Tips & Tricks on saving $$$ while RV'ing

[Nwcid]

Originally Posted by Bobby F

My "sweet spot" is zero mph.

In other words, since fuel got so spendy, I have learned to stay in each spot longer and enjoy myself, until I've exhausted the area's fun. No more "two days here three days there with a rest stop in between" dashing around.

I have been in my current spot for 13 days. Started feeling a little bored this morning. So, tomorrow morning, I'm off.

Well of course zero is zero.

When you are trying finding the sweet spot for your rig helps.

But in my case the difference between 63 MPH and 68 MPH is typically right around 1 MPG. If I push up over 68 MPH, things drop even quicker. I can do 85 MPH all day long and not break a sweat, but not worth it in many ways

[rbTN]

Originally Posted by twinboat

Town, County, State and Federal parks save $.
.... Some town and county parks are not on some CG search apps

would you offer suggestions on how to find them if not on the normal apps? I use 3 or 4 different apps at times and have only found a couple, but they were nice and had very reasonable prices.

[lorim]

Originally Posted by rbTN

would you offer suggestions on how to find them if not on the normal apps? I use 3 or 4 different apps at times and have only found a couple, but they were nice and had very reasonable prices.

Somebody suggested Allstays on another post, I looked it up, did a local search and found they do list those local sites that others do not. https://www.allstays.com/
They don't have an app for Android but they do for IPhone (there's a fee). Website is free and has a premium membership too. After poking around a bit I think this is a great planning tool. I'll be saving this one to my camping research sites.

[Nwcid]

Originally Posted by rbTN

would you offer suggestions on how to find them if not on the normal apps? I use 3 or 4 different apps at times and have only found a couple, but they were nice and had very reasonable prices.

That is why I do not use any apps, you are relying on what that app has input and feels is important. I use a simple google search because "google knows all" and is not limited like an app.

Google the town or area you want to be in for RV hook ups, camping or other similar terms. Check the tourism site, or city/county site for that town or area. Check their fairground site or similar site that draws large groups of people. Do not forget to check places like casinos if there are any in the area.

[twogypsies]

Looks like this got off the wrong track.

Here is the OP's question "What's your tips and tricks for saving money while out on the road?"

[hemifoot]

our plan is simple.we don't do restaurants and we try and free boondock as much as possible,unless we hit a trophy fishing lake where there is usually a small fee,and i tie my own flies.we rarely use provincial parks or private cg's.it's not easy penny pinching so we don't stress about it too much but we try and save a bit where ever we can.here in B.C. if you're paying to camp you're not really trying to save money.

[brandss]

I have one that hasn't been mentioned and it is to learn to do a lot of the maintenance items yourself. Now a days with the internet one can almost get step by step instructions on anything. There are certain things I do pay for that require a higher level skill set and proper tools but when I think about all of the stuff that one has to do to stay on top of their rig, so much of it can be done by me vs calling "the man".

Before anyone says anything, I do realize some people don't have the physical ability to do a lot of these things. I myself am on my third artificial shoulder and cannot get my arms into tight places so things like this, I have to call someone.

[Camp CA]

Originally Posted by lorim

What's your tips and tricks for saving money while out on the road?............

Biggest biggest cost savings in my experience in 20 years are: 1) campground memberships/clubs and 2) cooking in.

[saddlesore]

We are Full Timers

About the only things I can add is..
Limit amount of times You "Dine Out" . We try to limit to two meals a week.
Carry a fishing pole & gear..then USE IT!

"Stay Put" for longer periods of time.. We try to do one to four months in one place..

Then We can take our time and really "See" the area..
NOTE! For our rig... One tank of fuel at today's prices Equal 2 months of Monthly campground rental fees)
Speaking of Monthly stays.. IF the electricity is "Metered"..(We have Diesel plus Electric AquaHot for heat and hot water).. I found that I really lowered the monthly electric bill by turning the electric element[s] off, and just using the diesel burner as needed for heat or hot water for dishes/showers..then turn back off when done. (like over $100 savings by doing this)
We do NOT have Solar.. Even At Today's fuel prices, it would Still take a minimum of 10/12 Years just to break even vs buying fuel for the generator.( I've yet to see enough solar panels & batteries on an RV to run A/C all night)

Grocery Shopping
We replaced the Damnetic #1492 propane/electric fridge with a Samsung 18 cf residential.. EVERYTHING Stays cold/frozen now, NO EXCUSES..
We now can buy "Family Packs" of meat/pork/chicken & fish.
And purchased a vacuum sealer and quart bags..

We separate and seal one "meal for two" amounts of everything and stuff them into the freezer (also have a small 110v apartment/dorm mini chest freezer in basement)

Make full use of an Instapot or Crockpot.
LAUNDRY... If You are lucky enough to have a combo (or stacked) W/D.. USE THEM.. ( those quarters can really add up in the campground Laundromat)
Clubs, Apps,and Such..
We are Members of the Eagles and the Elks..Some have Member Only campgrounds at a minimal price.
Those who are retired Military have use of FamCamps..
We do not belong to TT/Encore or similar, For Us, They Just don't "Pencil Out" at this time.

For Fuel Savings.
We use the "OpenRoads" by TDS, and the "Mudflap" Fuel discount Programs..
Note! Both have stated that they will offer Gasoline Discounts in the near future.
We Do Not use Store/gas station Discount cards..Walmart/Costco etc. They normally have $$ or gallon amount limits.. per purchase or time frame..

(Our normal Purchase amount is 150 gallons or more, and at nearly 70' long We don't "Fit".).
I'm sure that I've forgotten a bunch of items to consider.
Happy Trails

[radar]

Provincial parks when possible. Sometimes a third of the price of private parks. We have holding tanks. We don’t need sewer or water hookups.

If towing with an electric vehicle price compare the charge stations you are using. A lunch stop is 45 minutes to an hour by the time we eat and walk the chihuahua. A BC hydro or FLO 50 kw charger is slow but who cares if you are eating lunch. A Supercharger is twice as fast…but also twice as much. That’s 12 bucks in our pocket…and then we can afford that beer that some want to leave at home. Plus no one is bugging us to move our car and trailer halfway thru lunch. Slow chargers are kinda handy sometimes.

No bottled water. Keep your fresh tank sanitized and healthy and use it. Bottled water prices are crazy.

Cheers.

[saddlesore]

Originally Posted by radar

.

No bottled water. Keep your fresh tank sanitized and healthy and use it. Bottled water prices are crazy.

Cheers.

I concur.. Purchase a Good Filtration and Softener System to fill that tank..(And You will really like the shower water too)

[radar]

Originally Posted by saddlesore

I concur.. Purchase a Good Filtration and Softener System to fill that tank..

Ours is simpler than that but that looks amazing. Unfortunately with our little 18 foot trailer we have limited room for anything like we had on our diesel pusher. We use an online hose filter outside and a brita filter built into our decanter. So far so good.

[Rexlion]

I intend to buy an ebike, so I can explore the back roads and forest trails near my campsite without having to spend for gas. I'll recharge from my solar/battery bank... free fuel.


I'll probably get a fat tire 26" wheel ebike with a suspension fork. I think 20" wheels would be less desirable on rougher trails, although that probably means the bike won't fold.

[SomeDay]

Just came back 3 days ago, from a 4 week trip from Alberta through Idaho Panhandle, across Washington to Spokane and down south to Pendleton and Bend Oregon, then across and up the Oregon and Washington Coast with a side trip to San Juan. We didn't pay for any CG's, ate out once = a portion of 3 pieces fish & Chips shared and small bowl Chowder $30inc tip by the sea, and two lots of coffee/cake shares at $9 in Fairhaven Bellingham WA and $14 in Bellevue!

So we do treat ourselves just controlled. We also don't buy bottled water/drinks generally or prepackaged foods tending to cook from scratch in the RV like at home.

Hubby has a lead foot but promised and really did try to keep his speed around 50/55mph which definitely helped hugely on gas consumption this time as well. Besides which the roads were so awful, not just rough but twisty from left to right front to rear diagonal so that kept our speeds down.

On a side note: Interestingly we were amazed the vast difference between diesel and gas prices/gallon over a buck variation, compared to here it's only 10cents variation per litre one over the other. Just purely a FYI observation on our recent travels. We saw gas from $4.35/gallon on First Nations areas to $5.69/gallon near and on the coast.