In fact, the Kennewick couple upgraded their 9-foot camper to a 33-foot fifth-wheel about two weeks ago.

"We want everything paid off by the time we are 60 so we can start looking at retirement a little more seriously," said Kathy Toole, 49.

While they have stayed closer to home during recent camping trips, the Tooles still try to take short vacations a couple of weekends a month.

"If you're an avid camper, I don't think gas prices are stopping you," Kathy Toole said.

The Tooles may be part of a trend. Local RV dealers say sales of trailers and campers are relatively strong this year, as people opt to take shorter vacations closer to home, and in their own vehicles.

"It's a great lifestyle. You can still travel with your family for a week ... and pay less than an airfare vacation," said Ron George, co-owner of Chief's RV Center in Pasco.

Chief's is undergoing a $750,000-plus expansion to accommodate growing sales, he said, though the company doesn't release sales figures.

While some may think an economic downturn isn't the best time to grow a business, George disagrees.

"We felt it was time. Sometimes in what's perceived as a down economy, that's the best time for opportunity, to prepare for the turnaround," he said. "You can't sit on your laurels and wait for something to happen."

The company shifted its focus about 11/2 years ago to lighter-weight units.

"The challenge is to have the right product at the right time," George said.

RV sales in Pasco, the Tri-Cities' RV hub, declined in 2006 and 2007 after a peak of more than $17 million in taxable retail sales in 2005, according to information from the state Department of Revenue.

But first- and second-quarter sales for this year seem to show a slight uptick.

Nearly $2.8 million in RV sales were reported in Pasco in the first quarter, compared with about $2.3 million in the same three months of 2007.

And while second-quarter figures still are preliminary, the city is showing more than $4 million in sales during the second quarter of this year, compared with almost $3.9 million in the same period a year ago.

"It's been really interesting because a lot of people are choosing to stay closer to home for their vacations," said Debbie Hughes, administrative assistant at Broadmoor RV in Pasco. "They are saying, 'OK, we can spend $100 night on a hotel and food, or we can take our own.' "

Motor homes are selling at a pace similar to last year, she said, as many buyers like the Tooles are ready to make a step up in preparation for retirement.

Russ Dean, owner of Russ Dean Family RV in Pasco, said sales of motor homes have improved recently as gas prices have stabilized, though mid-size trailers are the most popular.

From campers and light trailers to bigger motor homes, sales across the board are evenly spread as people discover the value of an RV vacation, he said.

A study by the national firm PKF Consulting released in July found that RV vacations generally are less expensive than other types of vacations.

For a family of four to tow a folding camping trailer and cook their own meals, a three-day vacation costs about $650, compared with about $730 for a travel trailer and about $1,000 traveling in a car, staying in a hotel and eating in restaurants.

That's according to study information posted on www.gorving.com, an industry-supported coalition.

Costs of owning an RV were factored in, according to the study.

Aside from apparent financial benefits, time spent together is another plus.

"I also believe that family unity gains a lot from camping together," Dean said. " I think that brings people back to camping and spending time with one another."