We jumped into RVing with both feet and quickly decided that we wanted to travel full time in our home on wheels. We took off in 2018 and have been enjoying the adventure ever since. Living on the road can have some challenges, though, and sometimes you don’t know what you don’t know. Looking back at that first year, we came up with 10 tips that might benefit other new or soon-to-be full time RVers.
1.) Less is More:
When you live in a small space, life can be easier if you are not overcrowded with excess stuff. We have learned that the number of things you really need is much less than what most of us have. While downsizing to move into our RV was hard at first, we really haven’t missed most of the things we left behind.
Because we have a smaller living space, it is important for us to have a place for everything and to keep things put away. Cute organizational items like extra shelves, baskets, bins, and hooks help you conserve space and decorate at the same time. We have found that moods inside the RV are better when you’re not tripping over things or looking for a place to sit.
2.) Planning Takes Work:
Just pick a destination and start driving, right? It’s not always as easy as it sounds. Some important considerations are driving times, which roads to take, where the truck stops are for getting gas, the location of rest stops for exercising the dogs, and which campgrounds have openings that match your needs. Decision fatigue is real!
Planning is important to make sure you get to your destination when you want to be there. Fortunately, there are many apps that can help you with everything from map routing, weather, campground locations, fueling stations, and even rest stops. The time it takes to look everything up and compare notes is well worth it and saves trouble down the road.
3.) Have a Budget:
Many people assume that RVing is an inexpensive way to live and/or travel. It certainly can be an affordable way of life, especially if you stick to a budget and live within your means. By writing down and tracking your expenses you can avoid any surprises at the end of the month. We set a lodging budget, fuel budget, and entertainment budget that allows us to enjoy new places and fun activities as we travel.
There are also many options to help you get the most out of your RV travel expenses. Clubs and memberships can save you money on campgrounds, fuel, and even travel planning. Using our RV kitchen to make meals at home so that we don’t eat out all the time provides significant savings as well. Your campground hosts or local tourism office can give information on the many free activities when you visit an area. We like to hike, visit historic sites, and check out local festivals.
4.) Limit Daily Driving Time:
Many Rvers adopt the 3-3-3 rule. This set of guidelines can help prevent burnout and improve the overall RV travel experience. First, drive 300 miles or fewer per day since driving an RV requires more focus and a slower pace than driving a car. Second, arrive at your destination by 3 pm. This gives you time to check in and arrive during daylight hours when it’s easier to get parked. Third, stay at your destination for at least 3 days to get the most out of the area and have time to relax.
My husband and I like to change drivers every 2 hours so that we can stay more alert and energized. It gives us a chance to stretch our legs, get a snack, and take a quick break from driving. We don’t plan anything else for the driving day so that we have time to settle in at the new campground and rest up for exploring the next day.
5.) Don’t Always Trust the GPS:
Being in a motor home that is 13 feet tall and 45 feet long means we must be vigilant for low bridge heights, low hanging branches, tight roads, and tricky parking lots. We have a GPS that is supposed to take that into account, but we double and triple-check with other maps and smart phone travel apps. We also look at the satellite view for info on gas stations and campgrounds to make sure we don’t get stuck in a tight spot. Since we can’t back up while towing a car, it’s easier to avoid any iffy areas if possible.
We have found that a current Truckers Road Atlas is a handy thing to have for previewing your route choices as well as times when you might lose cell service. This informative book is available at truck stops and shows low clearances and routes approved for trucks. I feel better knowing that if a road can handle big truckers, then it can handle our RV.
6.) You Don’t Have to Rush:
When we first got on the road, we were so excited to begin our full time RV adventure. We planned a full schedule of activities and fun at each new location so that we could see and do it all. We quickly learned that this was a recipe for burnout!
Seasoned Rvers call this “vacation mode” to describe new full-timers who feel like they are on vacation for a week and are trying to squeeze everything in. Now we take our time and try to plan extra time for relaxing as well as fun. We stay home to do laundry, meal prep, or watch a movie without worrying that we are missing anything. We can always see more the next time we visit the area.
7.) Go South for the Winter:
As full time Rvers, it’s easier to be somewhere with warmer weather during the winter than to put up with the cold. Most people tend to flock to southern locations during those winter months. These snowbirds travel south to popular locations like Florida, Texas, and Arizona.
We quickly learned that if you want to go to the highly popular destinations, you need to make your reservations early. Many southern RV resorts have a lot to offer to those looking for winter accommodations. You can find all sorts of activities, clubs, and sports as well as new friends to enjoy the winter with.
8.) Keep up with RV Maintenance:
Keeping up with regular RV maintenance is key to having smooth travels. Just like with a regular house, there are tasks that keep your moving home working as it should. Now instead of chores like mowing the lawn or servicing your HVAC system, you will have tasks like maintaining RV batteries, lubricating slide outs, changing water filters, and many more.
Driving a motor home has been likened to putting your house through an earthquake every time you travel. By keeping up with regular maintenance throughout the year you will hopefully avoid major issues and big expenses down the road. Of course, even with regular upkeep unexpected issues may still arise. Having a good roadside assistance plan can be a big help when you encounter problems on your journey.
9.) Flexibility is Key:
When you are living full time on the road, it’s not always possible to keep to a set schedule or travel plan. That can be a hard thing to adjust to if you are a planner like me. There are a variety of things that can interfere with your itinerary like bad weather or repair issues.
We have changed our plans to avoid rain, snow, and even wildfires. Our goal is to enjoy good weather where we can get outside and explore. There are also times when something breaks or needs service on the RV, and we needed to detour to a repair facility. Finally, sometimes we just discover a place or attraction we didn’t know about and decide to stay longer. Committing to the flexibility to make an unexpected stop or changing your plans is part of the fun of RV living.
10.) Enjoy the Adventure:
RVing has given us so many amazing experiences that we would never have gotten the chance to experience otherwise. We feel blessed to be able to enjoy our retirement years seeing this beautiful country. We spend each day enjoying a new adventure and making memories that we will remember forever.
If RVing is something you are thinking about doing, there are so many opportunities out there. There are also many different ways to make it your own adventure: seeing all the states, hiking the national parks, workamping at a park or campground, or boondocking on your own. Find what works for you and keep learning and having fun along the way. You won’t regret it!
