Taking a vacation in an RV is considered a luxury. For one, RVs don’t come cheap, especially if you buy one of your own. Secondly, the costs of living and traveling in an RV can be very high, not including the money you have to spend on food, utilities, parking, and other fees.
For these reasons, here are the best ways to save money and still enjoy your RV experience:
1. Consider renting first
If you’ve never experienced traveling in an RV before, it’s better to rent an RV first. When you feel that traveling in an RV is something you can see yourself doing frequently in the foreseeable future, that’s the time when you can consider buying an RV from a reliable RV dealer in Springfield and other places.
2. Learn how to drive an RV
You shouldn’t drive an RV as fast as a normal car. Because an RV is heavier and larger than regular vehicles, it uses more gas to run, more so if you go faster than 55 miles per hour. Thus, it is crucial for your fuel savings to learn how to drive an RV properly. Aside from not driving too fast, abrupt stops, swerving, and jackhammer driving are also not recommended.
3. Bring only what you need
The heavier your RV is, the less your gas mileage is. Hence, another excellent way to save money is by packing only what you need. Don’t bring unnecessary items on your trip, especially if they will contribute a significant amount of weight to your RV’s load.
4. Maintain your RV regularly
Preventive maintenance can go a long way in reducing your RV expenses. Take your RV to a reliable mechanic for tune-ups as needed so that you can save money on repair bills–and more importantly, reduce the chances of your rig breaking down in the middle of the road. Moreover, take the time to learn basic maintenance and repair for your RV in case you need to do it yourself.
5. Travel off-peak
Other costs of RV travel include parking, amenities, and entertainment. Fortunately, you can save money on these expenses by traveling off-season when fees tend to be lower.
6. Ensure correct tire pressure and wheel alignment
Not only will proper tire pressure make your RV easier to drive, but it will also help you save money on gas. Before heading out, make sure your tires are properly inflated. Similarly, check your RV’s wheel alignment to see if it’s correctly balanced.
7. Turn off your AC
Try to reduce your AC usage throughout the day and only turn it on when necessary. If you’re traveling in the summer, open the windows and try to drive at the coolest times of the day (early morning and late afternoon).
Traveling via RV can be a fun vacation experience for everyone in the family, but it can also be quite expensive. However, use these tips to save money on driving and maintaining your RV, and then think about how to reduce other vacation costs, such as food, amenities, and entertainment.