Freedom is in the air and there’s no better way to show your independence than hitting the road as a full-time RVer. This weekend as I celebrate the liberating spirit of this great lifestyle, I also wonder why the full-time RVers I see on the road don’t seem to look like the melting pot of America. Despite the growing numbers of ethnically diverse weekend campers being reported on by the RV industry, I just don’t see too many multicultural full-time RVers.
Happy Independence Day America!
Where are the Multicultural Full-time RVers?
Few things in our world stay consistent through the years, but there’s something that hasn’t changed since I hit the road in 2007. Almost every full-time RVer I’ve met appears to fit the same full-timer demographic as the last 30 years. They are mostly white, affluent and retired. This is just my impression so I’m looking to you, dear reader, to give me a reality check.
Is this overall impression of mine totally wrong or has it been your experience too?
As a person of Mexican descent, I notice these things. I often wonder why most of the RVers I’ve encountered at rallies and popular snowbird destinations don’t reflect the latest camper demographics cited by the RVing industry. After all, the 2016 North American Camper Report by Kampgrounds of America Inc. says that now more than ever America’s three largest ethnic groups are discovering the joys of camping:
“Non-whites are responding to efforts to promote public campgrounds.
The proportion of camper nights spent at state/national park campgrounds increased by 5 percentage points among Hispanic campers, 7 percentage points among African-American / Black campers and fully 10 percentage points among campers of Asian descent.”
I grew up RV camping in Southern California. My large Latino family went RVing to places like Shaver Lake and Yosemite with many other giganté families like ours. Many people I grew up with still go RV camping, but not a single one I know has made the leap to full-timing. It baffles me. Why don’t the benefits of full-timing resonate with those who share my ethnic ancestry? After all, according to the North American Camper Report:
“African American/Black and Hispanic campers express a much greater enthusiasm for camping overall, stating that camping is a way to spend more time with friends and family . . . “
No matter what your ethnic heritage, the full-time RVing lifestyle is so conducive to strengthening family bonds. As more families break away and spread their wings from coast-to-coast, full-timing is an easy and relatively cheap way to stay close to relatives. For families like mine, that means putting a lot of miles on the rig – and many great adventures too.
Thankfully groups like the National African-American RV’ers Association (NAARVA) are introducing the RVing lifestyle into communities around the country. Their advocacy is paying off. Through the years I’ve probably met more African American full-timers than Latinos or Asians (however just three come to mind).
No multicultural full-time RVers on Facebook either.
As for Latinos, I can’t seem to locate a national RVing group that’s doing the same type of outreach as NAARVA.
Search Facebook and you won’t find a group or page devoted to Latinos and the RVing lifestyle. If you know of an organization like this I’d love to hear about it. If there isn’t one, maybe it’s time for me to start it.
Happy Independence Day fellow RVers! Whatever ancestry you come from, may you discover the freedom and joys that this nomadic lifestyle offers to every single person under the rainbow.
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Rene Agredano and her husband, Jim Nelson, became full-time RVers in 2007 and have been touring the country ever since. In her blog, Rene chronicles the ins and outs of the full-timing life and brings readers along to meet the fascinating people and amazing places they visit on the road. Her road trip adventures are chronicled in her blog at LiveWorkDream.com.
My partner and I are full time traveling about to purchase an RV to tour North America for a year before heading South to Latin America. We too are grateful to NAARVA. We too have searched for different faces and haven’t found a many brown, black and Asian faces as we would like. But hopefully your asking will spark something. Know there are a (very) few of us out here. Be well
Thanks for the feedback, Bolt. I too hope to see more multiculturalism out there on the open road in the U.S. I’m envious of your plans to travel south! Contact me via email, I’d love to hear more about your travels.
We need to open the floodgates of immigration and allow everyone the chance to own an rv. RVing shouldn’t only be relegated to rich whites…Poor people should share equal access to Americas great roadway! Thanks!!
A nice idea, but unfortunately RVs can be expensive to upkeep and fuel is not cheap. It can be expensive to stay in RV parks, although there are almost free options. Remembering if you are boondocking, you will need fuel to produce electricity and run some of the appliances. The idea of full time RVing seems to be travelling the continent, where there many costs involved. Entrance fees, national park fees, etc. Many people work remotely, but if you can’t do that then you would be dependent on cash in the bank, or retirement income.
Poor full timers who live in an rv or of necessity are often discriminated against or labeled negatively. Southern California has an “ordinance” (against Many laws and therefore, cannot become a law) banning “oversized vehicles from parking in certain areas which, coincidentally include All areas of a city and exempts any “oversized” vehicle that is not an rv. So I agree with your loving, open- minded comment that proves you must have amazing intelligence, but those of us who are poor rvers, who rv out of necessity cannot travel much. Though we would LOVE to, we are to busy paying for tickets that are against many parts of the constitution, to be able to travel.
This is a situation where many Multicultural and Hispanic full timers are stuck. My family included. But I can tell you, many of us, in this mess over here, back each other up even if it’s just passing around relevant information. But your understanding and kind wishes are a Beacon of Hope that we won’t have to put up with this for too much longer.
I see no benefit in encouraging the further tribalization of our population. There was a time when we were Americans first.
Thanks for taking time to share your opinion Craig! I do agree 100%, we are all Americans first. In my view, it would just be nice to see a wider spectrum of people out there on the open road.
A Hyphen can act as a wall or a bridge. We should 1st think of ourselves as Americans , not Mexican-Americans , or African-Americans . Thanks Nomad from the see no color tribesmen.
Yes I agree. I’m from a mixed back ground family. I tired of people trying to label any of us. Live and let live, all peoples
When will this poison ever leave the American blood stream?
Go and start a Californian Mexican Heritage RV site if that’s what you need.
Unfortunately you’re likely not able to see real diversity but rather a parochial thin layer of variation in melanin.
I see diversity in regional differences, age, life experiences, and many other more important factors than skin tone.
But let’s engage in social engineering to suit your desires, push RV life on people not interested, and restrict those it naturally appeals to- even better, let’s tax “Non-Latinino White” RVers to pay for programs to teach RV life to selected minorities that you want to see on the road.
Multiculturalism sews seeds of resentment as it narrows peoples visions of themselves and those they perceive around them- the opposite of building community, it divides and conquers them.
Thanks for sharing your opinion Sean.
Agreed, we have become a country obsessed with social engineering and when its the GOVT that is doing the engineering it becomes forced. How long before we have RV’s for minorities program? Why don’t we have more minorities? I have no earthly idea, its a free country, they can shop at Camping World just like I do, there is no conspiracy to keep anyone out RVing. I have met some in my travels and find them to be good folks with an interest in RVing just like myself. The door is open, but lets not force anyone in that does not chose to be here. And, by the flip side of that coin if someone tells them no, be sure to let me know, that’s a RV park or store I won’t visit.
My husband and I live in the DC suburbs and usually we are the only campers/rvr’s of color we see. The local African American Rv club consisted of high end class a mobil homes and near retirement age folks. Felt a little out of that league if you ask me.
Jane, thank you for sharing your experience. I’m surprised that even in that part of the states things aren’t as diverse as they could be. I hope that by asking questions like this we can encourage others to jump into the lifestyle, there’s so much to be said for it. Thanks for being a part of it yourself! See you on the road.
I think you have asked an excellent question! All the travel blogs for FT RVers seem to be white. When I go to RV shows there are very few people of color. The answer is perhaps due to economics, culture, perception, etc., or a combination of all the above.
I hope someday we do not have to ask this question. However, the presence of the deniers and naysayers Is proof that an issue exists.
Lisa, I’m with you 100%! Thank you for reading & sharing your views.
Greetings Rene,
Although the largest demographic I have run into is white and retired, I have seen quite a few latin peoples. I belong to Airforum and right after my purchase a latin member noticed that I was in south FL and offered to team up- he and his family.
As far as the multicultural comment of Craig and Sean, I too am greatly troubled that our country has been torn apart by multicultural ideology teachings- how we are different and about each own’s heritage. Education has failed in that regard. Most everyone is from somewhere else at one point or another. The point is, lets learn about what it means to be nationally American, not what we once were; or try to make America what we came from.
Happy 4th of July and Happy Camping.
That’s comforting to hear Rodney, thank you for sharing your encounter with the Airforums member.
Point well taken about learning how to be Americans first. There’s a lot to be said for that and I agree, but I also feel there’s still so much to be said about not losing touch with one’s ethnic heritage and traditions too.
Happy Camping to you as well 🙂
i’m arab and full-timing with my family 🙂
Nice to meet you Ali! Thanks for reading and saying hello, hope to meet up with you on the road some day!
My boyfriend had a rough go of 2019 and currently separated with a 3month old. He is down south in Alabama fixing up a 5th wheel for us that we bought with last grand I had. I have never been camping so living in an RV is gonna be a real learning experience for me. Any suggestions for a newbie raising a kid in a 5th wheel!!!???
Asalamu Alaykum brother, how does the full time RV working for you. How did you get your family on board
Wonderful article — thanks for asking the question!
Susan and I have encountered a number of full-timers, Latino & African American, since purchasing our coach 12 months ago. Meeting them has enriched our RVing experience immensely. They have ranged from an African American couple from southern California, who owned a far nicer coach than ours and were incredibly interesting to talk with, to an extended Latino family led by a 1st Cavalry vet camped near us, whose children and grandchildren were smart, polite, and a joy to be around..
Just a thought: is it possible the gating factor is economic? Those of us who are location-independent entrepreneurs can go full-time. Same for dotcom cashouts. Ditto for the with state, military, or corporate retirement programs.
Don’t know the answer but appreciate you exploring the question. Be safe, travel well.
Yay! Richard & Susan that is awesome to hear, thank you for the reassurance that there really is some diversity out there in the full-timing world.
I’m honestly not sure about the economic factor, as I know of plenty of folks who aren’t location-independent entrepreneurs and simply making a living through workamping and seasonal jobs. But it’s worth pondering for sure.
Thanks for reading!
Some folks like camping, some don’t. Simple as that.
I am a native of Alabama and my wife is an legal immigrant from Mexico, we have been camping for almost as long as we have been together, over 57 years. I don’t think you always know if your premise is correct especially if the diversity you are seeking is represented by a well integrated Mexican. My wife prefers the term Mexican, not Latino. My point is that you might be looking at diversity and not recognize it because the person became an American rather than trying to hang onto the culture they left. My wife still speaks Spanish and enjoys her heritage but she identifies as American but she does represent the diversity you speak of.
Trav, thanks for sharing your experience (and congrats on your 57 years of togetherness!). Just curious, are you full-timers?
Rene, we are not full timers, try to leave home before the first snow flakes fall and back hurt me after the last freeze of the year. Last winter we left home in October and returned this June so we were on the road a week shy of eight months. That is a little longer than we like, 6 months seems to be our preference. Next winter we will probably do the 6 month routine. We enjoy returning home at the end of winter too much to become full timers.
Gotta watch out for that dumb auto correct function!
NOT BACK HURT but back AFTER the last!
Mr. Agredano,
See, the thing about camping and RVing is that it’s an acquired taste. It’s something that people learn to do as children and then later enjoy as young adults and parents. It’s participants have more to do with demographics, than any forced multicultural diversity expectation.
Regardless of race, folks of economically challenged and possibly dysfunctional urban upbringing generally do not aspire to spend their recreational time “roughing it” in a tent or even a shiny million dollar RV, they want a hotel or cruise ship.
If a person is raised knowing that activities such as herding, hunting, fishing, hiking, or nomadic life are/were part of the person’s culture, ethnicity, and upbringing as children, then they are probably more likely to enjoy camping and RVing as a lifestyle and recreational activity.
In my 40+ years as an Eagle Scout, backpacker, car camper, and RVer I have met many HIspanic, some Latino, some Asian, a few MIddleEastern, some Jewish, and a few African-ancestry campers. The thing they all had in common is that they had been enjoying the activity as children. They didn’t randomly adopt the activity as adults.
My Observation,
Beacher
Beacher that’s a really excellent observation, thanks for your insight. Programs that get inner city kids out into nature are so important on many different levels, this is just one. Thanks again.
I think there’s a lot to that observation that it’s an acquired taste. I love RVing, but my parents had a trailer, and later a Class C motorhome, when I was young. Even though my wife and I own a Class A motorhome today, she doesn’t really like RVing, or road trips in general. She prefers to fly where she’s going. Thus, motorhome trips are usually me, our three kids, and my dad. My wife goes sometimes, if it’s within a day’s drive. Otherwise, she stays home, plays tennis (something I don’t do), and hangs out with her friends.
I don’t know a single Asian RVer, not even the Asian I’m married to 🙂 Why not? Probably because among the dozens of Asians I know, many of them family by marriage, not one grew up RV camping. RVing is expensive, and among the ones I know who could afford a motorhome, well, they have other financial priorities.
We have a great marriage and she’s OK with us having a motorhome she doesn’t really use much, and I’m OK with her not going on RV trips. I can’t imagine ever getting her to full-time, not even if we could afford the diesel pusher of my dreams (we have a gas-powered Bounder).
JB, this is an awesome share, thank you for taking time to tell us about your own family and RVing experience, it’s quite enlightening. I’m glad you found a happy compromise on how you both like to travel! As long as you’re both happy, that’s all that matters.
great thread and as a retired white affluent full timer, I do notice and miss the diversity in campgrounds we visit. I see plenty of less affluent white young and old folks living permanently in rv parks for economic reasons so that’s not something people of color would see and aspire to…actually they’d try to rise above.
BUT, for recreational camping it would be great if state and national parks would promote family camping programs to introduce young families to this form of recreation. I looked down on it until I was 62 and realized it was an affordable way to see scattered friends and family around the country, learn about our gorgeous land and have my home with me.
I have seen a few weekend family camping programs on some state park websites that are targeted to newbies…just need more of them and better promotions.
Now, more than ever, we need a way to teach people the wonder of natural resources that need preservation. This will only happen with education to the population who can then take that to the ballot box and elect those who will support funding to public lands.
I’m Asian and has been camping since my teenage years. My first trip camping was with the boy scout and not with my parent. Growing up in an Asian household my parent work 11 hours a day 6 days a week and did not have time or the knowledge to take us camping. I didn’t really learn to enjoy nature until I met my wife. Now with 4 kids I try to go camping at least twice a year. We really enjoy all that nature provides and love meeting fellow camper. Especially seeing their face when they meet an Asian camper for the first time. I have owned a pop up trailer and now a 26 foot Outback travel trailer and is hoping to one day upgrade to a diesel pusher. Happy camping!
You’ve identified another important reason there – how much Asian parents work. My wife is an immigrant, as are most of our Asian friends and relatives, and among them, ones who work like your parents are the normal case. Her cousin is a mechanic at a new car dealership; he commonly works six days a week, and during his time off, he helps friends and family with their cars. I don’t know when the guy sleeps If he had an RV, he might never use it because he’s working all the time.
I also miss diversity in RVing. My husband and I are about to go full time, but we are “bleeding heart” liberals and I rarely meet anyone who does not assume I hate “Obamacare”and President Obama. I rarely meet anyone from the US (yay Canada) who is not carrying a gun and raving about immegration. I rarely meet gay couples. I am lonely in Snowbirding and will be lonely fulltiming. Don’t get me wrong we meet a lot of great people who don’t force their religion or politics on us but where is ALL the diversity?
As I read thru its easy to see how the threads break out left and right.
White affluent, thats the problem and we need more diversity that will fix things.
vs
The open road is freedom, all are welcome, come on down!
Right off the bat folks NOTHING is broken, diversity is as diversity does,. I have never see a sign at an RV park saying no colored allowed here and I have been RVing all of my life and I’m in my 70’s.. I have traveled thru every state, across Europe, Latin America and Mexico, I have met every race, color, creed you can imagine and I have never shunned or not extended a hand to anyone.
I am also very sorry to let in on this, but RVing is NOT a high dollar game, sure you can spend $2M++++ on a custom Prevost, but those are rare, very rare. So get off your, they are not there due to economics. BS. You might want to go to a RV show or just peruse RVTrader.com.
There are no barriers, stop fabricating them!
Me, white guy, just a solider, not rich and grew up on SOUTH SIDE SAN ANTONIO on a dirt road in a dirt poor neighborhood and it was my good fortune that in the summer I tanned so well that even my Mexican friends thought I was a Mexican.
Thank you for your comment and observation. My husband & I are full time RV’ers in a 5th wheel and we are Mexican. We used to belong to a RV travel club that was all white & mostly conservative. Was not a very good experience for us. While on the road I look for diversity, it’s hard to find. We enjoy our travels as a couple, however, it would be nice to meet people with some commonality. Hard to find.
It’s too bad that diversity isn’t appreciated enough to create an RV club of that diversity.
Thanks for your comment about missing the diversity. My partner and I dream about full time RV-ing, We’re not there yet money wise and who knows what this new president will bring but I do wonder if there will be a community for us.
Lisa, trust me there is community for you and your partner and I will defend that for you. Yes I am a “deplorable” and yes I carry a gun and yes I am concerned about ILLEGAL immigration and terrorists coming into this country on a free pass to rape, murder and terrorize our citizens. Most of the people I know and have known like me and there is a lot of us as noted in the just past election. We are Constitutional Conservatives, I live and breathe our Constitution…It opens with this line: “We the people…”, that is YOU and ME, that is US. You or your friends, no matter the race, color, religion, LGBT or what ever, Look for me, you will see the American Flag, US Army Infantry Retired, Life Member NRA and I will come running to defend your rights as an American citizen. I wrote that check to America on 25 Jan 1967 and it has no expiration date! Call me I will be there…
Hello Everyone, we are EDLO on the Go, a black couple that plan on going full- time RVing in the summer of 2017. We know of quite a few black RV owners but, none that travels full time. We feel they may have a fear of encountering prejudices similar to a white family in fear of traveling through the inner city . Stereotypical? Maybe, but, you have to be willing to take a chance on life without having the spirit of fear otherwise, you’re never enjoy life. We look forward to enjoying life and making memories. Hope to see you all out there. Be Blessed.
Thank you for speaking out. Over the years I have seen and met couples such as yourself in and RV park and have always made an effort to go over and talk to them. Often they have some sign of being military retirees and I am so we create a bond immediately. If you get down San Antonio way, there is a couple of nice RV parks just off I 10 N of San Antonio in Boerne, Tx in the beautiful Texas Hill Country. Alamo Fiesta http://www.alamofiestarv.com and Top of the Hill RV Park, http://www.topofthehillrvresort.com
And if you get there, drop me a line would LOVE to show why I retired here and many many people do for the quality of life, cost of living and the wonderful people….and the coffee is on me!
I’m in the process of finding a way to travel full time (RVing or backpacking), and I do have some concerns about being the odd man out amongst full time RVers. That’s why I did the Google search that brought me to this thread. I am a white, pagan, queer, radically liberal woman. In the past I have felt extremely uncomfortable living in areas which do not have diversity of all kinds. Being white and looking conservative allows me to *pass* whenever I want, so my discomfort is largely intellectual.
My experience with campers and people in general: Last year I did a 9-week road trip camping and going to Pagan festivals. I had some fear of traveling through the Midwest (where I grew up) because I was worried about Bible Belt backlash. I chose to be absolutely honest and forthright with people about being Pagan, and I had zero problems. One (1!) person seemed a bit uncomfortable and quickly changed the subject.
The lesson I learned is that people are kinder than I feared, but also if I want to find like-minded people, I have to put out some kind of sign (bumper stickers?) to attract the kind of conversations and interactions I want in my life.
That said, the political climate and the moral standards of the country have changed dramatically in the last few months. I worry that the few unkind people out there will feel emboldened to violence.
HEP, good post and yes you have plenty to fear in todays America. The far radical left in its second wave is far more violent that it was in the Vietnam era. I stepped off a plane from Vietnam in ’68 and onto a college campus.. What I saw then was not the hate I see today. That said on both sides of the aisle just remember they don’t like you NOT because you are who you are, but because you are different! I personally have never hand an encounter with the far left, but my encounters have been with those on the right. Case in point:
1) On a trip on my Harley traveling the back roads I pulled into a small one horse town to get a bite to eat at the local burgerie. I ride, up, walk in and order a burger at the counter, pay my money and sit down. Soon a Police car pulls in and he gets out checking out my bike, nothing new, almost everyone does it when they see it, think Easy Rider bike with flames. As he is looking it and running the lic plate in pulls a Country Sheriffs car. I take not there is little space between my bike and the 2 cars. They walk in and are met by the manger. They talk and the two come to my table and the Policeman leans forward and says ‘we don’t want your kind in my town, now get up and get out! I say, can I get my burger? NO!, But I have paid for it already! GET THE HELL OUT NOW!. I get on my bike and am followed by the 2 cars till I cross the county line.
No, I am not scooter trash, at this time in my life I am the VP of Technology of a Corp in Dallas Tx, I have a 6 figure income, wear a suit and tie to work.
2) ’67, young soldier in uniform with his buddy on a weekend pass on the way back to our duty station. In uniform left late to arrive about 30 min before the 5am work formation. Its around 3:30 am Mon when the red/blue lights come on behind me on a lonely road. I pulled over promptly and am met with ‘what you doin at this time of the morning BOY? Tell him I am a soldier, show him drivers lic and Military ID. About that time my buddy sleeping in back seat wakes up and he shows ID. He runs plates and comes back to car telling me I was speeding. I was doing over 70 in a 60 mph zone. I assure him this beat up old 6 cyl Ford would never drive 70 mph, even on this main hwy. He does not care and tells me I will need to pay a fine or we go to jail till the judge sees our case later that day. Well this is unacceptable, that would make us AWOL, so we will pay the fine. He smiles and I ask how much is the fine? How much you boys GOT? We had $35 between us, he lets us keep $5 for gas and he takes the $30, cash, no receipt. A lot of money in ’67 for a soldier who only made $76 per mo.
NOTE: This has NOT been my only run in with police over the years and each time its been late at night and I have been alone. I have been roughed up, car searched and inspected. I am a very conservative, clean shaven, short hair, well educated and polite, also a former Deputy Sheriff and retired military officer. That said Corvettes and Harley’s draw attention…
The point I am making is that its not who you are, it that you are just different from them and a white soldier or VP is not immune. You are not safe from the right, the left or anyone else.
My advice to you is to not be passive, show that you are strong but not overbearing, drive a low key car or truck, don’t display wealth, be polite and don’t ‘tip your cards’, be private. In addition, some self defense courses would be helpful and I STRONGLY suggest you own a gun (women are the fastest growing segment of gun owners in the US). Some things on guns to ponder:
Better to have and not need than to need and not have!
When seconds count, the police are only minutes away!
Buy one, train with it and get a Concealed carry lic.
I had a good friend, who much like you was a traveler, loner and a wonderful woman. She traveled all over the US on her own in her little truck, slept in the open spaces, backpacked across America gone as long as 6 mo at a time. I think she finally met someone as I have not from her in several years. We often talked about her safety and the advice I offered to you came from her answers to my questions and yes she well trained in the use of a firearm and self defense. Remember there First Responder is not your police, fire or anyone else, it is YOU!
Thanks for the advice and for sharing your experiences, 17 Oaks.
I’m a single, white, retired, young, transman and I have real concerns too. The divisiveness just over the damn “bathroom” issue is enough to scare me! However, I won’t let it stop me from becoming a full-timer.
I hope to find the same kindness that HEP has found.
Lived in Germany 3 x, m/w use same bathroom off the tourist path. I remember well being stationed on the DMZ in Korea in ’78. Rule was wives ok , but you cannot draw $ for having your wife there, so only a few brought them over and ever fewer had them in their room in the Officers quarters. It was my first morning there and I am standing at the wall urinal at the end of the row, and not more than a few feet away was the row of sinks. I am talking to a guy on my left and answering FNG questions. Its a big room, all men and old Army open. Suddenly to my right I hear a hello and it does not sound like a man, I look and its a good looking girl, brushing teeth and its a WTH moment for me and I am just my BVD’s. Its the Capt’s wife and he work for me. Then another gal comes in. There was never an issue of any kind. The showers were stalls and a curtain and the crapper had a door. We are adults not kids and after I got past the initial we were just all friends.
As for the public bathroom issue…ez fix, locking door, single use, gender neutral, No a problem, and should not be one…
Go full time and have a GREAT time!!!
My husband and I are planning on going full time RVing in about 2 years. We have the same fears also. We are queer, pagan, white, liberal couple. But we have decided that we could easily be discriminated in our home town as much as being on the road. So why let that stop us. We do have a rainbow sticker and a goddess sticker on our rig.
If you have not, please read my post above of 7 March ’17: Take away is discrimination is normal, yesterday, today, tomorrow. When I went into the military they asked who was a Texan and who was from California and they put it at opposite end of the compound, Texans in their barracks and California in their barracks each at opposite ends separated by all the others.
I travel globally and nationally and I wear my cowboy hat, boots and jeans, most folks like it and know I am from Texas and make me welcome, but I see folks from just America get turned away at the door, especially in France. But they don’t us in Co or upstate NY or NJ and Alaska!!! Luckily, I am a big guy and I can make life good because I laugh it off.
My advice to you is go have fun and someone does not like it that is their problem, not yours. Laughter and a smile breaks down a LOT of barriers and also remember, LOT folks out there are far more uncomfortable with you than you are with them. Add to that a lot of folks have NEVER honestly met or knew a gay or lesbian couple and while they may be accepting, they might not (and probably don’t) know how to act or talk. Don’t be stand offish and don’t be in their face…I have said my whole life the most powerful word in the world that can solve so many problems is the word: ACCEPT! This does not mean condone or condemn, just means accept for who and what your are, no more, no less.
I am about to sell my home and at first I was thinking about getting a tiny home because I love the way they are very open and allow in a lot of light. I wanted a smaller house because I wanted to travel more so I thought well why don’t I get a RV and have the best of both worlds. I was very happy to come across the NAARVA ( I think correct spelling) club for black RVers. I was looking at some of their members and there were Latino, Whites and Blacks. It is always nice to see a familiar smiling face versus a snarl and stare as to “why are you here” look. So I wish you the best in finding a club and if you don’t why not start a RV club your self. When I wanted to have a bicycle club in my area for blacks and any other race that wanted to join, I created the club. I was glad I did. So, go ahead type up some fliers and create what you want and start having fun RV rolling.
I see it’s been years, but came across this article and found it interesting. From the LA area and bought a travel trailer last year. We also had some concerns, me being white and Mexican, wife Mexican/Salvadoran decent and being raised with my dad being a long haul trucker you see the perspective of a lot of people from a lot of places. Our experienced has been mixed, some times people are overwhelmingly nice in places you might not expect, back country of Utah for example and other places where you’re ready to file a complaint such was the case in Big Sur, CA. WE GET SOME LOOKS,p, that’s for sure but it won’t inhibit us from seeing this amazing country. Have fun, be fun and enjoy the ride.
My husband and I are considering it, but honestly keep hesitating due to fear.
Many of the campers and RVers, as you mentioned, are white. It’s sad to say that one would be fearful of starting an activity/lifestyle we believe WOULD BE amazing for our family simply because we are afraid of who we will run into at the camp sites so far from home and help.
We are afraid of racist, territorial, or close minded Individuals who may not want us there and wish us harm.
It can be easy for some white individuals to say that this point is ridiculous, uncalled for, or they’ve never seen discrimination, but that’s only because they won’t ever truly experience the same concerns minorities do.
My husband and I just purchased a new fifth wheel which I’m completely excited about. I’m Asian and he’s caucasian. At first, I was intimidated when we would set up at an RV Park because I was the odd woman out. But after a few socials at the community center, some BBQs, I realized that I’m the only one who thinks I’m the odd woman out.
Also, growing up in an Asian household, camping was not considered a “vacation” – so I never grew up RVing. My husband did, and he introduced me to the lifestyle. I 100% agree with other posters about this, that it’s something you either did and valued as part of your life, or it’s not.
Have we run into the odd wackadoodles who look at me sideways? Yes. But they are far and few in-between. Otherwise, my experiences for the last 8 years have been predominantly welcoming and friendly. I wish more Asians would realize how much fun and enriching going RVing is. But again, I understand that it either appeals to you or it doesn’t.
(It also helps that we have a Keystone Montana..LOL)
I’m looking forward to spending more time out on the road this summer.