Although summer is the most popular season for RV travel, autumn follows closely behind. In fact, there are many people across the country who enjoy loading their RVs and watching the foliage , enjoying cooler temperatures and heralding the arrival of fresh autumn air.
One of the challenges RV owners face? How to make your walks respectful of the environment. After all, traveling in an RV comes with a number of environmental challenges. Recreational vehicles use little gasoline and cause more CO2 emissions than flying or just driving a car.
The good news is that it is possible to make your RV trip more environmentally friendly by following a few basic tips. Here are some green steps for your next RV adventure.
Opportunities for a greener motorhome vacation
While motorhome travel can have a low impact on the environment, there are a number of ways you can make your trips greener. We recommend that you follow these tips:
1. Focus on energy efficiency
One of the first things you can do to make your next RV trip more sustainable is to take the necessary precautions to optimize fuel efficiency. Start by lightening your load and getting rid of all of the "just in case" items that you will likely never need. Also, check your tire pressure regularly and follow the manufacturer's recommended maintenance schedule. Each of these things will help your RV run more efficiently.
Another thing that you can do to get more miles per gallon is to travel at your optimal speed. Camper Report recommends driving at 100 km / h or less and never exceeding 65 km / h.
2. Prioritize energy efficiency
In addition to increasing fuel consumption, there are several ways you can make your motorhome more fuel efficient. Here are some actions we recommend:
- Switch to LED Lights - Switching your lightbulbs and strips to LED is relatively easy and affordable for most RVs.
- Use Energy Efficient Appliances - From refrigerators to microwaves, there are likely more energy efficient alternatives to the current appliances in your RV. Consider negotiating as many as you can.
- Parking strategically : Instead of turning on the air conditioning in hot weather, park in the shade. And when it's cold, park in direct sunlight instead of turning on the heater.
- Insulation: If you are traveling in late fall and winter, or if you visit cold destinations in other seasons, you should invest in insulation for your RV.
These are just a few small ways to improve the fuel efficiency of your RV.
3. Install solar panels on your RV
Another great way to make your RV trip more sustainable is by installing solar panels on your vehicle. A good solar system can use the clean, renewable energy of the sun, convert it into usable electricity and offer you an environmentally friendly way of supplying or charging your devices with electricity.
There are a few options for RV solar panels , including systems that mount on the roof of your RV and those that are portable and can be installed and removed from the vehicle as needed. There are also rigid and flexible solar panels to choose from depending on whether or not you have a curved roof.
Although solar panels add a burden to your trip, the energy produced more than offsets any additional energy costs related to energy efficiency.
4. Reduce waste
Green RV adventurers should also seek to reduce the waste caused by food and supplies. Here are some tips to waste on the road to reduce :
- Shop Smart - Avoiding waste starts with buying less. Try to buy groceries and supplies in bulk, stopping at no-waste stores and local farmers markets along your route.
- Compost: Keep a container of kitchen compost in the kitchen and, if possible, empty it into the communal trash can. If odors become an issue, you can keep a compostable trash bag in your freezer to hold odorless leftover food.
- Reuse and Recycle: Reuse and recycle waste when you can and follow the regulations in the areas you pass to find out what to recycle.
- Forget about single- use items: use cutlery, plates, napkins, cups and other alternatives to single-use plastic items .
5. Use environmentally friendly cleaning agents.
The detergents that you use during your motorhome trip can have a major impact on the environment. Non-toxic and environmentally friendly detergents are best for indoor surfaces as they avoid the risk of harmful chemicals getting into surrounding ecosystems. Plus, they're better for your health, especially if you use them in a small, enclosed space like an RV.
To clean your septic tank, we recommend enzyme-based cleaners; Again, the goal is simply to avoid toxic or man-made chemicals as much as possible.
6. Convert to biodiesel
Is there anything else you can do to make your RV trip more environmentally friendly? Switch to biodiesel.
Biodiesel is a renewable and biodegradable fuel source, typically made from animal fats and vegetable oils. Some of the biodiesel is also made from recycled restaurant fat.
Biodiesel is a clean combustion alternative to conventional petroleum products. The change will, among other things, drastically reduce your motorhome's contribution to air pollution.
There are more than 300 biodiesel filling stations in the United States and Canada. A full directory is available from the US Department of Energy. Note that RVs that run on conventional diesel are almost always biodiesel compatible .
7. Follow best camping practices.
Finally, consider some ecological tips when setting up your camp.
- Camping at Designated Campgrounds - This helps preserve natural vegetation and affects the impact of visitor usage.
- Practice responsible stray stock - If you are in an unspoilt area, check before parking overnight on all local regulations for stray camp.
- Follow the Leave No Trace Principles: There are seven Leave No Trace Principles: plan and prepare; Traveling and camping on hard-wearing surfaces; Dispose of waste properly; leave what you find; minimize the effects of campfires; respect wildlife; watch out for other visitors. By sticking to these you can ensure that you are camping in the most sustainable way possible.
While this article offers a number of ideas for making your motorhome trip more environmentally friendly, introducing a few can make a big difference in your environmental footprint.
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