Sharing the costs of a motorhome trip: how it works

Travelling as a pair by motorhome lets you split a good part of the costs of the trip. You still need to get organised so that everyone is happy, without tension or endless calculations. Here is a simple method, suitable for new travel companions as well as long-standing pairs.

List the trip expenses

• Road costs: fuel, tolls, ferries, car parks.
• Overnight costs: paid motorhome areas, campsites, electricity, waste disposal.
• Daily life: groceries, gas, restaurants, visits.
• Vehicle costs: insurance, servicing, wear and tear. This is the trickiest point, to be discussed from the start.

Three methods that work

The shared kitty. Each person puts the same amount at the start into an envelope or a shared account, and all joint expenses are paid from it. You top it up when necessary. It is the simplest method day to day.

The account book. Each person pays in turn and everything is noted in a notebook or an expense-sharing app. You settle up at the end of the week or of the trip.

Sharing by category. One pays for fuel, the other for groceries and motorhome areas. Simple, but keep an eye on it so the balance stays fair.

What about the owner of the vehicle?

When you travel in one person's motorhome, it is fair for the other to contribute a little more to the road costs, or to cover certain expenses such as groceries. The main thing is to talk about it before leaving and to find an arrangement that suits you both. If you each travel in your own vehicle in convoy, everyone pays their own road costs and you only share the joint expenses.

The golden rules

• Talk about it before leaving, not in the middle of the trip.
• Keep the receipts for big expenses.
• Settle up regularly, in good spirits.
• Stay flexible: the goal is to have a good trip, not to count every penny.

Looking for someone to share the road and the costs with? Discover the motorhome travellers in your region on Camping-Car-Love.