Maximize Your RV Road Trip Budget With These Tips
By WHITNEY HORMAECHEA
The first step in planning an RV trip is building a well-structured budget. First, identify key costs on your journey, such as campsite fees and fuel.
Realistic Budget
You will also need to factor in emergencies, meals, and entertainment. Organize it all in a budgeting system, whether it's a binder that categorizes your expenses or an app.
Owning an RV versus renting one is an important choice. Owning an RV translates to equity and also allows you to customize it to fit individual needs and preferences.
Renting
However, the cons of ownership include high initial costs, ongoing maintenance expenses, depreciation of the RV's value, storage, insurance, and registration fees.
Renting an RV eliminates the substantial upfront costs associated with ownership, but the cons include fewer customization options and a lack of availability during peak seasons.
When choosing an RV, consider where you plan to go, how long you'll be traveling, and how you want to camp. The number of people accompanying you is also important.
Size/Amenities
You'll first choose a class size. Class A motorhomes boast spacious interiors with queen- or king-sized beds, while Class B and C models are smaller but offer more flexibility.
Class A RVs may offer many amenities, but large RVs are expensive to operate and harder to park. However, you may need a large RV if you plan to tow a vehicle.
If you buy an RV, you should take proactive measures for maintenance, repairs, and emergency preparedness to help avoid unexpected costs.
Maintenance
While upkeep will help, you'll still need to budget for potential repairs during your trip. Also, you can save lots of money by learning how to do some repairs yourself.
You can implement a few strategic campsite planning strategies to maximize your budget, especially if you plan to visit national parks.
Campsite
Some RV travelers save expenses by staying on unregulated public land, also known as boondocking. Joining RV clubs can also open doors to valuable campground discounts.
You can also research and stick to free camping options, such as staying on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land, national forests, and accommodating Walmarts or casinos.