Is RVliving more affordable than you might think?

Many have dreams of buying an RV. Whether you plan on living in an RV full-time or if you are only interested in the occasional getaway, there are many ways for you to afford one so that you can start living your RV dream.

One of the many factors holding back a potential RVer is that they are unsure if they can afford the RV lifestyle.

The answer: Yes! Do research, prepare finances, and above all, be realistic.

There are four main components that go into affording the RV lifestyle. By evaluating them, you can determine how much money you need to save or earn. These include setting an RV budget, creating a monthly travel budget, finding ways to save money while on the road, and lastly, earning money on the road.

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Be realistic about your RV budget.

There are many options when it comes to RV types, starting with choosing motorized or towable.  Motorized come in three types: Type A, Type B, Type C, depending upon the size and layout that fits your style. If you already own a suitable tow vehicle (pickup truck or SUV) consider a travel trailer, fifth wheel, folding camping trailer or truck camper. For those who don’t want to tow or move their RV frequently, there are park models. Prices can vary greatly, which makes it a good idea to analyze the various options to see what is best for your budget. To learn the difference between RV types, go here.
Create a monthly travel budget.

Creating a budget doesn’t end with the RV purchase. Just like home, also think about what you spend each month on everything else.
Some fixed expenses you will want to calculate include how much you will spend on:
• RV payment (if you have one)
• Entertainment
• Food - groceries and restaurants
• Gas or diesel
• Propane
• Laundry
• Campground fees
• Internet
• Health insurance
• Clothing
• Phone
• Household items such as toilet paper, soap, etc.
• RV insurance
• RV maintenance and repairs

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Find ways to save.

There are many ways to save money so that you can afford the RV lifestyle. Just because another RVer spends a lot of money doesn’t mean that everyone has to spend the same. In fact, most RVers have quite affordable budgets and are still able to enjoy their time on the road.

The many different ways to save money include:
• Choose campgrounds and RV parks that only have amenities you plan to take advantage of during your stay. Generally, the more services and amenities a campground has, the more it's going to cost. Campsite fees don't have to break the bank. State parks are a great low-cost option, as are many RV parks. Look here to find a campground or consider travel apps to help you find the campground that best suits your need.
• Travel at the posted speeds. Fuel is usually one of the largest parts of an RVer's budget. Traveling at posted speeds cuts down on fuel consumption.
• Limit your impulse or unbudgeted purchases. It's somewhat easy to limit purchases while traveling. RVs can only hold so many possessions. Before buying extra gadgets and "stuff," it's wise to think whether or not an item is really needed.
• Make meal preparation a new shared activity. Shop local farmers markets for fresh in-season options, try new foods, and share meal preparation with campground neighbors. Cooked-by-you means healthier eating because you control the ingredients. Dining out is fun and convenient, but to save money, making your own meals will be the best decision for your budget.

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Earn money on the road.

If you are not retired but you want to RV travel a majority of the year, find ways to fund your travels.

Luckily, there are several ways to make this a reality. Seasonal and part-time jobs are available at campgrounds, national parks, online, remotely through your full-time job, and so on. Working while you travel is great because you don't have to wait until retirement to have fun on the road.

There are many ways to afford the lifestyle if your dream is to own an RV. By setting an RV budget, creating a monthly travel budget, finding ways to save money while on the road, and earning money while on the road, you should have no problem living and enjoying the RV lifestyle.

When it comes to miles per gallon, size isn’t all that matters. Compact, aerodynamic and lighter-weight motorized models are more fuel-efficient than ever. Towable RVs account for more than two-thirds of RV sales, and innovative designs coupled with lightweight, durable building materials mean there are many that can be towed by family minivans and small to mid-sized SUVs.

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Check out how savvy RVers save on fuel:
• Camp closer to home. With more than 16,000 campgrounds nationwide, RVers can enjoy the outdoor experience whether they travel five miles or 500 miles.
• Stay longer in one place. Many RV parks are vacation destinations in their own right, offering pools, playgrounds, hiking trails, entertainment centers, organized activities, convenience stores and so much more.
• Pack lighter by not topping off fresh water tanks until at the campground and by purchasing firewood and other camping materials on-site to keep the RV lightweight while traveling. Be sure holding tanks are dumped before heading out to further lighten the load.
• Tune up the engine of your motorhome or tow vehicle, inflate tires properly and conduct regular maintenance to maximize fuel efficiency.
Some other facts to keep in mind:
• Fuel is typically only the fourth largest expense on a road trip, behind lodging, food, vehicle payment and maintenance.
• Airfares and hotel rates also rise when fuel costs increase and fuel surcharges are added. You can avoid those costs in an RV.
• Fuel prices would need to more than triple from their current level to make RVing more expensive for a family of four than other forms of travel.

Winter living tips in RV

Living in a recreational vehicle or camper during the cold winter months poses unique challenges for even the most experienced outdoor hobbyist. Keeping warm and living comfortably isn't as easy as turning on the furnace and heating up the inside living spaces.

Recreational vehicles (RVs) can be quite comfortable, but even the best designed units have paper thin walls and minimal insulation against the cold winter temperatures. Every time the door opens all the heat will escape, leaving a brisk chill in the air.

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I spent one winter living in a RV and learned many lessons the hard way. Here are a few suggestions I learned through trial and error:

Towel Over Door

Hang a thick bath towel over the main door leading out of the RV. This towel will reduce the heat loss when the door opens.

Insulate Windows

No RV has good insulation, so it is imperative that all windows are insulated with either StyroFoam or clear plastic window sheets, or both. Either of these added steps will dramatically reduce the drafts that will come through those openings.

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Space Heaters

Small electric space heaters are an excellent way to conserve propane burn and provide added warmth to the areas occupied during the day and evening. Be careful to purchase only brand-name, heavy duty space heaters with undamaged electrical cords. Adding a small space heater to the lavatory will help keep the black tank from freezing and is a nice addition for people coming out of the shower.

Frozen Tanks

Keeping your water and waste tanks from freezing is an especially difficult task. If there is a winterizing skirting around your RV, it may be helpful to install a small heavy duty space heater under your unit to keep the gray and black tanks from freezing. The fresh water tank should be alright with daily use, although the water supply feeding the tank can (and will) freeze. Special heat tape and hose insulators are available for purchase at any hardware store, but these are ineffective in prolonged sub-freezing temperatures.

To help keep the black water tank from freezing, add a half gallon of windshield cleaner to the tank when it is emptied. The windshield cleaner will keep the fluids from freezing and make purging the tank easier. Don't forget to refill the windshield cleaner in the tank after each dump.

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Propane Tanks

It is imperative to keep one tank full at all times. When selecting which tank is being used, select the option that restricts gas draw to only one tank at a time. This guarantees a full tank is available when the tank in use runs empty. Switch to the full tank, remove the empty and promptly get it refilled. I always kept a small five gallon propane tank in reserve just in case the winter weather prohibited me from getting to a local refill station.

Furnace

The RV furnace is designed to keep the interior warm even under the most frigid conditions. However, the longer the furnace runs, the faster the propane burn. I always lowered the furnace temperature or turned it off when I was cooking, as the heat from the stove more than sufficiently heated the entire RV. At night, I lowered the furnace to 55 degrees and used electric heating blankets. On less cold nights, I used electric space heaters to supplement and conserve of propane burn. Never set the thermostat lower than 55 degrees during cold months. Temperatures below this could cause internal water pipes and tanks to freeze or crack.

Electric Blankets

Obviously, electric blankets on your bed make for more comfortable sleeping conditions during the cold winter nights. I discovered another great use for electric blankets by accident. I draped one over the sofa and left it on a low setting. Even when I wasn't on the sofa, I left the blanket on. The temperature radiates into the air, adding wonderful warm heat to the RV. My sofa was built in to an extending unit on the RV, so it was a very drafty area to sit on cold winter nights. The heating blanket worked wonders for keeping me warm.

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I often kept a three-wick candle burning on the dining table during evening hours. I'm not sure if the fire actually helped add heat to the RV or if I just imagined it, but it seemed to make a difference. Whether it worked or not, it added a nice ambiance to my winter home. Just be careful to never leave a burning candle unattended.

It's also imperative that all the exterior corners are carefully checked and tuck-pointed whenever even the smallest crack is visible. Those small cracks will let in the cold winter air and defeat all your other winterizing preparations.

Living in a RV or camper during the winter months poses its own challenges, but it can be an fun, exciting experience as well. Take a few moments to winterize ahead of time to guarantee you'll live safe and comfortable during your wintertime adventure.