They pitched tents in fields and forests and sat around the campfire with their families.

As they got older and had children of their own they took their sons and daughters on camping trips to experience nature. Now, in their golden years baby boomers want to hold on to a piece of the camping lifestyle. They want the outdoors experience with the comforts of home.

"It's the luxury of a cottage with the outdoor feeling of camping," said Bob Payne, a Fort Erie resident. "You don't have the work of a cottage and you're not looking at the same beach every day."

Payne and his wife Lois got the RV bug in 1972. Travelling by trailer was an affordable way to take their four children on holidays. The year prior the couple took their four children on a weekend vacation -- they stayed in hotels.

When they figured out the costs and what they could save by purchasing a trailer, they went ahead with it and haven't looked back since.

They started with a small pop-up trailer. There were no televisions, radios or extended rooms. Just a place to sleep, eat, cook and sit.

The couple soon caught what RV enthusiasts refer to as "footitus." Each trailer was bigger and bigger and included more bells and whistles. The couple now owns a 28-foot fifth wheel.

"It doesn't have a dishwasher," Lois replied when asked what the camper included. "Everything that we have at home, we have in our trailer. We don't lack for anything when we're away."

While some modern trailers come complete with washers, dryers, dishwashers, hardwood floors and ceramic tiles, the Paynes are happy with their home on wheels.

"Ours is like a Chevy not a Cadillac," said Bob, who is also president of the Peninsulaires, a chapter of National RV group Good Sam. "But it's comfortable and a luxury for us."

With their children now grown and with families of their own, the Paynes spend a lot of time in their trailer. They attend a half dozen camping trips with the Peninsulaires and try to get away twice each year.

The Paynes recently returned from a six week trip down south and are planning a six-week trip to Newfoundland and Labrador June 11.

The couple has visited Canada from coast to coast seeing every province with the exception of Nunavut. The Paynes have also visited all but 18 states, their goal is to see 17 of them -- they can't drive across the ocean to Hawaii.

It takes about 30 minutes to set up the trailer and then it's easy living for the Paynes.

"You got your bed, food, bathroom," Lois said. "You don't have to stay in motels or eat out in restaurants. It's an easygoing lifestyle."

"It's a nice way of life," Bob said. "A nice way of travel."

Diane Martineau, owner of Welland's Seaway Trailers, sees the "luxury camping" trend, driven by the baby boomers, growing. The Niagara Street RV centre sells everything from basic sleepers to luxury homes on wheels.

Martineau said the basic trailer comes with a fridge, stove, beds, dinning tables and little more. Upgraded trailers can include everything from central air to pullout beds controlled by remote. Some trailer manufacturers are now using hardwood and ceramic flooring while others offer leather interiors. She said all new models are wired for satellite or cable.

"The retirees, or baby boomers, are looking for something a little more luxurious," she said. "They're looking for a home away from home they can park somewhere."

Martineau said the majority of clients looking to purchase such models are also looking to spend a few months on their vacations. While weekend campers tend to stick to the basics, but add upgrades like air conditioning.

"When they stop they want all the luxuries of home without the hassles," she said. "They can just park the trailer in a campground turn on the TV and sit back."

While RVing has been largely driven by the retiree population, Ken Saulnier, sales manager of Niagara Trailers in Niagara-on-the-Lake, said that in the past 15 years the clientele has changed.

"Our target market today is 30 to 54," he said. "Young people are looking for all the amenities of home when they travel. It's a big difference from 15 to 20 years ago when our main clientele was 45 to 65 years of age."

Saulnier said the "pay-by-the-month" mentality of the younger generation has led to more and more RV sales to young families.

"They want the bells and whistles and will pay by the month to get it," he said.

Basic models at Niagara Trailers include air conditioning, stereos and microwaves and come wired for television. Luxury models offered at the St. David's dealership include surround sound, flat screen TVs, laundry appliances and fireplaces.

"Anything you can have in a house you can have in a trailer," Saulnier said.

Luxury camping isn't just for those traveling on wheels. Those camping in a tent can bring the luxuries of home to their campsite and big box retailers are catering to the trend.

Canadian Tire sells a memory foam camping bed for $300, Sears offers campers their own portable shower for $100. Some manufacturers are even offering collapsible wardrobes and portable gourmet kitchens.

Campgrounds are tapping into the trend. Most Niagara campgrounds offer more than the regular camping experience.

Bissell's Hideaway and Sherkston Shores offer guests a full water park among other amenities. Most campgrounds offer campers WiFi wireless Internet access.