Will high gas prices limit summer sales of recreational vehicles?

CTV London’s Sean Irvine looks into how gas prices may impact the summer recreational vehicle and boating industry.

High gas prices are impacting sales on some types of outdoor fun, including RVs, boats, ATVs and motorcycles.

While the price of gas hasn’t slowed sales considerably, the season is just getting started.

Campers Debbie and Yves Gosselin were picking up their new trailer at Can-Am RV in London on Monday morning.

Their compact unit is just what they wanted for an adventure to the far north.

“We’ve just retired earlier this year, and this will be our first trip in freedom,” explained Yves. “We’re going to save a whole bunch on hotel accommodations that we would have to pay for if we didn’t have this trailer.”

The Gosselins said the ability to tow their new trailer with their small SUV was one consideration in their purchase, alongside the price of fuel.

“We wanted to be able to pull it with a vehicle that you can drive the rest of the year, without costing you an arm and a leg every time you go out with it,” said Yves.

It is a comment that staff at Can-Am hear from customers with thick and thin wallets, according to general manager John Watterton.

“We see trade-ins of larger motor homes for the smaller ones, maybe to mitigate that,” said Watterton.

For some high-end RV owners, fuel prices might not be a significant worry, but for families on a budget, lightweight options are attractive.

“We have customers who tow with four-cylinder vehicles with those trailers because it’s aerodynamic and light as well,” said Watterton.

High prices are impacting other types of recreational vehicles, including boats, ATVs and motorcycles.

Hully Gully in London reports that buyers of all sizes of boats tend to accept gas price fluctuations.

“The impact of gas, even though it’s something they think about as they get to the dock, it’s not something that is a direct reason why they wouldn’t choose boating as a lifestyle,” said general manager John Marchand.

And while some two-wheeled and four-wheeled recreation options are designed for fun, others, including new electric street-legal bikes, prove to be big gas savers over commuting with cars, trucks, and SUVs.

“You know, gas hasn’t been a direct reason why people are choosing not to buy. But it is, we believe, a quick indicator of people thinking about riding a motorcycle as a reason for the potential gas savings of it.”

Marchand tells CTV News the next six weeks will better determine the impact of rising prices.