Like country music, campers are a little known gang, but we’re becoming quite popular lately!

This summer, our local camper dealer’s lot was completely empty – they were selling pop up campers so fast, they looked like they were having a going-out-of-business sale.  While getting our camper inspected and winterized, I spoke to the owner and asked him how business was.  Needless to say, he’s not feeling the pain from the failing economy!

No, the camping industry is one that is booming because of the high prices of gas and other economical squeezes on Americans.  No longer can people afford to take a vacation and pay for a hotel, it’s gotten just way too expensive.  So they have been turning to camping.

Popup campers seem to have had the biggest surge in popularity this year.  With the high cost of gas, people aren’t interested in the big trailers or fifth wheels.  We ourselves have a 2007 Fleetwood Niagara.  We started out small, but I wanted a bathroom, but I didn’t want a huge trailer.  At 3,000 pounds, my Jeep Liberty can actually pull this tent trailer, but we tow with a Dodge Durango.

We got into camping about four years ago – this is our third popup.  We kept trading up until we found the best fit.  Instead of taking a $2,000-$3,000 vacation every year, our family of four hooks up the trailer and heads out somewhere rather local – within a 3 hour drive – for a 3 or 4 day weekend.  We’ve been to some very neat places, and met some very interesting people.  A long weekend will run us about $400 all told.  Full hookup sites (some with cable TV!), gas, and spending money all included.  Can’t beat that.

My personal delight?  It’s my own dirt.  Yes, I have an issue with disgusting hotel rooms and bathrooms. At least I know who’s been in my traveling hotel!  And with this popup, we gained a stove, microwave, bathroom and even air conditioning!

So, we go camping and have a GREAT time.  Usually we’ll go with family and a couple of campers.  Campfire time is the best – we stay up sometimes til 2AM around the fire.  And we have a LOT of crazy, funny stories from our adventures.  So I decided I needed to start sharing!

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