How to estimate the cost of your next RV trip?
How to Budget for RV Travel: Campground Fees. Campground fees vary widely depending location and amenities. There are gorgeous state parks in the west that cost about $12 per night. And then there are off-the-hook resorts in the northeast that cost $150 per night. If you already know the campgrounds that you will book, it will be easy to estimate your camping fees for the next year and save accordingly.
How much does it cost to own a RV?
- Total RV Repair and Maintenance Costs: $41,250
- Less Repairs covered under RV warranties (first coach): $5,721
- Out of Pocket RV Repairs and Maintenance Costs: $35,529
- Average Monthly Cost: $573 over 72 months ($400/mo RV #1; $862/mo RV #2)
What is the average monthly payment for a RV?
Some of the more important hidden costs of ownership include:
- Maintenance – All vehicles require regular maintenance, and RVs are no exception. ...
- Fuel Costs – The public has gotten used to highly fuel efficient cars and trucks, but you can’t really expect that kind of fuel economy from an RV. ...
- Towing – If you will be towing your RV you will need to consider whether or not your current vehicle is up to the task. ...
How much does a Class A RV cost?
The average cost of a new Class A RV is between $50,000 to $200,000 and up. Now, prices do vary depending on the manufacturer you choose, the size of the vehicle, the floorplan, any extra features you get, and how old the RV is.
What is a good budget for full time RV living?
We have seen monthly full time RV living budgets from fellow travelers as low as $1,600 and as high as $5,000. If you really want to go minimal, you can easily live this life for around $1,000 per month by finding a free spot to park your rig for extended periods or by becoming a camp host.
How much does it cost per day to live in an RV?
It ranges from a few dollars a day all the way up to $60 per day or more. Gas: The third and final huge variable to RV travel. This could be your biggest expense at several hundred dollars a month, or nothing at all, depending on how much you like to travel.
Is living in an RV cheaper than a house?
So the initial cost of RV living is certainly lower than buying a house, and you'll save money by not having to stay at expensive RV parks every night. After all, the average cost of an RV park is around $30 a day.
Is living in a RV worth it?
Some of the many advantages of living in an RV include: Freedom: RV life allows you to change locations whenever you want. You're never obligated to stay in one place for longer than you want. It's a great option for anyone who isn't ready to settle down and for individuals who want to explore and wander.
Do you save money living in an RV?
Full-Time RV Living and Traveling Rather than taking up a somewhat permanent station at an RV park, you could also live in your RV while traveling full-time. Believe it or not, this can save just as much money (if not more) as living stationary at a long-term RV park.
How much electricity does an RV use in one month?
How Much Electricity Do RVs Use on Average? Ideally, an average-sized RV with typical consumption and appliances will use up to 20 kWh per day. Multiplying that by 30 days or 365 days and you get a rough estimation of about 600 kWh per month or 7,300 kWh per year.
How much do RV parks cost per month?
Generally speaking, you can expect to pay between $500 and $1,200 per month to stay at an RV park, including the cost of utilities. The price will vary depending on the location, facilities, amenities available, and whether the park offers a discount for extended stays.
Is it unhealthy to live in a camper?
Living in an RV can be plenty safe; you just have to prepare. Godownsize.com really pushes the point that if you aren't prepared for the long-term challenges of electricity, weather, animals, driving conditions, and access to health care, the RV life can quickly turn dark.
Which is cheaper RV or apartment?
Full-Time RV Living Can Be Cheaper Than Renting You can make your RV life much cheaper or much more expensive than renting an apartment. Where you land along that line is entirely up to you and the kind of life you want to lead.
What are the cons of living in an RV?
Cons of Living in an RVLack of Space. RVs can be small and cramped, which may not be ideal for everyone. ... Limited Storage. One of the downsides of living in an RV is that storage can be limited. ... Weather. ... Temperature Fluctuations. ... RV Maintenance. ... RV Depreciation. ... Travel Days. ... Changing Routines.More items...
Why don't more people live in RVs?
People who are not careful about their finances and who don't do enough research before buying, often find that they simply cannot afford to live in RVs, especially if they plan to do a great deal of traveling and are not able to do a good number of their own repairs.
Can you live in RV permanently?
Yes, an RV can be a permanent residence for tax purposes or to claim residency in many states. The IRS considers any structure as a possible primary (or secondary) residence if it has sleeping, cooking, and toilet facilities. For other purposes, you can get an address assigned to your RV property like any other home.
1. Avoid High-Priced Campsites
Campsite reservations are usually the largest expense in most RV budgets. If you spend a night here, a night there, paying for Full Hookup sites, then campground fees can easily match (or double) the cost of a monthly mortgage payment!
2. Do Your Own Repair and Maintenance
Auto and RV repair is expensive. And in the case of RVs, you might find yourself waiting 6-12 weeks (or months) for a service dealership to complete the work!
3. Sell the Kitchen Sink
If you plan to live the nomadic lifestyle more than a year, you probably shouldn’t keep all your stuff (and the house). Monthly storage fees can easily top $200 for large commercial storage units, and you probably don’t need half of that stuff anyway!
4. Get a Smaller RV
It’s interesting, but most recreational campers wish for a bigger RV, and most full-timers wish for a smaller one!
How to budget for RV?
You can plan your budget in three easy steps (using our cost calculator method): 1 Write down all of your current expenses. 2 Subtract the ones that won’t apply while you’re on the road, such as utilities, car expenses for vehicles you won’t be using, house maintenance costs, etc.) 3 Add the new expenses you’ll have while you’re in your RV. What are these expenses, you ask?
How much does it cost to buy an RV?
The costs vary wildly – you could spend about $50,000 on a base model Class C motor home or anywhere around $200,000 on a Class A motor home with amenities galore . You’ll get much better deals on used RVs, but the peace of mind in knowing your RV shouldn’t need repairs for the first few years is worth its weight in gold.
How much does it cost to winterize a car?
The service varies from dealer to dealer but can be performed for as little as $100.
What is the largest RV class?
Need a little more explanation on RV classes? Motor homes are designated as Class A, Class B, or Class C. Class A is the largest; they can be as long as 45 feet. They’re also the most expensive, averaging around $200,000, not to mention they come with the highest fuel costs. Full-time RVers will generally purchase a Class A.
What is the largest cost of RV ownership?
In all reality, the largest cost of RV ownership is the annual depreciation of the vehicle over time.
What to put in RV to make improvements?
This could include things like mattresses, flooring, solar panels, backup cameras, lighting, shower/faucet heads, a WiFi extender, better stabilizers, improved shelving, an upgraded sewer system, and more. If you know there are things you want to enhance, start setting aside some cash for upgrades in your budget.
What is the smallest van?
Class B’’s, which average around $120,000, are the smallest. These are essentially camper vans, and they feature the best gas mileage.
Why is it important to have a budget for RVing?
Having a budget when RVing is an important tool for understanding what your monthly expenses will be and how they can vary by different circumstances. In this sample worksheet are some examples of what you may need to consider when creating your own budget for full-time RVing.
What is the biggest living expense?
As a rule, your biggest living expenses will be accommodations and fuel. However, some people finance their RVs and that payment could very well be their biggest expense per month. For example, you may choose to finance a top of the line class A motorhome or trailer and your monthly payment may be $500. When you combine this expense with the cost of daily, weekly, monthly, or seasonal lot or site rentals, this expense will in all likelihood become your costliest.
How much does healthcare cost?
Healthcare premiums are going to differ by person, but budgeting for around $100 a month is a good average to shoot for.
Can you use full hookups at a campsite every night?
If you frequent RV parks while traveling, you’ll have to consider the cost of full hookups to shore power as well, which can get expensive quickly if you’re using full hookups at a campsite every night.
Do campgrounds pay seasonal fees?
Many of them have sites they stay at in both locations and they pay seasonal fees for each of those sites. This helps to keep their accommodation costs to a minimum because most campground owners prefer to discount a site price than take the chance that they may not make the revenue renting it as a transient site.
Can I finance an RV?
Personally, I never recommend financing an RV unless you have the income to support it as a full-time RVer or even a part-time camper. For the occasional RVer, financing a nice RV in the last few years before they retire and taking good care of it during that time would be the way I would go if you were considering living in an RV full-time or seasonally in your retirement.
Do you have to pay for utilities at a campground?
Utilities. If you are traveling day-to-day or staying in paid campgrounds for short periods of time, it’s unlikely that you will have to incur utility costs such as electric, sewer, water, or cable charges as these costs are usually included in your fee as a short time visitor.
How can I save money in RV?
Your cooking skills: Being a good cook can save you A LOT of money in both RV life and normal household life. If you aren’t already practicing your cooking skills, I suggest starting now. Traveling in an RV allows you to check out many different local cuisines. Just keep in mind that going to restaurants and breweries all the time adds up quickly.
How much does it cost to camp in a state park?
Every park is different, but most national or state park campgrounds cost $25-40 per night. You tend to get more room between you and your neighbors than you would in an RV park, and many campgrounds have trees between sites for privacy. One of the main benefits of camping in a state or national park is you often times you are in the heart of the action with beautiful trails, lakes, and rivers within reach. We like to stay in established campgrounds when we want to immerse ourselves in a specific park.
What internet service do RVers use?
When you live in an RV full time, having reliable internet is very important. Most full time RVers use Verizon or AT&T because they give you the best chance of getting service in small towns and remote locations. Although Verizon is the most expensive at $150/month for 2 lines, we are happy we chose them. We have had usable Verizon signal in almost every campsite we have stayed.
What is campsite fee?
Campsite fees for full time RVers includes the cost to stay in an RV park / campground plus any dump, water, and electric fees that you pay along the way. This expense category is one that you can pay as much or as little as you want to depending on where you want set up camp. Some people are willing to shell out a lot of cash to stay in fancy RV parks to have the creature comforts of home, while others like to brave the wilderness and boondock for free.
How much propane do you use in the winter?
Season and weather: Not only does the season impact how much we travel, it impacts how much propane we use. We use 2-3x as much propane in the winter as in the summer because we use propane to heat our RV. Also, shorter days means less solar power; and we end up using propane to cook more than electric.
How to save money on phone bill?
One way to save some cash on your phone bill is to go with one of the secondary mobile providers that use the Verizon or AT&T towers. Visible is getting very popular with nomads because you get access to Verizon’s huge network for as low as $25/month. Cricket is another popular secondary provider option for people wanting to use AT&T’s network. Keep in mind that these phone plans can be limited compared to the major network providers.
How much does America the Beautiful pass cost?
Fortunately for us, there is plenty of free (or very cheap) entertainment in nature. If you buy the America the Beautiful pass for $80/year, you get access to all of the national parks plus over 2,000 other federal parks and landmarks.
How much does RV insurance cost?
For instance, adequately insuring a class A motorhome typically costs around $100 per month, with charges depending upon the amount insured and the local state laws.
How much does a Class A motorhome cost?
Naturally the cost of these moveable homes varies according to model. Entry level models typically sell for between $200,000 and $300,000 new and without any custom add-ons. More exclusive models, featuring luxury upgrades, can easily run upwards of $1.5 million or more.
How much of the time do RV owners leave their RVs idle?
Most RV owners leave their RVs idle about 90% of the time. Have your RV pay for itself by leasing it out when you are not using it.
How long is a Class C motorhome?
Class C motorhomes can vary in length from 20ft to 40ft, making it easy to find a model that will match your traveling plans. Larger models in this class often include slideouts to provide extra room for passengers when the vehicle is parked, and can be outfitted with the latest in appliances and entertainment features to provide a comfortable home away from home.
What is RV lifestyle?
The RV lifestyle has much to offer both full-time and part-time adventurers. However, in order to get the most out of your travels it’s important to choose the right type of vehicle. That means choosing a vehicle that not only falls within your general budgetary restrictions, but that also matches up with your overall traveling ambitions. You’ll find that there are a number of different vehicles that fall under the broader heading of RVs. These range from luxurious motor-coaches featuring all of the amenities you might expect to find in a permanent home to the more modest pop-up campers and travel trailers that act as cozy homes away from home for those weekend fishing trips and summertime camping holidays.
What is the size of a fifth wheel travel trailer?
Fifth-Wheel trailers typically feature split-level floor plans providing ample living space for occupants. Sizes vary from a modest 25ft to an impressive 45ft making it easy to find a model that suits both your budget and your lifestyle.
How is interest rate determined on a loan?
How Will the Interest Rates on Your Loan be Determined? – The interest rate on your loan should be determined by the total loan amount, your projected down payment, your current credit score, and the age and value of the vehicle in question. Other factors may come into play, but these are the core points of review when lenders calculate interest rates on loans.
What is the interest rate on an RV?
Interest Rate: The rate is the price paid by the borrower to borrow the money. The interest rate paid depends on the borrower’s credit rating and is expressed as a percentage. Most creditors use around a 6% interest rate for traditional RV loans up to 75% of the total RV purchase price. The RVUSA RV loan calculator will allow you to see what your monthly payment would be using different interest rates.
What is unit price for RV?
Unit Price: The unit price is the total cost of the RV you are looking to purchase. If your interest rate and loan term are set in stone and your monthly payment is too high for your budget, you may want to look for an RV with a different size, type, floor plan or set of features at a lower cost. Likewise, if you have more room in your budget after determining your monthly payment using the RV loan calculator, you may find you can purchase an RV with slightly more bells and whistles than the one you currently have in mind.
How long does it take to pay for an RV?
RV payment terms can range from as little as 1 year to as long as 20 years depending on the lender . A longer payment term will spread out your payments so your monthly payment is lower, but keep in mind you will end up paying more money in interest since you’re borrowing the money for a longer period of time. If you can afford a shorter payment term with a higher monthly payment, you will save money on interest in the long run.
What is RVUSA calculator?
The RVUSA RV Loan Calculator is to be used a an estimation tool only. Actual interest rates will vary daily and will differ based on loan term length and amount financed. The rate used above may not be current - please consult your bank for the appropriate rate.
Do you have to pay down on an RV?
Down Payment: The down payment amount is entirely up to you and the cash you have on hand to pay up front for your new or used RV. The more you pay up front, the less you borrow, and in turn, the less you’ll be responsible for in interest. Some lenders require a minimum down payment, so be sure you know what your lenders requirements are in this area before moving forward with an RV purchase.
How much does RV insurance cost?
RV insurance is cheaper comparatively. It could be anything between $20 and $50 per month depending on the type of the vehicle.
How much does a campground cost?
The prices may range from a few dollars to a few hundred dollars per night.
How much does it cost to wash and dry at a campground?
If you use an interdependent washing service like Launderama, a washing and drying combo for a load will take less than $4. You may save the cost by hanging clotheslines but most parks and campgrounds don’t allow it.
How much does it cost to refill a 10 lb tank?
Exchanging a 10lb. tank or refilling it will cost around $20. You can do it at truck shops like Loves and Flying J. If you are careful with the usage, there is no need to refill it every month. For example, you can use an electric heater, use campground showers whenever possible, and cook outdoors on the grill sometimes.
Can you be a full time RV camper?
Of course, it can be more or less depending on your lifestyle and lots of other factors including the campgrounds you live in, traveling distance, the cost of your rig, and more. If you want to be a full-time RV campers, there are helpful RV living tips you need to learn from experienced RVers. These tips not only get you ready for ...
Do you have to pay for sewer and water when you are camping?
Utilities. While you no longer have to pay for sewer, water, and trash bills, living in an RV full time cost still includes some utility bills. You have to pay the dump fees when dry camping. Some campgrounds charge for electric and internet bills but most of them include these into the rental cost.
Does RV living cost vary?
The fixed cost of living in an RV does not differ much from month to month. It could fluctuate a bit, but the average monthly expenses are virtually the same.
RV Gas Mileage Chart
If you don’t know your RV’s MPG yet, here’s a RV gas mileage chart to help you estimate how much gas you might use. You’ll see that there is a wide range because in addition to a variety of driving conditions, there are many different types of RVs. So, this is a very rough guide to give you a ballpark idea of the fuel efficiency for various RVs.
THANKS FOR READING!
We’ve been full-time RVers since 2012. 127,000 miles and 45 states later, we are still towing our home around the United States.