Website helps RV travelers find free and inexpensive campsites

Most of the online directory's listings are supplied by RVers themselves. They range from scenic government campgrounds to city-sponsored RV parks, truck stops, rest areas, commercial RV parks with a fee of $10 or less, desert lands of the West and the parking lots of RV-friendly businesses.

"City parks are one of the best deals going," said FreeCampgrounds.com editor Chuck Woodbury. "There are at least 100 of them around the country where an RVer is invited to stay a night or even a week for free. Sometimes there's a donation box, but even so, the requested amount is usually a fraction... of what an RV park would charge. Some country parks and even fairgrounds also offer complimentary stays."

A recent survey of more than 2,000 recreational vehicle enthusiasts by RVtravel.com revealed that approximately 60 percent seek out free or inexpensive campgrounds to offset high fuel prices. "If an RVer can save $25 or $35 over what it would cost for an RV park, that money can go into the gas tank the next day," said Woodbury. But he noted that many RVers choose free locations simply out of convenience. "They may be too tired to go on but can’t find an RV park. Most of these RVers will choose a traditional RV park or public campground the next night."

Many truck stops permit overnight stays as well as other services to RVers like internet access, propane and mechanical work. Some RVers routinely hole up overnight in roadside rest areas, a practice Woodbury does not recommend for safety reasons. But he acknowledges it's a common practice.

The most popular free overnight stops are in the parking lots of Wal-Mart stores. "About 90 percent of the stores will allow an RVer to spend a night as long as they pull off in a corner and don't set up 'camp,'" said Woodbury, who also edits the 100,000-circulation RVtravel.com weekly newsletter.

Perhaps the best deal going for RVers on a budget is on the federal government's wide-open desert lands of Arizona and southeast California where a stay of up to seven months goes for $140. "There are minimal services at these Long Term Visitor Areas, but for RVers with solar panels and other devices, life can be very comfortable and affordable at less than 70 cents a day.

FreeCampgrounds.com visitors who post free campground information are encouraged to provide details about a site's scenic beauty and noise level. "Locations near railroad tracks are obviously not places where an RVer stays for a meaningful experience with nature," said Woodbury.

To search for a campground visit FreeCampgrounds.com.

How to balance an RVing budget despite high gas prices

Most RVers are willing to endure high gas prices to continue their RVing according to a September survey at our sister websiteRVtravel.com.

Less than six percent of the 1,269 respondents said they would stop RVing if the price of gas reached $3.50. The rest will keep on going, although most will decrease the miles they travel.

There are the simple ways to stretch your RVing dollars and maybe it's worth a short refresher course here. The most obvious way is to drive slower. Stay in the right hand lane and take your time. You could pick up the equivalent of an extra mile for each gallon of fuel by simply slowing down. When you leave a stop sign, go easy on the pedal as you pick up speed.

Check your tires to be sure they are properly inflated. The simple act of rolling along on fully inflated tires will stretch your mileage, providing you with perhaps a couple of "free" gallons of fuel per tank.

Make sure your motorhome or tow vehicle's engine is tuned up. Check the air filter: A dirty one will decrease your mileage.

Don't travel with a full fresh water tank. It adds a lot of weight. Just take what you need and fill up when you reach your destination. Dump holding tanks before leaving your campground instead of carrying the weight with you.

Avoid driving into headwinds. Wait a few hours or maybe even a day for the winds to calm. On days with a good breeze at your back, drive extra miles to take advantage of nature's "push."

AT RV PARKS, opt for the no-hookup option if you don't need major power — you'll save a few dollars a night. And be sure to consult FreeCampgrounds.com for a big directory of places along the road where you can stay for free or less than $10. There are perhaps 100 small town city parks that will allow a free stay for a day or two, many with hookups included. Some RVers overnight at a Wal-Mart on occasion, saving the $25 or more that they would have paid for a campsite. Flying J Truck Stops offer a free night's stay for RVers who need a rest stop along their route. RVers who travel to the Southwest each winter can save a bundle by "boondocking" on Bureau of Land Management's Long Term Visitor Areas (LTVA's) for up to seven months for less than a dollar a day!

Stay put in a reasonably priced campground an extra day or two: you're not burning any gas when you're not on the road. And instead of staying at a park for five days, stay seven to qualify for a money-saving weekly rate.

For several years our RVbookstore.com has sold memberships to the Happy Camper Club, where an RVer can stay for half price at more than 1,000 RV parks, no strings attached. As far as I'm concerned, any avid RVer who doesn't take advantage of this inexpensive money-saving opportunity is throwing his or her money away.

Good Sam Club members save 10 percent at most commercial campgrounds, making a membership pretty much required for RVers who stay at RV parks. The Escapees Club has its own parks throughout the country where members can boondock for free or hook up to utilities for peanuts. The club also published an annual directory of hundreds of RV parks that will offer a substantial discount to Escapee members. Of course, senior citizens — typically 60 or 65 years — can camp for a discount at many state and federal facilities.

RVers who stay often even occasionally at KOA campgrounds should purchase a KOA Value Card which will save them 10 percent on site fees. They can be purchased at any KOA campground and can be used immediately.

If you're in the market for a new RV or tow vehicle, give priority to one that provides good gas mileage. And consider buying a pre-owned RV rather than a new one. You'll save big on the purchase price, and those savings will buy a lot of gas!

The price of gas will come down. But it will likely never be as cheap as it was before. Still, for those of us who RV, there are ways to balance our budgets even with higher cost of fuel. It just takes some creativity.