6 Fears of Full Time RVing Debunked

Throughout the months before we took the plunge and set sail on the open road, forging our new path in life as full time RVers, I was a bundle of nerves, a twisted, knotted bundle. Regardless of how energized we were about this new venture, I was having second thoughts and bouts of what ifs.

Let your imagination run and there are a number of scenarios one can come up with ending in total and utter disaster, but what is the likelihood that such things will ever happen especially if proactive steps are taken in advance. Simply being aware of potential occurrences and having a back up plan or two alleviates unnecessary worry, making the journey into the setting sun more blissful.

Fear #1: I can’t afford to full time RV!

Truth is, if you can find a way to fund your travels and live within your means, you’re golden. Reaching these objectives takes a bit of research, planning, and resolution on your part.

Before we even decided upon an RV to live and travel in, we sat down and reviewed our finances. If there is one main factor that can be attributed to livelihood on the road, money would be the key. Money makes the wheels go round and round, so it was essential that we had plenty from the beginning, to continue, and stocked away for emergencies.

Related Read: Budget & Expenses as a Full-Time RVer

Ideally, full time RVers want to hit the road with zero debt, all high dollar products paid off. This helps decrease the cost of living drastically. Having said that, it is still possible to live the nomadic life with RV payments or credit card debit. We are living proof. To cover these costs, we make sure to find jobs on the road that cover our monthly expenses (and preferably more). Since we are decades from retirement, we make it a point to stock away every penny for potential emergencies and future years. For us, it’s vital that we have many streams of income whether it be from traditional workamping jobs to freelance writing to odd jobs here and there.

When funds are limited, living on a budget is necessary. Not every budget is created equal, but for the most part, expenses include fuel, food, campground fees, phone/internet coverage, health insurance, auto insurance, entertainment, laundry, and possible repair costs. For an example of a budget, I detailed our monthly and annual costs here.

Fear #2: I’ll end up stranded with a broken down rig!

My husband often jokes, “If I didn’t have something to fix in the RV, I don’t know what I would do with myself.” When you are living in an RV full time as opposed to seasonally, repairs come with the territory. Parts need replacing or adjusting. Tires wear down, light bulbs burn out, appliances go caput, new valves, washers, and other doohickies need to be purchased.

There is no getting around it; your RV will need to be repaired from time to time, no matter how big or small the task. It’s a good idea to become familiar with your rig from the get-go and devour the manuel. Oftentimes, what seems like an overwhelming job, requires a simple fix that is noted in the vehicle’s handbook. If you want additional know-how of the inner workings of your rig, RV Education 101 provides a plethora of online courses by qualified professionals in the field while RV Maintenance Training provides 5 day hands-on seminars in Texas.

For those more involved repairs like replacing automatic steps or refrigerators, rewiring electrical systems, or engine issues, qualified technicians and proper service facilities may be the next step. This can get expensive so having safeguards in place like a warranty, roadside assistance, and/or savings specific to RV related situations from the start of your journey helps immensely.

Related Read: Repairs on the Road

Fear #3: There’s no way I’ll be able to take my dog and cat with me!

Yikes! There aren’t just humans coming on this journey, pets are along for the ride as well. If you are like us, you can’t imagine life without your fur family. And yes, like all living beings, they have needs. How do you meet their needs on the road?

Every pet reacts to being in moving vehicles differently. Our dog always enjoyed riding in the back seat on road trips so transitioning to a motorhome was not an issue. Our cats were another story. They took a bit longer to adjust. We consulted our veterinarian for suggestions which helped immensely. They initially stayed in kennels while we traveled and eventually settled in their own selected areas of the rig, mainly the bed. We’ve traveled so many miles now that they know when the levelers go up, it’s time to get into travel mode.

Related Read: Safety Tips For RVing with Pets

Aside from acclimating to the open road, we made sure to take along creature comforts, literally. We have their favorite beds situated around the rig, plenty of toys, keep the litter box (or two) in the far corners of the rig, and vacuum/clean up on a daily basis.

We keep a binder of their latest vet visits including shot records, special diet information, and medication schedules. As you can imagine, we frequent vets from all over the country so having each pet’s history is vital when going to a brand new clinic. We use nationwide pet supply establishments like PetSmart and Petco to buy food and treats and order special food and medication from Chewy.

Before arriving at a campground, we call in advance to ask about the pet policy. For the most part, RV parks allow pets, but some are particular about breeds and the number of pets. Always keep your pets on a leash when you are taking them out of the rig and be sure to pick up their waste.

Fear #4: I’ll be traveling all over. I’ll have to keep changing my address!

This is not the case at all. Nowadays, much of our mail which consists of bills can be handled online. The paperless option minimizes the need to send unnecessary snail mail.

However, there may situations where a central address is necessary. There are a number of mail forwarding agencies that cater to RVers. The company will assign an address where all of your mail can be delivered. A simple online search for mail forwarding services for RVers will populate a dozen or more companies that cater to nomads.

Related Read: RV Full-Timer Tips: Getting your Mail

Some mail forwarding services are a part of RV organizations, like Escapees. Interested parties are required to become club members to access these mail services. However, as a huge advocate of RVer rights and accessibility, Escapees also helps RVers establish state residency for income tax, voting, insurance, investments, and licensing purposes. You can read about how the organization does this here.

Fear #5: What if I get ill or break a bone?

RVers are not immune to illness or physical aches and pains. When we arrive at a new location, we always make a note to locate the nearest clinics and hospitals. We’ll save these locations on our phone or write them on a note and stick it to the refrigerator, whatever we need to do to access it quickly.

There are a number of health insurance options available. We carry health insurance through the health exchange program as it is our most affordable option. We make it a point to visit our primary doctor for annual check-ups, but when we are hundreds of miles away, we utilize telemedicine. This is not an insurance company but rather an alternative way to access a doctor, via online or phone. We are also able to access dentists and opthamologists nearby and receive services at discounted prices through our telemedicine company.

Fear #6: Campgrounds and RV parks are creepy, unsafe places.

To ensure that we are staying at a relatively safe, industry approved campground, we will often consult customer reviews online, besides visiting the establishment’s website.
We look for amenities specific to our needs at the time like pet friendly, hook-ups, and maybe amenities like laundry facilities and showers.

We make it a point to subscribe or become members of RV related organizations like Mobile RVing that review RV parks on a regular basis. These reviews include minute details about each park’s features, often including pictures and videos, and are written by veteran RVers.