No matter where you go, you’re already home. This is one of the many joys of taking a vacation or even living full time in a motor home.
Construction of new homes dropped dramatically in America after the 2008 economic recession, but not in Elkhart County in northern Indiana because half of the recreational vehicles on America’s roads today were built there.
An easier way of life
The Coronavirus pandemic forced people to stay in their homes, but others chose to leave and end up in recreational vehicles. But the majority of new RV sales were made to people who were looking for a new lifestyle that did not require a large empty house, shovel snow, pay ever-increasing property taxes while offering the freedom to be on the road.
With children growing up, work slowing down, and as the end of the mortgage payment approaches, many people are starting to think about life on the road. Homes and motorhome lifestyles differ greatly. Some couples invest in a million-dollar vehicle with as many amenities as a Manhattan apartment. Others spend $65,000 on a new vehicle that can accommodate six people or $25,000 for a used version of the same vehicle with good longevity.
Are campgrounds expensive?
If you are traveling in the United States, the price of a place to park your vehicle ranges from $100 a night in some RV parks to free on desert land owned by the Federal Government Land Management Bureau.
Arrive at most Walmarts after 9 p.m. and you’ll see several motorhomes parked for free overnight at one end of the large parking lot. When Sam Walton opened his first big box store in Bentonville, Arkansas, he was amazed by the size of the parking lot. A long-time camper, he told his staff that if someone arrived in the parking lot for the night, he should be allowed to stay.
Some Walmart parking lots look like RV centers. In Galveston, Texas, the parking lot is practically on a beach in the Gulf of Mexico, and the sound of the waves rocks and falls asleep.
Truck stops are another option. Dozens of 18 wheels park for the night at each Flying J Truck relay, but they are separated from dozens of RVs that are also parked for the night. The Flying J’s and similar truck stops are popular with RV travelers because they can get freshwater, drain their sewers and buy gasoline at competitive prices.
Everything you need to know
There are dozens of blogs written by couples who have been traveling in VR full-time for years and describe their daily lives on the open road. You’ll find everything from recipes to compact RV kitchens to replacing a water pump. Just ask Google.
As much as campers like to travel, they are aware that this hobby can be expensive. Fortunately, there are ways to travel in VR without breaking the bank. To help beginners, here are 7 tips we think useful for you to save money while on the road.
- Buy used RV
Of course, buying a used RV will save you money, but that’s not all. As a beginner, it is inevitable that you will make some mistakes and it may be better to make those mistakes with a used RV. In addition, before you spend on an RV, you’ll be sure that this hobby is really right for you.
- Do less mileage
Traveling closer to home is a great way to save money while maintaining the fun of traveling with an RV. This will reduce your spending on gas and your maintenance costs will also decrease. You may be surprised to discover that many interesting VR destinations are within a reasonable distance of your home.
- Visiting friends and family
To save the cost of overnight stays on a campground, why not consider visiting your friends and family? Of course, they must be able to host an RV, but if that’s the case, this is an opportunity to save money while spending time with people that are precious to you.
- Don’t overestimate your needs
One of the reasons you bought an RV is that you want to spend more time outdoors, so why not resist the temptation to buy an RV that exceeds your needs? Buy a smaller RV and spend more time outdoors!
- Find the best insurance package
An often unsung way to save a little money on a monthly basis is to shop around for insurance and try to match multiple policies into a single package. In this regard, FQCC members are fortunate to be able to receive up to 20% off when they insure their RV with AVIVA (through Leclerc Insurance or one of its partner brokers).
- Be astute with meals and food
If your RV has a kitchen space, save on food by planning a meal list before you leave and buying everything you need for those meals in advance. By packing your food properly and using your storage space astutely, you’ll avoid expensive outings to restaurants.
- Share your VR
If you have close friends who would also like to buy an RV, perhaps it is possible to share it? Of course, you have to agree on a schedule at the beginning of the season, but if the co-owners are people you know well and trust, this solution can work.
Last-minute tip
It’s easy to fall into the trap and think you just have to throw a few tricks in your RV at the last minute, fill the vehicle with gas, and hit the road. Unless you’re a trailer pro, you’re probably going to want to set aside some time to think about it. Starting meal planning, collecting supplies, and searching for campgrounds a few months in advance can only help!
This is especially true if you are traveling with children or pets. Take the time to work on your trip well in advance. It’ll keep you from stressing out a few days before you leave. Unforeseen events cause emergency shutdowns, and stops mean less time to explore and have fun.
We hope these tips will help you avoid any last-minute panic.