When you think about motor homes, do think about millennials? Driving an RV is no longer a goal for retirement, it's freedom for the young. It's a tiny trend that has big companies like Winnebago taking notice.
Millennials are not moving around the country in giant motor homes, instead these happy campers are opting for tiny RV's. According to the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association, the fastest-growing demographic is 35 to 44-year-olds.
A decade ago, that number was 49. And now, thanks to smaller rigs and tiny tows, that average age may dip even lower thanks to social media buzz and hashtags, like "van life."
This trend comes as no surprise to Phil Simpson, manager of Bankston Motor Homes in Nashville. He said smaller RV's don't stay on his lot long.
And young people are not using these towables just for recreation. Some millennials are hitting the open road to grow their small businesses.
Leah Allen doesn't always know where her business will end up one day to the next.
Her traveling boutique, LA Dreams, is a fully mobile towable trailer, complete with kitchen and bathroom, even TV.
"We took something old and we made it new," she said.
The Hartsville-based shop keeps customers in-tow with frequent Instagram posts so customers can follow along.
New products like Winnebago's Winnie Drop, and the Micro Minnie are just some of the newer RV's that have young people hitting the road. Brick and motor businesses are no longer a necessity, said Allen, just wheels and an online following.
