RVing on a Budget: How to Save Money While Exploring BC

It’s no secret that the economy has been going through a bit of a rough patch. And with more and more Canadians looking to save up on travel costs, exploring all that our great nation has to offer has become more appealing than ever. And while the #RVLife is a cost-effective vacation choice, you still may be looking for more ways for your family to cut costs and still get the most out of your open-road getaways. Here are some simple ways you can RV on a budget while exploring BC this summer!

Hacks for Camping Fees

One of the things that can eat up a budget quickly on your camping adventures is camping fees, with some campgrounds costing as much as $50–$100 a night. One great hack to work around this is to get yourself a BC membership camping pass. These passes can often save you up to 20% and often have many discount cars available as well for even more savings. Additionally, another way to avoid camping fees is to look out for free campsites or free overnight RV parking spaces. Many city parks offer free campgrounds as well.

Save on Fuel

Fuel is another costly expense that’s inevitable for the RV life. Luckily, there are ways to cut back on fuel usage and ensure you pay as little as possible for what you do use. If you join a discount club, you can receive a variety of benefits, including a discount on gasoline purchased at select locations. We also recommend downloading the app GasBuddy, which helps you locate the cheapest gas in a given area. Finally, Costco almost always offers the cheapest gas in any given city. If you have a Costco card and will pass by a location, stop and gas up! Another way to save on fuel that’s often overlooked is ensuring your RV’s tires are running in top shape. Be sure to book an appointment at an RV service center to get your tire pressure looked at!

Save Money on Food

While it’s nice to check out the local dining spots along your trip, the cost of eating out every day can stack up fast, especially if you’re travelling with a large family. Investing in a slow cooker is great for making delicious home cooking on the go! Plus, who doesn’t love a good ol’ barbeque night? Just be sure to get clear on the open-fire rules as per your campgrounds' regulations.

We hope these helpful tips and tricks will help you get the most out of your RV camping trips this summer and help you keep a little more money in your pocket! For affordable RV options, at South Thompson RV, we have a wide selection of state-of-the-art used RVs in our current inventory! Contact us to learn more!