If you’re considering getting an RV and hitting the road here are just a few things we’ve learned along the way. Everyone’s experience will be different depending on their circumstances but maybe some things on this list are relatable for fellow RVers or helpful for people that are deciding to embark on this journey. I’ll add some resources at the bottom that could be helpful as you get started on your own RV journey.
Maintenance.
I think RV life lends itself best to people that are handy or willing to learn to be. Things break in RV’s. There is definitely upkeep. We have had everything from our refrigerator to our air conditioning to our hot water heater break in our rig. We are lucky that Kam is handy and for most issues he has been able to figure out how to fix these things himself. It would have gotten very expensive if we had to take the rig in each time something broke. Youtube University has been especially helpful for us over the years.
Cost to endlessly roam.
When we first embarked on our RV journey we had visions of grandeur. Endlessly roaming America and exploring without having to stay anywhere longer then we chose to. Kam and I don’t work remotely so on our first loop around the country we quickly learned this was not sustainable for us. If you are someone with a remote job it could be a sustainable option for you to move more frequently. For us that just wasn’t working .Gas is expensive and travel days can be a lot of work. Although we tried to utilize our skill set where we could, it wasn’t enough work to keep us going. We wound up flat broke on our first road trip around the country. We did pick up work here and there but it turned into a stressful time with magical moments sprinkled in. I wouldn’t change anything because this was a lesson we needed to learn. It led us to the tools we needed to sustain this lifestyle for so long. It also led me to what I love most about RV life, which is the communities you can build all over the country when you actually stay somewhere and make it home for a while. We have lived and worked in many states and made great friends in these places. There are many magical spots that feel like home each time we return and that is priceless. It ties into one of the most challenging aspects of RV life for me which is leaving each place we have fallen in love with. Not always knowing when we will reconnect with the people that have come to mean so much to us. I always cry.
It’s a learning process so be kind to yourself.
Things are going to go wrong as you embark on this journey. Maybe you take a workcamping job that sounds amazing and winds up being nothing like you imagined. Maybe you’re struggling to downsize and feeling overwhelmed by the amount of stuff you’re trying to fit in your rig. There are things that will happen along your adventure that might not be the best. But you will learn from each of those things. Utilize as many resources as you can to minimize problems. Facebook groups, Youtube experts, blogs, and reviews. Expect that it’s not going to be perfect but also understand it will get better. Maybe you discover this lifestyle isn’t for you. That’s also ok. It’s not for everyone and if we’re being honest it can be expensive and limiting in some ways. It can also be immensely freeing in ways. So as you explore where you fit in in this lifestyle don’t beat yourself up over every mistake. Take deep breaths and appreciate the magical moments you’re also bound to encounter as you learn.
Safe places to stay are important
I think a lot of people begin this journey thinking they can park anywhere and be free of rent forever. Something to consider is there are a lot of rules regarding RV’s and where you can park them. Particularly in cities. Ordinances that will get you a ticket or maybe even towed! Just because there isn’t a sign that says no RV’s doesn’t mean there isn’t an ordinance in place that says no RV’s. Make sure anytime you park your RV somewhere you are sure there isn’t a law in place that will get you in trouble. Whether in a big city or a National Park make sure you are somewhere you can legally stay overnight before doing so. For example National Parks will require you to be in a designated campsite to sleep in your RV inside the park, so you will have to book something. If you’re looking for designated free places to stay there are typically boondocking options that are great, especially out west, and I will list an app at the bottom that we always use to find free or cheap places to stay. When we are planning to stay in a place long term, 6 months or more, we find a way to do that safely. Usually via a work camping position, an RV park, or a mobile home park. One thing to consider, if you are embarking on this lifestyle to escape rent, it’s important to know you may find yourself paying rent to an RV park at some point to have a safe place to live for an extended period of time. The costs for RV parks have really jumped up over the years. A park we lived in from 2015-2019 on and off used to be around $550 a month. That same park now starts at $1250 a month and they are also requiring a one month deposit just to stay there. This may be cheaper than renting an actual apartment, depending on where you are, but to us it’s expensive for an RV spot. Especially since we were accustomed to those old school prices. RV park prices can really vary around the country so if you have a goal destination check out those rates in advance so you know what you’re getting into. If you are living in your rig full time then there are probably things inside that are important to you. For that reason, really consider where you are comfortable parking your rig. Somewhere that minimizes the risk of theft or break ins. Do your research and whether boondocking or renting a spot check reviews.
Remodel remodel remodel
We were in our RV for years before we discovered the magic of remodeling. When we first moved into our rig we thought we needed all the RV friendly decor and appliances. We kept all the original furniture including a giant banquet that took up the whole living room. One day I saw a video of an RV remodel and it changed my life. You mean we can tear that huge table and those huge benches out and replace them? So we did. We painted and tore a bunch of things out. Replacing things with what worked better for us. We now have so much more room and our rig really feels personal to us. Every couple years we repaint. We’ve done the all white wall thing and this last time we went with more color and imagination. It makes the RV really feel like our home. I have items in here that are not the most RV friendly but I also have a process when we are move proofing to keep those items safe while we drive. We don’t buy a lot, we can’t fit a lot, but what we do have is curated to bring us joy in our space. Because we create in our space it’s important for us to feel inspired by it. So when you are looking for your next rig remember that if the interior isn’t exciting you, you can always change it.
Pets and RV’s
When you first move your pets into your RV consider they might be afraid. We’ve had cats in our rig and some of them are fearless while others are terrified by the driving. You may have to do things to keep them safe and happy as you move. Keep in mind RV’s are closer to the outside world than an apartment and you don’t want to lose your furball in the middle of a nature space. I would recommend a gps device at least in the beginning in case your baby gets out. We walk our cats on leashes and definitely recommend that. I mean we are getting to be outside in nature more so I feel they should be outside in nature more also. At the end of the day you know your furbaby best so assess what they need to be kept happy in this new lifestyle. Our cats have really grown accustomed to it. They love going outside and they love sitting by the window in all different places. They get a lot of enrichment watching various wildlife, people, and landscapes over the course of their journey. I wouldn’t want to be on this adventure without them.
Some Resources:
Jobs with RV spaces is a category on this website:
For boondocking and pay campgrounds. Really useful while traveling:
Download the campendium app.
Website:
Some National Park Service jobs offer RV spaces so if you’ve ever wanted to be a seasonal park ranger you’re in luck! Feel free to contact me for advice and help on getting these jobs as the application process can be tricky.
This is the website you will find those jobs:
Search Facebook for various workcamping groups and full time RV groups. There are many. You can learn a lot from those groups.
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