RV living full time in Alabama is a unique and rewarding lifestyle, providing constant access to the South’s beautiful landscapes and charm. However, there are some challenges to navigate. Is living in an RV full time in Alabama legal? What sort of rules and regulations apply? Where could you live full time in your RV? What are some tips and tricks to living well in your RV? We’ll answer all these questions and more in this handy guide to living full time in an RV in Alabama.
Can You Live in an RV Full Time in Alabama?
Yes, some campgrounds in Alabama allow campers to live at them full time. Whether you want to camp at one site all year long or stay at multiple campgrounds throughout the year, you’ll have no problem finding lovely places to camp in Alabama. There are also plenty of RV parks that allow campers to live at them year-round.
Rules and Regulations for RVing in Alabama
Before you decide to live in an RV in Alabama, you need to learn more about the rules and regulations of long-term RVing. Where can you camp? Where can you park? Do you need to insure your RV? These questions are important to answer before you decide on full-time RV living in Alabama.
RV Parking Laws
You can park an RV in a driveway as long as it’s more than 10 feet from the street. Regarding parking spots, RVs should be parked in places designated for campers and trailers.
Trailer Towing Laws
No vehicle should tow more than one loaded trailer. Trailers can’t be more than 40 feet long, and a combined trailer and towing vehicle can’t be more than 65 feet long. Trailers towed by a vehicle must have at least one red rear taillight. For safety reasons, it’s not permitted to ride in a towed trailer.
Boondocking Regulations
You can go boondocking on Alabama’s public lands. State lands and national forests are home to some excellent Alabama boondocking locations. Some great places to go boondocking in Alabama include Talladega National Forest, Tuskegee National Forest, and Blue Creek Park.
When you’re boondocking, be sure to “Leave No Trace” of your presence behind in order to preserve natural areas. Different camping areas have different rules about maximum stay lengths, camper sizes, and other topics. You should look into the specific rules of whichever place you decide to camp.
RV Insurance Requirements
RV insurance is required in Alabama since all motor vehicles in the state need to be insured. Travel trailers are protected by their towing vehicle’s liability insurance, but RV insurance can still help pay for physical damage done to a trailer. Full-time RV insurance is an option you may want to consider purchasing if you’re planning on engaging in RV living full time in Alabama. These types of policies can cover you if you’re found liable for accidents or injuries that occur in or near your trailer while it’s parked.
Rules for Camping on Public Land
If you’re camping on National Forest lands, then you can spend only 14 consecutive days in established campgrounds and 21 consecutive days in dispersed camping areas. You only have to wait 24 hours to return to an established campground, but you’ll have to wait 10 days to go back to the dispersed location. Your RV or trailer must have the proper registration and licensing before you can camp on public land.
Full-Time RVing in Birmingham
Birmingham is one of Alabama’s biggest cities, so it’s close to multiple great RV campgrounds, some of which allow long-term camping.
RVing in Birmingham FAQs
Can you park an RV anywhere in Birmingham?
You can’t park your RV or trailer in the front yard. You can, however, park your RV or trailer in the backyard or driveway.
Can I live in my RV on my property in Birmingham?
You can live in an RV full time in Alabama, so you can do so in Birmingham as well.
Full Time RVing in Montgomery
Montgomery is Alabama’s capital, so it has plenty of desirable destinations within its city limits. Multiple RV campgrounds in the Montgomery area offer long-term camping options to visitors.
RVing in Montgomery FAQs
Can you park an RV anywhere in Montgomery?
You can’t park your RV or trailer for more than 48 hours on a public street, parking lot, or alley. The only exception is if a city sign says that such parking is permitted.
Can I live in my RV on my property in Montgomery?
According to Montgomery’s municipal code, you can only live in your trailer in a travel trailer park. You can, however, store recreational vehicles on your property if they’re behind property setback lines, and your neighbors don’t object.
How to Live in an RV Full Time
Before you sell your house and make the open road your home, you should make sure that you know how to live full time in an RV. If you need a source of income, then you could find an online job or work at your campground. You’ll need to make sure that you have the proper insurance and that you factor in costs like phone, internet, and fuel.
To receive your mail, you might want to set up a forwarding service. You could also rely on a friend to handle your mail. Another possibility would be to stay at an RV park that will accept your mail for you. You could also take advantage of general delivery, which would allow you to pick up mail that had been sent to a specific post office near where you’re camping.
If you want to practice your civic duty, then you’ll need to establish your residency in Alabama before you vote. Once you’ve done so, you’ll be able to cast an absentee ballot.
Types of Properties You Can Live on Full Time in an RV
• Your own property: You can live full time in an RV in Alabama as long as you register your vehicle with the local authorities.
• Long-term campgrounds: There are plenty of long-term campgrounds in the state of Alabama. All these campgrounds allow visitors to stay at least half a year at a time.
RVing in Alabama FAQs
Can a passenger sleep in an RV that someone else is driving through the US?
If someone else is driving, you can sleep in the RV’s passenger seat as long as you’re wearing your seat belt. You can’t sleep in a bed in the trailer itself, however.
What is the new RV law in Alabama?
One new RV law that was passed in Alabama in 2021 states that law enforcement can remove unruly guests from RV parks. The park operator must make their request in writing and refund the remaining part of the advanced payment. The guest must leave the park or be charged with a Class B misdemeanor.
Can you live in an RV full time in Alabama?
Is it legal to live in an RV full time in Alabama? Yes, you can, as long as your camper is registered with the proper authorities.
Can I park my RV on my property in Alabama?
You can park your RV in your driveway, but you must make sure to keep it at least 10 feet from the road.
Can I buy land and live in an RV in Alabama?
If you’re looking for land in Alabama to put an RV on, then you’ll have plenty of options from which to choose. Everything from small plots of land in RV parks to larger acreage is available.
How long can you stay at an RV park in Alabama?
Some RV parks in Alabama will let you stay only 180 days, but others will let you camp there all year long.
Full-time RV living in Alabama can be rewarding, but you don’t have to go out and buy an RV to see if this lifestyle would be right for you. Instead, you could rent an an RV and try living in it full time before you commit to anything more permanent. While you’re RVing full time in Alabama, you can save money by planning trips and expenditures in advance, dining in, and engaging in budget-friendly activities. Whether you want to live on your own property in an RV or stay in an RV park, you’ll have no problem finding great places for full-time RV living in Alabama.
