Have high gas prices got you down? Have you been pondering whether to even take an RV trip this summer? Are you considering driving your daily commute in an electric golf cart? Fear not, my friends. You can have your RV, and camp in it too.
Of course, the secret is simple. If you want to beat these skyrocketing gas prices, you simply need to…
…camp close to home!
Of course, this is only one way to beat high gas prices. I’m sure there are others. But for me, camping close to home highlights much of what’s wonderful about owning an RV.
It’s counterintuitive, to be sure. When we buy our RVs, we think about hauling them all around the continent. We imagine traveling from Florida to Alaska and all points in between. But one of the most extraordinary aspects of RV ownership is the sense of adventure it brings to ordinary locations.
Camping, you see, is camping. Sure, it’s nice to camp alongside the rim of the Grand Canyon. But once the sun goes down and the campfire lights up, you find yourself focused on the fundamentals. The simple basics of the experience are what make it so enjoyable.
The first time I went camping, I was young – probably around seven or eight years old. I slept in a Boy Scouts sleeping bag. I awoke amidst chilly early morning air to the sound of chirping birds, and the sight of glistening dew. I had enjoyed a fantastic childhood camping memory, and it all transpired in my family’s backyard, in the shadow of our house.
Shortly after Kristy and I bought our Airstream, we tried camping in a Wal-Mart parking lot. Even in this most unromantic of locations, we discovered that RV camping was still surprisingly fun. There’s tremendous value in simply stepping outside your normal everyday comfort zone. There’s upside in trying something different, even if it’s something you’ve been ignoring for years.
As newcomers to the RV lifestyle, we also took our newly purchased travel trailer to a nearby state park. This particular park is one of the most spacious and beautiful in our state’s system. It is located about 10 miles from our home, and offers rustic camping amidst a recently upgraded campground. But we had ignored it for years. It took buying an RV to get us out of our house and into that forest.
Quite frankly, those who insist “there’s nothing to do here” are usually busy doing nothing. Most people ignore the opportunities that exist in their hometown.
Wherever you live, there’s plenty to do. The question is whether you appreciate and value it enough to get out and do it. Which brings me to today’s point about RVs, camping, and beating high gas prices.
You may think that you need to haul your RV 1000 miles away to have a good time. You’d be mistaken. Good times are had in the company of good friends and family. You can be lonely and miserable in Paris, London, New York, and Tokyo. You can be happy and satisfied in Mayberry.
Quite simply, if you’re concerned about how gas prices affect your RV travels, perhaps you need to look close to home. Some of the best experiences of your life await, and they may be found right in your own backyard.
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Hello,
Your videos are quite entertaining and the image quality is very impressive. Great job on the site. As an RV/trailer owner, what do you think of this mygallons.com deal? The math for automobile drivers doesn’t make so much sense, barring another spike or large volumes, but as a boater and (full disclosure: RV accessory salesman) it seems that locking in current gas prices could really save some serious cash. I can go through 50 gallons a weekend, and while I know the solution’s not permanent, it gives me an excuse to plan out a boating trip when I purchase the option on the fuel. I am not as familiar with RVing, and was just curious what you thought. Thanks, Shuyler.
Hi Shuyler, thanks for your comments. These videos are the result of probably too much effort on our part. 😆
I just checked out mygallons.com. I’ll preface my remarks with the caveat that I knew NOTHING about the service before your post. That said, the idea is a fascinating one, and perhaps holds some promise. It’s my understanding that the current profitability of Southwest Airlines is due to its practice of hedging fuel costs by purchasing in advance. The mygallons website appears to apply the same concept on a micro/consumer level.
Of course, the significent downside risk is that fuel prices actually DECREASE…in which case you will have overpaid, at least until prices resume their upward spiral.
Cheers,
Sean
Hey Guys – You’ve got the right message! Here is a story I wrote right before Memorial Day that has a similar message – I got a lot of media play all over the country on it. Thought your readers might enjoy it too. Happy 4th of July!
Carol
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5 Reasons Why Gas Prices Shouldn’t Cancel Your Summer Fun
Everyone seems to be complaining about the high cost of fuel causing them to cancel their summer vacation plans. Carol White, co-author of the book “Live Your Road Trip Dream”, says, “I don’t like the higher prices, but if you take a realistic look at it, it’s something that most of us can deal with.”
Did you cancel last year’s plans? According to AAA, gas prices have increased an average of $.56 a gallon since last Memorial Day. Let’s go crazy and say it has been $.75 a gallon in your area. If your summer trip is 1000 miles long and your car gets an average of 23 MPG, your fuel will cost $32.60 more this year than last. One dinner at home instead of eating out before you go will save that much. Is $32 any reason to cancel your vacation?
What does it really cost? When you add up all the expenses of a vacation, fuel only counts as about the second or third highest expense. Typically food and lodging will cost more than fuel. If you need to cut back, consider RVing or eating more meals in, or renting a slightly less expensive lodging.
How can you afford to RV? According to a study done for the RV Association, RVing is still less expensive than piling a family of four into an airplane and hotels for vacation. Using a similar example to the one above and a typical mid-size RV fuel economy of 12 MPG, the additional fuel cost for RV fuel this year would be $62.50. This is easily off-set by the lower cost of campgrounds vs. motels, resorts or cabins at your favorite destination.
What about family bonding? One of the best parts of taking a road trip or an RV get-away is the extra time you get to spend with your traveling companions. In the close quarters of automobiles, RVs, campgrounds and motels, a family has the opportunity to enjoy old-fashioned fun like cards, board games, campfires and more. It really is fun talking to your kids. Ditch the electronics just for the week and see what might happen.
And the final reason you shouldn’t let fuel get in your way? You and your family deserve the time together and the time away. Have everyone work together to be able to afford the extra cost of gas. Go on a Starbucks-free week, check for the best fuel prices, just say “no” to an evening at the movies, or take a pass on that cute new pair of shoes and you will have the added money to cover fuel. Don’t let the “psychology of price,” rather than real price get the best of you.
Have fun and enjoy your summer vacation.
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Carol White is the co-author of the award-winning book, “Live Your Road Trip Dream” (www.roadtripdream.com) – the ultimate road trip planning guide for extended road trips. Carol and her husband Phil have traveled over 50,000 road miles in the past several years, visiting all fifty states and having visited all of the National Parks in the “lower forty-eight.” As national spokespeople for the RV Industry, they now spend their days speaking, writing, and helping others to live their dreams.
Hi Carol, thanks much for sharing your article! I agree completely with your point about “the psychology of price.” While no one’s thrilled to be paying more at the pump, if you actually do the math, the additional expense can be easily offset by making wise food and lodging choices.
Food expense is a key variable, and with an RV you happen to be hauling your own kitchen.
Kristy and I usually pack the fixin’ for sandwiches. We also make good use of our Weber grill. Take a few meals by the campfire (which is usually more fun than dining out, anyway) and your gas expense is just about covered.
When traveling from point A to point B, we’ve also been known to occasionally park overnight in a Wal-Mart parking lot. You can’t beat the price (free!) so this sort of boondocking does save a little extra money. Again, at least with an RV you have this choice.
😀 Hey guys!
Just revisited your blog and I am greatly impressed on the progress you have made, a sponsor and a beautiful video presentation! We bought our 31 08 Classic about the same time, May of 07. After last years marathon cross country trip we had planned this summer on going up to Newfoundland. But a medical situation occurred here so we are now bound to South Florida for the summer. Interesting enough I just came back from scouting a county campground less than 4 miles from the house that we intend to use next weekend. Your video was almost psychic in its relevance. So I guess I will not need to complain about fuel costs!
hey Howard! I remember emailing with you last year.
Thanks for your kind complements. Our blog is a constant “work in progress” but at least it is progressing. 😆 We are really happy to be working with our sponsors — RV.net and RVsearch.com are excellent sites, and they are run by really nice people.
Sorry to hear about your medical situation, but it sounds like you are making the best of it. Camping close to home really is fun. I’m amazed at how it’s possible to feel “out there” when you’re only a few miles away — but somehow it works! We plan on doing a lot of Airstreaming later this summer and into the autumn. Our autumn Airstreaming will largely be in our native area (attending football games, etc.).
Anyway, glad to hear that you are getting some good use out of that nice Classic!
Cheers,
Sean
Felt the need to comment again…hope you don’t mind!
I have never “RV’d” anywhere – though at one time in my life it was a dream I had for the future, but as has been mentioned in the comment section here but Howard and Carol (the comments are on her own site) health issues can and do put the end to a dream such as this! People do take their health for granted and it’s so easy to put things off “for someday” only to have “someday” never arrive due to them! Love seeing that so many haven’t and are allowing those that it has to enjoy it this way – thank you!
But my memories of camping are very vivid…and most of them are in fact very close to home! A week spent in a tent with our dogs literally less than 10 miles from home – and when we needed something, one or both of us packed up the car and ran home to get it! LOL!! Or my first “real boyfriend” and I taking off for the week with nothing but a planned area in mind and literally sleeping in the back of his mini truck with a blue tarp thrown over it, pulled off the side of the road somewhere in the wilderness – though not sure this is thought too highly of these days! OH, and of course the requisite gun between us for a “just in case” moment – whether that be bear or man! HA!
Growing up 35 miles from San Francisco allowed me unlimited access to some of the most beautiful places in the world…all within a few hours driving distance! I always found it simply amazing that in one hour I can be standing at the end of our beautiful country on a beach and then 4 hours later standing in the snow in a fabulous mountain range – with people everywhere or people nowhere to be seen within a few miles of each other!
As your entry says…I don’t think that people give enough thought to their immediate surroundings and miss making lifelong memories!
Thank you for the reminder…my memories have been stirred and will forever be treasured!
My husband and I have ordered a 15′ travel trailer by Taylor Coach for delivery in April 2010. We picked our trailer in part because it is light enough to be towed by our car. Our Mazda 3 has a towing capacity of 1980 lbs while the trailer has a dry weight of 1275 lbs. We wont be breaking any speed records but I’m confident we will be able to tow safely.
By keeping the fuel costs more reasonable, we are hoping to extend the distances we can travel. We are hoping to take trips to Quebec city and Virginia Beach this year. Living in south central Ontario though, there are no shortage of fabulous destinations within a 3 hour drive that will make for many enjoyable make-your-own long weekend getaways. Camping close to home means more time camping and less time on the road – perfect for short trips!
Sounds great, Wiggly! 1275 pounds is a lightweight RV! I’m sure you will be fine.
We visited Quebec City last year with our Airstream and LOVED it. Quebec is a fascinating cultural experience! (And by the way, we enjoyed Ontario too. :-))
Yeh, I enjoyed your video on Quebec city which is partly what got me thinking about going there plus je parle le francais assez bien. Also we have a friend in Montreal who has an RV too – we will boondock in his driveway one night – another benefit of having a small trailer is that we should be able to fit in smaller spaces. However, our trailer will not be as luxurious as yours… Airstreams are lovely. :o)
One thing I’ve learned about RVs is that there are advantages and disadvantages to all types and sizes.
Early on in our RV shopping we actually looked at a pre-owned 34-foot Airstream! It would’ve been a LOT to handle and probably would have delivered a quite different experience. There have certainly been times in our travels when we’ve been happy to have our smaller unit. We couldn’t have possibly squeezed a big rig into some of our favorite campsites.
Heck, the most iconic model of Airstream is arguably the Bambi — the smallest they make. That’s the one that resides in NY’s Museum of Modern Art.
All of which is a longwinded way of saying, “smaller can be better!” There are always tradeoffs. You concede a bit of luxury with a smaller unit, but you gain flexibility and maneuverability. It all depends on your preferences and intended usage. 🙂