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rollindownthero's avatar
rollindownthero
Explorer II
Dec 08, 2013

Class A Motorhome and fulltiming in Florida

I will be retiring in a about 5 years. I want to fulltime in a Class A, around 35 feet. I live in Florida, so hopefully will get responses from fellow Floridians.

1) How warm or hot does a class A get in the beating sun here in Florida?
2) What can I expect my electric bills bills to be on average per month?

I know there are going to be variables, but just want some general ideas of what to expect.

7 Replies

  • You'll run max of about $100, more likely $80. And if you're in north Florida the need for electric or propane heat more of the year will even things out.
  • PS.. the brand of RV will make a difference and make sure you have 2 AC's that are rated high enough to cool the unit. We had a Winnebago with one AC that would not keep it cool. We now have a 33' Country Coach with 2 slides and 2 AC's that keeps it very comfortable. The insulation is what helps.
  • our electric bill in Tampa during the summer, at 13 cents per KWH was about $75.00. We have a 33' Class A with 2 slides. Things to do: Keep the awnings out unless it's windy or stormy. (don't leave with them out!). Get sun shades for the windshield and side windows up front. Get the square pads to stick in the vent fans. Cover any skylights. Don't open the door often during the hottest part of the day. We put the refrigerator on gas and didn't use our washer and dryer. LP gas was cheaper then. Might not be cheaper than electric now. That's why the RV has wheels. In the summer, head for the mountains. Come back to FL in the winter!
  • Where in FL you are planning to stay makes a great difference. Things are much milder in Tallahassee than they are in Orlando or Miami and both of those are different than Naples.
    In you get south of the panhandle you are likely going to need A/C 9-10 months but on the less hot day you might only need one to keep the humidity levels comfortable. If you have shaded outdoor space you might even be able to get by without air but that's a really personal choice. Some handle the heat better than others.
    As mentioned above, if you park the RV in the shade you will dramatically reduce your A/C costs as the FL sun is brutal coming through any glass and on the front and rear caps of the coach.
  • Last year in Grand Lake RV Resort (Citra) and this year in Williston Crossings RV Resort - highest electric $96 and lowest $73. I think this is 14.5 per kilowatt. Propane - cooking and BBQ only so not counted.
  • Hi Rollin' DW and are full timers but don't stay in Florida all the time. We are in a 34' Bounder Class A. We are here in early October and stay till mid-April. When it is hot, we use our air conditioners liberally, most times running both units. Without them, it gets quite hot and uncomfortable. Our bill sometimes hits $100. but most times is less. The park here charges 13.5 cents per kilowatt.
  • 18 years ago we spent about a year on a meter in St Petersburg under a huge tree. We spent about $25-30 a month using in the AC in the summer and propane in the winter plus a small electric space heater. The rates are higher, now.