RVing After Loss- Continuing the Journey

RVing after your partner passes away can be hard to even begin to imagine. For many, RV travel is the American dream. Whether you live in your motorhome or travel trailer full time or only take it out when adventure calls, you’re sure to have some pretty amazing jaunts. Road tripping from one place to the next with no real schedule to adhere to means more time spent wandering off the beaten path, and more time spent getting closer to your family.

In particular, those who RV seem to be very close to their spouses, with whom they share all the highs and lows that come along with the travel life. The teamwork and cooperative problem solving that come into play during day-to-day tasks and unfortunate incidents make couples stronger, and the good memories made add joy to the relationship.

RVing together is the way many couples grow closer, and while some people cannot imagine living in such a tiny space with their spouse, these couples can’t imagine spending less time together.

We all know that losing a spouse is devastating no matter who you are. However, it’s likely that many of these RVing couples take such a loss especially hard. After all, they have spent years traveling in close proximity, counting on one another for support in extremely unusual and often difficult situations, and making amazingly fond travel memories together. The loss of a spouse in this situation is the loss of a travel partner and teammate as well, and such an event can leave the surviving partner feeling as though RV travel is no longer a possibility.

If you are in this position now, you may be wondering what on earth to do with yourself now that you’re on your own. The answer? Pick yourself up and keep exploring. There is absolutely no reason you shouldn’t keep on RVing as a widow or widower, and there are several reasons you should.

Overcoming Emotional Roadblocks

The very first thing you will need to do is find a way to overcome emotional roadblocks that may be keeping you from enjoying RVing once again. This can take some time, and it’s important to have patience with yourself. If you find you aren’t making progress on your own, seek out the help of a professional.

Some widowed individuals feel they shouldn’t continue traveling without their spouse. They feel the deceased spouse would be upset. If this is the case for you, you will want to keep in mind that your partner loved you very much. They would absolutely want you to be happy, and as a traveler at heart, travel is likely what will do this for you.

Others who have recently lost a partner might feel that their travels will no longer be enjoyable without their spouse. This is understandable but not necessarily true. If you go in with a positive attitude and a determination to have fun, you’ll likely have a blast, especially if you have all the logistics taken care of beforehand.

Taking Care of Logistics

Once you feel emotionally ready to hit the road once again, you will still have some logistics to figure out. Getting these things squared away before heading out will make your travel experience a much more pleasant one, to say the least.

Finances

Many widowed individuals find themselves in a hard place financially once their spouse dies. This is especially true if the spouse passes unexpectedly. In this case, it’s highly important to get your finances squared away before taking your RV out on a long-term jaunt.

If you plan to travel often, this means finding a way to make money on the road. Lowering your expenses can also be extremely helpful. This is a challenge no matter your living situation, but can be even more challenging for those who wish to travel regularly. Still, there are ways to go about it.

There are many ways to make money on the road and also ways to cut costs while Rving.

Insurance and Roadside Assistance

Insurance and roadside assistance are always important, but since you’ll be on your own, you will definitely want to make sure these things are in place. Call your RV insurance and roadside assistance companies and make sure everything is under your name and ready to go.

Travel Day Duties

If your spouse usually did all of the hitching-up tasks, or if you have no idea how to drive your RV, or if you don’t know how to do things such as dumping the tanks, now is the time to learn. These are all things that can be done by almost anybody, and a quick search on YouTube or a quick meeting with an RV-savvy neighbor will teach you what you need to know.

Don’t feel comfortable hitching or driving your current rig? Consider downsizing. Many single travelers do just fine in campervans or tiny pod trailers.

Maintenance

Have you been involved in the maintenance of your RV? If not, this is another thing you will want to learn about before hitting the road. Most RV maintenance tasks are pretty simple and can be learned online. However, there is also the option of taking your rig to a repair shop every 6 months to have it resealed and looked over.

Finding Companionship

For some, traveling alone is perfectly okay. They find the solitude relaxing and don’t mind spending days on their own. However, this isn't the case for most people. The majority of us need someone to talk to and laugh with. Fortunately, there are ways to have companionship even while traveling.

Get a Pet

Pets are great travel companions. We highly recommend finding a small dog to join you on your travels. These sweet animals are great at giving cuddles and will be just as excited as you to explore each new place.

Join a Group

As wonderful as a pet is, sometimes you just need human companionship. For this reason, it’s a good idea to join an RVing club or group. Facebook has dozens of RV-specific groups, and some of these will have meetups. Check out the RV Bunch Facebook group which boasts over 51,000 active members and growing.

Forums are also a great place to meet like-minded individuals. There is also the option of joining a group such as Escapees, Fulltime Families (for those with kids still at home), or Sisters on the Fly (for the widowed woman). All are paid memberships that offer events and meetups all over the country.

Take a Friend

Finally, there is the option of taking a good friend along for the ride. If you have a friend who recently lost their spouse, they may be looking for something new to do. Taking them on your adventures could be just the thing!