By Guest Blogger, Ted Kasper
A typical vacation, even with just a family of four, can become quite expensive. There are costs for transportation, lodging, food—and don’t forget the entertainment. Amusement park tickets, museum admission, historic tours, boat rentals and the like all add to vacation expenses. RV family vacations are, on average, 26 to 74 percent less expensive than travel by personal car, airline or cruise ship.
Here are some tips that will help you save money while still enjoying all the fun, freedom and flexibility that RVing has to offer.
- Camp closer to home. There’s no need to venture outside your home state! For example, in Michigan, there are over 1,000 campgrounds located near popular destinations, along major tourist routes and even in metropolitan areas. Remember, you’re always on vacation at the campsite, even if it’s only an hour drive from home.
- Stay longer in one place. Many RV parks are vacation destinations in their own right, offering something for everyone—swimming pools, playgrounds, game rooms, boating, fishing, nature trails, planned activities and more!
- Eat in. Cook your family favorites in the convenience of an RV to avoid the high costs of eating out. Better yet, cook over your campfire!
- Drive 55 instead of 65. For every 1 mph increase over 55 mph, fuel efficiency decreases 2.2 percent.
- Adjust home thermostats to save energy when traveling.
- Pack light and purchase firewood, water and other camping materials at the campground to keep the RV lightweight while traveling.
- Tune up the engine of your motorhome or tow vehicle, inflate tires properly and conduct regular maintenance to maximize fuel efficiency.
- Use the grade of fuel recommended by the engine manufacturer to increase miles per gallon.
- Travel during off-peak times. Avoid rush hour or travel at night when the weather is cooler and the vehicle air conditioning is needed less.
For more information about RV vacations, visit the Michigan Association of Recreation Vehicles and Campgrounds (MARVAC) Web site, www.marvac.org.