Trying to figure out budget for camping...

[bghouse]

Hi Everyone,

I'm reading and researching and need to figure out my plan to make my camping affordable for my full time adventure. I'm planning to purchase a Class B, after much soul searching and hours exploring rigs. I know I want to be able to spend time checking out towns, museums, etc - as well as using a gym to get in shape (and have showers, haha).

My issue is trying to figure out where I can stay at night when the campgrounds tend to be away from the cities, etc. Plus, I hope to have the ability to work on my laptop in the evening, etc.

I've been trying to look at various campgrounds, club memberships, researching national park stuff, boondockers welcome, elks club - I'm all over the place here.

Any advice for trying to narrow this down so I can truly make a budget and plan would be most appreciated.

Barbara

[SoCalGalcas]

Barbara, do you read the blogs RV SUE and Interstellar Orchard? Both women camp very inexpensively and Becky puts info in her blog about her budgets. Lyn

[SoCalGalcas]

PS... watch out for "club" memberships. Some are great if you use them....some just drain your money. Lyn

[JudyJB]

Sorry, but I can't remember. Are you over 62? If so, get a federal senior pass. That will give you 50% off campground fees in national parks, national forests, Corps of Engineering, and Bureau of Land Management campgrounds.

The first thing you need to do is to add up all your regular monthly expenses that are not variable--vehicle insurance, health insurance, cell phone, etc. Then estimate the variables that are non-camping related, like prescriptions, gifts, clothing, and other stuff.

I also agree about the memberships. They are a good deal if you want to stay in cities and along freeways in commercial campgrounds with full hookups. If you prefer national or state parks, they are mostly useless.

Also, one way to get an idea on costs is to plot out a long trip you want to take--maybe 2,000 miles. DO some research of where you might want to stay cheaply--check out national forests and BLM campgrounds. Then figure out how long you want to take to get there. Gas costs are dependent on how fast you travel. It is cheaper to stay somewhere longer.

[bghouse]

Thanks JudyJB,

Nope, just 50 years old. I'm actually making some tea and going to go have a hard think again. Maybe I'm just trying to force something that isn't right for me with this Class B. The camping versus going into towns and cities is really at odds with each other.

Maybe I should be thinking more of a small Casita trailer - although I have zero towing experience so that's a little nervewracking.

There's also the serious amount of money that would be spent on the Class B rig itself - money that could be supporting me longer on this adventure.

Ugh

[BarbaraRose]

Monthly rates are cheaper per day, than daily rates at a lot of campgrounds. You could stay at a park for a month at a time to save money and then explore the cities around the area during the daytime.

Don't give up...where there is a will, there is a way! You will figure it out.

[Redetotry]

Thanks JudyJB,

Nope, just 50 years old. I'm actually making some tea and going to go have a hard think again. Maybe I'm just trying to force something that isn't right for me with this Class B. The camping versus going into towns and cities is really at odds with each other.

Maybe I should be thinking more of a small Casita trailer - although I have zero towing experience so that's a little nervewracking.

There's also the serious amount of money that would be spent on the Class B rig itself - money that could be supporting me longer on this adventure.

Ugh

Before you buy a B or similar be sure to check the NADA for RVs before purchase. I just saw where a woman bought an '03 Pleasure Way for almost $38,000!!! That is about $10,000 more than it was worth. I just sold an' 03 and had researched prices. The thought you have about the cost on a B is definitely one to consider, as the amount of $$ you will spend, you could buy a small C that was maybe 23' or 24' for much less and still be able to park in most of the places you mentioned. If you are going to go full time even a couple of feet will make big difference. If you aren't happy you can always sell. I posted mine on RV Trader and had people from all over interested, only one in-state couple came to look. The B's seem to be very desirable right now.

[Cudedog]

I forget whether you have a tow vehicle already or not, but when you mentioned "Casita" that got my attention.

I have been looking at Casita travel trailers off-and-on for a few years. At least in my area (northern California), a Casita in reasonably good shape will set you back around $12,000 - $15,000, a new one from the Texas factory around $20,000 +/-.

I have actually looked at several over time (still looking, for that matter), as they come up for sale in my area. Pricing has been from from $15,000 for a really nice one in excellent shape, down to $6,000 for 25 year old Casita that was basically beat to death (no AC, no fan, no tanks, wall carpeting was nicotine-stained blue hi-low) that also had large wall cut-outs in the fiberglass in the interior trailer walls that the current owner had made for God-knows-what reason.

Keep in mind that the Casita is a form of monocoque construction - the fiberglass shell is also the trailer's "structural skin", thus the loads are at least partially distributed and supported by the fiberglass (bending and twisting loads created by the mere fact of driving down the road). Similar to an egg shell (a Casita is also often referred to as an "egg shell trailer"). Take away the some of the supporting structure of any trailer (for example, cutting out sections of the fiberglass wall on the interior of a Casita!) - and you are going to have problems (probably major problems) later on.

I was thinking that this egg was likely crack at some point. Scrambled egg, as it were. At 55 mph. No thanks.

Add to the cost of a Casita the additional $15,000 - $20,000 for a decent used tow vehicle (and lucky to find one in this price range) - and you are already well up into the used Class C range so far as pricing goes.

However, The Great Truth often stated on this forum is that these kinds of decisions are specific to the individual making them. What works for someone else, might (or might not) work for you.

Good luck in your search.

Anne

[bghouse]

The thought you have about the cost on a B is definitely one to consider, as the amount of $$ you will spend, you could buy a small C that was maybe 23' or 24' for much less and still be able to park in most of the places you mentioned.

I was thinking this same thing last night. I'm not really thrilled with the idea of the trailer, towing, and having a large truck to pull around. Plus fulltiming, the couple extra feet would make a difference.

Mostly, my mind keeps balking at the cost of the B and knowing I could get a good small used C for almost half the price. Saving that money means money to outfit stuff for my adventure, having additional money on entertainment and gas if I want to travel more, etc.

I know that for me a fixed bed that I can put a mattress in that gives me awesome sleep is a priority, as is having an area to make a small workspace. Something like a Minnie Winnie 22r with the bed in the back would totally work. The dinnette table I need to adjust a bit, but I have an idea for that. And the space above the cab I'd just use as storage. It would also be nice to have the room to carry things like an outside chair or two, and maybe a tiny grill.

I need to read back through the ideas folks had for me for getting around (ebike, scooter, etc.) for when the campgrounds are not that close to cities. And I need to look for other models similar that are in that short size with the fixed bed.

[bghouse]

I was thinking that this egg was likely crack at some point. Scrambled egg, as it were. At 55 mph. No thanks.

Scrambled indeed Anne I had not understand the structure of the casita, but i remember looking before at trucks to tow a trailer and thinking "this is insane". I've also watched those trucks have problems getting around in town parking lots which makes them less than ideal as my get around vehicle.

So back to looking for a short C I think.

[havingfunnow]

You could always buy a plain van and put in only the systems you really want. It depends on what amenities you feel you need and how much you're willing to pay for them. Anne (Cudedog) has experience with that.

[havingfunnow]

Oh, and about going to museums, etc . . . if you're willing to dry camp for a night, you could always stay in the parking lot of a friendly business on your way back to the campground. There are lots of them, although policies of individual places vary. Check with Camping World, Cabela's, other camping/sporting goods stores. Many Cracker Barrels, most big truck stops (Love's, Flying J etc.). Home Depot, Lowes, etc. WalMart.

I was really impressed with Camping World in Valdosta. When I got tired, I phoned to see if they had overnight parking. I didn't expect the free electricity -- and they apologized for not having water/sewer hookups!

[mtngal]

If traveling/living without a tow it's fairly reasonable to rent a car to zip around town. I've done that a few times; and seem to remember that others do too. Enterprise has great weekend rates.

[bghouse]

You could always buy a plain van and put in only the systems you really want. It depends on what amenities you feel you need and how much you're willing to pay for them. Anne (Cudedog) has experience with that.

I did think about that also, but I'm so completely non-handy that I'd have to pay someone to do it, which quickly gets expensive again. I hope to learn some basic skills on my adventures, but I doubt I'll ever be quite up to that challenge.

[bghouse]

Oh, and about going to museums, etc . . . if you're willing to dry camp for a night, you could always stay in the parking lot of a friendly business on your way back to the campground. There are lots of them, although policies of individual places vary. Check with Camping World, Cabela's, other camping/sporting goods stores. Many Cracker Barrels, most big truck stops (Love's, Flying J etc.). Home Depot, Lowes, etc. WalMart.

I was more worried that a bigger Class C wouldn't be able to get into the parking lots in towns to be able to get to the museums and shopping and stuff. That's still my concern to be honest, but I guess I just wont know until I try it.