Keeping RV Expenses Under Control

Full Time RV Living - Keeping Expenses Under Control
By Franz Williamsand Hilga Williams

Full time RV living is such a wonderful thing, but expenses can get out of control if you don't have a plan to keep things manageable. One of the things most RVers talk about when costs rise is of course fuel. When fuel costs run in the four to five dollar a gallon range, and given that most bigger RV's get in the range of six to eleven miles per gallon, this can be a big expense when you are always on the move.

So, how can you make full time RV living as affordable as possible by keeping expenses under control? Here may be some ways you can cut the costs without cutting the lifestyle. Most of these ideas involve just changing old habits for more cost effective ones.

Let's address the biggest first: fuel costs. Do you know that for each mile per hour faster you drive, fuel usage goes up exponentially. Being that Hilga and I have been enjoying the full time RV living lifestyle for four years now, we can't understand why others feel it's so important to cruise along at seventy five miles per hour. We are never in a hurry when we travel. Are they? What's the rush? There is so much to see along the way, and at sixty two miles an hour my RV hums along in overdrive at sixteen hundred rpm's. I get in the low teens when I am on the road. And that's because I know my rig and what speed it runs at most efficiently. Think about it and give it a try.

Also, along the same lines, avoid quick starts and stops. Most people following an RV know we are not in a sports car going zero to sixty in five seconds. Given you are part of the full time RV living lifestyle, and hauling your home around the country, it takes it a bit to get it up to speed. And that's okay! If people are in a big hurry, they can go around you! After all, it's all about kinetic energy and torque!

Don't forget about proper tire pressure based on the weight of your loaded rig. To do it right, you have to know the weight on each tire, and set cold tire pressure accordingly. I always set tire pressure before each trip and keep it monitored constantly by using my tire pressure monitoring system(tpms). There was one trip that a tire started to slowly lose pressure. It turned out to be a lose tire valve, which I repaired quickly. Had I not been traveling with my tpms I would not have known and suffered severe tire and rig damage. I am a big fan of a tpms! Oh, by the way, you can save three percent on your fuel usage by having your tires at the proper pressure!

When staying at campgrounds and RV parks, instead of staying on a nightly rate, as about the weekly rate. If you are going to be in an area for a while, the monthly rates are always a better deal. Off season is another time to really get great rates. Using a club like Passport America can also add up to great savings given the fifty percent discount on campgrounds around the country. If you are setup for it, boon-docking sites offer tremendous savings.

Eating out really adds up, not only cost wise, but also in the extra calories you don't need. The typical meal out is way more food than you require, and unfortunately people don't use a dogie bag, they just eat it all. So, cut the costs and calories and eat in. One of the best parts of the full time RV living lifestyle is the ability to get great foods around the country and cook them in your RV. Buy from farmers markets, roadside stands, U-pick farms and orchards. It's healthier and the savings add up!

There are many more ways to cut the expenses when you enjoy the full time RV living lifestyle, but I want to add just one more, and that is workamping. When staying in a location for months on end, you can work at parks that hire RVers to fill the gaps in the busy seasons, especially in the summer. Winter jobs are a little harder to find but Hilga and I have always found something. You just have to know what employers are looking for when it comes to campgrounds and RV parks.

So, try a few of these cost saving ideas and you will find that full time RV living doesn't have to break he bank, but in fact can be a very cost effective lifestyle for those who yearn to hit the road and be adventurous nomads.

Thanks for stopping by! Franz and Hilga have been RVing for 10 years, and enjoying full time RV living for 4 years (they live 365 days a year in their RV). With over 50,000 miles traveled in RV's, they have many useful experiences to share. If you are interested in the full time RV living lifestyle, you can visit http://www.yourfulltimervliving.com for more articles, pictures, and updates.

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