Any Advice to a New RVer (Class 'B') Traveling Solo? Saving Money?

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Malibuangel

New member
Joined
Jan 8, 2013
Posts
1
Location
Malibu, California USA
Hi Everyone,
I'm new to this forum. Today I just bought a Class 'B' 2008 Pleasure-Way Lexor TD, and very excited about new road trips. Need some advice.

I travel 4 months out of the year doing Photography and Videos. I was traveling in a small car before, now I will be in an RV for the first time...solo. I usually go where its photogenic, like National Parks. (See my website for past photo trips if you like photography).

Would love any advice on traveling alone with my dogs, (2 Australian Shepherds). Plus any tips on saving money along the way. Best deals on RV parks or camp sites etc.

Thank you!
 
Welcome Carol Sue, and congratulations on the new rig!  Lots of good advice here, so stand by.  As for your travels, I would say that you are already locked on to saving by staying in the National and State parks as they usually have better rates than private camp grounds.  Another money saving practice is to cook most of your meals in the rig if possible.  Eating out takes a huge bite out of the budget if you do it often. 

Get a National Parks pass if you don't have one yet, and a few clubs that that will save you some money on camping fees is Good Sam club, and Passport America.  Both are fairly cheap to join, and will be accepted at many private campgrounds.   
 
Hi Carol Sue. I'll add my welcome to The RV Forum.

Australian sheperds are beautiful animals. A few years ago we house sat for some RVing friends who have four of them; Pictures attached to this message.
 
Welcome aboard Carol - always nice to have another photog around the forum. Much like you I spend about 5 or 6 months traveling around the desert Southwest frequenting the National and State Parks. Lots to shoot.

You don't look like you are 62 yet, but hard to tell, if so get the National Park Pass it will save you a ton over the year. I eat in 99% of the time and look for reasonable campgrounds and always call and confirm the rates.

I use RV Park Reviews to find places....most people list what they paid and if a website is available there is a link so you can check or email directly. Try not to eat out of a box - buy fresh and cook, the packaged foods are always more expensive. When out shooting take a small cooler and pack a lunch and a few drinks and snacks, saves paying high prices in concessions and better for you.

Good Luck and feel free to ask away around here there is a ton of experience here and good advice.

Enjoy,

Jim

 
Hi Carol,

When you reach a destination check out monthly prices at local commercial RV parks. Sometimes they can be a better deal than the National Park campsites, plus you have the benefit of full hookups. With monthly, electric is usually metered and an additional fee.

And when between destinations, don't be shy about overnighting in Walmart parking lots along the way, or at interstate rest areas (free camping!). Many allow overnighting, but it's good practice to ask at the Walmarts. I go in, buy a few supplies and ask about their policy on the way out. Or you can just phone ahead of time.

Welcome to a fun way of life.
 
Hi Carol
Welcome to the forum
Check out  gas buddy.com to find the best price for fuel in the area you are in...
 
Hi Carol,

Welcome and I am a newbie too, plus a photographer who just purchased a small vintage trailer and planning on traveling for the next two years through the western and northwestern states. 

I do not know if you have an iPad or not, but I just downloaded a wonderful app called Allstays Camp and RV.  It is a wonderful app and will show you all of the private and public campgrounds in any state.  You can also go directly to the campsite website to get any info as to rates and restrictions.  It will even show you rest stops, sporting goods stores, RV stores, groceries, etc, etc.  It says also that you can download the database which has all of the same information without having internet running.  That item I have not tried yet.

It is not a free app but it is worth the purchase price to save you time, money and the worry of, "where am I going to stay next".

Good luck and maybe we will cross paths someday.

Mark
 
Although they generally have no hookups, national forest campgrounds are usually the least expensive that you will find. Also, except in some restricted areas, the national forests permit "distributed camping" that is free.

Joel
 
Welcome Carol, everything above is great advice. The gas-buddy is awesome and saves people a lot of money if you don't have to drive out of the way to get to the station. A few other things are; Watch your speed, I know that you most likely know this. It will save you a lot of money in gas. Travel light too. If you know that you are going to a park that has water, then don't have a full water tank. Goodluck, maybe see you in Idaho sometime.
 
I'm sure many here will agree that a CoachNet membership is a good idea incase you have trouble on the road. I think its better than AAA for RVers and will more than pay for itself the first time its needed.
 
jmugs said:
I'm sure many here will agree that a CoachNet membership is a good idea incase you have trouble on the road. I think its better than AAA for RVers and will more than pay for itself the first time its needed.

AGREED, good to have!
 

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