7 Ways to Live the RV Life on a Budget

In 2022, more and more people are realising just how possible it is to the live the RV life. With the ever-growing popularity of #VanLife on social media and movies, like Nomadland highlighting just how feasible it is to hit the road full time, Aussies have come to the realisation that you don’t need a major budget or a lifetime of savings in the bank to make this possible. For the most part, you can decide how much you do or don’t want to spend. That’s the beauty of the RV lifestyle! Below are our top 7 tips for doing it on a budget:

Free campsites

We love a good holiday park or resort but if you plan to stay in them every night, you’ll likely begin to see your bank balance rapidly deteriorating. There are heaps of free campsites all over Australia and some of them are jaw droppingly beautiful. Similarly, there are some very low-cost, paid campsites out there that won’t break the bank. It’s just important to be aware that different states have different laws around free camping so wherever you decide to park up, make sure that it’s legal.

Stay for extended periods

Hopping from one town to another every few days will see most of your budget being guzzled by fuel expenses. Choosing to take things at a slower pace and stay in each place for a couple of weeks, is one of the best cost-saving measures you can take when embracing RV travel on a budget. We actually think it’s one of the best ways to travel, allowing you to spend more time soaking up the atmosphere and getting to know the locals and other travellers alike.

Meal prep is your friend

When you’re out exploring, hiking and sightseeing all day, you probably aren’t going to feel like coming back to your home on wheels and starting to cook every day. When doing RV Travel on a budget, dedicate a morning or afternoon each week to doing meal prep so that you have dinners ready to go and don’t end up splurging and eating out all the time. Also, if you have the space, we recommend getting a slow cooker, you’ll find they’re super easy to cook large batches of food in.

Plan your fuel

In Australia, the price of petrol and diesel can vary a lot from week to week, and station to station, so if you’re constantly paying over the odds to fill up your tank, your fuel expenses can really start to add up. Get into the habit of filling up when and where it’s cheap and try to avoid the petrol station during times when fuel is likely to be expensive, like long weekends and school holidays. There’s even a handy app called Fuel Map Australia that tells you how much fuel is in the different petrol stations in the area.

Look for free things to do

Luckily for those who want to do RV travel on a budget, some of the best and most epic experiences that Australia has to offer are free. Our country is huge and we’re renowned for our natural beauty so it’s easy to fill your days with free activities like hiking, going to the beach, taking treks and visiting national parks- the list really is endless.

Get educated in RV repairs

If you’re planning to live in your RV for any length of time, we definitely recommend learning how to carry out basic RV maintenance and repairs. Knowing how to change your tyre or patch a leak will save you a lot of money in mechanics fees. Also, it’s a great skill to have in case you ever find yourself stuck without anyone around to help.

It’s one thing knowing how to repair something but having the tools do so is essential. Make sure you are equipped with the essential tools for basic maintenance and repairs, check out our top RV tool kit must haves here.

Stay off-peak

Try to plan your route so that the nights you do decide to stay in holiday parks don’t clash with the school holidays or peak season. Often, you’ll find that rates can be as much as double the price during any period that’s considered peak season. Stay off grid during these times and save your money for another time when the caravan parks won’t be so busy.

Are you planning to hit the road for an epic Australian adventure? We have a range of RV listings with campervans, camper trailers, motorhomes and caravans to suit all kinds of budgets and travelling styles. Check them out today!