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Pain At The Pump
& How To Wince
A Little Less
RV travel is still a great value as proved by busy camp grounds on Memorial Day Weekend. Even with painfully high gas prices, when factoring in the savings on hotel and restaurant costs, RV campers still come out ahead.
However, it is always good to be reminded how we might save money at the pump while still enjoying RV camping life, Here are a few tips:
~ Camp closer to home. With more than 16,000 campgrounds nationwide, RVers can enjoy the outdoor experience whether they travel five miles or 500 miles.
~ Stay longer in one place. Many RV parks are vacation destinations in their own right, offering pools, playgrounds, hiking trails, entertainment centers, organized activities, convenience stores and much more.
~ Cook your family favorites in the convenience of an RV, to avoid the high costs of eating out.
~ Drive 55 instead of 65.
~ Adjust home thermostats to save energy when traveling.
~ Pack lighter and purchase firewood, water and other camping materials at the campground to keep the RV lightweight while traveling.
~ Tune up the engine of your motorhome or tow vehicle, inflate tires properly and conduct regular maintenance to maximize fuel efficiency.
~ Use the grade of fuel recommended by the engine manufacturer to increase miles per gallon.
~ Travel at night when the weather is cooler and the vehicle air conditioning is needed less.
Here are some other facts to remember:
~ Airfares and hotel rates are rising rapidly as fuel costs increase and fuel surcharges are added. You can avoid those costs in an RV. Fuel prices would need to triple from their current level to make RVing more expensive for a family of four than other forms of travel.
~ Fuel is typically only the fourth largest expense on a road trip, behind lodging, food and vehicle payment and maintenance.
~ Save on entertainment costs by bringing along your family’s favorite DVDs.
~ Discoveries made on RV trips will last a lifetime—as will the physical and mental health benefits. With a few simple adjustments for fuel price increases, RVing remains as affordable and as fun as ever.
1. Find the gas station near where you camp that offers the cheapest gas and shop there first
2. Under-inflated tires require more energy to roll, so check your tire pressure
3. Prices usually rise on the weekend, so fill up on weekdays
4. Fill up at night: pumps deliver more gas when temperatures are lower
5. Fresh gas has more power than gas that may have become contaminated by just sitting there, so fill up at busy gas stations.
A Few More:
1. Obey The Signs
The faster you go and the longer you retain that speed, the more gas you burn. It can be as much as 10 cents per 5 mph you go over. Quick acceleration can also use more gas than necessary. Go slow and be called a square...but save money on fuel economy.
2. Shut It Off If You’re Not Driving
That one seems obvious. But people often times don’t think about turning their vehicle off at a lunch stop, for a friendly chat or for a quick delivery or pick up.
3.Keep Your Vehicle Clean
Mechanically clean and serviced, that is. A poorly tuned engine can burn more gas by up to 20%. Poor emissions or a bad oxygen sensor can cause a 40% loss of fuel.
4. Stick To What You Need
You need to use the correct kind of oil. Using a grade of motor oil that’s not recommended can cause bad fuel economy. Additionally, buying premium gas is not necessarily a cure all to mechanical problems. In fact, unless specifically required to do so, buying premium gas is a waste.
5. Use Overdrive And Cruise Control
Overdrive decreases the engine speed and can save more fuel, whereas cruise control keeps the vehicle at a steady rate. Provided that rate is less than 60 mph then you’re definitely saving money by not keeping your pedal to the medal.
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