Solar Power Your RV

Do you want to try and get off the grid or at the very least save some money?  Now that solar power is becoming mainstream there are more options than ever available for RVs.  An RV solar system can help to reduce the time that you live off of your generator and is a great solution for people that boondock or just want to go “green”. 

A big advantage to solar-power systems is that they have no moving parts and require very little maintenance.  They are safe and reliable and do not create the noise or smell of a generator.  Furthermore you decide how big of a system you want and how much you want to spend.  Solar can be used to power just a few devices or to completely power the RV. 

So what does a solar-powered system consist of?  RV systems will have one or more solar panels, a charge controller, batteries and the parts required for installation and hookup.  An article from Trailerlife.com explains that solar panels are rated by their watts of output and that the “wattage rating is determined by multiplying the panel’s peak power voltage by its peak power amperage.”

You may wonder how big of a system you need to power your RV.  To find out how much energy you use, one of the leading RV solar providers recommends that you boondock your RV and do not use the AC generator or shorepower.  Now under normal usage see how long it takes to run your batteries down.  The company takes that information and calculates approximately how many amp-hours you consumed on an average day and how many solar panels would be required to provide the same energy.  They estimate that the average RV consumes between 75 and 150 amp-hours of energy a day.

Sources:

trailerlife.com/camper-trailer-news/trailer-gear/rv-solar-power/

amsolar.com/home/amr/page_19

Pikes Peak Traveland has been one of the top Colorado Springs RV dealers since 1982 and a partner in the national Route 66 RV Network. Whether you are in the market for a new or used RV, want to consign one, or need parts or service, we can help.  We only sell the top names in RVs and offer some of the best prices around.  Please come out and take a look at our extensive inventory of quality RVs for sale.  

Can You Afford to Be a Fulltime RVer?

While it is certainly not for everyone, some people dream of the day they can take their RV on the open road and not look back.  Making the move to become a fulltime RVer can be an experience of a lifetime but is something that should be thought out carefully beforehand. 

One of the first things to consider is can you afford it.  Today many people work remotely and have the ability to still make an income while on the road.  If that is your situation, than affordability may not be an issue.  For others, if you are retired or do not plan to work, you need to take into account the money you have coming from pensions, other income, or social security.

Your living expenses should be less than what you paid to live in a traditional home as you will not have property taxes, HOA dues, and utility bills but you do need to figure how much it will cost.  If you still owe money on your RV or vehicle, you need to include that cost into your living expenses.  Also add in insurance, health care, membership fees, cell phones, and other monthly commitments. 

Look over past grocery bills to estimate how much you spend on food.  Include in your budget money for entertainment, clothes, laundry, mail forwarding and miscellaneous expenses.  You will also need to have money earmarked for maintenance on your RV and vehicle and annual registration fees. 

Now add in cost for gas, propane, and camping fees.  Both camping fees and fuel costs will fluctuate with where you stay and the miles you travel.  In addition cost will vary as to the type of lifestyle you live and many of these decisions will be based on your income.

It is helpful to research other people’s experience with RVing fulltime.  You can check out forums, blogs, and chatrooms on the Internet or get books.  One tip an RVer mentioned that may seem obvious but is sometimes forgotten is to remember to take your time.  There is no hurry and staying in a place for a while actually can save you money by reducing gas consumption and other travel expenses. 

Pikes Peak Traveland has been one of the top Colorado Springs RV dealers since 1982 and a partner in the national Route 66 RV Network. Whether you are in the market for a new or used RV, want to consign one, or need parts or service, we can help.  We only sell the top names in RVs and offer some of the best prices around.  Please come out and take a look at our extensive inventory of quality RVs for sale.  

Save Money by Boondocking

For those that are new to the RV lifestyle, the term boondocking may be unfamiliar.  It is sometimes referred to as dry camping, but simply means to park your RV in a location that has few or no amenities.  This can be done as a quick one or two night stop or something that is done in a more deliberate manner over a longer period of time.  The obvious advantage is that it is generally free or costs very little as compared to a full service campground. 

Often quick, overnight parking is something you do when you are on your way to someplace and require a stop in-between your destination.  You can find information on free (or for a small fee) RV parking with few or no amenities on the Internet or in RV magazines.  Examples of this type of accommodations are truck stops, malls, restaurants, casinos, and some rest areas.   Keep in mind that many of these spots are not places to bring out the awning, lawn chairs and other equipment to clutter up the lot. 

The other type of boondocking is when RVers make the decision to deliberately set up camp in an area that does not offer any services.  These are often beautiful, out of the way locations that are not within an organized park or facility.  To find such a location, you can contact a US National Park Service, National Forest Service, or a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) office to see if they have suggestions.  Additionally, these agencies publish maps that are on the Internet.

There are also a couple of directory services and guidebooks that specialize in providing good boondocking locations or you can use detailed maps to find places.  It can be a fun alternative to staying in campgrounds but is challenging as you may need to learn how to conserve your water and energy resources. 

Sources:

http://roadslesstraveled.us/boondocking/

Pikes Peak Traveland has been one of the top Colorado Springs RV dealers since 1982 and a partner in the national Route 66 RV Network. Whether you are in the market for a new or used RV, want to consign one, or need parts or service, we can help.  We only sell the top names in RVs and offer some of the best prices around.  Please come out and take a look at our extensive inventory of quality RVs for sale.