Frugal RV Living
Housing Your Business on the Road

Frugal RV living is a very good method of cutting living expenses, especially if the RV is your only residence.  Living in a Recreational Vehicle is not for everyone, but it can be rewarding and interesting for those who try it, or live it. It helps to have knowledge of vehicles and house systems, and repairs for both.

RVs include engine-driven models and travel trailers. The engine-driven models are more complex and cost more to service. Travel trailers are simpler and cheaper, but need a truck or other vehicle that is sized large enough to pull the trailer with ease. Of course used trailers and motorized RVs are cheaper than new ones.

For frugal RV living you need to size your RV to the type of use that you will have. For example, if you intend to live permanently in an RV, you may prefer a larger unit than you would use for short trips. The number of people to be accommodated also has an effect on this equation. A good size many choose for a permanent-use RV is from about 27 to 35 feet.

Finding an RV for Frugal RV Living

For a look at RV layouts check PPL motorhomes.com and sites of RV manufacturers or sales companies.  An RV of useful size will have a complete bathroom, bed, or beds, dinette, maybe a couch, and a kitchen.  The larger the RV, the more seating and other amenities, and also the more cost: age and other things being equal. 

Slide-outs are like giant drawers on the sides of many RVs.  When you reach your destination and get set up, the slide-outs make for more interior space.

To locate RVs for sale and information on brands of RVs, go to RV Trader, RV Online, Craigslist, RV Consumer Group, RV Guide reviews or do a Google search for RVs for sale or RV reviews.

Selecting a Park or Camp for Frugal RV Living

As you travel in an RV, part of the adventure is finding places to park and enjoy. On the frugal end for RV living are free places to park including most Wal-Mart parking lots. For more free parking/camping click El Monte RV, Free Campgrounds, Free Campsites, and Wheeling It.

One method of arranging for really frugal RV living is working as a park host. Park hosts trade their time doing clerical, policing and maintenance activities at a park for the privilege of living in the park. Some people volunteer as park hosts for several months at a time. Find more info about park hosting at Camp Host, or contact state and national parks.

RV camping spots at low cost are in state parks, national parks, and independent rural RV parks. There are usually limits on the number of days that you can stay in these inexpensive places. But some parks accept residents for long periods.

One way to find out where RV parks are located and what they offer is to look at the book Good Sam RV Travel Guide & Campground Directory. Online directories of RV parks are at National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds and CampUSA.  

A helpful book for finding out the amenities at highway exits is The Next Exit by Mark Watson.  It is a directory of restaurants, camping, motels and more at each interstate exit.

Look for cheap fuel by using smart phone apps, such as Gas Buddy.  A frugal friend often plans his RV trips across country by travelling between Costco gas stations.

Frugal RV Living & Operating a Business on the Road

Once you arrive at an RV park, you register and then are assigned a parking or camping space.  Drive to the spot and set up. The space will have some amount of utility hook-ups.  Full hook-ups can include electric power, potable water, sewage disposal, TV cable and WIFI. Enjoy your stay while you start or operate your home business on the road!

For ideas on operating a business from your RV go to Starting a Business from Home and Starting a Online Business.

To check on the articles written about frugal living, look at Frugal Living Blogs.

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