Once an industry dominated by retirees and fair-weather travelers, the recreational vehicle lifestyle is surging in popularity — particularly for younger vacationers. Last year, 430,000 recreational vehicles of all kinds were sold, according to the RV Industry Association (RVIA). That total represented a 15 percent increase in sales from 2016, and it continued a several-year upward trend. Lower credit rates and lower gas prices are among the reasons for the increase in the travel option. RV travel is increasingly popular. Images © Bruce Aldrich. The advancement in technology — smartphones, to 4G data connections — also represents another major reason for RV's lifestyle boon, particularly among younger travelers. In fact, more than half of RV buyers in 2016 were younger than age 45, according to RVIA. Bruce Aldrich and his wife Alen ...