On The Road With Expion360

Let me guess…you are one of the many individuals enjoying the recreational lifestyle. Or, perhaps, you are considering taking the plunge in your own recreational vehicle (more commonly known, of course, as an RV). There is something so freeing, particularly now, to be on the road and enjoying the fresh air and sunshine after the recent COVID-19 related quarantine.

Naturally, RV owners cite their love of road trips as a primary reason to invest in the lifestyle. This is nothing new; between 1945 and 1960 dedicated RV parks were established to cater to the needs of RV users, while a more luxurious experience within the vehicle (including kitchens and bathrooms, among other necessities) was the focus. These days you can get just about anything synonymous with comfort in your RV. And, for pure entertainment (or for informational purposes) you can consume content about this recreational lifestyle on multiple platforms.

For example, if you are of a certain age you may recall the beloved Stone family traveling in an RV on classic family comedy The Donna Reed Show. Then there was Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz in The Long, Long Trailer on the big screen in 1953. And, at present, you can delve into your bucket list passion amid an array of RV-themed television and streaming shows including…deep breath…America’s Scenic RV Adventures, Going RV, Beachin’ RVs, Big Time RV, Extreme RVs, Flippin’ RVs, Mega RV Countdown and Rollin’ On TV.

Certainly, the easement of having your own space and controlling your own environment, both pre-and post-pandemic, ranks high in anyone’s choice to acquire an RV. Then there is the more affordable cost factor. RV living at its maximum is certainly lower than buying (or renting in the long-run) a house or an apartment.

“Today, the RV lifestyle gets us out of our quarantined homes and gives us a portable home – one where we can see the country, be in total control and not give up any of our favorite luxuries,” noted Mike Tankel, partner/optimist at marketing and development firm To Be Continued. “We all dream of reclaiming our freedom and owning an RV, and consuming content of a recreational nature simply adds fuel to our fire!”

According to the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA), total RV shipments in 2021 increased by 39.5 percent. On the small screen, both on the linear (broadcast) and digital platforms, the lifestyle programming brands has rapidly increased in recent years. Think HGTV, The Travel Channel, GAC and Magnolia (formerly the DIY Network), in particular. And, according to Expion360, which produces premium lithium batteries to run your RV, you can now power anything, at any time, at any place, and as a replacement for the gas power generator to both enhance and safeguard your experience.

Launched in 2016, Expion360 specializes in lithium-ion power storage technology. More specifically, Expion360 offers batteries and supporting accessories for the recreational industry. This includes RV’s, green applications, the Overland market (4-wheel drive vehicles), and extreme off-grid camping and applications (storage and energy, etc.), all sold with a 12-year warranty. Positioned as a replacement for the old-style lead-acid batteries, the immediate benefits with lithium include a longer battery lifespan, more power, a smaller footprint, half the weight, and a greater flexibility for the battery power to be used across various mobile applications.

For example, imagine 225 pounds of led-acid batteries being replaced by lithium at 32-pounds that is easier to store, with the same recovery time and discharge. “There is about a 3 to 1 ratio between led-acid and lithium batteries,” noted John Yozamp, Chief Executive Officer at Expion360. “Lithium batteries are more energy-efficient, meaning that the typical RV can use more of the battery’s energy. And the charging is particularly efficient.”

Growing Interest in the Recreational Lifestyle

At the height of the pandemic, unfortunately, the end result, both for many businesses and for a wide array of individuals was a financial downfall. Companies were forced to close. People were often left without employment. Production in the media entertainment business was sorely limited. And many industries across the board were suddenly faced with an uncertain future. But there was one rare exception…recreational vehicles, which for Expion360 resulted in a surge of interest in its core lithium battery product.

“Lithium elevates your experience with an abundance of power, long life cycles, and at a reduced weight, which is crucial when you are towing a vehicle,” explained John Yozamp. “Comparably, this is night and day in performance level over old technology.”

“Imagine if you out camping and you have dead batteries,” he said. “You can’t run your refrigerator, or your heater or anything else. If your batteries are dead in your RV, all of your sliding mechanisms, stabilizer jacks, tongue jacks, and anything else will not operate. As more people jump into this lifestyle, or discover it as a hobby, you want to make sure you have all the essentials covered.”

Annually, the RV industry generates close to $20 billion in retail sales, according to the RVIA. And, unlike more specific activities or interests, the target audience involved with – or delving into – this “On the Road” lifestyle is mass appeal. More specifically, think of the millennials living in RVs, the 35 to 55 age group, the retirees looking for a refresh, and anyone – or everyone – in between.

“Interest in this recreational lifestyle is growing in leaps and bounds,” noted Yozamp. “But you also want to experience it the right way, and the best way.”

“While roughly 9 percent of U.S. households are current RV owners, another 15 percent intend to own one. Those are huge numbers,” noted Mike Tankel. “Many just want the freedom of their childhood, that sense of adventure, and that desire to be the captain of their own ship that only the RV lifestyle can deliver. Finding new people, new places and being in control every step of the way.”

“Simply put, RV’s are a sense of that renewed freedom,” said Tankel.

Recreational Vehicles in the Media

Lucy and Desi may have tackled the RV lifestyle in the aforementioned The Long, Long Trailer, but scripted TV dramas like Three for the Road and Touched by an Angel spin-off Promised Land also showcased the experience. Movies like Spaceballs (1987), The Incredibles (2004), Meet the Fockers (2004), RV (2006), and We’re the Millers (2013) further exemplified it. Who, after all, does not remember Robin Williams in the road comedy RV? And, just last year, the Oscar for Best Picture went to Nomadland, which followed a widow (Frances McDormand in her third Best Actress Oscar-winning role) who leaves to travel around the United States in her van.

“This lithium batteries technology we utilize is also ideal for charging from solar,” noted Yozamp. “When you have a solar package and you are charging the lithium batteries there is no longer the need for a gas power generator in the larger RVs. The amount of time to charge a lithium battery with solar is far less than a lead-acid battery, which can take 24 to 36 hours. With lithium, it is a third of that time; within an eight-hour period of good sunlight you can completely recharge your batteries for reuse.”

“Solar power is also highly suitable for remote areas that are not connected to energy grids,” he said.

“The whole focus when you buy lithium is to get off grid,” said Paul Shoun, Chief Operating Officer at Expion360. “With enough battery and enough solar, you can stay off grid indefinitely. We are displacing generators; that is a big movement right now. It offers a solution to noise pollution. And with satellite connecting to the RV and you can connect to Wi-Fi anywhere.”

On the Road in the Recreational Space

As of March 2021, a reported 11.2 million U.S. households owned an RV, according to the RVIA. That is an increase of 26 percent from one decade earlier. An additional 9.6 million households, meanwhile, are considering buying an RV in the next five years.

“People have simply discovered or rediscovered the great outdoors, which only increases the demand for RVs,” noted John Yozamp. “What we provide at Expion360 in the lithium battery space only enhances the lifestyle. There are no longer any limitations in your complete RV experience.”

Safe travels on the road to all!