Monthly cost

[rving2us]

Mary and I are planning our first lengthy trip and was hoping someone would be able to share a monthly cost for me. This will help me figure the cost of our trip. I know different campgrounds/resorts will have different rates and some charge for utilities and some will not but if I can get a few monthly costs I can average out an expense. If you can help thanks.

[Rainer]

We spend an average of $131 per day.

This includes fuel, camping fees, groceries, dining out, admission to events and attractions, parking, souvenirs, and any miscellaneous stuff.

[WeBeFulltime]

Much will depend on whether you take advantage of weekly or monthly site rates and how much you tow your rig. Campgrounds and fuel will be your 2 largest costs.

[DQDick]

Food is also a major issue and how much you eat out will really change the budget. Also, if you belong to groups like Passport America, Good Sam and Escapee's you will pay anywhere from less to a lot less (Passport America) for your site. Boondocking, if your equipped for it, can also save you a ton of money. I guess we need more information on how often you plan to move, what your eating habits are, and if you belong to any camping discount places.

[Alwims]

The last couple of years, RV Park prices seem to be all over the map and they all are overpriced! We move every 3 months and can't believe what some parks are charging. $500 seems to be the norm plus electricity. You can usually find cheaper if you're willing to give up some luxury, but not always. We are in Pojoaque New Mexico right now for $485 including elect per month, but let me tell you this place is just a place to park. There are no amenities of any kind. Not even bathrooms. We've got full hookups, but that's it. Not even a shade tree.

[rving2us]

Thanks for all the input, I guessing we will staying put for about two months at a time, that will allow us to take care of monthly rates but I suspect we may need to be prepared for some day rates as well. The electricity cost is an unknown, I have never experienced that pricing. Our eating habits, we mostly cook that is one of our pleasures which means groceries will be more of a cost than eating out. Thanks for taking time to help us consider these topics

[Recumbent]

Just to add my dime to this thread, the monthly rental fees do vary all across the country and how close you are to tourist attractions, and those can be researched looking at the resort web sites. However, I can tell you that we have paid $70 to $80 per month for electricity during the winters in Florida, plus about one 30lbs. LP gas every 3 to 4 weeks. Our in-house eating habits and clothing costs are the same whether traveling or at our home-base. The exceptions or added costs for us have always been site seeing admission costs, extra fuel for travel, and more eating-out/socializing costs. I am impressed with Rainer's summary of costs.

[rving2us]

Thanks for the heads up on electric costs, this helps us a bunch. We have used our rig for many three week adventures but we were traveling and doing daily rates at campgrounds and boondocked when weather allowed. This will allow me to do some extimating, thanks.

[Montana Sky]

I take advantage of Walmart and other stores that allow free overnight parking in their lots as I travel to each destination. I make sure I make a purchase at the store in exchange for the free night of parking. I also take advantage of Costco where I can buy food and cleaning supplies in bulk. As already mentioned, taking advantage of parks that offer weekly or monthly discounted rates also helps.

[twindman]

I thought Rainer's cost was high and then did a quick calculation...
That is pretty much dead on for what I spend too. We travel about 15-20 days a month - 200-350 miles a day. Fuel is probably biggest expense for us, therefore.

[subra1228]

We find that as fulltimers, we actually spend about the same as when we lived in our stick-and-brick, so that may be a place to start with your budget.

Yes, as others have stated, campgrounds and fuel will be your largest expenses most likely. Ways to keep other costs down while you travel
* Sign-up for Groupon deals in areas months before you ever plan to be there - for example, we've snorkeled with manatees in Florida with great savings (and would have done it anyway).
* We also always go to Visitor Centers and ask about coupons, etc...
* We do a bit of Internet research to see the "free" or "reduced" admission days to area attractions.

I'm sure others have ideas as well - would be fin to see how people save money along the way....

[1retired06]

Lots of variables to this question. We fulltimed for six years, traveled extensively, stayed at nice parks, took in all the sights. No truck or RV payment, but did have normal recurring expenses like auto insurance, maintenance, life insurance, medical, phone, Sat tv, etc, and we averaged $4500 per month living expenses during that time.

[halfwright]

We have full-timed for a year and 2 months. Of that we voluteered 4 months and had a free site. We booddock in national forests a lot and stay with VFW's, Moose and Eagles and casinos. We spend an average of $80/day. Fuel is far and away our biggest expense, followed by food. The most we have ever paid for overnight parking was $20 and that was due to poor planning. We have spent 4 or 5 nights at a Walmart when traveling due to an emergency situation. We have towed about 15000 miles and have put 21000 and the pickup since we started. And, we have enjoyed the life style tremendously and have no plans of quiting. We have seen and done things that we did not know enough about to even dream of. I would think that full-timing could be done on a smaller budget than ours, since we do spend on extras, like movies, tickets to events and admissions. But, please do not let the word get out or everyone will want to go fulltime.

[JandC]

I think you will obviously get by much cheaper by staying put for 1 - 2 months at a time. We are paying $450 per month in Peoria Illinois right now and that includes electric, sewer, and water. No extras here though (pool, bathrooms, etc.). After researching our upcoming winter stay in Florida it looked like anywhere from $600 per month to $1400 or higher. For 2013 our RV "rent" will be just below what we used to pay annually for our stick house property taxes and utilities. For us there is no difference in our food/eating out expenses. I agree with others that the diesel is where you will spend extra bucks. We have no financed payments but we do have insurance costs and a rented storage shed. We can stay under $4,000 per month being full time.

[CORattler]

Don't forget staying at famcamps or military installations and shopping at commisaries or getting military discounts if you are entitled to that benefit.

[TerryClaudia]

Just an idea but when camping we love Army Corp of Engineering campgrounds. If you have the senior pass the cost of camping is really cheap and campgrounds are always very nice. Not fancy with water and sewer but they are usually located right by beautiful lakes. We just stayed in two in Kentucky they were great. They uaually let you camp there for up to 14 days. Hope this helps.
Terry & Claudia