Money and affordability are often key considerations when it comes to taking any sort of vacation and this also rings very true in the case of RV Camping trips. The following excerpt from an article which appeared on RVing.how is full of great tips on how to achieve significant savings in order to make it possible for you to RV on the cheap!
“Everyone loves taking a vacation – but that vacation doesn’t always fit nicely into the family budget. In order to take a great family trip that will be remembered for years to come, you might need to get a little creative in developing a plan that doesn’t break the bank. Fortunately, if you are an RV owner, there are plenty of great options for fun and affordable vacations.
Stay Close to Home
Purchasing gas to power your RV is one of the most expensive parts of an RV vacation, so stay close to home in order to save money. There are great RV campgrounds all across the country, and there is a good chance that you will be able to find some nice options within a short drive of your house. As an added benefit, you will limit the number of miles you are putting on your RV, meaning that it should be able to last longer into the future. Start your campground search looking for destinations within one hour of home and slowly expand that range until you find a suitable option.
Cook All of Your Meals in the RV
Your RV comes with a kitchen – so use it! Dining out is a quick way to make your trip more expensive. By planning meals out ahead of time and taking all of the food you will need, you can avoid trips to a restaurant each evening. Also, try to do your grocery shopping prior to leaving home so you can look around town for the best deals. If you are headed to a rural destination and don’t shop until you arrive, you may have to pay higher food prices due to the lack of options in the area.
Avoid RV Resorts
Think twice before you reserve a space at an RV resort, as these types of facilities often charge higher nightly rates. Instead, look for RV campgrounds in State Parks, National Forests, etc. When you stay with a private business, you are almost always going to have to spend more for your spot. By planning ahead, you should be able to find a great campground on public land for a fair rate.
Favor Free (or Cheap) Activities
One of the great things about vacationing in an RV is gaining access to free or cheap activities during your trip. Many RV campgrounds will have access to trails for hiking, roads for biking, or water for swimming and fishing. Each of these activities can usually be enjoyed for free or for a small fee (such as a fishing license). Also, try to bring activities from home that you can set up in your campsite to add to the enjoyment of the trip.
Travel with Friends
If you own a large RV that has more room than your family needs, ask friends to accompany you for the trip. You could plan to split costs on gas and campground fees to make the trip more affordable for everyone. Not only does this method save some money, but it also provides you with a great opportunity to spend valuable time with your friends…”
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It’s always useful to discover lots of great tips on how to RV on the cheap. However, as coffee addicts ourselves :), we do recommend stretching your budget just a little and get yourself a decent quality portable coffee pot. It will be money very well spent and totally worth it!