Thanks to WiFi and cell phones, full time RVing is a lot more accessible today than it was even a decade ago. Many travelers are finding that they can work remotely, or find seasonal jobs, and that they can live fulfilling lives on the road.
If you’re in the planning stages of full time RVing, this guide will share tips and things to consider as you make your plans. You’ll learn whether this life would suit you, what to budget for, what maintenance to do, and other things to think about before you leave on your grand adventure.
Is Full Time RVing Right For You?
It feels like full time RVing should be infinitely cheaper than living in one spot. After all, you won’t have rent or a mortgage, utility bills, HOA fees, and a variety of other costs that come with living in a home. And it’s true that in many cases, RV living can be cheaper than paying rent in a big city with a high cost of living. But if you want to do some traveling, you’ll be paying for gas, campgrounds, dumping and refilling tanks, registration, insurance, and payments on an RV can really add up. You’ll also still have some of the same costs as before, like food, entertainment, clothing, and other necessities.
There are lots of ways to save money while you’re on the road. But don’t make the mistake of thinking that moving into an RV will automatically fatten your piggy bank.
Cost Breakdown
You’ll want to make a budget to see if RV living is the right choice for you. Be sure to include:
- An RV: If you’ll be buying an RV to live in, that’s going to be your first and largest expense. But you’ll also want to budget for all of the RV tools and accessories that you’ll need to keep it running. And you’ll need insurance as well.
- Campsites: If you plan to do a lot of boondocking, this line item will obviously be cheaper. Meanwhile, campgrounds with full hookups and other amenities will be much more expensive. Some people do a combination of the two, splurging on a nicer campground after a while off-grid.
- Gas: You’ll need to factor in how much you’re spending on gas as well. Because you’ll be driving much farther than most people, and likely driving a rig that takes more gas than a car, this item will be more expensive than it might have been before. AAA’s gas calculator is a very useful tool for trying to estimate this cost.
- Entertainment: Presumably, you’re living full-time in your RV because you want to see some things! Be sure to factor admission costs for national and state parks, museums, amusement parks, and any other attractions you want to see while you’re out and about. It can help to alternate between a day that costs money and a free day, where you explore the community without spending.
Lifestyle Compatibility
Along with making sure you can afford to RV full-time, you’ll want to make sure it’s compatible with the life you want to lead. You may want to try some one-week or two-week trips before completely uprooting and hitting the road, just to be sure.
- Work requirements: Do you have a remote job, or another plan for working if you’re not retired? You can also consider seasonal jobs at national parks, campgrounds, or other tourist spots since you can move on after the season is over.
- Personality fit: There are personality traits that make some people better suited to RV life than others. You’ll want to be flexible – your plans may not work out each day, and you’ll need to go with the flow. You’ll also want to be good at problem-solving. Finally, minimalism is a useful trait for anyone permanently living in a small RV.
- Relationship considerations: If you’re traveling with a partner or family, you’ll want to consider how everyone will get along. It’s hard to retreat and have alone time in a small RV (although it can be done!). If you’re traveling solo, consider whether it will be harder to meet someone while you’re on the road (or whether you even want to!). You’ll also want to think about friends and family. The challenge of not having a stationary home is that you won’t see them every day, like you might if you lived nearby. But on the plus side, you can drive to visit them whenever you feel like it!
Choosing an RV
One of the most important decisions you’ll make before you head out full-time RVing is what RV you will be doing it in. If you already have an RV, you’ll want to take a sober look at it and determine whether it will suit your needs. A rig that’s great for weekend trips and vacations may not be what you need for a full-time home. You can check out our guide to the different types of RVs so you can consider which one fits your needs best.
As a full-time RVer, you’ll want to make sure your rig has adequate tank capabilities for the number of people and the amount of time you want before having to dump your tanks and refill them. You’ll also want a generous amount of storage space since you’ll be keeping everything with you. Consider whether you want solar panels, especially if you’ll be doing a lot of camping off the grid. And make sure you have proper insulation and heating if you’ll be in cold places during the winter.
Essential Preparation Steps
Once you’ve decided that full time RVing is a compatible lifestyle for you, and once you’ve chosen an RV, it’s time to begin preparations.
Legal and Administrative
Even though you’ll be traveling the country, you’ll need to pick a domicile state. This is where you’ll say you’re from to file taxes, vote, get insurance, and other things like that. We have a guide on how to establish state residency as a full time RVer in case you need more information.
Downsizing Strategy
You’ll need to get ruthless about downsizing from a brick-and-mortar home to an RV, and a lot of sentimental items and decor probably can’t make the cut. Between 3-6 months before you plan to embark on your full-time life, begin selling stuff off on sites like Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist. Not only will that help you get ready for leaving, but you can make a little money in the process!
You could also consider a storage unit for some of your things. You’ll want to factor that cost into your budget, but it’s another plan for the stuff you’re not ready to get rid of yet.
This Redditor reminds everyone that we can live with a lot less stuff than most of us have. They also have a great rule for keeping clutter at bay once you’re on the road.
Staying Connected
If you will be working remotely, or if you simply want to be connected to friends and family, you’ll need a plan for WiFi and cell service. Compare coverage for some of the most popular cell phone companies, so you can see who has the best coverage for the areas you plan to be in.
Many campgrounds offer WiFi, but it’s hard to know how reliable it will be ahead of time. You may want cell and WiFi boosters to improve your chances. You can also look for libraries and coffee shops, which often offer WiFi. If you have a day when you absolutely must be connected, have a backup plan for campground WiFi, just in case.
Daily Living
There are some things you’ll need to think about pretty much every day while you’re RVing, just as there are every day chores you’d be doing at a stationary home. Here are a few things you’ll think about often as you live full-time in your RV.
Finding Places to Stay
You didn’t have to think ahead about where you’d stay when you had a permanent home. But when you’re in an RV, that’s a major thing you’ll need to plan ahead of time.
- Campground types: There are a variety of campground types, from campsites with no hookups or amenities to resort-level campgrounds with full hookups and lots of perks. The cost for a campsite range as well. Bare-bones sites are less expensive, while nicer resorts can be pretty expensive. Also, popular destinations like national and state parks and popular private campgrounds may fill up in advance. You’ll want to make reservations well ahead of time for those spots.
- Cost-saving memberships: You can save on campgrounds by purchasing a membership to a camping club like Passport America, Harvest Hosts, or Thousand Trails.
- Essential apps: Apps like Campendium and The Dyrt can also help you find and reserve campsites. Enter information on the area where you’d like to camp, and any special requests like hookups or amenities, and these apps can help you find a great spot.
Managing Resources
You’ll need to think about whether you have enough water and monitor whether your black tank needs dumping soon as well. Monitor your power usage, especially if you’re not using hookups. You’ll also need to keep an eye on your propane to be sure you have enough fuel and plan when to refill it.
Travel Pace and Planning
When you’re planning ahead, you’ll want to keep some things in mind as well.
- Use the 3-3-3 rule: Don’t drive more than 300 miles in one day. Plan to arrive by 3 pm at your destination to allow you plenty of time to set up before dark. And plan to spend 3 days minimum in any place you camp. This gives you plenty of time to experience the place you’re staying and allows you time to rest and relax as well.
- Seasonal considerations: Take the seasons into account when you’re planning your drives. Know if there are roads that your RV can’t drive in the winter. Plan to visit places with a climate you’ll enjoy during the time of year you’re there. And also consider visiting popular places during the off-season, so you don’t have to worry about crowds and higher prices.
- Slower is better: Most importantly, take things slow. Plan more time than you think you’ll need for the drive, to set up, and to break camp afterward. Also, many RVers get excited by the idea that they’re out on the road, and they want to see everything, right away. Slow down and plan some trips where you really spend time at each place instead of zipping through just so you can cross an item off your list. There’s no rush! Going slower also means that if you make a mistake (and you’ll probably make a few!), you have time to correct it without feeling rushed and frazzled.
Maintenance
There are regular maintenance tasks you’ll need to do on your RV to make sure it operates smoothly and runs well. Make sure to do monthly checks of your tires, seals, and all the systems that keep your rig running smoothly. You may also want to join an emergency roadside assistance program, so that if you get stranded on the side of the freeway, you have a plan. Finally, plan to save between 10-15% of your RV’s value each year to spend on maintenance and fixing your rig if necessary.
This Redditor had advice on checking important features every time you head out in your RV.
Full time RVing is a wonderful lifestyle for lots of people, and they love the flexibility and freedom it brings. Your path won’t be quite like anyone else’s, but you can research what you need to know ahead of time. You can also check out YouTube channels like these for practical, real-life advice from people who are on the same journey.
If you want to try out different RVs beforehand to see which one would suit you best as a full-time RVer, check out RVshare’s rentals and do a few practice trips first.
