Over the winter of 2004/2005, when gasoline prices began to approach $1 per litre in many parts of Canada, there were a few people who felt rising fuel costs would mark the beginning of the end for the RV industry. I remember feeling that this was short-sighted thinking, and I wrote as much in this very column. The price for just about everything will rise over time, I wrote, and fuel is no different.

I was reminded of this a few days ago as I read a hot-off-the-presses report on 2005 RV sales. RV industry analyst, James Spader, says that not only are RV dealerships across North America carrying a wider range of products, but sales continue to increase over previous years. According to Spader, even smaller RV dealerships are reporting significant sales increases. For example, sales for January 2006 are said to be 14.6 percent higher than those for January 2005. It is clear that increases in the price of fuel haven’t impacted RV sales in the slightest.

Many of the people buying RVs are first-timers – some of them retirees who want to explore North America, or professionals who want to be able to get away on a moment’s notice and not worry about having to book hotels or make dinner reservations. Many of these new RVers are young families who want to vacation and go away for long weekends out of town.

And just in time we present our annual RV Buyer’s Guide! Between the covers of this magazine, you will find freshly updated information on more than 220 different recreational vehicles – everything from luxurious, fully-featured motorhomes to compact folding trailers you can tow with the family sedan or minivan. With complete specifications, photos and suggested retail pricing, it’s all here. Talk about one-stop shopping.

Our next issue includes our annual directory to more than 4,000 campgrounds across Canada. After all, once you have a new RV, it’s nice to know where you can enjoy it. If you haven’t got your subscription yet, don’t delay because this is one issue you won’t want to miss.

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Long-time readers will be saddened to learn that RV Lifestyle’s former editorial director, Peter Tasler, passed away in early February at the age of 57. Peter’s incomparable editorial talents brought life to the pages of several magazines produced by Taylor Publishing Group (RV Lifestyle’s parent company) for more than three decades. Peter is survived by his 12-year-old son, Erick. He will be sorely missed.