Posts Tagged getting better gas mileage
The Big Holiday Trip: On the Road in Economy Class
Posted by Family RV in California camping, Family Camping, Family RV Fun, Traveling with Kids on December 19, 2009
Tomorrow we take-off for the longest (by distance and time) of our family RV trips this year. We are going to San Diego for two weeks. My wife is off work and the kids are off school, so we are going for it. I will have to do a little work during the trip, but when you work for yourself your time is never really your own.
photo credit: kwalk628
We are going to try to be as economical as possible. Our trips to SeaWorld and the San Diego Zoo and Animal Park are already paid for because we bought a year membership to both last year (yes we did this same trip last year).
But unlike last year we are trying to stay at county parks and other more economical places. Last year we stayed a really special RV park, Campland on the Bay. It was a little expensive (but very cool), so this year we are going to be staying at three different campgrounds and they are all under $35 per night.
photo credit: PedroCancion
We only considered doing this again this year if we could keep expenses way down. So we won’t be eating out much and we are really going to watch everything we buy. Needless to say our biggest expense will be gas. And the next biggest expense of course will be food. I will be using every trick I know to keep our fuel use to a minimum and most meals will be at the RV. Also the trip will be one of the kids Christmas presents, as we keep telling them.
I think it will be fun to see how cheap we can be. So I will be tweeting along our trip (twitter username: FamilyRVFun).
Follow our exploits in family fun and economy. I will let you know the nitty-gritty on what we spend on and how much. And also I’ll try to pass along anything we learn on economical RV travel.
RV Gas Mileage – My little Secret
Posted by Family RV in Getting Better Gas Milage, Money Saving Travel Tips on August 3, 2009
As we get ready for the last big trip of the summer ( . . . deep sigh), I’m starting to think about getting prepared for the drive and everything that goes into a care-free trip.

The beautiful Wrights Lake
Also because we are going to one of our absolute favorite places in the world – Wright’s Lake (in the El Dorado forest, south of Lake Tahoe), I want to be ready.
So what is my little secret?
Well, as you know one of the games of RVing is paying the absolute cheapest you can for a tank of gas. And although we’ve had some relief from the worst per gallon prices of last summer, it still smarts every time you pull up to the pump ($2.80 per gallon on average in Northern California).
So this is what we do to get the cheapest gas we can.
We do all our grocery shopping at Safeway (we live in Northern Cal and Safeways are everywhere). They have a rewards program that let’s you rack-up money for up to 20, 30 and some times 40 cents a gallon cheaper when you fill up at a Safeway Gas Station. Sounds great right? Well there is a little bit of a gotcha. Safeway gas stations are far and few between.
Luckily we have one close to where we store our travel trailer in Gilroy, CA. So we have a routine when getting ready to go on a trip. Before I pick-up the trailer I always fill-up at the Gilroy Safeway gas station. The cheapest I’ve gotten there was $1.71 a gallon back in May.
Check-out their program at: Safeway PowerPump Rewards
RV Gas Mileage: How to Beat High Gas Prices!
Posted by Family RV in Getting Better Gas Milage, Money Saving Travel Tips, RV Camping, RV Travel on July 14, 2009
This video from Sean Michael of the Long Long Honeymoon has an excellent message about beating the high price of gasoline. In another words there are many ways to go RVing.
Though gas isn’t as high as it was last summer, it is still probably the largest item you pay for on your RV trip.
How To Get Better Gas Mileage In Your RV
Posted by Family RV in Getting Better Gas Milage, Money Saving Travel Tips, RV Travel, RV Travel Trailers on May 22, 2009
This is a really informative video, and well worth the time to watch it.
Fun fact: “For every five miles you go over 60 mph you add the equivalent of 10 cents more per gallon you will pay at the pump.”
The following I’ve heard before but none-the-less important. Check your tire pressure when the tires are cold (before you start your trip). Always keep them inflated at the factory recommended level. Don’t run the air conditioning unless you really need it. Use the cruise control as much as possible. It will keep the engine at a smooth level and consume less gas.


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