Lots of discussions these days on all the RV forums. . .and on the FaceBook RV Groups about fuel prices. . .
How will prices affect your RV travel?
Here’s how we calculate it. . .
First off. . .we budget a specific amount for fuel each month. . .in our case $600. . .most months we use less, so we bank the difference. . .that helps out in those times we are traveling more. Now this is the exact same amount we budgeted when we were still working full time, and driving two vehicles back and forth. . .and around. . .
then we calculate cost per mile. . .right now it works out like this:
Diesel = $4 per gallon
Mileage towing = 8 mpg (average)
Cost per mile = 50 cents per mile
Thus, our summer trip to Colorado and back will cost roughly $1500. . .but, once we get there, the rig will stay parked for 5 months. . .so our fuel costs will go down considerably during that time, as the truck gets about 12 mpg not towing. . .or 25 cents per mile.
If fuel goes up to $5 per gallon as predicted. . .our costs will change about 12 cents per mile. . .or there abouts. . .
I’ve stated it several times. . .when folks say how much cheaper it is to live in an RV. . .I must somewhat disagree. . .it’s just living life. . .and living life costs money. . .
For example:
Sticks and Bricks vs RV Living Full Time (assuming you no longer have a home to maintain)
Mortgage pymt = RV payment and maintenance
Utility Bills = RV Parking Space
Fuel Costs = Fuel Costs
Medical
Auto Insurance
Food
Phone
Misc Living Expenses
You get the picture. . .living is living whether you are doing it in a house or an RV on the road. . .
Now, where things can change drastically is how many day trips you are doing. . . how much sight seeing. . .how much eating out vs cooking at home. . .paying for tours. . .etc.
All these things can only be calculated on an individual basis. . .we quickly discovered that while we enjoy sightseeing very much. . .playing tourist gets old in a hurry. . .and having somewhere to go, and something to see every single day, just wears me out.
So when we are going to be in an area with just tons, and tons to see and do. . .we plan a longer stay, and spread out the excitement. . .
I’d love to hear about your experiences with traveling, budgeting, and sightseeing. . .
Agree with "Living Life Costs Money" - One of the strategies we are planning is to stay in any given state for at least a month. Our over all plan is to visit and stay at least a month in every state. We will set up 2-3 "base camps" in each state and then use our little Honda Fit (30-40 MPG) to tour around - even taking longer day trips.
ReplyDeleteWe are also going to do 3-4 months of the year volunteering as Camp Hosts. For example, September and August we will be camp hosts in Apgar Campground in Glacier National Park.
We are getting between 6 and 8 MPG in our 35 ft. Class A Winnebago Adventurer (Gas).
Well, we have a huge itinerary for this summer. We are also concerned about gas prices. Several people left comments on our blog about thinking about the wonderful sites we will see and the adventures we will have. Then compare that to what the extra cost will be in gas money. It looks like it might just cost us about $1,000 more IF gas goes to $5/diesel. I think we may just go for it but skip Canada. We said last year...wait till next year. We can't keep saying that.
ReplyDeleteYou have the right attitude...Living life cost money...period...end of story. But look at the wonderful life we are living! Enjoy your weekend.
Rick. . .now that sounds like a plan. . .and what could possibly be better than volunteering in Glacier NP for two months? Enjoy ever second. . .
ReplyDeleteMarsha. . .you guys are busy, busy, busy. . .but I agree, this is a great life we are living! : )
ReplyDeleteThanks for the facts and reality check. I know once we get on the road, we will adjust and enjoy it, as you all are. BTW, Toledo Bend Lake is back to normal.
ReplyDeleteWe budget the same for fuel 600 a month. We figure by having purchased the zone membership plan with the Thousand Trails that that will help our campground costs and push more savings toward the fuel budget with diesel costs rising. We sit longer in one place and we do exactly what you do..spread out the touristy things we enjoy doing. Our Tiffin Phaeton averages between 8 and 9 miles to the gallon. We mix up our campground stays, sometimes staying in a spot that's not so nice, then we'll pick one that is really nice for a short time. We've found that full time RVing is VERY affordable if you budget and monitor your on the road costs.
ReplyDeleteYou know me Gary. . .always trying to be ahead of the curve. I like having it figured out beforehand, rather than waiting til it slaps me in the face. . .
ReplyDeleteGlad the lake is looking better. . .hope you guys are getting some bites on the house with this beautiful weather. . .my uncle was able to get the boat in at their place, and catch enough catfish for a family reunion fish fry. . .so I knew things were looking up!
Enjoy your summer,
Jeannie. . .I agree. . .on the road costs and unexpected repairs are the two boogaboos that sometimes throw a kink into things. . .otherwise full time RVing is a relatively inexpensive way to live. . .and yes, our Thousand Trails Membership is saving us a bundle on parking costs. The savings we have accumulated using TT and staying relatively close to home (since hubby is teaching classes for the winter) will totally cover the cost of fuel to Colorado and back.
ReplyDeleteBudgeting for maintenance costs such as tires, batteries, things that are going to wear out, such as water heaters, furnaces, that kind of thing is also all part of the game. . .however, we have had three large repairs this past year. . .ouchy!
Gotta get that hole in the savings account plugged and rejuvenated in time for the next (gulp) incident. . .volunteering as camp hosts in Colorado this summer will go a long way toward that goal. . .plus being an hour from Denver, and an hour from Cheyenne, the capitol of Wyoming will necessitate plenty of day trips. . .
I can see you guys are having a great time in Florida. . .enjoy that beach!
I don't get to full-time so still have the sticks and bricks to maintain (it's paid for) but I still plan on getting out there to RV as often as I can. I don't like it that fuel is going up but I planned for retirement and still plan on enjoying it. If you just keep on waiting for things to get better, you may find that life has simply passed you by.
ReplyDeleteYou are right, longdog2. We keep putting off 'getting on the road' and each day it does not get easier!! There are still the apprehensions and fears to face. Someone here needs to 'pull the trigger' so that we can get a goin' before our time runs out!!!
DeleteTrue Colleen. . .in my line of work, I saw so many folks who retired. . .and then didn't know what to do with themselves. . .I didn't want to be that person. . .which is why we decided to take early outs and hit the road. . .you just never know how long you have to enjoy this incredible life you've been blessed with. . .
ReplyDeleteEnjoy every moment. . .maybe we'll meet you out on the road one day!
I am glad you talked about this subject as I have not arrived at retirement just yet and have wondered if when I do am I going to be able to do the full time RV living with fuel prices as they are. I guess with anything you just budget and do what you can do. One question that interest me a lot if I may....do most people run gas or diesel? Either with a class A or a truck pulling a camper? What are the pros and cons of both?
ReplyDeleteBill, I'm glad to know you are planning ahead and thinking about what it's going to cost to live on the road. . .that's half the battle. I'm afraid so many people think, oh we can live in our RV for half the cost, and then, unless they are boondocking or such, get out on the road, and find that simply to NOT be true. . .
ReplyDeleteAs far as diesel vs gas. . .ahhh. . the discussions that are delivered on this topic are many and varied. . .and of course, as you can imagine. . .personal preference weighs in mightily. We've driven diesel trucks for years. . .and knowing how much we love the mountains. . .will choose a diesel pusher when we purchase our motor home.
Go to the Escapees.com discussion forums. . .those guys will be more than happy to share their opinions. . .LOL! The website itself is a little difficult to maneuver, but you do NOT need to be a member to participate on the forums. . .so persevere. . .it will be worth the effort!
Good points on rv travel costs. I full time and one thing I've found that can tilt the equation towards you when it comes to costs is this: It very much pays to run a business from your RV. These days, running a business does not mean having a store front or inventory! Generally with an internet connection, a laptop and some knowledge, you can run a business from the comfort of your RV. AND...the IRS is ON your side (well, thanks to a lawsuit they lost in 2004!)... that is, you can **write off** most of your expenses as long as you're running a business while traveling! I don't want to pitch anyone here, but I'm glad to share if you reach out to me. Alan Sills
ReplyDeleteAlan. . .thank you for your comment. While I do not condone "sales pitches" on a venue that is somewhat designed for entertainment purposes. . .I am approving your comment to allow those who may be interested in further information to view your post. . .and yes it is a great idea to run a business from your RV!
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