RV family vacations are well-documented as being more affordable than traditional fly-drive-motel vacations; but what does it really cost to embrace the RV lifestyle? That’s the first question most people ask when they decide to extend their RV vacation indefinitely to become full-time RVers.
There’s the cost of buying an RV, of course; but you can keep your initial investment low by buying a used RV online. Buying a used RV is a smart way to get a wealth of upgraded amenities for a lower price. Fuel is likely to be one of your biggest costs, but camping fees, groceries, RV insurance, RV maintenance and admissions fees to attractions can also take a big chunk out of your budget, Jon Arnold notes on his blog Recalcroute.com.
Jon and wife Amy bought a used Class C motorhome in 2010, packed up their three young daughters and a ton of stuff and started out on a cross-country exploration of America. After a year on the road and 15,689 miles of travel, Jon posted a revealing cost breakdown that should be of interest to other people thinking about full-time RVing.
Here are some cost-saving tips gleaned from the Arnold’s experience:
- Buy a used RV and used equipemnt to save on start-up costs.
- Join a campground network to cut camping costs.
- Purchase an annual national park pass.
- Invest in a space heater to cut down on heating fuel costs.
Visit the Arnold’s Recalcroute blog for ongoing cost summaries of their continuing RV adventures.
