Gas prices are going through the roof!

Have RV, will travel. But driving doesn’t have to mean breaking the bank. With the prices of gas and diesel soaring higher every day, here are a few ideas for cutting fuel costs this summer.

Tires and tune-ups
Keeping all your tires properly inflated really helps the house on wheels move along. Less drag, less fuel consumed. Check your spares while you’re at it.

Save money as you travel with your RV in this new book by RV seminar speaker Nick Russell. Learn money-saving techniques to live a full RV life on the road, but on a shoestring.

Even a simple tune-up for your engine helps fuel economy and ensures best possible performance. Home mechanics, change your oil and filter every 3,000 miles... and when was the last time you changed the air filter? Spark plugs?

Going on a long, potentially fuel-expensive trip? Before you go, lubricate everything that moves -- starting at the bottom. Repack the wheel bearings, oil the shackles, lift bars and hitch, check the differential and transmission fluids. Living full-time in our rigs, sometimes it’s easy to overlook the details.

Park and pedal
Instead of hopping in the car for short jaunts, jump on a bike. Riding a bicycle is like eating all your vegetables -- it may not always be fun, but it’s good for you! Think of the gas you won’t need.

Carpool
Share rides, take a friend along, offer to pick up groceries for your neighbors. This is a great way to get to know your camp-mates, and a great fuel saver when camping in remote locations.

Lighten the load.
Leave the heavy stuff at home, or stored when not needed. Packing your rig with most of the load in front of the axles improves handling and performance.

Empty the gray and black tanks but do not fill the water tanks before you leave! Water weighs 8.33 pounds per gallon, and more than likely will be available at your destination.

Buy your groceries when you get there. Canned food contains extra water and weight. Remember backpacking? Keep it light, all right?

And have some fun out there!

Wal-Mart Locator For RVers who shop at Wal-Mart or sometimes stay the night for free in a store parking lot, this book is essential. It provides specific driving directions to more than 3,500 Wal-Mart and Sam's Clubs.	Happy Camper Half Price Camping Club Camp for half price at more than 1,000 RV parks in the USA and Canada. Endorsed by Escapees, Winnebago/Itasca Travelers, Holiday Rambler RV Club and other enthusiast clubs.	Casino Camping: Guide to RV-Friendly Campgrounds This is the best casino guide for RVers. Learn which casinos have RV parks and which ones offer free overnight stays in their parking lots. Plus information about other casino benefits for RVers.
DON'T PAY TO STAY! FreeCampgrounds.com lists free or inexpensive places to camp in the USA.