| RV rental vacations aren't cheap, but they do | | | | dump station to empty your holding tanks as you |
| contain loads of opportunities for savings. In fact, | | | | leave. Over a two week vacation, consistently |
| there are probably more ways in which the | | | | paying for full hookups when you actually only |
| proactive RV rental vacationer can save money | | | | need water and electric could easily cost you an |
| than in any other mode of vacation travel. | | | | extra $100. |
| Entertainment costs are often lower (enjoying RV | | | | 7. Don't Use Your Propane When You Can Use |
| and campground experience often serves as a | | | | Their Electricity. Refilling your propane tank(s), |
| major source of entertainment). You also have | | | | while not horribly expensive, has both a time and |
| the option of doing some, or all, of your own | | | | a money cost. Several systems in your rental RV |
| meal preparation - meals and drinks can cost | | | | will operate with either electricity or propane - |
| about the same as if you'd stayed home. | | | | specifically your refrigerator and your water |
| An RV vacation has potential for savings in a wide | | | | heater. Water heaters in particular consume |
| range of areas. Here are a few examples: | | | | massive amounts of propane. When in a |
| 1. Travel in the Shoulder Seasons. The Shoulder | | | | campground and connected to "shore power" use |
| Seasons are those periods between the big prices | | | | their electricity, not your propane, to heat your |
| (and huge crowds) of Peak Season and the low | | | | water and run your refrigerator. |
| prices (and generally unpleasant weather) of Off | | | | 8. Bring your own snacks. Your rental RV comes |
| Season. Depending on the part of the country, | | | | with a refrigerator and cupboards. Set them up as |
| the dealer, and the time of year, Shoulder Season | | | | your snack and drink sources. Roadside |
| base rates can be 20% to 40% below what you | | | | convenience stores tend to offer snacks which |
| would have to pay in Peak Season. If you don't | | | | are both more expensive and nutritionally inferior |
| absolutely have to travel with the big crowds, | | | | to those you can pack yourself. When the time |
| explore the advantages of RVing in the Shoulder | | | | comes to replenish your snack supplies, do so at |
| Seasons. | | | | a major supermarket or a discount warehouse - |
| 2. Don't Buy Special Clothing. Unlike trips you may | | | | not at a convenience store. |
| have taken in the past, RV vacations don't require | | | | 9. Buy Sunscreen and Insect Repellent Before |
| any special clothing. Casual and comfortable - | | | | You Leave Home. You can expect to pay double |
| that's the RV lifestyle. If you plan to go out to | | | | for the same stuff if you don't! When you are |
| someplace special, you might bring one outfit | | | | being eaten alive by mosquitoes, you won't be |
| that's a bit upscale. Otherwise, think casual and | | | | likely to spend much time looking for bargains. |
| comfortable as you pack and your wardrobe will | | | | 10. Contact the Visitor Center and/or Chamber of |
| be perfect. | | | | Commerce In Each Area You Plan to Visit. You |
| 3. Don't Buy Special Equipment. As you begin to | | | | can find their numbers on the internet or through |
| get ready for your first ever RV trip, it is | | | | directory assistance. Tell them when you plan to |
| tempting to start thinking about all the special | | | | be in their area and ask their advice on places to |
| equipment you "need". The truth is that, beyond | | | | go and things to do. Most will be able to send you |
| what you'll get from your RV rental dealer, you | | | | maps and brochures. Many will even have local |
| don't "need" any of it. If you are serious about | | | | newsletters where you can find lists of events |
| keeping your vacation affordable, resist the | | | | scheduled during the time of your vacation. Take |
| temptation to go out and buy boxes full of | | | | a few minutes to visit with these representatives; |
| gadgets. (On the other hand, a couple of totally | | | | they can probably even suggest a few things |
| frivolous items can be a lot of fun.) | | | | outside of the normal tourist routines which could |
| 4. Minimize Eating Out. The more serious you are | | | | be ideal for your family. |
| about saving money, the more you may want to | | | | 11. Avoid High Speeds. Depending on how much |
| take advantage of your RV's kitchen. Prepare a | | | | driving you do, fuel costs may be one of the |
| special meal or two, each in a special place, and | | | | most significant items in your RV rental vacation |
| you can add great memories to your RV vacation | | | | budget. One way of reducing those costs is to |
| even as you are saving money. | | | | drive a bit slower. Driving at 62 mph will reduce |
| 5. Take Advantage of Campground Recreational | | | | your fuel consumption by around 15% when |
| Offerings. Plan some "do-nothing" time. Stay in the | | | | compared to what it would be if driving at 75 |
| same campground for an extra night and spend a | | | | mph. Driving slower is also much safer and a lot |
| day just hanging out. Lay around the pool. Read a | | | | less tiring. |
| book. Fix a special meal. Enjoy a sunset. You'll find | | | | 12. Keep Tires Properly Inflated. Another fuel |
| some of your best vacation memories in those | | | | saver is to keep tire air pressures at the levels |
| times when you did absolutely nothing - as in, "We | | | | recommended by your dealer. Studies have |
| woke up in the morning with absolutely nothing to | | | | shown that a single tire under inflated by 2 PSI |
| do and went to bed that evening having only | | | | can increase fuel consumption by 1%. It is scary |
| accomplished about half of it." | | | | to think about the impact it must have on gas |
| 6. Don't Pay for Hookups That You Don't Need. | | | | mileage to drive a Class C Motorhome with 6 |
| Most campgrounds offer a variety of campsite | | | | tires each under-inflated by 5 or 10 pounds!! |
| options. You will be offered a choice of sites with | | | | Clearly there are a lot of ways to save money |
| no hookups, with water and electric only, or with | | | | on your RV rental vacation. Many will not only |
| "full hookups". The tendency is to think, "Hey, I'm | | | | save you money, but will increase the quality of |
| on vacation here. What the heck, give me the | | | | your vacation experience at the same time. A |
| works!" Think about what hookups you actually | | | | better vacation for less money. It's what we are |
| need. You can usually stop at the campground's | | | | all looking for! |