Budgeting for Camping

four22 wrote:
I'm new around here and have been reading alot. My wife and I hope to purchase a travel trailer in the next year or 2 to start spending more time away with our children.

Couple of questions....

How much should I budget for a monthly long weekend with the family?
What are some suggestions of what to look for in a TT with 2 small children?

I'm hoping to stay around the 30' range and no more than 7500-800 pounds. We definitely want a bunkhouse to grow into.

Looking forward to some of the shared knowledge here.

Thanks!

Let me make sure I'm reading your question correctly. You are asking about a once-a-month long weekend {for a monthly long weekend with the family?}. Long weekend as defined as perhaps a 4 day weekend, ie, Thursday through Sunday or Friday through Monday?

If this is correct what I'm reading, that you're asking about 3-4 days out per month, then it's a matter of how far from home you want to go, what sort of place you want to stay (amenities vs bare bones), do you plan to cook on-site or go out for meals, and what sort of sightseeing do you want to do. You're going to have to eat meals regardless if you're in your trailer or sitting at home, meal planning is really not much different than what you'd do at home with the kiddos.

An example of expenses: recent trip for 2 taken to the mountains about an hour west of where I live, a full tank of gas ($30), groceries ($50) plus what was in the fridge, adult beverages ($20), and campground fee ($26 for 2 nights with a senior pass, would have been $52 for two w/o it). This was in a national park campground, which had been reserved and paid for in January. Similar costs if we had been to a USFS campground, which we actually did the weekend prior, for about the same cost. If we had decided on a commercial campground, the cheapest in our destination area (Estes Park CO) would have been $40/night for water/electric, no sewer. Higher side in the same area would have been $60+/night for FHU. This is in the mountains of Colorado, so the costs for the destination are going to be higher, but the basic costs for food, etc are fairly stable.

Since you're in SW Ohio (based on your profile info) your costs may be higher or lower depending on where and how far you go.

As others have pointed out, there's fixed expenses, regardless of whether you go anywhere, or the unit sits in your driveway or storage yard. Travel trailer insurance, as previously stated, will likely be in the $200-$300/year cost. If you're planning on financing the trailer, you can write off the interest on the loan as you would your mortgage for tax purposes. Do you plan to buy new or used? That's another factor, where to start, if you're going to buy a new trailer. Best bet is probably to do a lot of internet surfing for various floor plans that you like, or just do some tire kicking at a local dealer. You may also find a used unit at a dealer that appeals to you.

Whatever you decide, it's a great way to spend some quality time with your family. Both my kiddos were infants when we started camping, in a popup, and it's time of some wonderful memories. Hope you'll be able to make some wonderful memories with your family!