The idea of camping and traveling in an RV appeals to me but I am on a limited budget. What can I do to control the costs of RVing?

That's a tough question. The answer depends on what you want to do in your RV. An RV, after all, simply provides mobile living accommodations for whatever activity you wish to pursue. Here are a few suggestions for controlling the costs of RVing:

You might consider buying a used, inexpensive rig. There are some great values in used RVs out there.

Go to the library. Check out the many books on choosing an RV. Shop for an RV by looking on RV dealers' lots and attending RV shows.

The most important thing to keep in mind when shopping for an RV is how, when and where you intend to use it. You don't have to invest a lot of money in an RV if you only intend to use it for a few weekend camping trips and an occasional two week vacation.

Shop for insurance. Talk to a number of insurance agents to find the best value of coverage for the premium. Does the value of your RV warrant theft and collision insurance? If your RV is a trailer, will the tow vehicle's liability insurance cover you while you are on the road. Will your homeowner's policy offer you any protection while camping? Check out the insurance company's reputation for responsiveness when their clients need them.

Learn how to do your own maintenance and minor repairs. Your RV's owner's manual should provide a maintenance schedule and may also offer instructions. Get a copy of Bob Livingston's RV Repair and Maintenance Manual. This easy-to-read book will help you diagnose a problem and then instruct you how to repair it yourself or how to get it repaired.

Control your fuel costs. When selecting an RV, keep in mind that a lightweight rig won't consume as much fuel as the heavier ones.

You only use fuel when you're traveling. Look for campgrounds, attractions and activities that are located relatively close to home. You'll spend less money on fuel, less time on the road and have more time to enjoy your destination.

Vicki: Stay in affordable campgrounds. Check your Trailer Life Campground/RV Park and Services Directory. It gives you the tools you need to select an RV park or campground that offers the location, facilities and rates that will best satisfy your interests and budget. (We are writing this column while parked in a clean, pleasant but no-frills, campground. Our site, with electric, water and sewer connections is only $15.00 a night.)

Many campgrounds, in addition to a basic nightly rate, charge an optional amount for electric, water, sewer, cable and telephone connections. You can control overnight costs by only taking (and paying for) the hookups you need.

Another way to control overnight costs is to take advantage of your Good Sam RV Club's 10% discount.

Ask about weekly and monthly rates. Have you noticed that rates are cheaper in some campgrounds during the "off-season" periods?

Your food budget is entirely up to you. One of the financial advantages of traveling in an RV is not having to eat every meal in restaurants. Even when we are on the road, I buy a local Sunday paper, cut out the food coupons and take advantage of the sale items.

Look for the free and low-cost attractions available to RVers. We recently visited the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Free parking and no admission charge. Factory tours can be fun, fascinating and free. Museums, parks and flea markets can provide low cost ways to spend a day. You don't have to spend a lot of money to enjoy yourself.

These are only a few ideas for controlling your RVing costs. But you get the
picture. Once you are past the expense of purchasing a rig, RVing can be a relatively inexpensive pastime.

RV Traveling Tips: Keeping an Eye on the Road – and Your Budget

Hitting the road in your RV and the RV lifestyle can be one of the most economical ways to travel. If you do a little planning and research ahead of time, it’s easy to save even more – without ever feeling like you’re pinching pennies.

One obvious way to take the frugal route is to plan your RV travel during the “shoulder seasons” - before and after prime travel time - when discounts are often offered at various campgrounds and attractions.

Here are 5 cost-cutting RV travel tips that are good any time of the year:

1. RV Travel On One Tank of Gas

Remember the ending to The Wizard of Oz, when Dorothy says she doesn’t have to look any further than her own backyard to find her heart’s desire? Well, we’re not suggesting camping out right outside the house, but think about going to places not too far away that you’ve always meant to check out.

You’ll be surprised at how many new and interesting destinations are just one tank of gas away. A lot of territory can be covered in just a few hundred miles, and you’re bound to discover exciting locations you never knew existed so close to home.

Tip: Your neighborhood library is a terrific resource for researching local and state information and attractions – and most of it is free!

2. Put Your RV On A Diet And Get Better Gas-Mileage

It’s a simple fact that the less your RV weighs, the more mileage you’ll get on the road. Look around for places in your rig where you can institute a “less is more” policy.

For example, you don’t have to set out with a full, fresh water tank for your RV excursion. Take what you need for the first day’s travel, plus a small reserve, and fill up once you’ve reached your day’s destination.

Forget that bulky, economy-sized can of coffee: empty a smaller amount into an airtight plastic container that you can refill later. (One place not to cut back, though, is tire inflation: riding on fully inflated tires is a sure way to increase your gas mileage.)

Tip: When buying food staples, consider dehydrated items like soup and dried fruit, and transfer cereal and pasta from bulky boxes into heavy-duty plastic bags – not only do they take up less space, you can reuse them once they’re empty!

3. Plastic not Paper Dinnerware - A More Economical Approach Overall

Sure, the eat-and-toss approach of paper plates and cups is the easy way to go – and might even seem economical when you buy in bulk. But lightweight, inexpensive plastic dishes are easy to find, and while they might not last forever, they’ll certainly see you through the duration of a long-distance RV excursion.

Choosing plastic over a big stack of paper goods is also another way to save on weight, especially when you’re starting out on your RV trip.

Tip: Buy your plastic ware in a mix-and-match variety of vibrant colors, and these snazzy dishes will brighten up even the simplest road fare!

4. Drive Less, Stay More - Save on Gas AND Get Campsite Discounts

When creating your RV travel itinerary, consider making fewer stops and spending more time at each destination. This will save on fuel and campsites costs as most of them offer discounts for lengthier stays.

By driving less and staying more, you’ll receive an additional benefit: It’s much more relaxing to know that once you’ve turned off the ignition you’re settling in for a while. Also, by spending more time in one place, you’ll be able to do some more in-depth exploring of the area.

Tip: Look online at the local newspaper for the area you’ll be visiting. Check for listings of events that you might not hear about otherwise … and don’t forget to look in the classifieds for yard sales and flea markets, too!

5. Stop and Shop - At Local Discount or Dollar Stores

When you need to refill on groceries avoid supermarkets and convenience stores where prices are at a premium. Instead, look for local discount and dollar stores and roadside fruit and vegetable stands -- depending on the season. You might not save much money there, but there’s nothing better than freshly picked produce.

Keep an eye open for discount outlets in the area. And stop at flea markets and yard sales where you might find a one-of-a-kind treasure. Not only do these unconventional choices offer the opportunity to find unusual items, it’s a great way to get to know the local neighborhoods and people.

Tip: Keep your birthday and holiday gift list handy – you might spot the perfect knickknack for a family member at someone’s yard sale!

Some Final RV Travel Tips:

• Make use of the cheaper parks, like state parks
• Join Good Sam Club for 10% discount at their parks
• Subscribe to RV magazines for great ideas on RV travel
• Shop around for best prices on camping stuff like Wal-Mart, K-Mart, GI Joes - instead of RV stores
• Avoid buying your RV “supplies” - like toilet paper - that claim to be for RVs/motorhomes. Save money and buy the cheap stuff
• Save money and cook all your meals in the RV; don't eat out. You can even make dishes ahead and store in your RV's refrigerator
• Ask for senior discounts everywhere you go
• If members of AAA, see if any campgrounds give discounts. Look at a "Trailer Life Campground Directory" at your local library to compare camping fees.
• Plan!!