The lonely RV buyer

Slate notes that recreational vehicle sales have plummeted, and it's probably going to get worse. The author seems a bit surprised, arguing that the factors that are hurting other types of vacationing should help RV sales. I think he underestimates the importance of one of his own statements.

Americans seem to lump recreational vehicles in the same category as powerboats: discretionary, big-ticket purchases that guzzle too much gas.

While it may be true, as the article states, that RV vacations can be a great deal cheaper than other types, you don't have to make payments or pay insurance on the hotel room when you're done vacationing. The cost and hassle of maintaining an RV when you're not using it would easily overtake the vacation savings unless you vacation frequently, in which case money probably isn't that big a concern.