Simplify Camping (Get the Most From Your Budget)

Once you’ve identified your favorite reasons for travel, look at ways to simplify camping so you get the most enjoyment from your camping budget. That’s what RVTroop.com is all about: travel more and spend less. Here are my tips on how to simplify camping to make RVing easier and more enjoyable at lower costs.

Size Your RV

Remember that complexity increases costs exponentially. A larger trailer or motorhome costs more fuel to move and more money to maintain and repair. A larger rig may not fit in your driveway and may require monthly storage fees — which means you have less money to spend on travel.

Larger RVs may not fit on back roads or in primitive campgrounds that you prefer. Larger rigs also require more time to load before a trip and unload afterward.

The point being: choose the smallest RV that fits your reasons for camping and your budget. If week-long camping with a family of five, a 36′ trailer may be the smartest investment. It typically isn’t as efficient for an older couple that only camps a few weeks a year. Make sure your RV is sized to fit your needs and your budget.

Consider Your Travel

Each of us has the same time inventory: 8,760 hours in a year. The typical weekend RVer camps less than 5% of that time – and thinks about camping the other 95%. Full-time RVers, obviously, spend much more time on the road and in their rigs. If your camping means driving to a specific campground and staying there for many days or even weeks, you may want an RV that is larger and roomier.

If your RV is on long trips with new campsites every few days, choose a rig that is easier to drive and handle. Self-contained motorhomes and van campers typically take less time to set up at the campsite than 5th wheel trailers and travel trailers with slides.

Simplify RV Camping

An important part of getting value for your camping dollars is looking ahead to see how you will use your RV. In the coming few years:

• How many nights do you expect to be in your RV?
• How many miles per year do you plan to drive or tow your RV?
• How many people will share the RV?
• What sleeping arrangements are needed?
• Will any of your campers sleep in a separate tent?
• How many meals will you make on a stove? In an oven? With a microwave? Over a campfire? Eat in restaurants?
• How many days will you dry camp?
• Will you be traveling in extremely cold or extremely hot climates?
• Are all the adults in your camping group comfortable with taking turns driving?
• Would it be less costly and less frustrating to rent your RV when needed instead of owning and maintaining it?
• How can you simplify camping in your RV to make each trip more enjoyable for everyone?

There are many other ways of making RV travel easier including cooking one-pot meals, simplifying recipes, using sleeping bag bedding, and packing multi-purpose clothes.

RV camping is fun, but it isn’t free. Simplify camping to make sure you get the most value and enjoyment for every dollar you spend.

RV and Travel Trailer Hacks: Camping Made Easier (Video)