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Check your Woodall's campground directory for closer RV resorts and campgrounds and don't forget to check out state parks and municipal parks that frequently have extensive outdoor recreational opportunities.
Proper maintenance on your RV and personal vehicles, including the correct tire pressure, replacing filters, and engine and transmission service will improve fuel mileage and also help avoid unexpected breakdowns.
The less weight you carry, the less fuel you need to move it. Go through the RV and remove items you do not plan or expect to use on each trip. Drain your holding tanks and add the correct quantity of deodorant chemicals and water to the black water tank. If you will be staying at RV resorts and campgrounds each night, you may be able to travel with a half–tank or less of fresh water.
Don't forget the discounts available to help reduce both fuel costs and other Rving costs. Check your credit cards for those that provide rebates on fuel purchases. In addition to the discount programs from Flying J and Love's travel centers, check the credit card providers. Discounts and rebates on fuel purchases are available from the Discover Card, USAA Federal Savings Bank, and three different cards from Chase. Check the Internet for these programs and other discount fuel opportunities that meet your fuel purchase needs.
RVers can get discounts for overnight fees by utilizing memberships to FMCA, the Good Sam Club and Escapees memberships, and up to 50% for the discount camping clubs such as Passport America, Camp Club USA and the Happy Camper Club. Don't forget the discounts, specials, and free shipping offers available to members of Camping World's Presidents Club.
Looking for a New RV? – RVers considering a new towable RV should look at the newer "light–weight" models and smaller RVs. Check out both the total interior square footage of living space, the number of slides, and the total loaded weight. Towing a lighter RV may allow you to use a more fuel efficient tow vehicle, saving fuel costs on all your driving.
The size of Class A and C motorhomes has been increasing since 2000, no doubt helped by the introduction of new and more powerful gasoline engines, new diesel engines, and better transmissions. The popularity and availability of 38' motorhomes has risen dramatically in the last few years.
If you're looking for a new motorhome, check out the new engine/transmission combinations, including those from Mercedes–Benz, which are now on everything from the Dodge Sprinter Chassis for Class B's to a growing number of Class C and Class A motorhomes.
Again, don't forget, the weight of your toad affects your fuel mileage. Towing a lighter–weight toad will improve fuel efficiency for both the RV and the towed vehicle
Remember, Safety First, and Happy RVing!
| Alan Lidstone is a freelance author and writer living in southwest Florida. Barbara Collyer Lidstone, his wife and co–editor, is an abstractor. The Lidstones co–authored RVs – Getting Out and STAYING Out, from Fulcrum Publishing of Golden, Colorado, and they write and publish Roads 'n Toads – RVing in Florida, a newsletter providing timely information on activities and products that can help RVers get the most from the RV lifestyle. |
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