Keeping an RV Log Book

author image

September 23, 2014

RV Log Book

RV Log Book

Log books are not only common, but are a requirement on ships, aircraft and commercial vehicles.  While they are not a mandatory item for a recreational vehicle, there are many owners that do maintain an RV log book.  When we look at how they can be used in such an application, it is amazing that more people are not doing it.

So, what benefits can be found keeping a log of all your RV travels and events?  Well, a detailed record of repairs and maintenance speaks for itself.  It can help to support warranty claims, fuel mileage variations, maintenance irregularities and much more.  The information can ensure regular scheduled maintenance items get done at the correct frequency while also getting the full use of each.  The study of some repair records can also reveal areas that may require future attention.

The daily travel entries generally include the date, mileage and the location as well as any interesting events that occurred that day.  Some people like also to record their expenses for each day.  Information regarding the campground facilities and costs may later be beneficial to review.

A guest section often found in these log books serves as a great place for new friends you meet along the way to fill in.  Their name, home port and rig type will ensure you will not forget them should your paths cross once again.

The RV log book proves very helpful when used in combination with maps when planning your next trip.  The more information you have recorded over the years, the better the chances of reviewing past campsites, attractions or other features that you may wish to visit again.

In general, an RV log can be fun to compile.  It can also provide a lot of enjoyment by bringing back many fond memories.  It can be passed on to a younger generation should they also pursue the RV lifestyle and thus share the past travel journals.

It’s never too late to start your own RV log book.  It can add a rich enjoyment to your RV lifestyle hobby.  It can also act as a written enhancement to your trips photo gallery.  Record your life journeys, and enjoy.

Leave a Reply

17 comments

  1. Anonymous

    Nancy…would you mind emailing me a copy of your spreadsheet. If so, send to [email protected]

  2. James Okvist

    I have kept a log book that I keep for all of my vehicles. It is vehicle specific not trip or location oriented. Every time I spend money on the vehicle I record it. For example for gas (petrol) I record date, # gal, cost per gal, cost of fill up, millage and location of station. In a separate section I record repairs. I also record LP gas fill hp's. I record in a paper book but transfer later to a spreadsheet so I can automatically calculate MPG and cost per mile.
    I do the same type of log for my car (toad when RVing) and motorcycle. The motorcycle log is not on paper but I record it on a spreadsheet directly on my iPhone. Much more conveinent to skip the paper, the motorcycle is my newest vehicle and my wife does not drive it so she does not forget to record data.

    I wish that we did an organized log for our RV travels. The first year my wife did a paper one in a little three binder that she got at camping world. I also did a blog that could be viewed as a limited log for our two cross country trips. We have not kept up these logs/blogs for all out RV travels.

    One quick note. I am an Apple user, the spreadsheets that I use are created in Numbers (Apples alternative to Excel). The nice thing about that is Apples iCloud can be used to store the spreadsheets and they will be automatically updated on Laptop, iPad, and iPhone whenever you get internet connectivity. That allows me to enter the base data on my phone which I always carry around with me. Of course you could use Google Doc's or other software that is cloud linked to do the same thing.

    Jim

  3. James Okvist

    I have kept a log book that I keep for all of my vehicles. It is vehicle specific not trip or location oriented. Every time I spend money on the vehicle I record it. For example for gas (petrol) I record date, # gal, cost per gal, cost of fill up, millage and location of station. In a separate section I record repairs. I also record LP gas fill hp's. I record in a paper book but transfer later to a spreadsheet so I can automatically calculate MPG and cost per mile.
    I do the same type of log for my car (toad when RVing) and motorcycle. The motorcycle log is not on paper but I record it on a spreadsheet directly on my iPhone. Much more conveinent to skip the paper, the motorcycle is my newest vehicle and my wife does not drive it so she does not forget to record data.

    I wish that we did an organized log for our RV travels. The first year my wife did a paper one in a little three binder that she got at camping world. I also did a blog that could be viewed as a limited log for our two cross country trips. We have not kept up these logs/blogs for all out RV travels.

    One quick note. I am an Apple user, the spreadsheets that I use are created in Numbers (Apples alternative to Excel). The nice thing about that is Apples iCloud can be used to store the spreadsheets and they will be automatically updated on Laptop, iPad, and iPhone whenever you get internet connectivity. That allows me to enter the base data on my phone which I always carry around with me. Of course you could use Google Doc's or other software that is cloud linked to do the same thing.

    Jim

  4. Marian McDonald

    I have kept a log ever since we started to travel in our r.v.

  5. Marian McDonald

    I have kept a log ever since we started to travel in our r.v.

  6. Connie Zajac Dellinger

    We are using paper and pen. I am surprised by the number of RV parking lots that advertise WiFi….and it doesn't work or only works sporadically!!! We've been traveling for month mostly on Wyoming, Idaho, Montana

  7. Connie Zajac Dellinger

    We are using paper and pen. I am surprised by the number of RV parking lots that advertise WiFi….and it doesn't work or only works sporadically!!! We've been traveling for month mostly on Wyoming, Idaho, Montana

  8. Marcia Chesterman Osborne

    I've kept a daily journal, as well as an Excel spreadsheet of our expenses, on all of our major trips since we retired in 2001. It's surprising to see how much our gas expenses have gone up over 5 trips to Alaska during that time.

  9. I made up my own spreed sheet on my computer. I have used it since 1983. I have changed it over the years and made it more detail.

  10. I made up my own spreed sheet on my computer. I have used it since 1983. I have changed it over the years and made it more detail.

  11. I made up my own spreed sheet on my computer. I have used it since 1983. I have changed it over the years and made it more detail.

    -1
  12. Dave Planitzer

    Can you recommend a published (paper) log book? Are there any available to use with a laptop or tablet?

    -1
  13. Dave Planitzer

    Can you recommend a published (paper) log book? Are there any available to use with a laptop or tablet?

    -1
  14. Dave Planitzer

    Can you recommend a published (paper) log book? Are there any available to use with a laptop or tablet?

    -1
  15. Sandy Langer Maisano

    I bought a "Camper's Daily Log" from a local RV supply store. I've used it for 12 years. It's great for looking back at our travels and expenses. I didn't want a computerized log since many campgrounds that we stay at don't have WiFi.

  16. Sandy Langer Maisano

    I bought a "Camper's Daily Log" from a local RV supply store. I've used it for 12 years. It's great for looking back at our travels and expenses. I didn't want a computerized log since many campgrounds that we stay at don't have WiFi.