Have the gas you need to get where you’re going
Budgeting is a constant concern for RVers. We’re always looking for ways to save money so we can visit great places. One essential cost that continues to rise day after day is gas. No matter how much we would like to forget about it, we can’t. The rising cost cuts deep into our budget, and when we don’t know what gas is going to cost from one destination to the next, planning a budget can sometimes be difficult. You can’t stop using it, but you can conserve it.
Check those tires
Oh, tires. Where would we be without them? We’re constantly looking out for them – making sure they’re holding up, making sure the pressure is just right. There’s more at stake with soft tires than the dangers of the road, though. When it comes to tires, the softer they are and the worse their tread, the more gas you’re going to burn. Another important thing to remember is that elevation will also impact tire pressure.
Don’t jam on the gas or the brakes
Your RV doesn’t like when you gun the engine or slam on the breaks, and as it turns out, neither does your fuel efficiency. RVs weren’t made for hot-rodding, so go easy on your rig. Your wallet and the gas tank will thank you.
Perform maintenance, maintenance, maintenance
Are you tired of hearing about maintenance yet? Well, there’s a good reason why everyone talks about it. Your RV is your life on the road, and you want to make sure it’s in good shape to embrace all the years ahead. When it comes to maintenance, you do it to keep your systems running right. As it turns out, when systems run right, then your fuel efficiency does a lot better. A big place to improve fuel efficiency is your air filter. Make sure you change it.
Don’t haul more than you have to
RVs don’t have a lot of space, and we’re always looking for ways to keep our rig free of clutter. That clutter weighs you down, and the extra weight has a direct impact on your fuel efficiency. Pack light and save money at the pump.
Don’t dawdle
Of course you want to take it easy and enjoy your time, and that’s fine, but letting your RV idle is almost like setting your wallet on fire. Don’t do it, even when it comes to a drive-through. It takes a lot of gas to make your RV work, and idling for too long wastes more than you think.
Slow and steady wins the race
That’s just a saying. Don’t race. In fact, don’t go over 65 miles per hour if you can avoid it. Why? Because once you crest 65, your fuel efficiency drops an incredible amount for every tick over you go. If you want to save fuel, keep it at 65 or below.
Like an acrobat, balance matters
Don’t weigh down one part of your RV more than another. Try to keep the weight distributed evenly. When there’s more weight at the front or the back, your rig must compensate for that. When you even out the load, less strain is put on one specific part of your RV.
Know when prices are higher
Did you know that gas prices tend to increase around the weekend? If you’re serious about saving money on gas, fill your tank as often as you can during the middle of the week. This isn’t to say that you’ll never see an increase in the middle of the week, but more often than not, this advice holds true.
That was a lot to take in. Did you find these tips super helpful? There’s a lot more great information in our blog. Find tips on reducing the amount you carry with you, where the best places to visit are, how to make camping trips easier, and much, much more!
