There are many promises made about how much you can save on electricity if you install solar panels on your used motor homes. How does performance measure up? Is it cost effective? Can you use solar energy alone to power your lights and appliances?
Are solar panels cost effective?
Solar panels are a big investment. Part of the investment includes installing and maintaining them. After considering all of the expense, is it worth it for you and for your toy hauler trailer to invest in them?
If you’re not sure you want to make a huge investment in solar, you can begin with a single panel and charge controller. That would be a help mainly with your lights – especially if you use LED lighting. If you move on to full-time RVing, your complete system might cost up to $10,000, or more. You might move into the luxury end of solar panels if you’ve got a large, expensive Class A motorhome in order to save money at campgrounds, and on maintenance.
Can you use solar panels alone for your energy needs?
You can, but you will need a lot of panels for the heavy drawing appliances such as a microwave oven. If you are going for the simple life, it would probably be sufficient. Even then, you might want to consider a generator back up, or maybe even an RV wind tower to supplement the solar panels on your fifth wheel.
If you can’t go all the way with solar panels, remember that using even a small amount of renewable energy sources will save some of the nonrenewable ones.
Energy prices seem to be going up every time you plug in an appliance, or flip a switch in your used motor homes. Many motor home owners are looking for ways to cut back on energy costs. Electricity and propane are generally the choices for motor homes, but which is more efficient and cost effective. The answer varies depending on the purchase price of kilowatt-hours and propane gas.
Additionally, some of the newer possibilities have something to offer. Perhaps the answer lies in a combination of several.
Electricity vs. propane: which is more economical?
Some RVers use electricity whenever they are in a place where it is part of the flat parking fee. If the electricity is extra, they switch over to propane gas. At first glance, it would seem the propane is the more expensive energy source. That is not always the case. You need to crunch the numbers. The RV Forum has a downloadable program that will do your calculations for you. Propane is often the cheaper form of energy.
Some renewable energy resources
One green energy source is the wind. This is not a new idea – people have used windmills for centuries to harness the power of the wind. New technology maximizes the amount of energy obtained no matter how hard the wind blows. You can mount these wind towers on your Class C RV giving you a cost effective, clean energy source.
Another renewable energy supplier is the sun. You can use solar panels to harness sun power on your fifth wheel camper. It will help you save money, and add value to your rig if you some day opt to put it up for sale as a used RV for sale by owner.
If you like to stay connected by computer while you’re on the road in your RV rental, one way to do it is to find the free WiFi as you travel. WiFi stands for Wireless Fidelity, and it is a local area network – sometimes referred to as a “hot spot.” It uses high frequency radio waves to receive and transmit over relatively short distances.
Places you can find free WiFi
Starbucks gives two free hours of WiFi to their customers. You have to register.
Many Panera Bread, McDonalds, Schlotzky’s Deli locations have free WiFi. Schlotzky’s has free computer stations, too.
Barnes and Noble offers WiFi.
Big Boy, Bob Evans, and Hooters are connected.
Take your motor home to RV parks and campgrounds, libraries, areas near universities, and some rest areas to find good WiFi places.
Online directories have listings of free locations.
Tips about free WiFi
The best WiFi service is closest to the source of the signal, and in places where fewer people are using it.
Public places that offer free WiFi are often not secure networks. This means that someone may be able to hack into your computer and steal your personal information, and have access to your passwords. If you use them, make sure your anti-virus software is up to date, and activated. Keep your firewall up at all times.
Don’t do any personal transactions involving credit cards or passwords on these hot spots.
Do check the internet for more specifics on WiFi safety as you roam in your travel trailer.
“Are we there yet?” Sound familiar? Anyone who has ever traveled with young children knows this question by heart. Your RV rental trip will be no exception. What are some fun things families can do on a road trip in a Class A motor home?
Things to do with children
Play, “I’m Going on a Road Trip.” Start with something that begins with “A” and work your way through the alphabet with each participant naming all that went before. If you miss, you drop out until the last person is the winner.
The License Plate Game is an oldie but goodie. Players keep track of the states on the license plates. First person to get all 50 states wins. Vary it by looking only at motor homes.
Take along some Model Magic for kids to sculpt something they see. It’s non-messy, and it dries in a short time. Guaranteed to keep most kids quiet for awhile!
Things for teens to do
Have a backpack of goodies for each of your teens. Some of the contents might be an iPod, or an Mp3 player – preferably with ear buds.
If your teen has a cell phone, that should be in the backpack along with the charger so he can keep in touch with his friends at home.
If you have both teens and younger children, encourage the teens to set aside some of the day to play a game with the youngsters.
If you can find a book on CD that everyone would enjoy, take it along to put in the player.
One of the joys of the RV lifestyle is being able to pare down the “stuff” in your life. So, after you’ve been to the RV sales, give yourself some time, and a few short trips in your RV before you begin accessorizing your motorhome. Purchase only whatever accessories will enhance your life. Here are some ideas.
Some useful RV accessories
If you like to cook, and plan to eat most of your meals in your Class B, a counter extension will come in handy.
A small crock pot makes cooking easier on days when you’re out hiking or otherwise occupied.
Step rugs will help you keep the interior of your travel trailer cleaner.
If your Class A, or Fifth Wheel do not come with a washer and dryer, you might like to have some installed. You can do small loads more often, and more conveniently than you can using Laundromats.
Your own RV tool kit makes it easier to do small repairs.
A cover is a good way to protect your investment from inclement weather if you are parking it somewhere for awhile.
It’s nice to have a GPS – but don’t leave the paper maps behind.
Pick up a small carpet sweeper, or vacuum to clean the inside.
A good campground directory may not qualify as an accessory, but it is worth its weight in gold. Take along a couple of them.
How can you tell if you are an RV enthusiast? Is there a way to recognize other enthusiasts at RV sales? Here is a list that might help.
You might just be an RV enthusiast if you:
Like to imagine you are crossing the prairie in a covered wagon.
Picture yourself as a rock star while you’re driving down the road.
Dream about driving the Alaska Highway some day in your Class A.
Enjoy the extreme challenge of living in close quarters with your significant other on a daily basis.
Like connecting with family in a lot of places – and having the freedom to “disconnect” your Class B when you’ve had enough.
Never have to worry if your suitcases will arrive at your destination at the same time that your travel trailer does.
Get high when you take a deep breath in a brand new RV.
Take pleasure in sleeping in your own bed every night no matter where your diesel pusher is.
Network with other off-road vehicle owners about the best toy hauler.
Trade horror stories with other enthusiasts about draining your black water tank.
Have ever modified a funny story to fit RV life in your fifth wheeler.
The best way of all to tell if you are an RV enthusiast is that each time you get you motorhome ready to move on down the pike you start singing “On the Road Again”!
What kind of camping gear do you need to make your motorhome eco-friendly? If you page through the green camping gear catalogs on (recycled) paper or online, you can easily become overwhelmed by the amount of things vendors try to convince you is necessary to be a responsible citizen.
Americans do love their stuff! But, stocking up on every item the sellers want you to buy defeats part of the purpose of going green by spending more money on more stuff for your RVs.
Use up what you have
People who went through the Great Depression in the 1930s said: “Use it up, wear it out, make it do.” What do you already own that you can use in your lightweight travel trailers? If what you have adequate bedding, and/or sleeping bags, the wiser thing is to use them until they wear out. As long as what you have is not creating havoc with the environment, you don’t need to buy something new to take its place.
Get your “cheap” on
Start looking for used gear at flea markets, and yard sales. Feel free to haggle for items – it’s part of the fun. Maybe you’ll find some LED light fixtures for your Class B RV, or some non-toxic bug repellent.
Check online at EBay, freecycle.com, Craig’s list, or other similar web sites. The bargains people have found on these sites are legendary.
Share camping equipment. Form a camping gear cooperative to share the equipment, and the fun. Consider jointly purchasing your high-end items such as a solar oven.
Don’t go into debt for anything. It seriously increases the size of your carbon footprint.
These are some inexpensive ideas for beginning the green journey. Enjoy the ride.
While the industry is working to make RVs that will help you to leave a smaller carbon footprint, the cleaning products you use to clean your travel trailer may contain toxic chemicals that are making that footprint bigger. They have the capacity to endanger your health, and your enjoyment of life.
You can make your own super non-toxic cleaning products. All you need are a few household items, and some spray bottles.
Homemade green cleaning products
White vinegar – alone, or mixed with other products – is a great cleaner. With an equal amount of water, you have a great all-purpose cleaner and deodorizer. Undiluted, it works wonderfully on mineral deposits. Vinegar with a minuscule amount of dish detergent and water is a great window cleaner.
Baking soda on a damp microfiber cloth is a mild but tough cleansing powder. Rub it in, wait 15 minutes, then rub your tub clean. Pour some in a clogged drain, wait two hours. Then, run hot water, and your drain will be clear and deodorized.
Tea tree oil is good for getting rid of mildew, and unpleasant smells.
Sodium carbonate is for washing clothes, softening water, and beefing up the power of your soap in your fifth wheel’s washing machine.
Make air fresheners by simmering citrus rinds, or cinnamon sticks and cloves in a saucepan in your Class A. (Set a timer to remind you before it boils dry.)
Lemon juice, olive oil, and water make good furniture polish.
There are many other ideas to be found on the Internet. When you find what works for you, mix up your formulas in big batches, and store them away for use.
The word “accident” almost presupposes that you cannot be prepared. In some senses, that would be right. However, accidents do happen, and there are things you can do to be prepared just in case.
Ways to avoid accidents
One of the biggest causes of accidents is distraction. One huge distraction is talking or texting on a cell phone. In a word, don’t. No matter how well you think you have control of your vehicle, it takes less than a second for the scenario to change. You cannot be ready if you have only half of your attention on the rig.
Eating while driving can be a distraction. If you are eating or drinking, and the road situation becomes dangerous, stop. It’s better to be hungry than dead. Another strategy is to practice driving regularly. Veteran drivers may sometimes be more at risk than a novice because they become overconfident. A driver should make a point of being aware of her surroundings at all times as a preventative measure.
When you can’t avoid the accident
First, make sure all of the travelers in your vehicle are safe, and uninjured. If any are wounded, call 911, and then tend to the “patients.” Record your observations about the accident, and take pictures of the vehicles, and surroundings. When possible, exchange insurance information with the other drivers. Have your driver’s license, registration, and insurance information ready for the emergency teams and the police. Let them assess the drivability of your vehicle.
Living frugally does not mean doing without things you need. It means being a wise consumer, and buying carefully the things that you need. The lifestyle of people with motor homes is often perceived as the lifestyle of the rich and famous. Or, at the very least, the lifestyle of people who have more money than most. Truthfully, it can very well be the lifestyle of the shrewd consumer.
You need to downsize
Truly frugal consumers know that they don’t need a lot of “stuff” in order to have a good life. You can begin with downsizing your RV. Trade it in for a smaller, used motorhome. With a smaller RV, you will need to downsize your stuff. Many Americans are drowning in clutter, and that includes the things in their RVs. Determine what is the minimum that you really need, then sell, give away, or auction off on EBay the rest.
Downsize your eating out, and your entertainment budget. Whittle down the clothes in your closet, and set yourself free. The less you need, the smaller the burden on your shoulders, and the lighter your heart. Make it a rule to get rid of something when you bring home something new.
Find ways to spend less
Visit your local Goodwill store when you need something. Often, they have special discount days, and you can buy new clothing at incredibly low prices. (One of the benefits is that what you spend can be deducted from your taxes.) When you travel, drive more slowly, and stay in one place longer to stretch your gasoline budget. You can find web sites online that have free coupons or discounts for items for which you’ve been saving. You’ll soon find you enjoy the challenge!
