Lifestyle Connections
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Has the thought of selling your house and embracing RV living crossed your mind, but the multitude of options left you feeling unsure of where to begin? If so, this comprehensive guide is tailored for you! In 2022, my husband and I made the bold choice to leave our permanent jobs and dive into the RV lifestyle with our one-year-old, and it turned out to be our best decision yet. RV living opens the door to boundless freedom, allowing you to navigate the open road and transform each journey into an adventure, presenting unparalleled opportunities for exploration. Having navigated the dos and don’ts firsthand, we've compiled all the essential insights you need to bring your dream to life. Keep reading for a roadmap to make your RV-living aspirations a reality.
DO YOUR RESEARCH
The initial and utmost crucial step in contemplating the full-time RV lifestyle is thorough research. Whether you are retiring, engaging in remote work, or pursuing a career on the go, determining your optimal choices for a nomadic life is paramount. Some traveling professionals may opt for alternatives like renting apartments, houses, or AirBNBs instead of embracing RV living. If you've concluded that an RV is the ideal choice, the subsequent step involves exploring various brands, floor plans, and sizes to identify the one that aligns best with your needs. This guide is tailored for individuals considering the purchase of a bumper-pull or fifth wheel RV.
Our choice fell on the Grand Design Reflection 31MB, and it turned out to be the ideal fit for us. This rig offers ample space for our toddler, ensuring he has room for all his belongings and toys. The "MB" designation stands for "mid-bunk," and it's the perfect setup for our son. His personal space includes a bunk bed, TV, and dresser. With the mid-bunk featuring doors, we can stay in the living area with lights on and even watch TV without disturbing his sleep. Additionally, this RV boasts an extensive storage capacity, a crucial asset for anyone embracing full-time travel!
The Reflection proves to be a more cost-effective and lighter towing option compared to the Solitude, making tow weight a crucial consideration in choosing the right RV for your needs. Given the plethora of RV brands available, it's essential to explore all options that capture your interest. If you already possess a vehicle capable of towing and don't plan on changing it, ensure your chosen RV aligns with your current vehicle's towing capacity, typically found in the owner's manual or online charts. While at the dealership, the salesperson should verify that your vehicle can safely tow the chosen rig, although it's advisable to cross-reference their recommendations due to potential sales motivations. Opting for a new RV over a used one was our choice, driven by the warranty, but diligent research may reveal warranty options for used rigs.
Keep in mind that most RV parks impose age restrictions, requiring RVs to be no older than ten to fifteen years. With numerous brands and models boasting unique floor plans, comprehensive research is key to finding your dream RV. Remember to search for the best price diligently; we secured ours for $10,000 less by being patient and exploring all available options.
FIGURE OUT YOUR FINANCES
A common dilemma arises when considering whether to keep or sell your home, and the decision can be intricate. Opting to sell aligns with a minimalist lifestyle, as having a house may seem impractical when embarking on a nomadic journey. Alternatively, renting out your home can provide additional income, but managing a rental property remotely can be challenging. This becomes especially pertinent when traveling full-time, as the constant concern for property issues can be burdensome.
For medical professionals, like travel nurses, maintaining a "tax home" is crucial for stipend claims, necessitating ongoing mortgage or rent payments as per IRS guidelines. Regardless of your choice, careful financial planning before embarking on this lifestyle is paramount. Unforeseen expenses can arise and having a financial safety net equivalent to one month's bills, along with extra funds for potential replacements like refrigerators or air conditioners, is a prudent rule of thumb. While warranties can cover certain items, having surplus funds ensures financial security in unexpected situations.
BUYING YOUR RV
When acquiring your RV, most places offer financing similar to car dealerships. The dealership is responsible for notifying you when your RV is ready for pickup, ensuring a thorough inspection and addressing any necessary repairs. Upon your arrival to sign paperwork, the salesperson should provide a comprehensive tour, reaffirming that everything meets your expectations. This tour covers setting up the RV, locating essential features such as black and grey tanks, understanding the sewer and electric connections, and familiarizing yourself with leveling controls. Additionally, they should guide you on how to connect your RV to your vehicle, whether it's a bumper-pull or fifth wheel. If you're purchasing a fifth wheel, ensure you have the necessary fifth wheel hookup for your truck bed before heading to pick up the RV. Complete the paperwork on-site, and assuming everything aligns with your expectations, you should be able to take your RV home the same day. It's advisable to prepare a list of questions in advance, especially if you're not well-versed in RVs.
BUYING ADDITIONAL ITEMS FOR YOUR RV
While one might assume that an RV comes fully equipped with all essential items, that's not always the reality. I strongly advise purchasing the following items:
a surge protector for your electric hookup
electric heating cables for the water spigot
insulation tape
heat resistant aluminum foil tape - to secure the heating cables and insulation on the water spigot
toilet treatment drop-ins for your black tank
extra fuses
a tool set to leave in your under carriage
sewer hose support (if your RV doesn’t come with one)
disposable gloves for unhooking your sewer hose
elbow hookup for your sewer hose
Be prepared to buy these items after you buy your RV, but not before just in case yours comes with some of them.
Although this list might appear extensive, each item is crucial to enhancing the RV lifestyle. Items like the heated water hose, electric heating cables, foil, and a cover for the water spigot are particularly beneficial in colder weather. However, the unpredictability of weather in unfamiliar places underscores the importance of being prepared in advance. It's better to have these necessities on hand before the need arises, ensuring a smoother RV living experience.
I highly recommend investing in a 100 lb (20-gallon) propane tank, especially if you anticipate staying in one location for two to three months at a time. While your RV typically comes equipped with two small propane tanks stashed in a cubby, relying solely on them can be limiting. With the water heater, stove/oven, and main heater all relying on propane, consumption can be swift between daily activities like washing dishes, cooking, taking showers, and heating. In our experience, changing the small tanks every three days in winter is common, while the 100 lb tank typically lasts one to one and a half weeks. This precaution becomes crucial when you find yourself mid-shower or waking up at 2 am feeling the chill because you've run out of propane. While our RV features an electric fireplace that generates good heat, it might not effectively warm rooms with closed doors. Check out my FREE RV Set-up and Departure Checklist here.
STOCKING AND ORGANIZING YOUR RV
Arranging and organizing my RV stands out as the most enjoyable aspect of the entire experience. Continuously seeking innovative methods to organize and store our belongings keeps the creative side of my brain engaged. The challenge of optimizing a small space feels akin to playing Tetris.
Our camper is equipped with a pantry where we store all our shelf food items. To optimize space, I make extensive use of clear plastic bins, shelf risers, and baskets. Leveraging the built-in shelves requires maximizing vertical space. In my opinion, using clear bins instead of the original boxes enhances visibility, allowing a clear view of items running low or completely depleted. This streamlined approach makes creating your grocery list much more straightforward.
When dealing with an RV without a residential refrigerator, strategic stocking of the refrigerator and freezer becomes essential. Eliminating items from their original boxes and instead noting cooking instructions and best-by dates on paper can significantly save space. I've discovered that I can comfortably store a week's worth of groceries using this method. While buying in bulk is often the more economical choice, its feasibility in an RV depends on the size of your rig and the space occupied by your belongings.
Bins and baskets have proven to be valuable on moving days, especially during the drive when your belongings can jostle within the rig. Improper storage during transit may lead to breakage, so it's crucial to handle breakable items with care. I recommend relocating breakables from top cabinets, placing smaller items in drawers with clothes, and larger items in baskets on the ground or on the bed. Utilizing blankets to wrap breakable items is also a wise practice.
One firsthand tip: avoid placing oil-based wall plug-in fragrances in the sink. We learned this lesson when a wallflower in our bathroom got knocked over during transit, causing it to leak and make the sink plastic brittle, ultimately resulting in a cracked sink. This proved to be a costly mistake, requiring us to order a new sink and rendering our bathroom sink unusable for a couple of weeks—an inconvenience when you have to wash dishes before brushing your teeth in your kitchen sink. Check out my FREE Ultimate RV Organization Guide here.
WHEN TO BOOK YOUR SITES
Securing your site at an RV park requires early booking, a practice I consistently adhere to, especially as a travel nurse. Typically, I aim to reserve at least two weeks prior to my arrival date and am accustomed to paying a deposit. Given the substantial number of full-time RV residents, many parks cater to such tenants, resulting in limited available spots. My strategy involves researching all the RV parks in a specific area before making a decision. This approach provides insights into the number of parks, associated costs, availability during my required dates, and details on parks offering full hook-ups and year-round booking. While this may not apply universally to all full-time RVers, it is imperative for traveling professionals like myself.
Many parks provide only 30-amp hook-ups, but my preference is for 50-amp. I specifically seek out parks with full hook-ups, ensuring sewer, water, and electricity are conveniently available at the site where my RV is parked. In cases where a park lacks a sewer hook-up, options usually involve either maneuvering your camper to the dump station or relying on a service that empties your black tank approximately once a week. While the latter may seem convenient, it poses challenges if you require more frequent emptying or cannot be present during their scheduled visits. Additionally, most services that offer this assistance often charge an extra fee each week. Personally, I find it more convenient to handle the task myself. Portable waste tanks are available, allowing you to dump into them and roll them to the dump station—an excellent alternative, especially if you're flexible and decide to book upon reaching your destination.
NATIONAL PARK 411
RV enthusiasts find themselves drawn to the alert of national parks, where the freedom of the open road converges with the splendor of unspoiled landscapes. With the convenience of RV living travelers can seamlessly navigate from one breathtaking national park to another. The RV lifestyle unlocks the ability to dwell in the heart of these natural wonders fostering a deeper connection to the great outdoors.
While national parks offer fantastic scenery and tourism activities, they often impose stricter guidelines. Many have restrictions on the size of your rig, typically not exceeding 30 feet in length. Some parks limit stays to two weeks, requiring departure afterward. However, certain parks may permit you to shift to a different site.
National parks also enforce specific areas for RV parking, and some lack hook-ups, necessitating preparedness for boondocking. Boondocking, or camping without hook-ups, entails bringing your own power and water sources (generator and water bladder). Moreover, you must find a location to dump your black and grey tanks. It's crucial to note that not all national parks allow this type of camping.
If your aspiration is to visit all the national parks, you can access comprehensive information on each park's website. Recognize that not all national parks adhere to identical rules and regulations, necessitating adept research skills. Delve into the specifics of each national park you plan to visit to ensure a well-informed and stress-free trip. Gathering this information before acquiring your RV proves highly advantageous, enabling you to focus on selecting the perfect vehicle for your travel preferences. Additionally, take note of the parks' opening and closing dates, a consideration applicable to all RV parks, not just national ones. Many parks close for the winter, typically between November and March, with variations among them.
SURVIVING WINTER
Winter RVing can be challenging, despite modern RVs often featuring "arctic" insulation designed to enhance interior warmth. It's important to note that RVs are not typically manufactured for full-time living. Despite insulation, cold air can still infiltrate through windows, fans, and around slide-outs, presenting challenges during winter travels.
To mitigate the ingress of cold air in your RV, several measures can be taken, though achieving 100% warmth is challenging. I highly recommend investing in skylight/fan covers and reflective insulation. Skylight and fan covers securely fit into the ceiling space to prevent falling out. Reflective insulation, cut to fit your windows, can be assembled using reflective duct tape for larger windows. Hanging them with command Velcro strips allows for easy removal during warmer months and reinstallation in cooler seasons without causing damage.
Essential for winter camping, the heated water hose, electric heating cables, insulation, foil, and water spigot cover mentioned earlier play crucial roles. These items are indispensable in preventing frozen water pipes, which can lead to costly repairs in some RV parks. Beyond the financial implications, a busted water pipe could result in a lack of water for essential tasks like showers, dishes, and cooking, highlighting the importance of these winter camping provisions.
Ever heard about the cold weather conspiracy of RV refrigerators? Picture this: your mini-fridge on wheels, struggling in the winter freeze like a shivering penguin. These absorption refrigerators are like coolers that took a few extra science classes. They're powered by ammonia magic, and in extreme temperatures, they throw a hissy fit and might just refuse to chill. Now, imagine your RV fridge as a sensitive artist—doesn't like too much cold, nor too much heat. So, when the icy winds of winter strike, you gotta shield that fridge like it's a celebrity avoiding the paparazzi. But beware! Don't smother it; it's a diva, not a baked potato. Be picky about what goes in during the fridge's mood swings. It hates an empty space, so maybe throw in a party—circulation fan inside the fridge. Not saying we've tried it, but hey, desperate fridge times call for creative fridge measures. We learned this the hard way during a Christmas freeze, lost our fridge, and ended up with a white Christmas but no feast. Moral of the story: refrigerators have feelings, too, and they're frosty drama queens.
Our camper takes winter survival seriously, boasting a heated underbelly that employs propane to create a warm haven beneath, shielding the vulnerable tanks from the frost's freezing grasp. It's a VIP retreat for our vital liquids, ensuring they won't succumb to the cold and burst into icy chaos. But the protection doesn't end there—crafty individuals or skirting enthusiasts can fashion a DIY insulation cloak for the camper's underbelly, standing sentinel against winter's relentless chill.
Now, let's discuss travel essentials – a ladder and broom. These aren't mere tools; they're guardians of your camper's well-being. Picture this scenario: a snowy crown accumulating atop your slide-outs, an extra winter burden threatening structural integrity. Armed with that trusty ladder and broom, it's time for a meticulous sweep. This isn't just a winter pastime; it's a year-round ritual. Before bidding farewell to your camping haven, give those slides a pre-flight check. Retracting them with a snowy souvenir atop could lead to a seal-breaking mishap. Need a ladder to safeguard your winter adventure? We've got a top-tier recommendation just a click away that you can find here.
MAINTENANCE OF YOUR RV
In essence, while RVs don't demand an excess of maintenance, akin to houses or cars, certain checks and cleans are imperative. Regularly cleaning your air conditioner filters and filter covers is paramount for improved air quality and optimal air conditioner functionality. Simply remove the covers, take out the filters, and rinse them with water, ideally on a weekly basis for optimal results. The screens on the fans can also be rinsed when needed. After cleaning, dry them with a towel and reinstall—keeping it straightforward!
Maintaining the exterior of your camper is crucial for preserving the paint and stickers. A pressure washer is a highly effective and time-saving tool for this task. However, it's worth noting that not all RV parks permit the use of pressure washers at your site. Some even restrict the use of water hoses for washing vehicles, imposing additional charges. In such cases, consider visiting truck wash facilities, often accommodating RVs as well.
Verifying your tire pressure is a critical step that should be taken before each move. Our RV is equipped with a monitoring kit that utilizes tire sensors in the caps to continuously track tire pressure. This system alerts the driver when pressure is low, and it conveniently comes with an app for easy monitoring.
Ensuring you have a hygrometer is a must because RVs have a knack for hosting humidity parties. It's like your RV turns into a spa, minus the relaxing part. Walls sweating? That's not a good look, unless you're into abstract art. Beware – too much humidity might start a peeling wallpaper rebellion or, worse, a moldy rebellion. Enter the dehumidifier, the moisture superhero. I suggest deploying the disposable ones strategically – under the bed, beneath the dinette, and especially hanging stylishly in the closet. Say goodbye to damp clothes; no one needs a wardrobe that smells like a swamp. We even have a fan club going on – opening the bathroom fan during showers and turning on the main living area fan while cooking. It's a humidity showdown, and we're winning!
UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES
Embracing the reality of full-time RV living requires unwavering patience, a trait my husband and I discovered during our extensive research. Unexpected situations arise, demanding composure and problem-solving skills. The challenge intensifies when confronted with limited space, supplies, and financial constraints. The unpredictable nature of RV life means your refrigerator, air conditioner, water heater, or range might decide to call it quits without warning. We've already navigated the terrain of replacing both our air conditioner and refrigerator since acquiring our RV.
Ever chuckled at stickers or shirts proclaiming, "Love is staying together after trying to park the camper"? It's a classic scenario – one person maneuvering the RV, while the other attempts to guide from behind. The driver struggles to see or hear the guide due to the RV's size, leading to frustrated gestures and miscommunication. The solution? Walkie talkies! No need to stress over phone signal – just grab your walkie talkies and effortlessly guide each other through parking challenges. Perfect for avoiding the "Are you even paying attention?" moments, especially handy when navigating tricky merges and blind spots.
When utilizing walkie talkies for parking your rig, remember the golden rule: no simultaneous chatter! My husband and I crafted our own "walkie-talkie etiquette" – the RV backer-upper takes on the role of the silent listener, while the guide does all the talking. If the parking person encounters a hitch, a gentle brake tap or a friendly honk signals trouble, allowing seamless communication without the confusion of dueling voices.
Embarking on the full-time RV lifestyle is a thrilling adventure filled with twists and turns. From planning your escapades to mastering the art of RV organization, you're set to conquer the open road. Remember, maintaining your RV is the key to a smooth journey, so keep those wheels spinning with a dash of patience and a sprinkle of preparedness. In the grand RV spectacle, unforeseen events may pop up, but armed with our tips, you're ready to tackle them like a seasoned traveler. So, buckle up, enjoy the ride, and let the RV life be your ultimate adventure! Safe travels!
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