Category: RV Tips

The Top 4 RV Camping Tips That Save You Money

This article’s purpose is to help you learn my top 4 RV camping tips that will help you save money.

And, of all the expenses that an RV owner encounters, often the biggest by far is camping costs. This is especially true if a lot of time is spent in campgrounds.

That’s because the cost of staying at a campground in an RV at the time of this writing is an average of $30 – $35 a night.

So, a full-time RVer that spends all of their time in RV campgrounds would spend almost $11,000 a year at $30/night. That’s a big hit to an RVer’s budget!

But I am only going to cover ways to lower RV campground costs in this article. Boondocking is another subject entirely, and I’ll discuss it in another article.

And these tips are mainly for RV full-timers and part-timers. In other words, those who spend a lot of time in their RV in campgrounds. So let’s get started!

Watch my video on the top 3 ways to save money on campgrounds

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RV Camping Tips #1 – Thousand Trails

I won’t go into all the details about Thousand Trails in this article. That will be for another time.

But I just want to explain how that having a Thousand Trails membership is a great way to save money on camping costs.

In fact, of all the RV camping tips that I can offer, I feel that this is the one with the most potential savings. This is especially true for full-time RVers.

To begin with, Thousand Trails (TT) has 81 camping parks in their system. But they also can offer 108 more Encore Resorts with their Trails Collection (TC) add-on package. This brings the total TT campgrounds to 189 altogether.

The TC does cost a little more, but it’s only a $299/year add-on at the time of this writing. So it’s well worth the extra spent.

I recommend starting with a Zone Pass from TT just to make sure that you become familiar with the TT system and like it.

A Zone Pass is a great way to try out TT first, and it costs about $600/year at the time of this writing. Then with the TC added on, it will only cost you about $900/year total for 0$/night camping. The more you use it, the more savings you get.

But if you are a part-time or full-time RVer, you will want to quickly move to an upgraded membership. And I recommend the Elite membership that allows you to move from park to park without leaving the TT system.

Thousand Trails – How Much Can You Save?

A map of all Thousand Trails campgrounds in the US
The Thousand Trails Zones and map of campground locations

I have an upcoming trip across the US from Arizona to New England. So let’s use that trip to illustrate the savings that a TT membership can offer.

The whole trip will take us about 3 months as we plan on taking our time as we go. And during that time we will only have to be out of the TT system for about 7 days total.

That means that for 83 days we will stay in TT campgrounds for 0$/night. At an average cost of $30/night for staying in a public campground, we save around $2500 in those 83 days.

And our sewer, electric and water are all included whenever we stay at TT parks. So we only have camping costs for the 7 days not spent at TT parks on that trip.

So how much does an Elite TT membership like ours cost? You can get a resale Elite membership for $4500 at the time of this writing.

That membership provides all of the TT benefits mentioned above for life. As you can see, I will recover well over half of my Elite membership in just that one 90 day trip.

So if we made a similar trip 4 times during the year, I would have paid for my lifetime membership in the first year easily with plenty of savings left over.

Then every year that I use my membership, from then on, my only camping costs are about $900/year. This includes the yearly dues of about $600 and the Trail Collection of Encore parks at about $300.

We can then travel all year and stay in TT parks for $900/year or about $2.50/night with full hookups.

I just don’t know how you can stay in campgrounds as an RV fulltimer for less. It’s one of my best RV camping tips!

Tip #2 – Passport America

Another great membership program is Passport America (PA). It only costs $44/year at the time of this writing and they offer campground discounts that are often around 50% off.

It’s such a low initial cost that it’s easy to recover the membership fee in just a few nights worth of camping. And from then on, your savings are all yours.

And there are about 1600 campgrounds that accept Passport America across the country. So chances are that you will be able to find a PA park close by no matter where you are.

There are some restrictions with PA that is determined by each individual park. Most of the restrictions limit the use of the membership during high traffic seasons of the year.

But if you use the PA card wisely, you can still get lots of use out of it and way more savings than the membership fee costs.

Tip #3 – Get Weekly Or Monthly Rates

Another way to save on campground costs is to slow down a bit. Don’t be so rushed to get on to the next destination.

This is because the most you will ever pay at a campground will be the single nightly rate.

But almost all campgrounds offer a discount for staying longer. And in many cases, the discounted rate can be significant.

So slowing down in your travels and spending more than just a few days in an area can be a smart move. It can save you lots of money in the long run.

Just ask for the weekly and monthly rate in the campgrounds you like. You may be surprised to find how much less those rates can be.

And besides, RVing shouldn’t just be a pell-mell rush to get to the next destination. So taking time to enjoy the journey can have solid financial advantages too!

RV Camping Tip #4 – Mobile Home Parks

Many RVers, even fulltimers, only think of RV parks and campgrounds for nightly stays.

But there are other places to stay in your RV that can save money too. One of those places is in local mobile home parks.

If you are going to be in an area for a few weeks, it pays to broaden your search for camping to include mobile home parks in the area.

Many MH parks have older models that age out and have to be removed. So they often set aside some of those spots for RVs because of the popularity of RV travel these days.

These sites will often be full hookups that include sewer, water and even 50 amp electric. And in many cases, the sites are more level than you would find in an RV campground.

The best part is that because it is not considered an RV campground, the camping spots are usually less expensive.

We have found MH parks that have beautiful sites and full hookups for as little as $22/night even in high season.

So, if you want to spend time in a particular area but find that the RV parks are all full, why not try the local MH parks? It can be a smart move that saves money!

Conclusion

There are lots of ways to save money when you stay at a campground. But these are some of my best RV camping tips.

And the more money you save, the more it’s likely that you can continue to have fun RV adventures.

Have safe and happy travels my friends!

Learn About The Top 5 Tips For Buying A Motorhome

Before you can think about buying a motorhome, let’s identify what a motorhome is. It’s an RV that has an engine and drivetrain built into the RV.

In other words, a motorhome does not need to be towed to go somewhere. It can travel down the road under its own power.

So what kind of RVs could be classified as a motorhome? Class A, Class B, Class C, and Super C RVs certainly meet those criteria.

That’s a lot of RVs to choose from. So how do you know which kind of RV will be best for you and the way you like to camp?

The tips I’m going to share with you will help you know whether or not the RV you are looking at is in good shape. Whether it has major issues that need attention or not.

But before you implement the 5 tips in this article you need to do some work in advance.

Watch my video about the top 5 tips for buying a motorhome

Table of Contents

Buying A Motorhome – Advance RV Knowledge Needed

Yes, before you start getting serious about any one RV, get to know RVs in general. That means that you need to visit dealer lots and RV shows for a while.

Go through as many different kinds of RV motorhomes as possible. See what the differences are between the various motorhome classes.

Try to decide which class of motorhome will fit your needs and your budget. Then decide whether buying a motorhome that is new or used will be your best choice.

The more motorhomes that you walk through and investigate, the more knowledge you will gain about them. And pretty soon you will get a feel for the kind of motorhome that you feel fits your situation best.

Take your time in this stage. Don’t rush it. Even if it takes several months or even years, that’s OK. Getting to know the various motorhome classes is vital to making a good decision.

Tip #1 – Get To Know The RV Living Space

Once you have decided which motorhome class fits you, it’s time to look at individual RVs. And one of the most important considerations in any RV is – how does the living space work for you?

In general, there are only so many ways that the living area can be designed in an RV. And not everyone likes the sames layout.

So is the kitchen big enough for you? What is the location of the kitchen? Is the sitting area located in a logical place? How about the bedroom, is it laid out the way you like?

When it comes to the furniture in the motorhome, is it comfortable? It’s a good idea to lay on the bed, sit in the chairs and on the couch. See if you feel at home in that RV.

One big consideration is the bathroom. Is the toilet in a convenient place? When you sit on it, is it relatively comfortable? Is there enough storage space in the bathroom?

Then check out the shower too. Go ahead and stand in it to see if you have enough room to move around comfortably. Is it tall enough for you?

Note the position of the TV. Is it in a spot where it can easily be viewed from the sitting area? Or do you have to crane your neck to see it?

All of these considerations should be done before buying a motorhome. That way you will know whether that particular motorhome will meet your daily needs.

Tip #2 – Check For Water Intrusion

Water damage is the biggest threat to the life of a motorhome or any RV. It silently enters and weakens walls, ceilings, and floors.

If it goes on long enough, the motorhome will start crumbling from the inside. At that point, major repairs that are very expensive have to be made.

So it’s critical to try to stop water intrusion in its tracks as soon as it appears. Of course, prevention is the best course of action in this case. But you are looking at an RV that someone else has maintained now.

The best place to start to see how well the motorhome has been maintained is often on the roof. Look carefully at the roof material itself. Is there evidence of rips and tears that have not been repaired?

What about the sealant. Are there any gaps in the sealant that can be seen? Is the sealant old, brittle and cracked?

Now make the same examination on the sides, front and rear of the motorhome. Do you see areas where sealant is cracking, drying out, or even missing?

Now go inside the RV and look for water stains everywhere on the walls, ceilings and floors. Go inside the cabinets and closets and look all over for evidence of water intrusion.

Press against the walls and walk on the floors to see if you can detect any soft areas. That could be evidence of water intrusion that could be expensive to fix.

This is one of the most important inspections you can make on a motorhome. And you may be surprised to find that RVs that otherwise look fabulous may have these kind of issues.

Tip #3 – Inspect The Motorhome Tires

Another important area you need to examine closely is the tires before buying a motorhome. This is because replacement of tires is one of the biggest ongoing expenses for RV owners.

And the first thing you want to look for is the tire date of manufacture. It is stamped on the side of the tire and is represented by a four letter code.

The first two letters are the week that the tire was made and the second two letters are the year of manufacture. Why is this important to know?

The tire date of manufacture is stamped on the side of the tire with a four letter code
The tire date of manufacture is stamped on the sidewall

Many RV tire manufacturers recommend replacing your tires between 5 – 6 years after the date of manufacture. This is regardless of the tread wear. So follow the manufacturers recommendation about tire replacement.

The reason for this is that RV tires rarely wear out before they age out. They are simply not usually driven enough for major tire tread wear to take place.

Instead the sun’s UV rays and other elements often dry out the oils in the tire rubber first. Then they start to crack and there is the opportunity for a major blowout to happen.

So the best prevention for that scenario is to just replace them every 5 – 6 years. That way you are erring on the side of safety.

So if the motorhome tires you are examining are near the end of their useful life, note that. And realize that you will need to replace your motorhome tires soon after buying that RV.

It’s best to know about this kind of upcoming expense before buying a motorhome. You may even be able to adjust the price of the RV downward due to the condition of the tires.

Tip #4 – Get a Fluid Analysis Done

Motorhomes by definition have a motor and drivetrain somewhere. And many of them have permanently mounted generators too.

If the engine, transmission or generator requires a major repair, that is a huge expense. So how do you find out the condition of these components?

First, it wouldn’t hurt to have a qualified mechanic take a look for any signs of possible upcoming repairs. But there is an even better way to find out as much as you can about the mechanical parts of the motorhome.

In fact, the best way to learn about the condition of almost any mechanical engine or transmission is through fluid analysis.

This means that you simply extract some of the engine oil and coolant. Then do the same with the generator. And finally get a sample of the transmission fluid as well.

A sample fluid analysis kit
A fluid analysis kit

Then send the samples to a qualified lab to have them examined. They will send you back a complete breakdown of what the fluids indicate may be going on inside those mechanical components.

Here is a link where you can get fluid analysis kits

This is because long before major failure of an engine or transmission part, it starts to leave residue in the lubrication fluid. This residue is a clue to future probelms.

And a trained technician who examines that fluid can give you a warning before the failure happens. But the lab has to be familiar with RV components to be able to read the fluids correctly.

So be sure to have the motorhome fluids checked if you don’t have a complete history of the maintenance that has been done on these mechanical items.

Tip #5 – Get An RV Inspection Before Buying A Motorhome

You had to see this one coming, right? I mean, what else would a certified RV inspector recommend?

Seriously though, getting an inspection by an NRVIA certified inspector is one of the smartest things you can do before buying a motorhome.

The inspector will give you a complete report on the condition of the motorhome and all of its systems. You will have a full rundown on the RV from the roof to the tires.

And getting a motorhome inspection is a good idea whether it’s new or used. In fact, many new RV buyers are getting them inspected before taking delivery of the coach.

This is because so many newer RVs and motorhomes are coming from the factory with multiple defects. And the manufacturers are expecting the RV dealers to fix these issues for the customer.

When you have a certified inspector go over the RV, they can list all of those problems in their report. And then the issues can be handled under warranty all at one time.

The inspection is well worth the cost in my opinion as it can save you from major hidden repair costs if it is used. And the inspector can even perform the fluid analysis on the mechanical components as well.

Conclusion

Just to review, here are the top 5 tips for buying a motorhome:

  • Get to know the living space well. Try it out as much as you can and see if you feel comfortable with the motorhome layout and furnishings.
  • Look everywhere for evidence of water intrusion that has already occurred. And then check for sealant problems that could lead to water intrusion in the near future.
  • Carefully inspect the tires for the manufacture date and for signs of drying out and cracking. If they are beyond the recommended tire life from the manufacturer, replace them.
  • If you don’t have full maintenance records on all of the engine and drivetrain components, get a fluid analysis done. This will help you know whether major component failure may be looming or not.
  • Get the motorhome inspected by an NRVIA certified RV inspector. This will help you know the overall condition of the RV better than anything else you can do.

My Five Best RV Road Trip Travel Tips

In this article I’m going to share with you my top 5 RV road trip tips.

We are going to discuss ways to make your road trip more pleasant and enjoyable. And this is important, because for many an RV road trip is stressful and sometimes dreaded.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. Just a few RV tips from the pros who have learned how to make time on the road more fun, can be all that’s needed.

So let’s get started right away with my first tip!

Watch my video about the top 5 RV Road Trip Tips

Disclosure: Please note this post may contain affiliate links. This means โ€“ at no additional cost to you โ€“ I earn a commission if you make a purchase using our affiliate links. I only link to products and companies I use and feel comfortable recommending. The income goes toward supporting the free content on this website

Table of Contents

RV Road Trip Tip #1 – Don’t Be In A Hurry!

When you are on the road traveling in an RV, it’s so easy to get in a hurry. After all, you have to break camp in the morning, drive for hundreds of miles, and set up camp again.

Add into this mix stopping for fuel, for food, for bathroom breaks and so on.

And quickly a go, go, go mindset starts to take over. For many RVers it becomes more about the destination rather than the journey.

When this happens, stress starts to rise and mistakes are easy to make. Tempers can flare, and then the RV road trip becomes a nightmare.

So how do you avoid all of this? Well for us, the start of the day often sets the tone for the whole trip.

We make sure that we get up in time to leisurely wake up and have a bite to eat.

Then we use a checklist to steadily work through breaking camp. That way we don’t miss anything by simply forgetting to do it.

Once we are on the road, we make good use of the rest stops along the way to take a break. We often get out of the RV and take a good brisk walk around the rest stop area and have a snack.

It’s amazing how this simple activity can change a dull and boring RV road trip into one that is more pleasurable.

And that brings me to my second RV road trip tip.

Tip #2 – Practice The 3/3/300 Rule

A surefire way to increase stress and anxiety on a road trip is to try to cover too much ground each day.

So we use the 3/3/300 rule on our RV road trips. That is, we only travel 3 days in a row without stopping for a few days to rest. Then we only travel a maximum of 300 miles in a day and we plan to get to our destination by 3 o’clock.

Traveling no more than 3 days in a row is a big stress reliever. That’s because breaking down and setting up camp every day in an RV is a real chore.

It adds so much more effort to traveling on the road. And many campsites and hookups require you to be flexible and a good problem solver too.

So not having that added anxiety for more than three consecutive days is a good thing.

And making sure that the day’s driving is no more than 300 miles limits the fatigue that inevitably sets in after several hours on the road.

Finally, getting to the next campsite by 3 o’clock insures that you won’t be arriving in the dark or during rush hour traffic.

This is huge because if you have ever tried to set up camp in the dark, you know how challenging that can be.

If you leave by 9AM in the morning and plan to travel 300 miles that day, you will probably be arriving by 3 o’clock.

This is because we have found that counting rest stops and lunch breaks, we tend to average 50 MPH. So do the math and you can see that it all works well together.

The 3-3-3 travel rule for RV road trips
The 3-3-3 RV travel rule

Now for my next road trip tip.

RV Road Trip Tip #3 – Plan Ahead

I know that a lot of folks love to live their life in the most spontaneous way possible. And there is nothing wrong with that.

But if you have a rig any larger than a Class B van, you will really benefit by planning ahead more.

Large Class Cs, Class As, 5th wheels and travel trailers need to know what is ahead of them. This keeps the trip more manageable and stress-free.

This is because bigger rigs require more advance thought when you are in areas that you don’t know well.

So we like to use an online trip planner called RV Trip Wizard to plan out our long trips in advance.

It will let you know where rest stops, fuel stations and campgrounds are located all along your planned route.

And you can print out the route and have a handy guide for that day’s travels right in your hands as you go.

The yearly membership to the site is really affordable, and it has been a very reliable source of on-the-road information for us. I highly recommend it!

But one more suggestion in this area is to make sure that you also have a reliable and trustworthy road atlas handy too. Don’t just rely on online maps or GPS units to always steer you correctly.

The truth is that no one RV trip planning tool does everything and is infallible. So have some printed backups on hand at all times, just in case.

Learn more about RV Trip Wizard by clicking here

Click here for the Rand McNally Road Atlas

(Some of these are affiliate links for the product on Amazon. It does not cost you any extra to buy the product using my affiliate link if you choose to do so)

Now for the fourth tip.

Tip #4 – Use Helpful Apps And Guides

There are several useful guides to travel on the road but we have found a couple of them to be exceptionally useful.

There is a real need to know what services are available at each exit before you get there.

For instance, you may need to fuel up, or maybe stop off for a bite to eat, or even a sudden bathroom break.

But how do you know about all the services that are located at each exit?

One of the best sources of information we have found is a book called “The Next Exit”. It conveniently lists pretty much all of the offered services at each exit and gives you valuable information about them.

There is also an app that does a very good job of providing this kind of information too if you prefer apps. The one we like to use is called “I-Exit”.

Again, it’s not a bad idea to have more than one tool in this area. It helps to give you a complete picture of the offerings available at each exit.

This allows you to avoid wasting time searching at exits for needed services. Instead, you will know what to expect from every exit before you get to it.

This is another real stress reliever on an RV road trip!

Click here for the Next Exit Guidebook

Click here for the I-Exit app

(Some of these are affiliate links for the product on Amazon. It does not cost you any extra to buy the product using my affiliate link if you choose to do so)

Now for the fifth and final road trip tip.

RV Road Trip Tip #5 – Stow Anything That Can Move

One of the biggest irritations of traveling on the road is having to clean up a mess after a long day.

And traveling down the highway subjects all RVs to all sorts of bumps and shakes that can move things around in your RV.

So before you leave for the trip that day, stow anything that can move. Tie it down. Tape it down. Bungee it down. Put fragile items on the couch or bed.

Whatever you do, just make sure that RV travel is not going to make a mess in your RV.

The end of a day’s travel is not the time to be dealing with a mess. Especially so, because you now have to set up camp and get dinner going too.

A little advance preparation in this area will make the end of the day much more pleasant.

We have found that having a checklist helps us remember what needs to be done in this area too. Just follow the checklist and most spill accidents will be avoided.

Conclusion

RV road trips have their own set of unique challenges and difficulties.

But if you are well organized and do a little advance planning, road trips can be much more enjoyable.

So how do you make RV road trips better?

  1. Don’t be in a hurry
  2. Use the 3/3/300 rule
  3. Plan ahead with RV Trip Wizard and an Atlas
  4. Use guides or apps to know what is at each exit
  5. Before you go, stow anything that can move

I hope this information has been helpful for you.

Have safe and happy travels my friends!

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