So you’ve sold your house, bought or rented an RV, and are ready to hit the road, right? Not so fast. RV living for beginners is no walk in the park, yet it can be a breeze. Armed with the right information, you can ensure you get the best experiences during your time on the road. Whether you want to RV full-time or temporarily, it is necessary that you know more than just the basics of RV living for beginners.
Certainly, there are things that you would most likely find out on your own. However, we intend to reduce that list to just a few. It is worthy of note that RV living for beginners are unique and special. No RV living experiences are the same. So let’s dig in.
Getting an RV
What is RV living without an RV? Whether you’re fully invested in RVing or you just want to test the waters before deciding, you need an RV.
If you need some persuasion before getting a sole, you could rent an RV for a few weeks or months. Thankfully, there are a lot of resources out there for RV rentals. As the world continues to accept it as a lifestyle, many businesses are now fully dedicated to giving individuals and families a spin in an RV.
There are numerous types of RVs, depending on size and age. Class A is your classic luxury RV that typically features slide-outs and bigger furniture. Class B motorhomes are typically the smallest of the bunch and are ideal for weekend getaways.
The C-class motorhomes are one of the most widely used for beginning RV living. It’s smaller than a class A but bigger than a class B. It is nifty and can be just what you need to begin RVing.
Before you buy or rent an RV, answer these questions:
Are you going full-time?
How much weight will you carry?
Do you have children, a partner, or pets?
What seasons will you be RVing in?
Will you be static or traveling RVing?
How long do you plan to stay in different locations?
Ensure to take time to understand your RV, read through the manual repeatedly, and get familiar with driving it.
Loading Your RV
The RV lifestyle is usually minimalistic. Packing for an RV will require you to pack things you’ve never had to use before. One advantage of this is that you cut off a lot of things you have but don’t need.
As much as possible, it is necessary to keep your RV clutter-free to avoid mishaps. In addition, you may find yourself having to buy smaller-sized utensils and stuff that can fit into the small RV drawers.
You may also need to ditch your king-size bed for something more practical and discreet. Most class C motorhomes come with a sensible number of storage nooks. In addition, they also have outdoor storage spaces for your odds and ends.
Planning Your Trip
We know that RV living for beginners seems like a free lifestyle where you follow the road, not knowing where it will take you. While that may be true, being carefree is far from being careless. As such, when taking up RV living, you should plan your trips. If you decide to travel in your RV, you should have a list of first-choice and backup locations. There are RV apps that can help you plan your movement, check the weather, and find campgrounds.
As an RV beginner, several fun activities can help keep things interesting, including:
Museum tours
Theme parks
Zip lining
Kayaking
Biking
However, note that some of these places require a certain entrance fee.
When planning, ensure to factor in these fees, especially campground fees, which vary per campground. Practice RV parking as well as hooking up to water, power, and sewage outlets, as they will come in really handy.
Budgeting
Just because you downsized to an RV doesn’t mean you’re not going to spend money. RV living isn’t cheap; however, it is cheaper than maintaining a stick-and-brick home.
As an RV beginner, there are a lot of things you’d need to budget for. RV memberships, food, campground fees, and fuel are staples. Additionally, mail forwarding services, roadside assistance, internet, and gas will come up intermittently.
Eating in vs Eating Out
When budgeting for trips and RV memberships, don’t forget to budget for food. The groceries you buy would depend on how often you use your RV kitchen. Eating out can also be expensive, so you might want to consider taking up cooking as a new hobby.
Mail Forwarding
This is one of the things RV beginners are most curious about. Just because you’re on the road doesn’t mean you can’t receive mail. Typically, most people reroute their mail to a trusted family member’s or friend’s address. Others choose to use various mail forwarding services instead.
Camping
RV living for beginners presents a variety of camping options based on your style of travel. From boondocking on public land to paying for campground space, there’s an option for everyone. If you are carefree, boondocking is a great way to be spontaneous and enjoy seclusion or even unexpected company. Conversely, national parks and national forest lands also provide space for boondocking, as long as you follow their rules. Some have a stay limit; others have rules for pets, so do your homework before settling on a campsite.
Another option is dedicated campgrounds. These usually involve some form of fee payment. Some campgrounds offer amenities like showers, propane, and sewer outlets in their packages.
Various businesses also offer free camping or parking spots for the night. Some Walmarts may allow overnight parking as long as you don’t obstruct their traffic.
Full-time RV living requires some constant fees, like fuel, food, campsite fees, and travel activities. In addition, other stuff like groceries, internet, RV memberships, repairs, maintenance, and gas are staples. Health supplies, cell phones, and insurance are also things that you would need to cover in your plans.
Setting up your RV involves some key steps after settling on a site. Secure the RV with wheel chocks. You can also level the ground by filling in any depressions. You can proceed to hook up the RV to any amenities provided. Afterward, set up any outdoor or lounging furniture as desired and enjoy your stay.
Drivingan RV for the first time may take some getting used to. For certain types of RVs, it may seem like driving a semi. RVs are heavy vehicles, weighing thousands of pounds, and will require practice. Before driving, it is crucial to know what routes you intend to take and stick to them. Ensure you’re all fueled up and everything is in order. Fix your mirrors and keep an eye out for your blind spot. Keep to the far right of the lane and avoid tailgating because RVs brake slower than other vehicles. Additionally, ensure to drive slowly and enjoy the ride; after all, you are in a recreational vehicle.
The reasons people choose RV living are numerous. However, the chief among them is the freedom that such a lifestyle affords. It is also cheaper, as you don’t have to worry about a mortgage or rent. Also, if you have wanderlust, RV living just might be the life for you, as it simplifies traveling. However, the downsides are that RVs do not afford you so much space, and just because they are cheaper doesn’t mean they come at no cost. RVs can turn out to be high maintenance, not to mention the constant risk of being on the road perpetually.
Conclusion
RV living for beginners may seem quite daunting, but what isn’t? Choosing to transition to life on the road is a big decision that should not be taken lightly. It is crucial to understand what that life entails and the sacrifices that come with it. However, there are certain things you can only learn on the road, as experienced RVers will probably tell you.
The RV living for beginners is unique and interesting. As long as you can keep learning along the way, introduce fun activities, and be open to new experiences, you’re bound to enjoy it. Attach purpose to it and find that RV living for beginners can be very rewarding and fulfilling.
My name is Eddie, and I am an RV enthusiast! I have enjoyed traveling all my life, and want to give my family the same opportunities to see as much of the world as possible.
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve discovered how great RVs can be for vacations with a young family. Here at RV Lifestyle Experts, I want to share my experiences, the tips I’ve picked up along the way. I hope that our guides can encourage you to try the RV lifestyle. I promise you that you won’t regret it!
My name is Eddie, and I am an RV enthusiast! I have enjoyed traveling all my life, and want to give my family the same opportunities to see as much of the world as possible.
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve discovered how great RVs can be for vacations with a young family. Here at RV Lifestyle Experts, I want to share my experiences, the tips I’ve picked up along the way. I hope that our guides can encourage you to try the RV lifestyle. I promise you that you won’t regret it!
