Are you considering to leave your current lifestyle behind and head out for a few days on a hard-earned vacation on your RV any time in the future?

Planning the perfect expedition with your loved ones, on the road can be a challenging task, and at times burn a massive hole in your pocket. Luckily RV camping, if appropriately planned is one of the cheapest holidays you can take because of its flexibility.

All of the activities can be controlled, like the type of camper you choose, or how far you wish to travel can be controlled, and this is what makes it so great.

Here are a few tips to ensure that while you have the best time of your life, you do not go broke in the process.

1. Do your homework

To rent or to buy – this is the most primal decision that you will have to make before your journey even starts. If you already own an RV, you may skip this paragraph, but assuming you are new to the sport, renting versus purchasing will be an essential question.

The answer to it depends on your needs and the amount of time you are willing to spend on the road. If a three – four-month vacation is all you desire, then renting an RV will suit you best, but if you are willing to live a full-time nomadic lifestyle wandering from state to state, and are ready to commit, buying a recreational vehicle will save you more in the long run.

No matter what you settle for, finding the appropriate automobile for your needs can still be difficult. The quality of the interior and exterior, cost, sleeping capacity, and list of all included features of the model are the factors which you have to keep in mind. An excellent way to find new or used RVs is to search for ads in local newspapers, online forums and at RV dealerships.

You can find an excellent collection of brand new and pre-used vehicles at  Pedata RV Center, they specialize in nationwide online RV sales.

Whatever RV comes under your budget, always demand a record of vehicles service history and how often the vehicle has been serviced. A well-serviced car will avoid unnecessary and expensive visits to the mechanic.

One more thing to save a few bucks is to plan your trips in off-seasons when kids are in school. You can find all facilities for cheaper during this time. For parents this can be problematic, but if you have no school going children accompanying you are good to go.

2. Do your work

One thing is for sure, doing your maintenance, diagnosing problems and learning how to do so will always save you a lot of cash. This can quickly be done from online videos and by reading books related to the topic. Also, regularly scheduled check-ups and preventative maintenance of your automobile will avoid costly repairs and will make sure that your RV does not break down often.

All of the necessary information regarding the maintenance schedule may readily be found in the owner’s manual.

3. Look at the fuel meter

Controlling gas usage can help you save a lot of money, as cash spent on fuel is the major contributor towards increasing your travel expense. The engine specification, type and weight of your vehicle directly affect the fuel you are going to consume on your trip.

Keep all of these points in mind before you make your RV purchase. If you are low on budget, try not to go to locations far away, as the more you travel, the more likely you are to use gasoline.

4. Stay at affordable places

The biggest dilemmas RVers go through is deciding where to park their vehicle. Some people suggest that you schedule a spot in a campground or park months in advance, while others swear against it.

Regardless of the fact that you pre-book your spot, or just go with the flow and stay at whatever location you arrive at, here are three parking options you have to keep into account.

Hook-up – it is the most expensive of the three, as it usually includes connections to electricity, water, sewer, internet, cable TV and telephone. Partial hook-ups with fewer amenities are also available at some parking spots.

Boondocking – also referred to as ‘dry camping’ means camping in natural areas with amenities, usually free or inexpensive.

Overnight parking – means staying in any parking lot where you are welcome. A few private companies allow people to park in there lots happily as long as there aren’t any town laws against it. People report that they have never had any issue staying at Walmart, you may want to give it a shot.

Informing the manager before you camp will make sure you do not get into any troubles with the authorities.

5. Work while you are away

Saving cash by making wise decisions on the road is one thing, but earning income on-the-go as you travel another. Try to work while you are away by doing remote jobs like freelancing, as they will bring in some extra cash and make sure you do not spend only from your savings.

Extras:

• Instead of buying new décor furniture for your RV, what you can do is use the stuff you already own from your house.
• Preparing your food (eating-in) will make your wallet thankyou personally. Self-made food is healthier, often fresher and cheaper. Polish your culinary skills before you hit the road.
• Installing solar panels on the roof of your vehicle will also help save costs. You will be generating your own energy using the power of the Sun, and not from expensive fuel. Sure, it will have a hefty upfront investment, but in the long run, it will reduce a lot of fuel and other expenses.