Forum Discussion

4X4Dodger's avatar
4X4Dodger
Explorer II
Jan 21, 2015

Usage and price Data for full timers

Do any of the full timers here keep good, accurate spreadsheet records of their usage of all expendables (ie Propane) and other costs?

I'd be particularly interested in AVERAGE Propane usage over a 12 month period.

Please know that I fully understand the fact that there are many variables and variance in prices, habits, seasons, location, etc.

A brief description of your usage, type of vehicle and your annual/monthly cost of Propane and average cost per gallon would be very helpful for me to create some sort of a benchmark.

Thanks very much in advance.
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Jan 21, 2015
    2 adults.....FT in 34' 5th wheel.
    Use stove top burners everyday, oven 4-5 times a week, fridge ON propane when traveling.

    2---30# propane cylinders

    Typically 6 weeks on one cylinder....if in CG and fridge/water heater on electric
    Otherwise....4 weeks on one cylinder if fridge/water heater using propane

    Winter......
    Have had to fill 30# every day (-14*F temps)
    Otherwise......weekly due to furnace usage

    It is what it is......go get cylinder filled when it goes empty.
  • BarbaraOK's avatar
    BarbaraOK
    Explorer
    Jan 21, 2015
    We put in about 20 gallons a year of propane into our motorhome. Unless we are somewhere really cold, we use mainly electricity for all cooking, heating water, etc. because it is usually included in the site rent. Since we are FT, we follow the sun so are usually in moderate places requiring very little heat. Will be in the low 70s today in Mesa!

    Barb
  • 2gypsies1's avatar
    2gypsies1
    Explorer III
    Jan 21, 2015
    Propane will be one of your smallest expenditures. It's also one that you can't easily cut down on.
  • Nolan's avatar
    Nolan
    Explorer
    Jan 21, 2015
    We do. Don't eat out much so most of the cooking is the use of propane. Otherwise everything pretty much runs on electric. Do check run the frig. and water heater on propane very 6 to 12 months for a couple of hours to be sure everything is still working.

    Propane. 2014. Filled each tank once. Total $37.82 for the year. See sig. for what our trailer is.
  • bobjogone's avatar
    bobjogone
    Explorer
    Jan 21, 2015
    Use electric frypan, toaster oven, and electric tea kettle for boiling water (then finish with propane) to save on propane.
  • MTPockets1's avatar
    MTPockets1
    Explorer
    Jan 21, 2015
    We are full time three years- north in Summer and Tucson in winter. Usually only two 30 lb. bottles from May thru October, and four from November thru April. Avg $20 per bottle. We use elec convection oven, elec water heater and we use elec heater, but add propane furnace when temps below 40. We're in 35 ft 5th wheel, dual pane windows and winter insulation package (yeti)
  • arhayes's avatar
    arhayes
    Explorer
    Jan 22, 2015
    Seems like you'd need to state what your location plans are. We rarely used propane this summer in Texas and have had to refill a 30lb every 2 weeks in south Alabama in Sep/Oct, and now 1 every 3 weeks here in Florida for Dec/Jan. Our usage has almost all been furnace as most cooking has been electric.
  • tonyandkaren's avatar
    tonyandkaren
    Explorer
    Jan 22, 2015
    We usually boondock or dry camp so our refrigerator, water heater, stove and furnace are all on propane all of the time. On average we fill our 20 gallon tank (about 80 lbs.) once a month. Average cost $2.50 - $3.50 per gallon.
  • hitchup's avatar
    hitchup
    Explorer
    Jan 22, 2015
    Our average wouldn't be your average.

    Last Winter in Dodge City, KS, we used less LP than this Winter near Fort Wayne, IN. We rented a large 125+/- gal tank from Suburban and have been refilling it when it gets down to 30%. Been running 61-74 gals each month.

    The rest of last year, I think we refilled 2-40# bottles once in anticipation of Winter.
  • 4X4Dodger's avatar
    4X4Dodger
    Explorer II
    Jan 22, 2015
    Old-Biscuit wrote:
    2 adults.....FT in 34' 5th wheel.
    Use stove top burners everyday, oven 4-5 times a week, fridge ON propane when traveling.

    2---30# propane cylinders

    Typically 6 weeks on one cylinder....if in CG and fridge/water heater on electric
    Otherwise....4 weeks on one cylinder if fridge/water heater using propane

    Winter......
    Have had to fill 30# every day (-14*F temps)
    Otherwise......weekly due to furnace usage

    It is what it is......go get cylinder filled when it goes empty.


    Thanks for this it was helpful.

    And thanks to all who have posted with info so far. Knowing the highs and lows that others have allows me to make some general assumptions on usage for long trips. The more different kinds of input the better. The wider variety of scenarios the better. It's a bit like intelligence gathering you get enough pieces to the puzzle and pretty soon you have a picture.

    Thanks again

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