start you off, check in with Go RVing Canada… a great resource for some inspiration and doing your initial research. Their website provides a comprehensive series of videos on everything from latest trends in the industry, and campground etiquette, to how to hook up water, power and sewer lines, and where to stop for the night if you are on a road trip.

Not only do we have some of the best places to camp here on Vancouver Island, we are also fortunate to have quite a number of businesses dedicated to the sale and service of RVs. It is well worth spending an afternoon—or five—looking through their lots and wandering in and out of different styles of RVs to discover what fits you best and what is most important to how you wish to travel, sleep, cook and relax. Take photos; make notes; ask questions; and really get a feel for what they have to offer. And if you are considering buying an RV privately, a onceover of the unit by an RV service centre will give you some peace of mind.

It looks like 2020 (and beyond) is shaping up to be a boom year for RV travel on Vancouver Island and the rest Canada. Happy trails everyone!

SOME RV SALES LOCATIONS ON VANCOUVER ISLAND

Arbutus RV & Marine Sales Big Boy’s Toys Ltd Harris Oceanside RV Sales Coast RV Hub City RV Galaxy RV Comox Valley RV Sunwest RV Greg’s RV Place

RV SERVICES

Access RV Parts & Service Seaside RV

RENTALS

Just Go Vans (camper van rentals) Island RV Rentals Vintage Trailers 4 Rent FarOutWilderness