Why Choose RV Travel? Top 12 Reasons for RVing

Why Choose RV Travel? Top 12 Reasons for RVing
Learn why Winnebago owners decide to embrace the RV lifestyle!

By: Brooke Baum

What goals or passions fuel your RV life dreams? Whether you crave the freedom of the open road or just want to avoid the lines at the airport, RVing is a fun and practical way to travel with your family, as a couple, solo, or with your favorite furry friends! 

Read this list of why Winnebago owners chose to travel by RV for insights into all the ways having a motorhome or travel trailer can benefit you …

1. Avoid Checked Bags, Security Lines, and Other Airport Hassles

Travel by plane seems to get less comfortable each year. While leg room and seat space on planes have noticeably decreased, lines for checking your bags and going through security seem to increase each summer. Many families have chosen to limit their air travel and go by RV instead to avoid the airport hassles. 

Plus, you don’t have to limit what you pack as much in an RV … or worry about your toiletries leaking in your bag! And if your RV trip is delayed, it is likely your own choice, not an issue that is out of your hands.

2. Bring Along Gear for Outdoor Fun

Two words: Gear Garage! This is a beloved feature in Winnebago RVs for a good reason … because RVers love to bring along fun outdoor gear. From bicycles to fishing gear, the large storage space and convertible organizational options make a gear garage ideal for outdoor enthusiasts. (Available in the Winnebago Revel and Revel Sport, Winnebago Solis 59PX, Winnebago EKKO, and Winnebago View and Navion 24T and 24R.) 

See how five Winnebago EKKO owners have organized their gear garages for their needs in this article!

Of course, each Winnebago RV is packed with smart storage options, whether it includes a gear garage or not. Many RVers also add roof-top storage to bring along larger items like kayaks or add additional solar panels. If you are looking for creative storage options, be sure to check in the model-specific owner groups for insights.

3. Accessible & Adaptable Options

The reliable comfort and security of RVing appeals even more to travelers who have physical limitations or mental health challenges. Winnebago Revel owner and Military Veteran Angie Peacock found this way of travel to be very healing. She shared in this interview that: “…being in an RV, being in nature, and being on the road rehabbed me from post-traumatic stress.” 

Traveling by RV is also ideal for anyone who has a compromised immune system since you can make sure your motorhome or travel trailer remains a clean, safe environment. If you have dietary restrictions or food allergies, bringing your own kitchen along on your travels is a great option to make sure you always have access to meals that are safe for you to eat. (Read how one couple uses their RV to manage dietary restrictions.)

With accessibility enhanced RVs like the Winnebago Roam, RVing can be a convenient option for wheelchair users because it offers comfort and security that isn’t possible when traveling by plane or staying in hotels. 

Read why one traveler who uses a wheelchair found RVing to be an ideal fit for her and her family in this article.

4. Cost-Effective Travel for Families

In addition to buying plane tickets, finding lodging for large families can be a costly challenge. An RV allows you to have multiple sleeping spaces, cook your own meals, and expand your living area to also include your campsite. Kids love the pop-top beds available in the Winnebago EKKO and Winnebago Solis, but bunk beds are also always a big hit! 

See these Winnebago RVs that sleep six or more people!

Traveling by RV is also ideal when on a road trip with young children since you can adjust your plans as needed. Plus, RVing offers limitless options for quality time. Have a picnic at a scenic rest stop, check out a nature trail near your campsite, play games at your dinette after dinner, or sit outside around the campfire and try to spot shooting stars.

Long-time outdoor enthusiast Dom Carson shared that, "Having our 2022 Winnebago Micro Minnie has made traveling with our daughter so much easier, and honestly, I can’t imagine going back to hotels, endless restaurant stops, or cramming everything we need into a single suitcase."

Read more of the perks to RVing with kids! Plus, read these tips for RVing as a family.

Fun Fact: Some families love RVing so much that they ship their rolling home to new continents that they want to explore! Read this article about how the Holcombes have embraced RV life in their Winnebago Revel camper van – from road tripping around Europe to completing the PanAmerican Highway.

5. Visit New Places Comfortably

RVing allows you to have more control over your environment and easy access to everything you need for your trip. No more worrying about how well your hotel room was cleaned or if the sheets will be scratchy. You can set up your RV for optimal comfort and pack it with all your essentials before hitting the road. Plus, you don't have to wait for check-in time to get settled into your new destination! (Read these tips for organizing a small RV for maximum coziness.)

You may need to book in advance for peak travel times, but there are plenty of RV campgrounds near top destinations in North America – from national parks to vibrant cities. If you are open to boondocking or using options like Harvest Hosts to camp without hookups in unique places, you will have even more options to choose from!

Here are some guides for visiting popular areas in your RV:

• RV Camping in National Parks
• Visiting Disneyland in California with an RV
• RVing in Alaska
• Colorado RV Road Trip

6. Bring Your Pets Along on Your Trips

If you have furry family members you don’t want to leave behind, an RV allows you to bring them along on your vacation as well! Many RVers love making cherished memories in new places with their dog – and maybe even an adventurous RV cat. Now, with the Winnebago Connect available in new View/Navion models, you are able to use the pet minder feature to check on your pets when you do need to leave them back at the RV – making RV life with pets even better!

Check out these dog-friendly national parks! Plus, get tips for traveling by RV with a dog as well as helping a cat adapt to RV life.

7. Lean Into Self-Reliance with Solo RV Travel

Solo travel has become a popular option for RVers wanting to get out and explore without having to wait for a friend or family member that has time to join. It is also a great way to learn new skills related to self-reliance that help empower these travelers to feel confident out on the road. Women are especially leaning into the perks of solo travel!

Winnebago Travato owner Morgan Field shared that, “Solo RV life doesn’t just change where you go—it changes how you live. You start living not for anyone else’s checklist, but for your own soul’s delight.”

Read more about the benefits of solo travel, plus read tips for staying safe.

8. Attend Events or Competitions in Comfort

From marathons and bike races to competitions for kids (or even dog shows!), there are many RVers who bought their first rig for the purpose of using it as a comfortable base for attending these competitions. 

Winnebago Solis owner Katie Chatwin shares why she loves her upgraded mom van: “I always have the uniforms, outfits, extra socks, and change of clothes on hand for all the dance and soccer needs. I can even fix mac-n-cheese on the gas stove for those later winter nights.”

If you enjoy NASCAR races or other sporting events, camping out and/or tailgating in an RV has also become a popular option for many attendees. You can cook your own meals, take a nap whenever you want to, and (most importantly) you don’t have to use the less-than-ideal public toilet options.

9. Get Away from It All and Go Off-Grid

Camping in a dense forest, open desert, or near a river with a mountainous backdrop is a dream for many wannabe RVers. With the ability to boondock (camp without hookups) for days at a time, this dream can become a reality and is the preferred way to camp for many RVers. Check out Winnebago’s Backcountry Series for RVs ideal for boondocking!

Winnebago Towables owner Dom Carson shares that: “There’s something kind of radical these days about driving out of cell service on purpose. But that’s exactly what we do when we pack up our Winnebago Micro Minnie, grab the dog and the fishing rods, pack the fridge full of good food, and head off the grid for a few days of no notifications, no screens, and no distractions. We call it our digital detox camping trip, but really, it’s just how summer used to be. And it’s the kind of summer we’re trying to give our little girl.”

Learn more about planning an RVing digital detox.

10. Work Remotely with Better Views

With advanced connectivity options, remote work is more popular than ever with RVers. Being able to expand vacation time by working from the road has become a popular travel hack for many RVers. Just be sure you prepare ahead of time to have the signal and gear you need to not have any issues if working while camping.

This article shares some great tips for working from the road!

11. Be Part of a Fun Community

The RVing community is vibrant, fun, and very welcoming – especially Winnebago owners. From online forums to help troubleshoot problems to in-person meetups where you can make cherished memories and new friends, being part of an owner group is a great perk to RVing and one many long-time RVers have grown to enjoy most about the experience.

Read more about the perks of joining an owner group, and be sure to browse the events and groups that are part of the Winnebago GoLife Community!

12. Travel Spontaneously

The best part of owning an RV is that it can be ready to roll with just a few hours of preparation. If you love spontaneity and flexibility, it may be your ideal way to travel. Whether you are going to meet up with friends, spend some time relaxing at a wooded campground, or visit a historic site you just read an article about, your RV is a convenient way to successfully achieve your last-minute travel plans. 

What is your reason for RVing? Whether you have been on the road for a long time or are still in the dreaming phase, please share your inspiration in the comments!