How to Save Gas on Your Next RV Trip

With the average cost of gas lingering in the low to mid $4 range in SoCal, it’s not a bad idea to make a game plan for extending the time between fill-ups. Depending on the size of your rig and tank, you might be spending anywhere from one hundred to several hundred dollars when you refuel.

While most RV owners factor this cost into their trip expenses, these four tips will help you stretch your dollar further and increase the time spent reconnecting with nature.

Keep it Steady

One of the most effective ways of saving gas is to follow a steady speed limit. The sweet spot for most RVs of all classes is a consistent 55 mph on freeways. This does mean you’ll be in the right lane for the majority of the drive, and you’ll have to account for a longer commute, but the maximized fuel economy will thank you.

The 65+ mph speed limit signs might be tempting, especially if you are running late or want to get to your campsite before sundown.

However, driving faster than 55 mph means you will burn through your gas and must make more pit spots to refuel. This can backfire and add unnecessary costs to your RV trip if you are in a more remote area where gas stations may have exorbitant prices.

Lastly, be wary of quick accelerations and decelerations as these are also fuel drainers. Instead, try to gradually reach the surrounding traffic’s speed versus stopping too quickly or flooring the gas and watching your RV mileage wave goodbye.

Keep Track of Maintenance

Another pre-trip tip to save gas during your RV trip is to keep up with maintenance. Ignoring the colorful, flashing warning lights and messages on your dashboard could be a waste of gas. For example, having your wheels at 75% of the recommended tire pressure, this would be running on 22.5 for a car with a recommended 30 PSI, can reduce your fuel economy by 2-3%.

Other regular maintenance checks, such as checking the seals on windows, doors, and skylights, ensure the RV properly prevents air from getting in. This is especially helpful on hot summer days when the cool air that runs on fuel can stay inside and use less gas. Some RV inspections can be done on your own, like fluid top offs, smoke and carbon monoxide detector checks, and hose rinses.

For more in-depth maintenance needs and full repairs, trust the professionals at Leisure Coachworks located in Fontana, California to get your rig back up and running.

Keep Things Light

Even the most compact RVs are loaded with appliances, furniture, and household items that aren’t found in the average commuting vehicle. Add a few passengers, a dog, solar panels, and outdoor gear, and the weight piles up even more. These extra pounds mean an RV has to dig deeper to move every mile and get you from point A to point B.

Before the trip, do an inventory and look for items that aren’t crucial for your plans or that you aren’t likely to use. Here are some common items you might be able to pair down:

Multiples: Determine if you really need two pairs of boots or three cast iron pans and leave behind, donate, or gift the extras.
Non-crucial appliances: The blender or Mickey Mouse waffle maker might have sounded fun, but if you haven’t made smoothies or eaten a syrupy-soaked waffle in months it’s best not to take them.
Non-crucial gear: A week-long RV trip of lounging by the beach probably means you don’t need trekking poles, an electric blanket, and heavy jackets.

While forgoing one untouched board game won’t add 5 mpg to your route, removing items can help with the proper weight distribution and give your mileage a boost.

Keep the Route Simple

The phrase “Keep it simple, silly” applies to just maximizing your RV’s average mpg as much as it does to other life dilemmas. When it comes to planning how you will get from one destination to the next, simplicity is key. Usually, you will save the most gas if your route and sightseeing follows one predominant direction.

Your RV’s mileage can suffer if you hit all four compass directions in the course of one day.

A bit of careful planning can save you the headache of driving past the same landmark more than once. Research the destination beforehand and make note of the locations of places you want to visit or activities of interest so you can group nearby sites and tackle them together. Better yet, use some of the best RV route mapping tools like Adventure Genie and Roadtrippers, to get a customized road map for your RV trip.

Gas-Saving Highlights

Four of the most helpful gas-saving tips to boost your RV mileage are driving at a consistent speed, scheduling and completing the maintenance checks, prioritizing essentials, and simplifying the routine. Whether you tackle these on your own or call on Leisure Coachworks for their expert RV services, you will be in excellent shape to maximize your fuel economy.