Frugal Rv Traveling Tips: Keeping an Eye on the Road â?? and your Budget

Hitting the road in your RV and the RV lifestyle can be one of the most economical ways to travel. If you do a little planning and research ahead of time, itâ??s easy to save even more â?? without ever feeling like youâ??re pinching pennies.

One obvious way to take the frugal route is to plan your RV travel during the â??shoulder seasonsâ? – before and after prime travel time – when discounts are often offered at various campgrounds and attractions. Here are 5 cost-cutting RV travel tips that are good any time of the year:1. RV Travel On One Tank of Gas

Remember the ending to The Wizard of Oz, when Dorothy says she doesnâ??t have to look any further than her own backyard to find her heartâ??s desire? Well, weâ??re not suggesting camping out right outside the house, but think about going to places not too far away that youâ??ve always meant to check out.

Youâ??ll be surprised at how many new and interesting destinations are just one tank of gas away. A lot of territory can be covered in just a few hundred miles, and youâ??re bound to discover exciting locations you never knew existed so close to home.Tip: Your neighborhood library is a terrific resource for researching local and state information and attractions â?? and most of it is free!2. Put Your RV On A Diet And Get Better Gas-Mileage

Itâ??s a simple fact that the less your RV weighs, the more mileage youâ??ll get on the road. Look around for places in your rig where you can institute a â??less is moreâ? policy.

For example, you donâ??t have to set out with a full, fresh water tank for your RV excursion. Take what you need for the first dayâ??s travel, plus a small reserve, and fill up once youâ??ve reached your dayâ??s destination.

Forget that bulky, economy-sized can of coffee: empty a smaller amount into an airtight plastic container that you can refill later. (One place not to cut back, though, is tire inflation: riding on fully inflated tires is a sure way to increase your gas mileage.)Tip: When buying food staples, consider dehydrated items like soup and dried fruit, and transfer cereal and pasta from bulky boxes into heavy-duty plastic bags â?? not only do they take up less space, you can reuse them once theyâ??re empty!3. Plastic not Paper Dinnerware – A More Economical Approach Overall

Sure, the eat-and-toss approach of paper plates and cups is the easy way to go â?? and might even seem economical when you buy in bulk. But lightweight, inexpensive plastic dishes are easy to find, and while they might not last forever, theyâ??ll certainly see you through the duration of a long-distance RV excursion.

Choosing plastic over a big stack of paper goods is also another way to save on weight, especially when youâ??re starting out on your RV trip. Tip: Buy your plastic ware in a mix-and-match variety of vibrant colors, and these snazzy dishes will brighten up even the simplest road fare!4. Drive Less, Stay More – Save on Gas AND Get Campsite Discounts

When creating your RV travel itinerary, consider making fewer stops and spending more time at each destination. This will save on fuel and campsites costs as most of them offer discounts for lengthier stays.

By driving less and staying more, youâ??ll receive an additional benefit: Itâ??s much more relaxing to know that once youâ??ve turned off the ignition youâ??re settling in for a while. Also, by spending more time in one place, youâ??ll be able to do some more in-depth exploring of the area.Tip: Look online at the local newspaper for the area youâ??ll be visiting. Check for listings of events that you might not hear about otherwise â?¦ and donâ??t forget to look in the classifieds for yard sales and flea markets, too!5. Stop and Shop – At Local Discount or Dollar Stores

When you need to refill on groceries avoid supermarkets and convenience stores where prices are at a premium. Instead, look for local discount and dollar stores and roadside fruit and vegetable stands — depending on the season. You might not save much money there, but thereâ??s nothing better than freshly picked produce.

Keep an eye open for discount outlets in the area. And stop at flea markets and yard sales where you might find a one-of-a-kind treasure. Not only do these unconventional choices offer the opportunity to find unusual items, itâ??s a great way to get to know the local neighborhoods and people.Tip: Keep your birthday and holiday gift list handy â?? you might spot the perfect knickknack for a family member at someoneâ??s yard sale!Some Final Frugal RV Travel Tips:

- Make use of the cheaper parks, like state parks

- Join Good Sam Club for 10% discount at their parks

- Subscribe to RV magazines for great ideas on RV travel

- Shop around for best prices on camping stuff like Wal-Mart, K-Mart, GI Joes – instead of RV stores

- Avoid buying your RV â??suppliesâ? – like toilet paper – that claim to be for RVs/motorhomes. Save money and buy the cheap stuff.

- Save money and cook all your meals in the RV; don’t eat out. You can even make dishes ahead and store in your RV’s refrigerator

- Ask for senior discounts everywhere you go

- If members of AAA, see if any campgrounds give discounts. Look at a “Trailer Life Campground Directory” at your local library to compare camping fees.

- Plan!!

Rv Travel Tips for the Beginner and Seasoned Rv Enthusiast

There’s never been a better time to take up the RV life. Whether you’re a weekend wanderer, a snowbird or a full-timer, there’s an RV to suit any travel budget and any taste. With baby boomers starting to hit retirement age, more and more people are taking to the road with their motor home, RV or travel trailer. The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association recently reported that nearly 8 million American households have and RV, motor home or travel trailer and that there are as many as 30 million RV enthusiasts in the US.Seeing the country in an RV offers many benefits to the traveler looking for an affordable and exciting way to spend quality family time. According to one study, a family of four can save up to 74% traveling by RV instead of more conventional ways. And with more than 16,000 public and privately-owned campgrounds in the US, there’s a site to fulfill everyone’s vacation fantasy, whether it’s an oceanfront view, hiking trails, casino gambling or tennis. RV travel is easy to learn, and once you’ve got the hang of it, there’ll be no going back! Here are six helpful tips that will come in handy for both the beginning and seasoned RV enthusiast:Map it OutA large part of the RV appeal is the exhilarating freedom of the open road to go wherever you want, whenever you want. But it helps to have a solid travel plan in place. If you know where you’re heading, you can determine the best route, which offers the most interesting places to see. Look in travel guides, contact tourism boards in states you’ll be passing through, and search on the Internet. Make sure to have the correct road maps with you; a GPS system is a good idea as well, especially if you’re new to this kind of travel. If you’ve carefully designed the route you’ll be taking, it makes it easier to do spur-of-the moment things like checking out that oddball museum you just spotted on a roadside billboard! Have A Checklist? Just CheckingDuring your pre-trip prep, in addition to working out what needs to be in the RV, put together a thorough checklist of things to do when setting up at a campground. There are the basics, like finding out where all the campground connections are, making sure your RV is level and properly hooking up your water, gas and electric systems but don’t forget comfort concerns, like making sure you’ve packed your favorite CDs and DVDs and those new lawn chairs. Equally important, you should have a second checklist of what has to be done when you break camp, both in terms of setting up your RV for departure (quick hint: when you think the job is done and everything is ready, check again). Be Prepared – Have A ‘Just-For-The-RV’ First Aid KitAlways make sure you have a fully stocked, up-to-date, just-for-the-RV First Aid kit, and keep it in an outside storage compartment. It should include basic medical supplies (bandages, ointment, OTC pain reliever, insect repellant, scissors, etc.) and items like a flashlight, paper and writing implements, and a disposable camera in case you have to take photos of an accident site. If you don’t feel up to the task of putting one together yourself, an extensive range of ready-made First Aid kits are available for purchase. Also include an emergency supply of must-have medications and a list of important contact names (family members, doctors, insurance agents etc).Camping with KidsIf you’re traveling with children, make sure to set aside time during the day for outdoor activities, as even the roomiest RV can be confining for kids. And give each child his or her own space in the RV, no matter how small, for personal stuff and toys and games. RV traveling is a unique opportunity for your children to see new and different places and faces. There are often plenty of other kids at campgrounds but be sure to walk around a new campground with your children when you first get settled there. They need to know which campsite you’re in and how to find it from other places on the grounds. If you’re also taking the family pet, check beforehand to see if they’re allowed at the campgroundA Little Help From Your FriendsWhen in doubt, ask your fellow RVer. However well-traveled you might be, odds are there’s someone you’ll meet along the way who has been somewhere you haven’t, solved a problem you haven’t yet encountered, or spotted an out-of-the-way delight you’ve never heard of. No matter how much research you’ve done, there’s bound to be a campsite you haven’t read about, a storage system that has escaped your notice or a funny anecdote that you’ll laugh about for years to come. The new folks you meet may or may not become close friends for life, but they’re an important part of the journey.

Frugal Rv Traveling Tips: Keeping an Eye on the Road â?? and your Budget

Hitting the road in your RV and the RV lifestyle can be one of the most economical ways to travel. If you do a little planning and research ahead of time, itâ??s easy to save even more â?? without ever feeling like youâ??re pinching pennies.

One obvious way to take the frugal route is to plan your RV travel during the â??shoulder seasonsâ? – before and after prime travel time – when discounts are often offered at various campgrounds and attractions. Here are 5 cost-cutting RV travel tips that are good any time of the year:1. RV Travel On One Tank of Gas

Remember the ending to The Wizard of Oz, when Dorothy says she doesnâ??t have to look any further than her own backyard to find her heartâ??s desire? Well, weâ??re not suggesting camping out right outside the house, but think about going to places not too far away that youâ??ve always meant to check out.

Youâ??ll be surprised at how many new and interesting destinations are just one tank of gas away. A lot of territory can be covered in just a few hundred miles, and youâ??re bound to discover exciting locations you never knew existed so close to home.Tip: Your neighborhood library is a terrific resource for researching local and state information and attractions â?? and most of it is free!2. Put Your RV On A Diet And Get Better Gas-Mileage

Itâ??s a simple fact that the less your RV weighs, the more mileage youâ??ll get on the road. Look around for places in your rig where you can institute a â??less is moreâ? policy.

For example, you donâ??t have to set out with a full, fresh water tank for your RV excursion. Take what you need for the first dayâ??s travel, plus a small reserve, and fill up once youâ??ve reached your dayâ??s destination.

Forget that bulky, economy-sized can of coffee: empty a smaller amount into an airtight plastic container that you can refill later. (One place not to cut back, though, is tire inflation: riding on fully inflated tires is a sure way to increase your gas mileage.)Tip: When buying food staples, consider dehydrated items like soup and dried fruit, and transfer cereal and pasta from bulky boxes into heavy-duty plastic bags â?? not only do they take up less space, you can reuse them once theyâ??re empty!3. Plastic not Paper Dinnerware – A More Economical Approach Overall

Sure, the eat-and-toss approach of paper plates and cups is the easy way to go â?? and might even seem economical when you buy in bulk. But lightweight, inexpensive plastic dishes are easy to find, and while they might not last forever, theyâ??ll certainly see you through the duration of a long-distance RV excursion.

Choosing plastic over a big stack of paper goods is also another way to save on weight, especially when youâ??re starting out on your RV trip. Tip: Buy your plastic ware in a mix-and-match variety of vibrant colors, and these snazzy dishes will brighten up even the simplest road fare!4. Drive Less, Stay More – Save on Gas AND Get Campsite Discounts

When creating your RV travel itinerary, consider making fewer stops and spending more time at each destination. This will save on fuel and campsites costs as most of them offer discounts for lengthier stays.

By driving less and staying more, youâ??ll receive an additional benefit: Itâ??s much more relaxing to know that once youâ??ve turned off the ignition youâ??re settling in for a while. Also, by spending more time in one place, youâ??ll be able to do some more in-depth exploring of the area.Tip: Look online at the local newspaper for the area youâ??ll be visiting. Check for listings of events that you might not hear about otherwise â?¦ and donâ??t forget to look in the classifieds for yard sales and flea markets, too!5. Stop and Shop – At Local Discount or Dollar Stores

When you need to refill on groceries avoid supermarkets and convenience stores where prices are at a premium. Instead, look for local discount and dollar stores and roadside fruit and vegetable stands — depending on the season. You might not save much money there, but thereâ??s nothing better than freshly picked produce.

Keep an eye open for discount outlets in the area. And stop at flea markets and yard sales where you might find a one-of-a-kind treasure. Not only do these unconventional choices offer the opportunity to find unusual items, itâ??s a great way to get to know the local neighborhoods and people.Tip: Keep your birthday and holiday gift list handy â?? you might spot the perfect knickknack for a family member at someoneâ??s yard sale!Some Final Frugal RV Travel Tips:

- Make use of the cheaper parks, like state parks

- Join Good Sam Club for 10% discount at their parks

- Subscribe to RV magazines for great ideas on RV travel

- Shop around for best prices on camping stuff like Wal-Mart, K-Mart, GI Joes – instead of RV stores

- Avoid buying your RV â??suppliesâ? – like toilet paper – that claim to be for RVs/motorhomes. Save money and buy the cheap stuff.

- Save money and cook all your meals in the RV; don’t eat out. You can even make dishes ahead and store in your RV’s refrigerator

- Ask for senior discounts everywhere you go

- If members of AAA, see if any campgrounds give discounts. Look at a “Trailer Life Campground Directory” at your local library to compare camping fees.

- Plan!!