Feeling the pinch from rising RV costs? You’re not alone! Here are proven strategies that have saved us thousands on the road.
Let’s address the elephant in the room: Yes, RVing is getting more expensive. From fuel costs to campground fees, everything seems to be going up. But before you hang up your keys and abandon your travel dreams, we’ve got some good news.
After three years of full-time RV living, we’ve discovered 20 simple strategies that can dramatically cut your expenses without sacrificing the adventure. Some of these might surprise you, and one particular hack saved us 63% on our camping costs alone!
1. Slash Your Fuel Costs with Smart Programs
TSD Open Roads Card (Diesel Users) If you’re pulling with diesel, this card is a game-changer. You’ll use the truck lanes (don’t worry, truckers don’t mind), get access to those fast-filling pumps, and save real money. Our actual savings:
- 2023: $192 saved
- 2024: $263 saved
Additional Fuel Savings Apps (search in your app store):
- Mudflap: Another great diesel option that works at different stations than Open Roads
- GasBuddy: Perfect for finding cheaper gas stations if you’re using regular gasoline
Having multiple options gives you more choices and better coverage across the country.
2. Master DIY Maintenance to Avoid Costly Repairs
The key to keeping RV costs manageable? Prevent expensive repairs by staying on top of maintenance yourself.
Essential DIY Tasks:
- Change your own wheel bearings: It’s not as intimidating as it sounds, and we have a detailed video showing Barry’s first time doing all six tires
- Maintain your tires: Tire blowouts can cause thousands in damage to your RV’s interior and exterior
- Clean your roof AC units: Two cans of chemical spray and some elbow grease can keep them running efficiently (watch our AC maintenance video here)
- Check and reseal roof areas: A small leak can become a massive, expensive problem
Reusable Air Filters Instead of constantly buying new filters, invest in reusable ones from our Amazon store. We found a brand that you can simply rinse off, dry, and reuse for a long time. For full-timers, this saves a small fortune compared to brands that require constant replacement.
Water Filtration Savings We use the Clear Source Ultra three-stage water filter system from our sponsor etrailer.com – it’s been with us since week one of our RV journey. While we absolutely recommend this system for clean, pure water (especially for full-timers), we discovered a money-saving tip from fellow YouTubers Irene Travels: you can buy the same micron filters in bulk on Amazon for much less than brand-name replacements.
Professional Training Resource If DIY maintenance feels overwhelming, check out NRVTA (National RV Training Academy). They offer online courses for regular RV owners, not just technicians, and even have hands-on training in Texas. Use our code LTNT30 to save 30% on their courses.
Want to see exactly how much we spend on RV maintenance and everything else? Check out our detailed budget breakdowns for 2024 and 2023 where we share every line item of our annual expenses – complete with downloadable spreadsheets.
3. Dramatically Cut Camping Costs
This category offers the biggest potential savings, and we have multiple strategies:
Ask for Discounts Always call campgrounds directly instead of just booking online. We’ve seen different pricing between websites and phone calls. Ask about:
- Military discounts
- Senior discounts
- Good Sam, Passport America, or other club memberships
- Extended stay rates
Consider Membership Programs While we’re not Thousand Trails members, we know people who save significantly with camping clubs. Research what works for your travel style and preferred regions.
Embrace Partial or No Hookups This is where we achieved our 63% savings! State parks, Corps of Engineers campgrounds, and National Parks often offer partial hookups in the $30-40 range instead of $60-80 for full hookups. Even if you need to invest in solar or a generator, the long-term savings are substantial. We have detailed videos breaking down exactly how we cut our camping costs by 63% in 2024 and our complete 2023 breakdown.
4. Smart Booking Strategies
Extended Stays: Weekly, monthly, and seasonal rates offer significant per-night savings
30-Amp Sites: If your 50-amp RV can handle it, 30-amp sites are often cheaper
Back-in Sites: Usually less expensive than pull-throughs and often offer more space and privacy
State Park System Hack: If you have a larger rig (we’re 44 feet), try searching for smaller lengths first. Many state park systems have outdated databases. If you find a site that’s actually long enough, call the ranger to confirm – they’ll often say “you’ll be fine.”
Location Strategy: Stay 45 minutes to an hour outside touristy areas. We saved significantly in Door County, Wisconsin by staying outside the expensive tourist zones. Plus, everything from gas to groceries is cheaper away from popular destinations.
Shoulder Season Travel: Visit popular areas just before or after peak season for lower prices and fewer crowds.
5. Find Free and Low-Cost Entertainment
You don’t have to spend a fortune to have amazing experiences:
- Community events: Check with campgrounds and local stores for flyers about free concerts, fairs, and festivals
- Farmer’s markets: Entertainment, food, and local culture for minimal cost
- Nature activities: Hiking, biking, and exploring local parks cost nothing
- Lunch vs. dinner: If you’re going to splurge on a meal out, choose lunch – it’s significantly cheaper than dinner
We recently attended a dairy farm breakfast event in Wisconsin with thousands of attendees for just $10 per person – much more affordable than expensive tours.
6. Maximize Credit Card Rewards
Strategic Sign-ups: We signed up for an American Airlines credit card on a flight for 60,000 bonus points. We’ve used these points for nearly free flights for family visits and emergencies.
Ongoing Rewards: Cards like Capital One Venture and Discover offer points or cash back on everyday purchases.
Safety Benefits: Credit cards are safer than debit cards for purchases, offering better fraud protection.
Golden Rule: Always pay off balances monthly – carrying debt defeats the purpose of earning rewards.
7. Take Advantage of Seasonal Timing
Shoulder Season Travel One of the smartest ways to save big is timing your visits to popular destinations. Instead of battling summer crowds and peak pricing, visit those bucket-list locations just before or after the busy season.
Benefits of Shoulder Season:
- Lower campground rates: What costs $80/night in summer might be $40/night in shoulder season
- Fewer crowds: Experience popular destinations without the chaos
- Better availability: Get those hard-to-book spots that are impossible during peak times
- More authentic experiences: Interact with locals instead of other tourists
Strategic Timing Examples:
- Visit national parks in early spring or late fall
- Hit beach destinations in late May or early September
- Explore mountain towns before ski season or after summer hiking season
- Time your visits around school calendars – once kids go back to school, prices drop
The key is researching weather patterns and being flexible with your timing. Yes, you might encounter some unpredictable weather, especially in mountainous areas, but the savings and peaceful experiences are often worth the slight risk.
Ready to Take Control of Your RV Costs?
These strategies have transformed our RV budget and allowed us to continue living our dreams despite rising costs. The key is implementing multiple strategies – even small savings in each category add up to significant annual savings.
Want the Complete Financial Picture?
We believe in total transparency about RV costs. That’s why we’ve created detailed budget breakdowns for two consecutive years, sharing every expense down to the penny. You can download our free RV budget tracker and see exactly how much full-time RV living costs – and where we save money.
Thinking About Going Full-Time?
If rising costs have you worried about whether full-time RV living is feasible, you’re not alone. When we started this journey three years ago, we spent about a year trying to figure everything out – from selling our house to planning our transition.
That’s why we created our comprehensive course and community. It’s not just information – it’s a complete support system with everything you need to know about transitioning to full-time RV living, plus a community of people at different stages of the same journey.
Whether you’re planning to hit the road in a few weeks or a few years, you’ll have a safe place to ask questions, get support, and connect with others who understand exactly what you’re going through.
The bottom line: RVing might be getting more expensive, but with the right strategies, it’s still absolutely doable. Don’t let rising costs steal your dreams – use these tips to make your adventures more affordable than ever.
What money-saving strategies have worked best for your RV travels? Share your tips in the comments below!
