Are you an RV enthusiast worried about your passion being less than eco-friendly? You shouldn’t. They may have a reputation for gas-guzzling, but you can find many ways to travel green in an RV. In the long run, an RV parked in an eco-friendly campground will be more sustainable than a luxury resort thousands of miles from home.
Here are some tips to help you travel green in an RV.
Get Better Gas Mileage
If you know all the ways to get better gas mileage in the family vehicle, you’ll find traveling in an RV can use the same gas-saving strategies. For example, get regular maintenance to keep your RV’s engine in tip-top shape. Keep the tires inflated to the recommended level and the fuel injectors clean, and replace the air and oil filters as needed.
You’ll also get better gas mileage if you lighten your load. Don’t carry along any unnecessary items. Let your GPS help you find the quickest and most fuel-efficient route and drive at the speed limit.
Rent Before You Buy
If you want to upgrade your old RV or buy your first one, consider renting an RV before your purchase. An RV rental in San Diego or anywhere you plan to visit across the U.S. is a convenient and sustainable way to test out your desired model during your camping trip.
Renting an RV is also ideal for those new to camping or don’t see themselves traveling often. You won’t have to break the bank to buy a new vehicle by renting an RV only when needed.
Conserve Energy and Water
Improving the fuel efficiency of your RV isn’t the only way to make it more eco-friendly. If you own an older RV, consider replacing the stove, fridge, and other appliances with newer, more energy-efficient models. Additionally, you can change the lightbulbs to LEDs.
Conserve water by changing out faucets, toilets, and shower heads to ones that use less water. For the ultimate sustainable RV, solar panels installed on an RV will gather renewable energy from the sun to run your appliances and lights.
Find an Eco-Friendly RV Park
The RV park you use greatly impacts how eco-friendly your travels are. Do your research and look for RV parks that practice sustainability. Try to find one near a store that sells locally sourced foods or an onsite cafe with a vegan or vegetarian menu. Do they offer sustainable amenities such as bikes and e-bikes for guests?
Once you’re at the park, find a spot for your RV in the shade to reduce the need to run your air conditioning.
Use Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products
When it’s time to do housekeeping in your own RV or rental, make sure you use non-toxic, biodegradable cleaners. These products won’t pollute rivers and lakes or damage the ecosystem. Use washable, reusable clothes instead of paper towels. You can also find all-natural cleaning options, such as enzyme-based cleaners for gray water and black water tanks.
Reduce Waste
Think about the items you use in your RV and find ways to reduce the waste you generate. Instead of using paper and plastic dishes, cups, and utensils, stock up on reusable tableware by purchasing it at a thrift store. Use cloth napkins rather than paper ones. Separate your recyclables from your trash just as you do at home.
Ditch Single-Use Plastic
Did you know it takes 20 to 500 years for plastic to decompose? Cutting out the use of single-use plastic is an easy way to go green in an RV or anywhere for that matter. Ideally, use reusable water bottles. When shopping for groceries while camping, take reusable shopping bags with you.
Leave No Trace
When RV camping, always follow the Leave No Trace guidelines set forth by the organization of the same name. LNT tells us to dispose of waste properly and leave items belonging to nature behind. Leave everything as you found it when you arrived. Other LNT principles include monitoring campfires and respecting other people and wildlife.
Cover image: photo by Kampus Production on Pexels
