Here at Campers Inn we strive to be more than just an RV Dealer we want to not only help you find your perfect RV but also enjoy it to the fullest. In this blog post we are going to talk about one of the con's when it comes to owning a motorhome, the cost of fueling up your rig!
Don't speed:
One of the best ways to save money on gas is to watch your speed, accelerating and breaking often decreases your miles per gallon. Unless you are traveling through a hilly area try to set your cruise control to maintain constant speed. Also make sure you maintain a safe following distance between you and the vehicle in front of you, not only is this a safety precaution but also keeps you from having to accelerate and brake to maintain that narrow distance. Also when you are stopped at a traffic light take off slowly when you are given the green light to avoid using extra fuel.
Fill Up Efficiently:
If you need gas fill up all the way, not half a tank here a quarter of a tank there, filling up all the way when you need gas saves you time and gas because you have to stop less often. Wait until you have a quarter tank of gas to fill up but don't go lower than that. Doing this allows you to lighten the weight of your motorhome increasing your gas mileage and it also allows you to purchase more fuel when you find a good deal. Also don't top off your tank between fill ups, this causes gas to evaporate quicker.
Plan Your Trips:
Before you hit the road sit down and plan your routes researching which route will have the least amount of idle time at traffic lights and traffic jams there by increasing your mileage. It might be a good idea to invest in a GPS that has a traffic alert feature so while you are on the road you can A.) Avoid getting lost and wasting fuel and B.) Avoid traffic jams.
Keep your motorhome serviced and in good working order:
Maintenance of your rig is not only essential to keep it in great condition and running longer but also to save you money on gas. Make sure you properly inflate your tires, its best to inflate your tires in cooler temperatures rather than hot ones. Also make sure to rotate your tires to avoid uneven tire wear. Many gas stations feature free air pumps, for instance the gas station chain Sheets has free air pumps complete with psi gauges. Make sure you are doing your yearly and monthly service of your motorhome. Visit this post for more on maintaining your RV
Use A/C Sparingly:
While traveling at slower speed turn off the A/C and open the widows, now an open window does increase drag which decreases your gas mileage but not as much as running the A/C does. On cooler days crack the windows and use the vent setting. Running the A/C can use up to 8% of your fuel. Also when you park your rig try to park it in the shade so you are not forced to run the A/C and will also prevent fuel from evaporating as quickly.
Consider Diesel:
Diesel engines are known to get more MPG's thengas engines and they also have a longer engine life with proper maintenance. However with those perks comes a steeper price tag on the the coach as well as engine maintenance.
Download Gas Apps:
Downloading apps like gas buddy will give you a birds eye view of what gas prices are in your area allowing you to fill up at the cheapest station!
Alrighty Campers that wraps it up for today post...if you are shopping for a motor home this weekend make sure to check out our checklist detailing where you should buy your next coach.