What's Your Annual Rv Usage/mileage?

I sure hated to do it but we have had to park the TT. With fuel well over $4 a gallon and the higher cost of RV parks it's just to expensive to take it out right now. We are hoping the cost will come down before the summer but aren't holding our breath. Sure would hate to have to get ride of it. Maybe one of these days we'll be able to know who's fault all this is.

As always just my opinion,

 

In WA we have high gas taxes, because we don't have a state income tax. Someone (was it this thread, or another thread....) thought that wasn't necessarily the reason for WA state. Ok, a friend of mine posed another theory. In WA, we USED to have to pay an excise tax on our car license plates. License plates, $20, Excise Tax, $350 (average....based on weight of your car). These taxes went to fund our transporation infrastructure (to include the ferries that we are curently having problems with....). Well, with competition from OR, who has cheap license plates, and ID, who also has cheap license plates, and people "sneaking" to those states to license their cars, we had a (I think it came up through voter's initiative process....) ballot in (I think....) 2002, we we voted to get rid of the excise tax. This ended up being short sighted by the voters (and I forgot how I voted on that one...). Not only did we lose that funding to the infrastructure (and now our ferries are having problems....), but we lost a great tax write off for the Form 1040!

JJ

 

jj: I don't know about other taxes, but the taxes on liquor in Washington state are draconian. I know, if we plan to be in Washington for any time, we will stock up in Oregon or Idaho. The last I bought a fifth of liquor in Washington, it drove me to drink.

 

QUOTE(Beastdriver @ Mar 17 2008, 11:45 AM) [snapback]10775[/snapback]

jj: I don't know about other taxes, but the taxes on liquor in Washington state are draconian. I know, if we plan to be in Washington for any time, we will stock up in Oregon or Idaho. The last I bought a fifth of liquor in Washington, it drove me to drink.



Well, we don't have an income tax, and we don't want one, so the money has to come from somewhere......

We also have a heft sales tax.

JJ

 

Hi again everybody,

It has been 3 months since I started this poll and, so far, 50 forum members have been kind enough to partake in it. Thank you.

First, I want to mention that I really should have put this under General Chat. No harm, I guess. I just hope nobody missed this poll because of my error. Actually, it probably would have been more likely overlooked it had been in the other section. I would imagine more people skip General Chat than Campground Discussion.

I found the results of the poll to be quite interesting:

1. Since only 20% of the respondents said they used their RVs less than a month per year, it would seem that most of the other 80% are not limited to using their RVs for just vacation and a few weekends. Since more than half are on the road more than 2 months a year, I am guessing most of those are retired(or semi) or can/do work out of the RV.

2. For years I have read that the average RVer drives 6-8,000 miles a year. The poll seems to support that figure since 74% say they drive under 10,000 miles. So it would seem that even though they use their RVs a lot do not really put a lot of miles on them. I've often wondered how much of some RVer's total mileage was just going from their northern home to their winter home and back.

3. As I surmised in my original post, most (62%) of the respondents are not letting fuel prices their RV usage/mileage. I guess that in addition to the healthy economic position many folks on this forum are in, the low mileage a surprising number of them drive their RV's is another factor in not reducing their usage.

Personally, I am in the 101-150 days, 10,001-15,000 miles, and Yes categories. I could have almost justified being in the over 15,000 miles category. From 1996 to 2003 I put on almost 150,000 miles for an average of 18,000+ miles a year. Since 2004 I have 52,000 in 4 years (13,000/yr.). I averaged almost 8,000 miles a year in my first RV (1990-1996). I started cutting back on my mileage back in 2004. I have also reduced my number of days on the road per year by at least 10 days (from about 140 to 125-130) saving at least $300 in camping and other daily costs. So far, it has worked for me.

Two suggestions:

With a little thought and self -denial (something I am not always good at), those of us on a tighter budget can "find" that extra $500 to keep us travelling. No more Starbucks, one less dinner out a week, etc. Eliminating little things that cost just $10 a week saves $520 in a year.

For those of you considering cancelling that trip of a lifetime to Alaska, the Grand Canyon, Washington, etc., remember that chances are we will never see $3 a gallon fuel again. If you don't want to spend that extra grand for this year's $4 fuel, how are you going to feel if it is $5 next year. As long as you can still pay your bills and don't go into debt for fuel, take your trip now or you may never be able to do it.

With the current predictions of fuel being over $4 this summer, has anybody changed their mind since they first took this poll?

Just my 8 cents worth (reflecting the 4 fold increase in fuel in the last 4 years).

Jerry S.

 

We have been talking about a really long (miles and time) trip in the fall, but I'm not sure if we'll go. We may stay a little closer to home. We hadn't really made up our minds about going before the price jump, so I can't say the gas prices changed our minds. Four dollars a gallon is outrageous, but if we really wanted to go we could. And we still might. Like Jerry said if we don't do it now we might not get the chance in the future. We aren't getting younger, you know.

A little off topic, but along the same lines has anyone noticed how campground prices have gone up, too? When we first started RVing 8 years ago we could find a decent full hook up site for $20-25 dollars. Today that same kind of site is $30-35 or more. Funny thing, though, our monthly retirement check hasn't gone up hardly a dime. Go figure.

 

I still want to do my Pennsylvania trip, despite gas prices. My only "saving grace" is that gas prices are higher in the West and will get cheaper in the East in some states.

As for "cutting back...." I'm not sure where I can cut back. I always cook my own dinners in the RV, I don't drink coffee. I guess I could switch from fresh vegetables to canned or frozen...... Ok, I can cut back on "s'mores." I always buy graham crackers, hershey bars, and marshmallows. (I use the microwave for marshmallows, it works, but not as good as a campfire!)

JJ

 

" I can't wait to get on the road again ...." . I bought a new 40' diesel pusher in 2006, and because of family health issues, it has spent way too much time parked beside my house. The health issues have ended, and this Fall I finally am going to take an extended trip regardless of what fuel prices might be at that time. I intend to do the Rocky Mountain states and eventually make it to Laughlin, my favorite Casino Rving destination. Hope to see some of you on the road.

 

QUOTE(Jerry S. @ Apr 11 2008, 08:13 PM) [snapback]11117[/snapback]

...For those of you considering cancelling that trip of a lifetime to Alaska, the Grand Canyon, Washington, etc., remember that chances are we will never see $3 a gallon fuel again...
Jerry S.



You've got a good point here Jerry.
Thank heavens for locking fuel doors on our RV's !!! May have to invest in one for the tow-car...
Most excellent poll, by the way.

 

We have just started a cross country trip - from West to East. We will be gone about 3 1/2 mos. We have tried to take this trip twice before and family things came up that prohibited us from being gone so long. We thought about the price of fuel but we decided we needed to do it. As Jerry said, it may be $5/gallon next year. Besides, we don't know what another year will bring. I don't want to stay home another year planning on going in 09 then have something happen that would prevent it. I don't want to keep saying "if only we had gone".

 

When I joined this forum I was a summer rv user. We are now fulltimers as of last Oct. We are not on the road as much as I would like to be but cannot afford to be, so for now we workamp as volunteers in National Parks.

 

QUOTE(Lee and Fran @ Apr 19 2008, 10:30 AM) [snapback]11272[/snapback]

When I joined this forum I was a summer rv user. We are now fulltimers as of last Oct. We are not on the road as much as I would like to be but cannot afford to be, so for now we workamp as volunteers in National Parks.



But you still have freedom, you can leave if you want. You can move on and just take your house with you!

JJ

 

QUOTE(John S. @ Jan 12 2008, 09:17 AM) [snapback]9864[/snapback]

Well, I am the only one in the 20k plus miles. I just like to travel but still work so I use it as much as I can. I used to use it to visit family in Iowa Texas and AZ all starting in VA and each one a separate trip. Now I just go to SPokane washington once a year and thte rest of family is alot closer (Richmond). It will be interesting to see if I drop in my milae but it will not be due to fuel prices. In fact I am very happy I put all those miles on with cheap fuel. I have traveled in the MH 165k miles in 5 years so that is alot of fuel at 8 miles a gallon or lessdepending on genset use and aquahot use. Interesting poll but if you think about it what is the difference between 2.50 and 3.50 a gallon for fuel. It is a dollar. SO you drive a 4000 mile trip and get 8 mpg you will use 500 gallons of fuel so the whole trip cost an extra 500 bucks. Now how many times do you eat out or do you have to stay in a campground. I do not on my travels till I get where I am going. If you can save 40 bucks a day that way traveling then you will be able to travel still. I mean at 8 mpg and an exta 40 bucks will allow you to buy 40 gallons o fuel for 2.50 then you will be able to travel 320 miles on that 40 gallons. So if you travel only 300 miles a day which I see alot of people doing then you stay in a truck stop or a wal mart you have the same cost as if the fuel was alot cheaper or if you have to use your genny then maybe you can only go 300 miles since the last 2 gallons will be used in the genset.



I am a full-time RV'er. We are retired and live and travel in our motorhome. I was reading and agreeing with your comments until I got to the $40.00 per night staying in a campground in leu of boondoggling in a Walmart parking lot or highway rest area. I must say I have never in my entire experience of RV travel paid $40.00 for a single night stay in a campground.

Traveling along highways there are more and more small overnighter type RV campgrounds springing up all over the country in every state. Most charge $10.00 to $15.00 and offer full hook-ups. I find being able to hook up to electricity for the night to be well worth spending the $10.00 to $15.00 charge. Convienence and comfort are well worth the small price paid. I would certainly like to know where these $40.00 per night highway campgrounds are located so I make sure I pass them by and never stop.

 

Hi Terry,

Where do you find these 10 to 15 dollar campgrounds that offer full hookups? Thanks!

QUOTE(Terry10 @ Apr 27 2008, 11:54 PM) [snapback]11370[/snapback]

I am a full-time RV'er. We are retired and live and travel in our motorhome. I was reading and agreeing with your comments until I got to the $40.00 per night staying in a campground in leu of boondoggling in a Walmart parking lot or highway rest area. I must say I have never in my entire experience of RV travel paid $40.00 for a single night stay in a campground.

Traveling along highways there are more and more small overnighter type RV campgrounds springing up all over the country in every state. Most charge $10.00 to $15.00 and offer full hook-ups. I find being able to hook up to electricity for the night to be well worth spending the $10.00 to $15.00 charge. Convienence and comfort are well worth the small price paid. I would certainly like to know where these $40.00 per night highway campgrounds are located so I make sure I pass them by and never stop.

 

QUOTE(Terry10 @ Apr 27 2008, 10:54 PM) [snapback]11370[/snapback]

I am a full-time RV'er. We are retired and live and travel in our motorhome. I was reading and agreeing with your comments until I got to the $40.00 per night staying in a campground in leu of boondoggling in a Walmart parking lot or highway rest area. I must say I have never in my entire experience of RV travel paid $40.00 for a single night stay in a campground.

Traveling along highways there are more and more small overnighter type RV campgrounds springing up all over the country in every state. Most charge $10.00 to $15.00 and offer full hook-ups. I find being able to hook up to electricity for the night to be well worth spending the $10.00 to $15.00 charge. Convienence and comfort are well worth the small price paid. I would certainly like to know where these $40.00 per night highway campgrounds are located so I make sure I pass them by and never stop.


If you think $40 a night for F/H is high, I'd avoid California. Don't know of any $10-$15 in this state.

Just my opinion,

 

QUOTE(Terry10 @ Apr 27 2008, 10:54 PM) [snapback]11370[/snapback]

I would certainly like to know where these $40.00 per night highway campgrounds are located so I make sure I pass them by and never stop.


Hello Terry10. B)
We too are retired, full-time RV'ers. What part of the country do you folks travel and stay?
Got a bit spoiled when we visited family in SW Iowa and toured around middle America. Could easily find full-hook-ups in the $25/$35 range. These were nice, clean city or Mom/Pop "hiway" campgrounds...not RV resorts on golf courses.
Sorry to report that's not so anymore in California, Utah along the major hiways/biways.
So...to answer your question, steer clear of the heavily populated areas (or rapidly growning areas) of our nation.
Heading north this year: Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana...perhaps Canada. Here's to finding more reasonable accomodations! Cheers!

 

As a follow up to my March 10th comments....

I don't remember how I answered the 'yes or no' question but I probably said "yes" because I had already made up my mind to reduce our average daily mileage on our 2008 Western trip. But lately, we decided to reduce our annual nights camped. We camp from 16 to 20 nights annually on weekends - - a friday and saturday night. We decided that we weren't getting much bang for our buck on these trips because we pretty much have to drive 400 miles round trip to get away from it all.

We expected to do 70-75 nights in 2008 and that we would be shooting for about 75 nights in the coming years. Part of the reason that we do weekends is that, for many RVers, that is _all_ they do -- and we emulated that to a large extent. Not that we didn't enjoy our weekends but by cutting most of them out, we can reduce our camper miles by 25% -- 9,000 annual miles instead of 12,000 -- that's a lot of fuel at 12 miles to the gallon. There is also a lot of complicated loading and unloading that we won't have to do (we live under an HOA so we have to push our camper into our garage).

We have about 4 weekends already reserved for this year so we will go ahead and take those trips but we aren't going to dream up any more to fill the empty weekends. Also, we plan to take off on only one or two weekends in 2009.

I've seen one-year crude oil prices forecasts from $90 to $155. At the lower price I would expect some gasoline price relief from the current figure. At the upper end, I would expect gasoline prices to be up around $4.75. While we like to go on our trips, our interests lie thousands of miles from home so probably eight to nine thousand of our annual miles (around 75% of our camper miles) is just to get "there" and back. Dropping the weekend trips should reduce that by about 3,000 miles, since they are virtually all 'get there and back' miles.

 

With the higher pricing of fuel as of late, we have been using the local campgrounds, under fifty miles and less than a hour from home for the last two years. We can get away just as well at the closer Cgs at a less expensive traveling cost. We are not the only ones using this practise as the local Cogs' business has increased over the last two years. We do not seem to get tired of the same old place because we meet up with and renew past friendships and of course make new ones.

 

We have found that when traveling if we find the places between the bigger towns they seem to be a lot cheaper than closer to towns. In the past year my camping costs were 2655. Thats an average of 7 dollars a night. If one stays longer at sites and also looks for places along the highways away from large populations you will find the lower prices parks running from 15 to 25 a night. And when you stay for a month or pay for a month and stay as long as you feel you got your moneys worth you can find prices under 250 a month. Thats 8 dollars or less a night per month and just stay for say three weeks of the month that is still 11 dollars a night.

 

QUOTE(Terry10 @ Apr 27 2008, 09:54 PM) [snapback]11370[/snapback]

I am a full-time RV'er. We are retired and live and travel in our motorhome. I was reading and agreeing with your comments until I got to the $40.00 per night staying in a campground in leu of boondoggling in a Walmart parking lot or highway rest area. I must say I have never in my entire experience of RV travel paid $40.00 for a single night stay in a campground.

Traveling along highways there are more and more small overnighter type RV campgrounds springing up all over the country in every state. Most charge $10.00 to $15.00 and offer full hook-ups. I find being able to hook up to electricity for the night to be well worth spending the $10.00 to $15.00 charge. Convienence and comfort are well worth the small price paid. I would certainly like to know where these $40.00 per night highway campgrounds are located so I make sure I pass them by and never stop.


Terry, I spent 150 a night at one resort type place. Try Cherry Hill in the DC area right of I 495 infact you can hear the noise it is 55 dollars the other option is the regional park in centerville called bull run and that is listed on this site at 40 dollars.. Also try there is one in new jersey called Liberty Harbor and some KOAs and jellystones are that much. I have also stopped at interstate overnight campgrounds. I will say out in the mid west and west it is chaper but the east coast and resort areas and beach area and many other places along the interstates on the east coast are getting there. They post a 35 dollar a night rate and then have 4 or 5 dollars in taxes.... Also in a 42 footer you do not always have as many options and I have not come across many that are in the 10 to 15 dollar range at all.