The Pros and Cons of Full Time RVing
08-27-2018
Author: in Education
Taking the plunge to full time RV was initially exciting and daunting for us. We were seeking a change in scenery, adventure, and new experiences but unsure about the obstacles that would stand in the way of enjoying that freedom. Four years after setting sail on the open road, we can confidently say that we have seen both the beautiful and not so pretty side of nomadic life, but every wonderment is a celebration and each trial is a learning experience. There are a number of pros and cons of full time RVing. The following have been our most consistently observed.
Related Read: Why We Chose a Motorhome
PROS
Places
“From sea to shining sea” and everywhere in between, there is much that our country, alone, has to offer. Pick your passion: national parks and theme parks, beaches and lakefronts, lighthouses and museums, forested mountain ranges and wide open desert landscapes, waterfalls and quiet streams, Victorian homes and southern plantation homes, caves and bridges, breweries and Mom-and-Pop joints. Country Living magazine came up with a list of 30 beautiful places to visit in the US.
The country and surrounding nations are your oyster. You are the navigator; seek and you shall find. That is the beauty of full time RVing and the number one reason that draws hundreds a year to this lifestyle. Full time RVers are modern day explorers, seeking out their favorite sites and attractions for inspiration, entertainment, or knowledge. Our “backyards” are always changing as we travel from one destination to the next. The best thing about it is that yardwork and maintenance is not required.
People
Millions of people populate our country. As full time RVers, we come across all kinds of people. After four years of traveling, we have come to the conclusion that overall we are all the same in the most basic sense but stand apart in our specific cultures and habits. It is these differences, whether perceived as positive or negative, that we try to learn and grow from inevitably.
Other RVers, in general, are a wealth of information and are usually more than willing to lend a hand, share tidbits and other helpful advice, or swap a tale or two about their adventures on the road. We’ve learned about many of our preferred workamping gigs from other travelers and places of business that offer excellent customer service to all things RV related. Locals, also, always know about the best kept secrets in town like where to find the best food in town or an interesting attraction.
Flexibility
Some full time RVers like to change their destination frequently, always on the go. Others prefer to stay in a location for months at a time. RVers live off the grid or in top of the line resorts. The nomadic life is quite often associated with retired folks, but has extended out to the working population that relies on wages, either through remote work or fixed jobs, in order to pay for living expenses.
There are no concrete rules about making the nomadic life work for you and your traveling family. Everyone has their own agenda and the beauty of it all is that there are many avenues to reach the end goal. We feel like we are still evolving with the lifestyle, seeking jobs that fit our interests and budget and balancing work and exploration time.
CONS
Repairs
It is inevitable that your rig will require repairs, as certain as death and taxes. Aside from routine maintenance, repairs are a part of the traveling deal. RVs are really not built to be occupied full time, more so for seasonal/recreational purposes, hence the name RV.
Constant use of an RV means wear and tear occurs more frequently. The outside of the rig takes a beating with various weather conditions, be it heat or pelting rain. Regularly inspecting and repairing any damages to the roof and awning help prevent future issues that could blow up into leaks, mold, or completely losing portions of your roof/shade. Inside, repairs can range from replacing standard bulbs with LED lights to purchasing new appliances like a microwave. The longevity of various parts of any rig depends on the condition it was in when purchased as well as frequency of use.
Regardless if you are savvy with repairs, it’s a good idea to become familiar with your manuel. Online courses, created by experts in the RVing community, are available and cover an array of topics to help the new RVer learn about their particular rig’s basic care and maintenance. If in doubt, always consult an expert.
Since we expect a breakdown or two, we make sure our budget accounts for needed repairs. We have set up a few safeguards to cushion that budgeted amount to include auto/RV insurance, roadside assistance, and an extended warranty plan.
Connection
Some of the best locations we have come across have the worst 4G and wifi service.
This is the price we pay for exploring a beautiful landscape for a few days or workamping at a business that offers many employee perks.
To combat this lack of connection, we make sure to be within a 10-15 minute drive from an establishment or tower that offers this service. Much of our outside communication with family, friends and clients depends on this use. Utilizing a booster or extender has assisted in this process. We know of other RVers that subscribe to more than one 4G service to ensure that they are covered in any given location at any particular time.
Weather
Full time RVers are typically sunseekers, but sometimes mother nature has other plans. Those can include bouts of heat waves, snow storms, hurricanes, or tornadoes on your travels or at your new destination.
Staying abreast of the weather is one of your top priorities as an RVer, for the safety of you and your traveling companions. Note the weather on a daily basis and keep an eye on the week’s forecast in whatever location(s) you are in or traveling through. There are a number of weather apps on the market that provide hourly weather conditions including wind speed, precipitation, radar and alerts.
Related Read: Why We Chose a Motorhome
PROS
Places
“From sea to shining sea” and everywhere in between, there is much that our country, alone, has to offer. Pick your passion: national parks and theme parks, beaches and lakefronts, lighthouses and museums, forested mountain ranges and wide open desert landscapes, waterfalls and quiet streams, Victorian homes and southern plantation homes, caves and bridges, breweries and Mom-and-Pop joints. Country Living magazine came up with a list of 30 beautiful places to visit in the US.
The country and surrounding nations are your oyster. You are the navigator; seek and you shall find. That is the beauty of full time RVing and the number one reason that draws hundreds a year to this lifestyle. Full time RVers are modern day explorers, seeking out their favorite sites and attractions for inspiration, entertainment, or knowledge. Our “backyards” are always changing as we travel from one destination to the next. The best thing about it is that yardwork and maintenance is not required.
Related Read: 20 National Parks on Our 6 Week RV Vacation
People
Millions of people populate our country. As full time RVers, we come across all kinds of people. After four years of traveling, we have come to the conclusion that overall we are all the same in the most basic sense but stand apart in our specific cultures and habits. It is these differences, whether perceived as positive or negative, that we try to learn and grow from inevitably.
Other RVers, in general, are a wealth of information and are usually more than willing to lend a hand, share tidbits and other helpful advice, or swap a tale or two about their adventures on the road. We’ve learned about many of our preferred workamping gigs from other travelers and places of business that offer excellent customer service to all things RV related. Locals, also, always know about the best kept secrets in town like where to find the best food in town or an interesting attraction.
Related Read: How to Blend in with the Locals at your Next Workamping Gig
Flexibility
Some full time RVers like to change their destination frequently, always on the go. Others prefer to stay in a location for months at a time. RVers live off the grid or in top of the line resorts. The nomadic life is quite often associated with retired folks, but has extended out to the working population that relies on wages, either through remote work or fixed jobs, in order to pay for living expenses.
There are no concrete rules about making the nomadic life work for you and your traveling family. Everyone has their own agenda and the beauty of it all is that there are many avenues to reach the end goal. We feel like we are still evolving with the lifestyle, seeking jobs that fit our interests and budget and balancing work and exploration time.
CONS
Repairs
It is inevitable that your rig will require repairs, as certain as death and taxes. Aside from routine maintenance, repairs are a part of the traveling deal. RVs are really not built to be occupied full time, more so for seasonal/recreational purposes, hence the name RV.
Constant use of an RV means wear and tear occurs more frequently. The outside of the rig takes a beating with various weather conditions, be it heat or pelting rain. Regularly inspecting and repairing any damages to the roof and awning help prevent future issues that could blow up into leaks, mold, or completely losing portions of your roof/shade. Inside, repairs can range from replacing standard bulbs with LED lights to purchasing new appliances like a microwave. The longevity of various parts of any rig depends on the condition it was in when purchased as well as frequency of use.
Regardless if you are savvy with repairs, it’s a good idea to become familiar with your manuel. Online courses, created by experts in the RVing community, are available and cover an array of topics to help the new RVer learn about their particular rig’s basic care and maintenance. If in doubt, always consult an expert.
Since we expect a breakdown or two, we make sure our budget accounts for needed repairs. We have set up a few safeguards to cushion that budgeted amount to include auto/RV insurance, roadside assistance, and an extended warranty plan.
Related Read: Motorhome Maintenance You Should Do Even If You’re Stationary
Connection
Some of the best locations we have come across have the worst 4G and wifi service.
This is the price we pay for exploring a beautiful landscape for a few days or workamping at a business that offers many employee perks.
To combat this lack of connection, we make sure to be within a 10-15 minute drive from an establishment or tower that offers this service. Much of our outside communication with family, friends and clients depends on this use. Utilizing a booster or extender has assisted in this process. We know of other RVers that subscribe to more than one 4G service to ensure that they are covered in any given location at any particular time.
Weather
Full time RVers are typically sunseekers, but sometimes mother nature has other plans. Those can include bouts of heat waves, snow storms, hurricanes, or tornadoes on your travels or at your new destination.
Staying abreast of the weather is one of your top priorities as an RVer, for the safety of you and your traveling companions. Note the weather on a daily basis and keep an eye on the week’s forecast in whatever location(s) you are in or traveling through. There are a number of weather apps on the market that provide hourly weather conditions including wind speed, precipitation, radar and alerts.
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Author: Levi and Natalie Henley
