How the RV Industry Is Helping Against COVID-19
Major RV manufacturers around the world are investing their resources into producing and donating critical supplies in the fight against the escalating COVID-19 pandemic.
Last week, the RV industry argued it ought to be deemed essential as RVs can serve useful functions for medical and government workers. Like automobile manufacturers, recreational vehicle makers also have the necessary production chains to mass-produce critical equipment in an emergency.
Winnebago announced it will be providing medical masks to the MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center, with its first production run amounting to about 6,000 masks. It joined a number of major RV manufacturers in donating personal protective equipment, including THOR Industries, Lippert Components, Heartland RV, and even SylvanSport.
Meanwhile, RV dealers around the country are making their vehicles available to medical professionals engaged in the fight against the coronavirus. RVs serve as useful temporary shelters for medical personnel as it allows them to eliminate the chance of contracting or spreading the virus at home.
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RVs can also help isolate people who need care but are not infected by the virus, especially as many medical facilities are at capacity. A clinic in Mishawaka, Indiana, for example, was gifted two Jayco Seismic 4125 toy haulers to serve as additional space for pediatric immunizations outside of the clinic.
But it’s not just doctors and nurses. In fact, according to the Los Angeles Times, the RV industry is seeing a rise in some markets thanks to being perceived as mobile quarantine units. The Arizona-based Cruise America RV rental company, for example, has seen an uptick in one-way trips from customers who need to travel but don’t want to fly.
RVs have found a niche amid the COVID-19 pandemic, which is better than many industries can claim. Time will tell if it’s enough to compensate for the loss of business brought on by the slowdown in the tourism industry that RVs usually depend on.
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Kurt Verlin was born in France and lives in the United States. Throughout his life he was always told French was the language of romance, but it was English he fell in love with. He likes cats, music, cars, 30 Rock, Formula 1, and pretending to be a race car driver in simulators; but most of all, he just likes to write about it all. See more articles by Kurt.