.jpg)
Grey nomads and other motoring travellers are choosing to change their destination rather than the type of rig they tow or tow with, according to Recreational Vehicle Manufacturers Association of Australia (RVMAA) president Tony Bellamy.
He says the previous petrol crisis in the 1970s did enormous damage to the recreational vehicle industry, but that is yet to happen this time.
"We won't know for certain the effect of high prices on trip length until next season, but the industry guess is that people who used to go all the way up to Cairns might be going only as far as Townsville," Bellamy says. "The fuel situation isn't deterring people from going north, but how far north.
"There's some evidence that travellers are thinking differently, but the reality is petrol might cost $50 extra for a trip and that's not a lot really.
"Anyway, a lot of RVs (recreational vehicles) such as motor homes and a lot of towing vehicles run on diesel and gas."
Last year sales of small cars increased while sales of larger
cars and some four-wheel-drives declined.
But industry spokesman Norman Faye says 4WDs and traditional Aussie sixes and V8s are still favoured for most towing duties.
"Towing does increase fuel consumption but a new four-wheel-drive is more efficient than a big six of 30 years ago," Faye says.
"Some people are looking at alternatives, but for practical reasons they usually look at diesel or gas instead of changing the type of vehicle.
"It's levelled out at 50-50 between 4WDs and six-cylinder Australian sedans/station wagons.
"One of the reasons for that has been the growth of the 4WDs as a suburban vehicle, but a lot of people don't realise they don't need a 4WD to tow trailers of less than 7m. A properly fitted-out six-cylinder vehicle is perfectly capable.
"By properly fitted-out, I mean with a level-ride (weight distribution hitches) and anti-sway devices, which cost $500-$750 to fit.
"A lot of caravans are streamlined and, with a pop-top and a 4WD, or a camper trailer and a sedan, the air is just going over the top, so it's not that inefficient.
"The RVMAA supports gas conversion as a good alternative for those who do long-distance touring because there is no loss of torque using gas and it can pay for itself in only a couple of years."
THE HIT PARADE
The pop-top caravan is top of the pops. Tony Bellamy says the pop-top is a hit mainly because it fits under a carport or in a garage.
"Full caravans are mainly for couples doing the long trip.
"Camper trailers suit families because the sleeping area outside the main superstructure makes a larger living area.
"But the popularity of pop-tops is universal," Bellamy says.
