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07-26-2013, 06:58 AM
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#1
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Powell
Posts: 250
M.O.C. #7880
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Monthly cost
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.
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07-26-2013, 07:27 AM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Oceanside
Posts: 534
M.O.C. #13378
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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.
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07-26-2013, 08:17 AM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Hixson
Posts: 3,436
M.O.C. #11397
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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.
__________________
2018.5 Montana 3791RD
Full Timers 9/1/2010 through 1/16/2020.
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07-26-2013, 10:26 AM
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#4
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Wilsey
Posts: 18,799
M.O.C. #11455
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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.
__________________
Dick, Joyce, Diego, Picatso and Gustav
2017 3720 RL, and 2013 HC 343RL
Pullrite Hitch, IS, Disk Brakes, 3rd AC, Winegard Traveler, Bathroom door mod, Dometic 320, couch for desk swap, replaced chairs, sun screens, added awnings, etc.
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07-26-2013, 10:32 AM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Wheatland
Posts: 675
M.O.C. #10623
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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.
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07-26-2013, 10:51 AM
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#6
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Powell
Posts: 250
M.O.C. #7880
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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
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07-26-2013, 11:32 AM
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#7
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Rock Island
Posts: 1,074
M.O.C. #10457
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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.
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07-26-2013, 12:02 PM
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#8
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Powell
Posts: 250
M.O.C. #7880
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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.
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07-26-2013, 02:32 PM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Down the Road
Posts: 5,627
M.O.C. #889
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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.
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07-26-2013, 08:17 PM
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#10
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Mesa az
Posts: 3,038
M.O.C. #5651
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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.
__________________
Tom and Gail
2013 Mountaineer 362
2012 Silverado 2500
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07-27-2013, 01:38 AM
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#11
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Portland
Posts: 291
M.O.C. #10766
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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....
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07-27-2013, 03:12 AM
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#12
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Lake Gaston
Posts: 8,773
M.O.C. #12156
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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.
__________________
Mike and Lorraine
2002 3655 FL, 2005 3650RK
2010 3665RE, 2015 3910FB
F350 crew cab dually 6.7
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07-27-2013, 04:28 AM
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#13
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: on the road
Posts: 237
M.O.C. #12992
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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.
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07-27-2013, 06:03 AM
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#14
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Frostproof, FL USA
Posts: 2,362
M.O.C. #13272
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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.
__________________
Previous: 2008 Montana 3400RL & 2014 3725RL
Current: Full Time 2022 SOB TT Toy Hauler
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07-27-2013, 03:03 PM
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#15
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Colorado Springs
Posts: 3,335
M.O.C. #10496
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Don't forget staying at famcamps or military installations and shopping at commisaries or getting military discounts if you are entitled to that benefit.
__________________
2010 3150RL
LevelUp, Dual 6 volt batteries, Progressive Industries EMS HW50C, Honda EU2000i Generator, Bridgestone Duravis R250 tires, Torklift Glowstep Revolution Stairs, LED Tail lights
2015 RAM 3500 Laramie SRW LB CC Cummins 6.7L Aisin Trans B&W RVK3600
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07-29-2013, 02:01 PM
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#16
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: The Villages
Posts: 176
M.O.C. #12055
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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
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