RVing can be one of the most rewarding traveling experiences, whether you are full-timing it or just taking a family road trip vacation. The costs can add up, especially if you do not know what to expect or what is available. Here we will go through a few basic (and some common sense) tips for your next big adventure to help you stay on budget and keep the good times rolling!
First things First: Gas
If you are just about to hit the road for the first time in your new RV, or even if you rent one for your vacation, you may not expect the difference in miles per gallon you are about to witness. It can be a shock to the system and your wallet that first day. From my own personal experience, an average day on the road is 10 mpg. It does not have to be a 40-foot fifth-wheel or Class A the size of a Greyhound bus either for that to be the case. I am talking about a travel trailer under 30 feet long. So, pennies on every gallon make a difference and add up fast. Try using an app like Gas Buddy that finds real-time fuel prices at more than 140,000 gas stations in the United States, Canada, and Australia.
*One thing I will add here, and it may not save you money but can save you a big headache, try planning your gas stops ahead of time and scoping them out on something like Google Maps using satellite view (data signal permitting). Not every gas station you see on the road is designed with RVers in mind and you can save yourself time and trouble by just going another mile or so down that highway to the one that has more space for you to maneuver in and out of.
Memberships
If you travel often you may want to consider signing up for one or even multiple campground memberships. Services like Good Sam, Passport America or Escapees to name just a few are great ways to save money at participating sites. The membership fees are usually less than $100 and can save you up to 50% on your stay! Just keep in mind participating campgrounds tend to have restrictions on when the discount can be used (e.g., “off-season” only or Monday-Thursday/no weekends) or even on how many consecutive days you can use it for. Do your research and pick the membership that fits your travel plans and location the best.
Boondocking
Some people’s definition of boondocking may vary, but essentially it involves not having any of your usual hook-ups (sewer, water, electric) and it is usually free – and if not free, very inexpensive. While the idea of dry-docking may scare some people, this can open you up to some really amazing off-grid locations and unique experiences. Boondocking is more common on public lands like the Bureau of Land Management lands or sometimes even in National and State Forests.
Work Camping
Of course, how could we not mention work camping!? If you are looking to stay in an area for a bit and keep costs low this can be a great way to do it. It is beneficial for both you and the campground and often leaves you with plenty of time during the week for adventure. Sometimes, the work at the campground itself will even be much of the adventure! What you are signing up for here is essentially a free site to park your RV on, usually with hook-ups (but not always) in exchange for working in the campground or park. This can include jobs like camp host, maintenance, landscaping, etc. The number of hours per week varies as does the length of the overall commitment. Most places want someone in place throughout an entire season, so this is not something to count on for a two-week trip. We can help you get started by looking at available work camping positions — and you can also create a work camping resume for free.
Meals
Here comes the commonsense portion of our discussion, meals. Now you may have noticed that your RV has something resembling a kitchen area inside of it. Go ahead, take a look. Okay, now much like when you are at home, preparing food is usually less expensive than ordering out every night. Take advantage of that propane stovetop or oven and stock that ‘fridge to help save on eating out non-stop. We all know how that can add up, especially if you are with the whole family. Break out that grill or test your camp-fire cooking skills for some lower-cost, campground food fun!
The list can go on with locations, opportunities, tips, and tricks to save money on the road and so of course we will look to bring you more information in future posts. We hope that this helps, for now, to get those wheels turning!
Safe travels to you all, and remember…
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”― Mark Twain