IT'S LIKE CHEATING - How We Afford the RV Life

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  • Опубліковано 2 лип 2024
  • If you find it hard to save money in an RV, you are not alone. Overnight RV parking and fuel costs are the biggest financial burdens. Today, we share with you the top money-savers that every RV owner should know. We even share a hidden secret of finding free hookup spots for RV camping.
    Many people choose RV living, but don't know about all of these money saving tips. Take lots of notes and be sure to check out our other videos to help you in every aspect of RV life!
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 429

  • @davidekorenrud7762
    @davidekorenrud7762 2 місяці тому +61

    Hi Hanks, I've been full-time RV'r for 6 years now. Only stayed at Walmart 3 times, once when I broke down in Kansas and one time in Wyoming where my tow car was broken into. One time in Oregon was uneventful. I use allstays, elks and moose lodges, compendium and I stay at a lot of casinos. I have paid $109. per night at a KOA in west Yellowstone and $20 per night with full hookups in Mississippi. I never make reservations and have always found a place to stay. It was a little scary one night in Connecticut when I had no place to go when I saw a billboard for a casino. I had to backtrack about 12 miles but I found my spot for the night. As you know, full-timeing is not the easiest lifestyle but it is the one I have chosen as well as you and many of my friends and others. Thanks for the good Info and you just keep doing you.

    • @HappilyEverHanks
      @HappilyEverHanks  Місяць тому

      Thank you so much, David! It sounds like we are on the same page with the way we enjoy traveling 😃 We appreciate you taking the time to share this with everyone!

    • @jerrytalley802
      @jerrytalley802 Місяць тому

      David, good for you and your adventures. I know RV life has its challenges, but I just realized, people are forgetting the challenges in life, in general, just a different set of challenges on the road. My friend and I coined the phrase “unrealistic expectations”. He had that when getting a neck operation, it didn’t pan out well. I think people think “I’ll sell my home with all the maintenance and cost, and drive off into a blissful life”? I’m being a little silly but think there’s some truth to it? I;m not minimizing the problems, just trying to adjust the way we deal with them, think about them. With Help from people like tge Hanks, life will get better, even on the road

  • @alphabetsoup7918
    @alphabetsoup7918 Місяць тому +18

    We are Canadian snowbirds who spend our winters in CA. Diesel costs us an arm and a leg here, we are always so happy to cross the border and pay less. We joined the Open Roads program a few years back and WOW what a difference it makes, it's saved usTHOUSANDS of dollars over the years. I also love the fact that Open Roads give us $25 of free fuel for every new client we introduce to the program. I just wish that Open Road membership covered us here in Canada. 3 years ago we decided to experiment and find out exactly how much fuel we used at slower speeds, until then we were travelling at about 65mph. After a few weeks we found we could save about $30 on a 300 mile trip by reducing our speed to 59 mph, our fuel economy at 65 mph was between 9.5 and 10.5 mpg, at 59 mph it is between 11.5 and 13 mpg. Another benefit of the slower pace, traffic is always passing and going away from us so there is always an open road (no pun intended) in front of us. Yes a 300 mile leg takes us about 40 minutes longer but is a much easier drive with way less stress.

    • @YeshuaKingMessiah
      @YeshuaKingMessiah Місяць тому

      With a motorhome I can’t imagine driving more than 45mph
      It’s huge piece of metal ur hurtling down the highway with urself ensconced inside, for good-till it stops

    • @KilroysPlace
      @KilroysPlace 25 днів тому

      And keep in mind, the faster you drive the more punishment your trailer takes just as if it were in a hurricane! Add to that the fact that you are already giving your trailer, constant earthquakes, and you find that driving slower is probably better for your trailer overallin addition to the savings and gas. Personally, regardless of the upper limit of the speeds available I will stay at 55 mph.

  • @jabreck1934
    @jabreck1934 Місяць тому +8

    12 years full-time living in van.
    Waste management is the number one issue.
    Boondocking places are closing because people are dumping human waste…. obviously.
    I use human cat litter system.
    Much easier to transport and dispose of… free.

  • @larryallen7370
    @larryallen7370 Місяць тому +33

    I agree on the Army Corps campgrounds. I applied for a National Park Lifetime Card (I'm over 62 and it is available free for veterans) and get a 50% discount. We stayed in Georgia. We also like to stay in state, county, and city parks, many offer discounts based on age and the National park pass. Overall, we've been satisfied with these parks. They are usually in great locations, are beautiful, have power and water hookups, and are less expensive compared to private campgrounds. As far as free dump stations, we've found many in rest areas. We really like your videos and appreciate all the work in producing them. Safe travels and hopefully our paths will cross.

    • @KilroysPlace
      @KilroysPlace 25 днів тому +1

      I personally have found that I appreciate army COE campgrounds more than I do the national parks. COE does a great job in engineering outstanding RV campgrounds.

  • @inglesd90
    @inglesd90 2 місяці тому +66

    I boondock in one spot for two weeks at a time. Regarding electric, I have 1000w of solar and a generator as back-up. I can run pretty much what I want. For water: 40 gallon lasts me the whole two weeks. I take showers sparingly and always a navy shower: wet for a few seconds, turn the water off to lather up, water back on for thirty seconds to rinse. A shower takes less than a gallon of water. I use no water for dishes. A few sprays of hydrogen peroxide from a bottle, wipe the dish out with a paper towel. The rest of my water is for drinking. Grey only has a few gallon of shower water at the end. Since I'm boondocking, I use the natural facilities as much as possible, but I can always fill up the black tank if the weather is nasty.

    • @betterwithrum
      @betterwithrum 2 місяці тому +1

      👀

    • @SteveLukovics
      @SteveLukovics 2 місяці тому +4

      👏Explaination of how to do it. Solar capture capacity and storage of that energy is the goal. Whether you augment or Let-rrrr-Rip! and get a complete system as the solution. Or is it? I guess that many never even utilize the full potential of their system. Potable water is the stickler like you said. If you take measures to conserve, you won’t be running out to fill up tour tanks or jugs! Makes logical sense.

    • @capodad2u
      @capodad2u Місяць тому +2

      If you have an RV and don't have a good solar setup, including lithium batteries and solar power bank and either a portable or built in generator then your not using your RV to it's true capabilities. As for water it's very easy to conserve fresh and your grey and black tanks. You can also use food grade 5 gallon buckets with tight lids that you can fill with fresh water and also utilize for grey water dumping they stack nearly together when not being used and when traveling and full put them in the shower/tub. Anybody that boondocks regularly knows this and many more tricks. To stay cool hang reflective tarps on the sunny side and utilize reflectix bubble wrap on your windows in cool or hot conditions. For really cold weather get a diesel heater.😮

    • @SLOCLMBR
      @SLOCLMBR Місяць тому +1

      ​@capodad2u 😂 eh.. lithium retrofit costs more than I have in my rv.. it's a 34' diesel pusher, and we just do weekend goofin off. The upgrade to lithium is so much money, it doesn't make sense. You can replace standard batteries 3-4 times before you hit the price point on lithium.

    • @SteveFelt67
      @SteveFelt67 Місяць тому +1

      Been full time traveling the US and Mexico for 3 years, mixture of boondocking and rv parks. The best investment I’ve made is a Thousand Trails membership which gives me access to over 200 parks for no extra costs. Gas Buddy is helpful in the US, Mexico gas has been $5-6 a gallon and beach campsites have been $10-35

  • @philc.9280
    @philc.9280 Місяць тому +6

    In the beginning of this video, you assume those that have money don't need to listen. We are recently retired and saved a ton, but we still shop at some thrift stores, use apps to save gas and occasionally use dollar stores. Thats how you stay wealthy! Great tips btw.

  • @_Big_Fish
    @_Big_Fish 2 місяці тому +11

    Happy Nae Nae day from gulf shores! That’s what I call Thursdays so my wife stays cheerful.

  • @TravelingStranger
    @TravelingStranger 2 місяці тому +17

    This is so-o-o much better than dwelling on negative aspects. A lot of full timer video headlines now read like CNN. There is a not-so-fine line between describing an unfortunate incident in a positive way (heads up's and lessons learned) and sensationalizing that incident like the National Inquirer. Y'all are always upbeat. Good on ya!

    • @tchrof6th
      @tchrof6th Місяць тому +2

      If you think about it though, and you stay on government land, if you do go to a KOA since the government land is nothing to stay on you know Boondocking that way for like 5 or six days, paying $25 at KOA is really not a big expense when you consider you’ve been camping for free all week

    • @dougfalls2423
      @dougfalls2423 Місяць тому +1

      ​@tchrof6th
      Your dreaming $75 & up@ koa

    • @lisag1651
      @lisag1651 Місяць тому

      I have never seen a KOA for $25. We paid almost $200/night at the Key West KOA @@tchrof6th Yes that is Key west prices but a far cry from $25

  • @phyllissmith1105
    @phyllissmith1105 2 місяці тому +18

    We've stayed in some awesome Army Corps of Engineer Parks and city parks. We bought a used Thousand Trails membership and we use it the most, because once we pay our yearly fee, we can camp up to 3 weeks for free. The key is to book your stays ahead of time, which we do. The key to saving money with Thousand Trails is, the more you use it, the more you save. When we average it out over the year, we are paying around $10 a night. But it's not for everyone, and there's a HUGE range in quality between parks. So look at the reviews.

    • @patriciamckean4186
      @patriciamckean4186 2 місяці тому

      Thanks Hanks, I will be rewatching this and taking notes. 😊

    • @RVREVELS
      @RVREVELS 2 місяці тому

      Completely agree, we use TT at the moment and lemme tell ya park to park conditions vary greatly

    • @earlhamcheer
      @earlhamcheer Місяць тому

      How would a person find a used Thousand Trails membership? We own a timeshare and those are for sale all the time. Does Thousand Trails have a site for selling those or do I have to go to FB Marketplace and EBay? Thanks!

    • @phyllissmith1105
      @phyllissmith1105 Місяць тому

      @@earlhamcheer CMO Campground membership Outlet.

    • @phyllissmith1105
      @phyllissmith1105 Місяць тому

      It might take a few months. Be sure to get all the details because some memberships are re=sellable, others are not.

  • @Keith80027
    @Keith80027 7 днів тому +1

    I usually drive at 60 mph for both fuel economy and safety and stopping. Thanks for the tips of saving the cost of fuel.

  • @notchonachos
    @notchonachos 2 місяці тому +4

    Love the positive energy and all of the information each week.

  • @geoffreywalker7308
    @geoffreywalker7308 2 місяці тому +17

    These are the type of videos that led us to some of our favorite channels. Great job and thank you-

  • @rickrichardson5329
    @rickrichardson5329 2 місяці тому +3

    Thank you for the things yall share. The Hanks do so much to help us do the RV life the best way possible. Great tips yall stay safe

  • @stacytad7162
    @stacytad7162 Місяць тому +1

    Love the open roads program! You two have answered so many questions for us! Stay safe, and keep helping us out, please!

  • @geocacherny7030
    @geocacherny7030 Місяць тому +3

    I used passport America a lot, so a Week before the 2020 lockdown I bought the LIFETIME plan.... Never went on another trip since.

  • @Dave_Wave
    @Dave_Wave Місяць тому +4

    Many campgrounds have, "kitchen water disposal" dumps throughout the campground. A 5 gal. bucket can empty your gray water easy enough. This can add several days before your black water needs a dump.

  • @jtoepke9763
    @jtoepke9763 2 місяці тому +17

    Retired two 1/2 years comfortable income, not full time Rv But still have the frugal instincts for spending. Probably spend to much time researching locations bang for buck never been to an Rv resort (I’m not worth those kind of prices) truly enjoy the nature at smaller campgrounds. Thanks Hanks for your continued “real life experiences“ videos.

  • @sueconnor234
    @sueconnor234 2 місяці тому

    Love your videos. You give everyone such great advice and ideas. Keep them coming and have fun!

  • @karensevern328
    @karensevern328 2 місяці тому +12

    We are retired on social security only so a budget is a must. We boon dock when at all possible. We have a little solar 380 watt panels total and we have a back up generator 450 w duel fuel. We live in a Micro Minnie 2108 FLX. We have lived out here for over 19 months. We are not on vacation so we are living where the weather is good moving to higher elevations and further north in summers and south in winter. We do not use air conditioning and we’ve removed our rv commode and replaced it with a Trelino composting toilet. We now have 2 grey tanks cleaning & using the black tank as grey water storage. We use campendium to find free camping and free dump stations. Most Maverick and Speedway gas stations and travel centers have them. We’ve learned a lot and love our life and freedom. We find beautiful places and take many amazing pictures. Oh and don’t forget the national park pass gets you into parks for free and if you’re 62 you only pay for the lifetime senior pass for one of you and you get all of you in free.

  • @MG-cw4uc
    @MG-cw4uc 2 місяці тому +4

    Long time subscriber....
    Well, i haven't seen any comments about something i have been noticing lately....
    You are both quite FIT!
    Wow! Great job.
    Looking good, you got to be feeling great.
    Appreciate what you both do!

  • @jerrytalley802
    @jerrytalley802 Місяць тому +2

    I’m over 62, and National parks with full hook ups is $14/ night, dump station near Oregon Inlet NC, right near the beach, same views as the multi million dollar homes up the road.

  • @brettelizabethspore
    @brettelizabethspore Місяць тому

    Loved this video. We still aren't out RVing, but I love learning from you and applying what I can to our trips.

  • @robinogg5885
    @robinogg5885 2 місяці тому

    I too am a huge fan of you guys! Congratulations on the beautifully done editing! Really nice job! Great content too! I love the helpful videos best usually. Cheers, safe and happy travels!

  • @tandye0014
    @tandye0014 Місяць тому

    Wow this is packed full of great information. Thank you for sharing! Great video

  • @johntaglia9378
    @johntaglia9378 Місяць тому +3

    You may want to look into the ELKS, they are throughout the country & usually have parking areas where you can park for free or for a few dollars.

  • @debbies688
    @debbies688 2 місяці тому

    Ey thanks for all the wonderful tips for rving.. we watch your videos each week always enjoy them... Travel safe until next week ⛽

  • @frederickbarber1063
    @frederickbarber1063 Місяць тому +2

    You prompted me to go into RV Trip Wizard and search for 4*+ city and county parks along routes we routinely travel. Found several priced $15-25/night and “favorited” them for future reference.
    Driving back from Salt Lake to Dallas over the past few days we enjoyed Boulder County Fairgrounds in Longmont, CO ($20 electric only) and a real gem - Frazier Park in Ulysses, KS ($15 FHU in a pretty little city park). Frazier Park also has a golf course with beer and soft drinks in the clubhouse and free coffee and popcorn all day.
    Contrast this with a recent Harvest Host stay in Tularosa, NM that charged $40 for an electric hookup! I would be OK with $10-$15 for electric at an HH, on top of my wine purchase, but I thought $40 was highway robbery.

  • @jeffgood2394
    @jeffgood2394 2 місяці тому +9

    Thousand Trails is good IF You're OK with 30amp back ins w/water and no sewer (that's all their reservations guarantee) and you don't mind hunting for a spot when you arrive (because they don't track individual site availability).
    It can work, but it is not for everyone.

    • @YeshuaKingMessiah
      @YeshuaKingMessiah Місяць тому

      My 5-er ran on 30W just fine
      AC in TN summers too
      I used all electric appliances too as electric was incl

  • @herb7877
    @herb7877 2 місяці тому +6

    We have a gasser; but Gas Buddy has saved us a lot over the years. Especially in Ca. $1 difference driving 10 miles down the road than where we originally were going to stop. Driving 62-64mph vs 70+ has saved us a lot as well. We do not let fuel prices stop our travels though. It's just the cost of admission. We'll make it up in other ways. Like Boondocking, COE & Fed CG with out 1/2 off Senior card. I have never paid more than $10 to dump. Numerous gas stations & truck stops and many municipalities have free dump stations or very, very low cost. Google can be your best friend.

  • @OverlandOne
    @OverlandOne Місяць тому +4

    I spent last winter in a COE campground in KY. It was $6/night when I got there but they raised it to $8 a few months later. No electric or water but I built my van for boondocking so no problem. 2 years ago, this campground was free in the winter. I have been to about 6 COE campgrounds in the 10 months I have been on the road so far and all of them were beautiful places.

  • @Skyhors3
    @Skyhors3 23 дні тому +2

    It's a shame that so many Walmarts ban overnighting,
    a loss to Walmart as well, because, in the morning, there's ALWAYS something that you need, and you're already there, where they sell everything, and for the best price, so it means more business for Walmart.

  • @MsJRod2012
    @MsJRod2012 2 місяці тому +1

    Thanks for this information!! I am one of those that is in California, since when my son was born here, I decided to stay. Luckily, I traveled through 10 Western states, since February 2023, before I came back to Cali. I have learned and love long-term stays, and that's what I've been doing since I've been back. It took me awhile to learn which locations were reasonable.

  • @mikenowak2360
    @mikenowak2360 2 місяці тому +1

    Love Thursday night Happy Hanks Day everyone.

  • @adriannurse1502
    @adriannurse1502 Місяць тому

    Fabulous video guys. Love the information.

  • @debbietaylor8091
    @debbietaylor8091 2 місяці тому

    Great video definitely saving this one!!!

  • @NanShepherd-eg6vy
    @NanShepherd-eg6vy 2 місяці тому +1

    Thanks for the info :)
    Looking forward to seeing your eclipse experience! 😜

  • @Roger30303030
    @Roger30303030 Місяць тому

    Love it. 🎉. Rewards programs, my favorites.

  • @user-in4sg2ho9z
    @user-in4sg2ho9z Місяць тому

    Thank you for all the helpful information.

  • @latewinter2
    @latewinter2 Місяць тому

    Tx for this great video that does not sound like an infomercial. See you around somewhere !

  • @teresajames5993
    @teresajames5993 2 місяці тому +1

    I use gas buddy in Ontario I love the section that you can enter all your gas purchases and it keeps records for you. ❤❤love watching you Hanks. 🎉

  • @ronohl7473
    @ronohl7473 2 місяці тому

    Really enjoyed the informative video. Great tips us part timers too. Thank you.

  • @DLTJR1959
    @DLTJR1959 2 місяці тому +1

    We only use Open Roads and truck stops for our diesel. Our Wanderlodge is 44' long and with our toad we are over 63' long. Also stop at rest areas when traveling to a destination for stopovers to sleep. I prefer to not unhook until we reach our destination. We are retired but not full timers. Currently winter in Florida and take a few other small trips during the year. Thank you for your content. I appreciate it.

  • @WhiskeyHunterVAT69
    @WhiskeyHunterVAT69 2 місяці тому

    Great info, thanks guys. 👍👍

  • @bettyjorodgers8552
    @bettyjorodgers8552 2 місяці тому

    Thank you for the great information. Enjoyed it.

  • @theresatyree3904
    @theresatyree3904 2 місяці тому

    Been subscribed a long time. Thanks Hanks! Retiring this summer. Can’t wait!! Been Boondocker’s welcome a long time also.

  • @airstreamer
    @airstreamer Місяць тому +3

    We use Gas Buddy quite often. We’re retired and full time… but that means we are on the proverbial “fixed income,” so we can’t see everything.

  • @jackmccarty1421
    @jackmccarty1421 2 місяці тому +6

    We absolutely love Thousand Trails and Encore camping. We save so much money. We have been full time for 5 1/2 years now. It costs about #3.00 a day to stay in these parks with most nights with full hook-ups and the rest are electric and water with free dump stations for up to 21 nights park to park. Instead of #30.00 to hundreds of dollors a night we have the money to eat out or do fun stuff.

    • @itsrvlifenowornever6827
      @itsrvlifenowornever6827 Місяць тому

      We love these too. I know many don’t but we have not had too many bad experiences. If we don’t like a park we just don’t go there again. It is an adventure and nothing is perfect.

    • @lengraziani7533
      @lengraziani7533 Місяць тому +1

      Yes and if you buy your membership from the secondary market, it’s much cheaper.

    • @kellyanderson210
      @kellyanderson210 Місяць тому

      Exactly...that is what we did!

  • @larryhammersmith9984
    @larryhammersmith9984 2 місяці тому +3

    On the West Coast we use cardlock stations. CFN and Pacific Pride. Thru a company called Staroilco. Open 24 hrs, never have to wait or worry about heights. They have both gas and diesel and their prices are below most other stations. Not sure how far east they are but plentiful in Oregon and Washington.

  • @patrickyork2975
    @patrickyork2975 2 місяці тому +1

    COE are my favorite campgrounds to stay at. They are just so affordable. There are a few near my house we just do weekend camping with several of our friends. Makes for a great short weekend.

  • @davidhannan2023
    @davidhannan2023 2 місяці тому

    Amazing video, thank you soooo much!!!

  • @glendalab7567
    @glendalab7567 2 місяці тому +12

    We love those little town rv parks where you can stay for free. Some are free for one night but we've also seen three nights. We've stayed at several in Texas and one in New Mexico. Some ask for donations and we're happy to do that.

    • @dougfalls2423
      @dougfalls2423 Місяць тому +2

      Yes good over notes or short stop 1-3 days

    • @ChrisMiller.reinvestor
      @ChrisMiller.reinvestor Місяць тому +1

      I'm heading to texas in a couple of weeks on a 3 week trip. What parts of Texas did you find these and how did you find out about them?

    • @glendalab7567
      @glendalab7567 Місяць тому

      @@ChrisMiller.reinvestor I use a couple of apps (free): iOverlander and RVParky. I found that most of the free spots are in NW Texas and NE New Mexico.

    • @dougfalls2423
      @dougfalls2423 Місяць тому +1

      @@ChrisMiller.reinvestor there are two stillhouse campsite and A.C.E
      @ hollow lake Belton Tx

    • @dougfalls2423
      @dougfalls2423 Місяць тому +1

      @@ChrisMiller.reinvestor I answered you but it was deleted! Try Stillwater or A.C.E. Campground @ Hollow Lake Belton Tx

  • @kelleybergman7429
    @kelleybergman7429 2 місяці тому

    Upside works great for diesel as well, I love it!

  • @MaeLeclerc2442
    @MaeLeclerc2442 2 місяці тому +1

    We’ve been watching your videos, my husband is been your subscriber for long time . We enjoy watching you guys . We wanna travel too but not the right time yet. 😊 Take care

  • @mcflippyflaps219
    @mcflippyflaps219 29 днів тому +1

    A campground we stayed at is looking for a camp host. Your space is free and water, electric and internet are included. It's the Hometown RV park in Jonesville North Carolina.

  • @scotttovey
    @scotttovey 2 місяці тому +5

    The only way to find your optimal speed, is to do a highway mileage test at various speeds.
    I did this with a 1999 Dodge Grand Caravan, and I found that I got the same mileage at 65, as I did at 55. So 65 turned out to be the optimal speed for that van.
    60 and 70 both got lower mileage than 55/65 mileage.

  • @Roger30303030
    @Roger30303030 2 місяці тому

    Great info I learned something new. 😊❤

  • @lisawaterman2737
    @lisawaterman2737 Місяць тому

    Great info!!

  • @tchrof6th
    @tchrof6th Місяць тому

    This was extremely useful ❤🙏 Weneeded that Gas Buddy info! We will be definitely doing 60 from now on.

  • @itsjustthatez4275
    @itsjustthatez4275 Місяць тому +1

    You both are so very positive, a great change from some half empty and negative people out there. Keep up the RV teachings!

    • @HappilyEverHanks
      @HappilyEverHanks  Місяць тому

      Thank you very much! We appreciate your time and support in watching 🙂

  • @MrMoneyHelper
    @MrMoneyHelper Місяць тому +4

    All of those discount cards and membership programs earn money from selling all of your personal purchases and travels to companies.

  • @DanielDavis-ew1pl
    @DanielDavis-ew1pl 2 місяці тому +1

    Love your channel.

  • @LawrenceTuckerFyretuck
    @LawrenceTuckerFyretuck Місяць тому

    Great information!

  • @thewildsasquatches3033
    @thewildsasquatches3033 Місяць тому +1

    Even with all the criticisms of Thousand Trails - we love it. We could not have traveled as much as we have without it.

  • @PaulYeager56
    @PaulYeager56 3 дні тому

    I use Open Roads and Mudflap almost every time I buy diesel. Grateful for the savings.

  • @kaymerritt3694
    @kaymerritt3694 Місяць тому +1

    I love the way most of the convenience stores have upgraded their coffee selections!

  • @TravelSmallLiveBig
    @TravelSmallLiveBig 2 місяці тому +1

    We love COEs and love that they are half price for us - whoohoo! We are at a fabulous city park right now - granted it’s $15 for dry camping, but we are overlooking a lake! Had some great city parks in ND, SD & some of those other states up there.

  • @onefastcyclist
    @onefastcyclist Місяць тому

    Great information! We often use State Parks which are almost always less expensive and usually offer a better experience. On Boondocking trips, we mix in RV parks to fill up water, charge up and dump. In the summer we use them a lot more. We Booondock at high elevations in the summer where it's cooler too

  • @kevingardner4737
    @kevingardner4737 2 місяці тому

    Awesome video thanks for all the info my wife and I are planning on getting a RV

  • @marks3014
    @marks3014 2 місяці тому

    Another great video...I've been using Open Roads and Mudflap for two years now. I'll have to look at Techno RV...

  • @robbanks7191
    @robbanks7191 2 місяці тому +8

    Great tips. I also hate cali fuel. So much that I changed out to a larger tank boosting my tank to 65 gallons and also added a transfer tank. This way I can take advantage of lower fuel prices. Often I can get from las Vegas to LA and back and never buy fuel in California Living in the mountains you will save fuel by not mashing it on the hill climes. Take your time nice and slow keep those RPM down. It will also keep your EGTs down too. Let your truck idle before shutting down after a long pull. This will stop oil from cooking in the hot turbo.

    • @SteveLukovics
      @SteveLukovics 2 місяці тому +1

      Great comment. Let things cool down a bit, keep oil flowing while your baking engine (and truck firewall), exhaust as well as radiator gets some moving air and exchange some of that heat! One other savings tip I can offer is to anticipate your stopping so that you save your brakes for when you really need them. Don't accelerate toward a light that turned red, or a stop sign ahead. Same as stopping, get going from a start is tough on all RVs. Take your time. Learn your vehicle's shift points, then start backing off the accelerator earlier to get a high gear where a torquey engine likes to run. Your ears may provide a lot of info on your vehicle if you listen! I fix a lot of problems by turning up the radio!

    • @Toddstjohn
      @Toddstjohn Місяць тому

      Auxiliary fuel tanks are a great investment. I'm an RV transporter after retirement from teaching. When my wife retires in 4 years we plan on full-time RVing. My Auxiliary tank saves me hundreds of dollars every trip I make.

  • @skerdycat
    @skerdycat 2 місяці тому

    Editing top tier ✨💪🏻👏🏻

  • @dianasellars6114
    @dianasellars6114 Місяць тому

    Free or cheap, so important to full-time RV life. Thanks for all the tips

  • @glennbishopbishthemagish
    @glennbishopbishthemagish 2 місяці тому +1

    Great Video Thanks!

  • @idawillis5997
    @idawillis5997 Місяць тому

    Love the humor and personalities

  • @loriejohnson8706
    @loriejohnson8706 2 місяці тому +3

    We’ve stayed at some nice small town parks. The challenge is they don’t have reservations, you usually can’t call to see if there are spots, they are usually small so it is pretty iffy if you will get a spot

    • @meman6964
      @meman6964 27 днів тому +2

      Hooray Iowa and Arkansas, small town parks. Get away from Interstate and see the county and meet people who are "the backbone of America". Camp was $6 a night.

  • @diann546
    @diann546 2 місяці тому +4

    We spent $3600 on campsites, over 5 months driving our trailer to Alaska and back to Indiana. Boondocking and no hookups made the trip affordable.

  • @dianekell5460
    @dianekell5460 2 місяці тому +1

    We are at a COE right now! Love camping at COE!

  • @charlenecastaldo3602
    @charlenecastaldo3602 2 місяці тому

    Thanks you Hankses!

  • @AlyssasRVs
    @AlyssasRVs Місяць тому +1

    Great tips!

  • @earnestburditt9867
    @earnestburditt9867 2 місяці тому +5

    When using gas buddy, if you enter the name or zip code of towns you are going to, so you
    will know the prices ahead of time so you can plan fuelling stops.
    If your a member of Wal-Mart plus already you can save money at the fuel pump.
    On C.O.E. getting a senior pass can save you 50% off.
    There are more cities putting in RV stops and parks for overnight traveling.

    • @HappilyEverHanks
      @HappilyEverHanks  2 місяці тому +1

      Great information!!! Thank you very much for sharing this 😊

  • @moxymaxx5350
    @moxymaxx5350 Місяць тому

    Absolutely love gas buddy! So easy! Never disappoints!

  • @eman31683
    @eman31683 2 місяці тому

    I personally use Gasbuddy. (Don't have diesel vehicle) Takes a few days to come out of the bank (ACH'd) vs comes out instantly. Good vid you too! I aspire to be in the RV lifestyle. Stay safe as well!

  • @karencolasacco
    @karencolasacco 2 місяці тому +1

    Great tips! Nebraska gets a bad rap but they actually have some nice free camping along I80. Streeter Park in Aurora has 4 days for free and they have electric and water and a dump. There are only 12 sites and next to a park and pool.

  • @twoforonecreativelife
    @twoforonecreativelife 2 місяці тому

    Thanks, Hanks ❤

  • @ReneeMiles-pj8cb
    @ReneeMiles-pj8cb 2 місяці тому +2

    Y’all hit so many points with the “just do this” or “just join that” that all the “they people” point out without addressing the up front costs.
    We’ve live y’all from the beginning. Still my favorite channel. I want to be young again and y’all haha.

  • @twodogsandtheirfamily
    @twodogsandtheirfamily 2 місяці тому

    Fuel and Lodging and the two main things we track on our camping log book. Just over $10k in fuel and $17k in lodging over the past 4 years for or part time travels.

  • @michaeljohnson8126
    @michaeljohnson8126 Місяць тому +1

    Clean your MAP sensor with every oil change for increased mpg and power. This is a must do!

  • @1958zed
    @1958zed 2 місяці тому +3

    Not a huge savings, but grocery store chains (Kroger, Vons) have rewards programs where you can save $0.20 per gallon at their partner gas stations (Chevron for Vons). Of course, you have to buy groceries at that chain to earn points/rewards.
    Also, check for county parks. Here in San Diego, Sweetwater Regional Park has great pull-through sites (and smaller sites) with partial (W/E) and full (W/E/S) hook-ups for $34/$39 per night, respectively.

    • @jenniferhissrich1841
      @jenniferhissrich1841 Місяць тому +1

      I just came from Sweetwater. Newer RV Park, beautiful views, great sites.

  • @ChloeGirlDoggie
    @ChloeGirlDoggie 2 місяці тому +1

    Love watching/listening to you guys! Question: You started your RV life sharing your coveted nursing skills (travel nurses) with those in need . . . do you still work as nurses? It would be a shame to lose you both from the medical community - I get the impression you enjoy your work, and I imagine you both have a fabulous bedside manner, making people in an ER under stressful circumstances feel just that much more at ease.

  • @davidmccartney7577
    @davidmccartney7577 Місяць тому

    The videos and time put into making them❤️

  • @michellekrantz4541
    @michellekrantz4541 2 місяці тому +1

    Keep in mind when talking about gas station and their pricing. Loves and flying J pilot,, have ethanol in their gasoline. That is how they’re able to give you $.10 off a gallon because it’s a lower grade gas. I use gas additive, but going forward I may use those stations less Because I don’t like putting ethanol gas in my husband‘s truck.
    I recently had the opportunity to go to a Buckys, and it was absolutely amazing,, but the one thing I noticed they have no window washing equipment😮
    Thank you for another great video. Love you guys. ❤

  • @bobmartens1089
    @bobmartens1089 2 місяці тому +1

    In 3 years of snowbirding down south ive only paid once for rv spot EXCEPT, LTVA 180.00 per year i only have 300 watts of solar and 4 6v batteries and never run out. Its a great life-style if thats what your into.

  • @kwaste
    @kwaste Місяць тому

    Good job guys. We're doing a cross country from California to South Carolina then NY. Then Washington State. We're gonna do RV sites for purposes of electricity,dump station etc. when we camp at home for a week at a time we dry camp. Hoping to have a good trip. Looking at 6 weeks.

  • @HillabillyHippie
    @HillabillyHippie 2 місяці тому +2

    Lol. Almost NONE of this applies to me! I just love to see you two and Stinky. And your adventures. You guys are so cute and funny! ☺️

  • @davidlacroix8079
    @davidlacroix8079 2 місяці тому

    THANKS HANKS❤

  • @BobbyHillVGK702
    @BobbyHillVGK702 2 місяці тому

    Oh sweet. So glad I came across your channel awhile back. This video is so helpful. I know RV'ers use the open roads, but I will be getting into hotshot trucking, and wonder if I can use this. Even though I'm not an RV'er, but have a diesel. Someday I may be an RV'er though.

    • @slalomking
      @slalomking Місяць тому +1

      Yes any diesel can be in the program

  • @kimsmelcer8036
    @kimsmelcer8036 Місяць тому

    Great video.

  • @briangrills1863
    @briangrills1863 2 місяці тому +1

    Open roads is a great program and my savings on my diesel paid for the DEF.

  • @sykesc2
    @sykesc2 Місяць тому

    We get 10 cents/gal off gas at Love's with the app and 5 cents/gal with our Pilot/Flying J card. Scanning your bar code at Love's or card at Pilot/Flying J also gives rewards including free COFFEE! We definitely love COE campgrounds, but, at least in the east, I have found many of them are more like $20-$30+/night depending on the services available...still a good deal for a great camping experience. Thanks for another informative video!

  • @user-ul2wb5hn9m
    @user-ul2wb5hn9m 2 місяці тому

    I really love your videos. Lots of great info. After several years of research, watching UA-cam, and soul searching, I’m ready to buy.
    You always talk about checking tire pressure. This may be a stupid question, but how do you check the pressure on an inner tire if you have double wheels?