How to prepare for Fulltime RV Living

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Have you thought of embracing full time RVing before? The full time RV lifestyle could be summed up as a great deal of fun with a few challenges. The freedom and openness of the road, a life immersed in nature along America’s vast wilderness, simple lifestyle as well as slow paced living are among the many fascinating features of RV living. You are not on a permanent vacation neither are you a tourist in every destination you camp but rather a short-term resident. That is just how you live.

The transitioning process to full time RV living is usually an exciting and emotional one: downsizing, selling your home, sorting your stuffs and finally moving into the RV.

Here are a few ideas to help you prepare for the fulltime RV living

Minimize your stuff

RV has less space compared to a house; it can’t hold everything you have including some of your most treasured items. The RV does not have room for extra clutters hence; unused items must be done away with.

It is advisable to start disposing extra clutters well in advance to make the final downsizing process easy. Sorting your stuff into different categories would make it easier to dispose your stuff. You could group your stuff into the Sell category, donate and trash categories as well as stuffs you will use in the RV.

Getting rid of most of your things would make more sense financially as you wouldn’t need to rent a big storage unit to keep your favorite items and a few sentimental stuffs.

Mentally Prepare Yourself

While making the transition to full time RV living not everyone would understand your journey some might be unsupportive while others would be really thrilled and supportive but might not be in a position to help since they are not experienced in the RV lifestyle. The experience of going through piles of stuff can be emotionally exhausting and extremely overwhelming but if you are lucky to have great and supportive friends they might help ease your work.

Be patience as you experience this emotional roller coaster, in addition, having friends around who are already living the lifestyle can be a great source of inspiration and support to you.

Work you can do from anywhere

Having a job that is not location dependent is best for full time RV living. This means you can work from anywhere and get paid without your physical presence. Creating a passive income from either investments or other businesses is also a great idea. You could start a successful blog or start selling on Amazon and so on.

Create time for good-byes

Ensure you bade everyone goodbye. A good-bye to family and friends would take both time and energy so make your schedules far ahead of time, preferably months ahead. You could as well try seeing them in group if you are short on time.

 Start collecting the essentials

Create a list and start gathering the essentials. Here’s an idea of some essentials to get started!

KITCHEN ITEMS: Instant Pot, Ninja Blender, Toaster Oven, Collapsible Highchair, Water Filter

RV ITEMS: RV Leveling Blocks, Wheel Chocks, Garden Hose, Sewer Hose Kit etc.

3 Dumb Questions Non-Rvers Ask About Full-Time RVing

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Making a transition to the RV lifestyle is what some consider unusual and weird. Some might even raise eyebrows on you when you decide to make this transition.  But Living in an RV comes with numerous benefits and advantages. The RV’s small living space is a perfect option for those who desire to live simply, this is obviously one reason why the tiny house trend is becoming popular. You’ll always have to get rid of clutters and unnecessary weight on a consistent basis to create free space. And the ability to travel wherever you want to at anytime makes the RV lifestyle pretty cool.

However as soon as you trim down and get ready to make the big leap to full time RV living, you’ll have to answer a lot of questions from your friends, here are the 3  dumbest questions.

What are you going to do with Your Poo?

This might seem unusual to most people but most RVers are pretty comfortable discussing poop and even disaster stories at the sanitary dump site. Most non-RVers have no idea how toilets are managed in an RV and how water is conserve or how the black tank works.

Rvers use campground hookups to get rid of their waste and mange water but most non Rvers are either ignorant or  fail to consider these options when thinking of RV full time living, they wrongly assume that Rvers literally drive without ever stopping. However those who are used to the RV lifestyle know there is nothing to fret about with regard to the black tank.

Isn’t Gas Mileage horrifying?

Obviously, driving an RV is like driving a house they are less fuel efficient compared to cars. But you are not always driving. Most RVers tow their cars while travelling and use it for commuting when they are in the camp. Some even take bikes or motorcycle as an alternate mode of transportation.

One other thing to consider is that fuel in an RV is far cheaper than the cost of electricity in a home also the cost of RV fuel is nothing to be compared to the cost of  air travel and hotel accommodations in a year for full time travelers.

When would you be back To the Real World?

Most non- Rvers can’t just come to terms with the idea of fulltime RV living. You might even come across people who find your nomadic life offensive. They’ll accuse you of being irresponsible and running away from life challenges.  But don’t let this get you down. Full-time RVing comes with its own challenges and benefits just like living in a brick-and-mortar home.

Full Time RVing Dark Side: Thoughts before Making the Leap.

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Fulltime RVing is obviously not for everyone, to enjoy a rich and stress free full time RV lifestyle you have to be exceptionally flexible, comfortable with travels and diverse weathers, greatly love the company of your spouse and be contented in a small living space. Ultimately, you must have a great sense of humor.

Detailed planning is also important for the RV lifestyle you must be equipped for unexpected occurrences. The fulltime RV lifestyle would offer you great freedom, adventure and life long memories but here are a few take on the dark side and some great advice:

Life wouldn’t stop for Travel

Newbie Rvers must have it in mind that Life wouldn’t stop For Travel. Life happens anywhere.  Rvers have to endure a lot of unforeseen situations, make painful mistakes, deal with health related issues, lose things, and sometimes wait for days to get stuffs fixed. And none of these is convenient. Life wouldn’t stop just because you are moving in an RV. The important thing is not the challenges that surround you but how you deal with them. So, get ready to handle the most unusual challenges on the road but be optimistic that they are surmountable.

RVs have less space compared to Apartments

Some new RVers are sometimes astonished at how small RV spaces are. Although your kitchen and refrigerator might be closer  but your shower would definitely not  be that walk-in rainfall you have in a brick-and-mortar home and the toilet might sometimes give a not too pleasant smell, even more disturbing is the fact that you have to move around with the waste. Sometimes you’ll miss some of your stuff but it’s the sacrifice for this lifestyle. One great tip is to camp in nature as city RV parks make your limited space look even tighter but camping in natural environments with trails gives more generous space outside.

You are not in a Fixed Place

Living a mobile lifestyle is one of the beauties of RV living you’ll not always live close to your favorite restaurant and always have to figure out where to eat shop or even get medical supplies. It’s actually an adventure most people love about the RV life and many new RVers make a mistake of racing around too much before learning from their mistakes. It is advisable to spend some time to know more about the local scene and weather before making a move by slowing down you’ll have an even more enjoyable RV life.

Budget and Money are extremely important

Money matters a lot you have to make arrangement with regard to your finances before making the leap. You could make great income from investing and have the proceeds become an income stream to sustain your RV living. Bear in mind that unexpected expenses can come which can put extra strain on your finances  hence, you have to watch your budget closely and adjust accordingly just like in your home.  You can cut down on travel and plan on boondocking for a longer time or chose cheaper camps in order to have extra cash. RVing allows for a great level of flexibility with regards to money. You’ll never have an adaptable financial lifestyle like it.

You will get too close to your Partner

The less spacious size of the RV means you’ll be spending the whole day with your spouse in a limited space you’ll have to make the necessary adjustment if you need to because it can pose a lot of challenges for you and your partner if you are not prepared. It could literally shatter your fulltime dreams hence, it advisable to be mentally prepared for this great adjustment. You could develop separate hobbies and sometimes go on separate sight-seeing trips or take solo-walks but with time it’ll definitely work out.

3 Tips for traveling the East Coast with an RV

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Moving around the US in an RV unveils never-ending possibility for adventure, so limitless, that you could sometimes have difficulties choosing where to go. The America’s east coast is unbelievably rich with American history and spectacular scenery it is one of the most preferred vacation destination on account of it variety. Those who desire some rest at the breathtaking beaches or want to explore popular places would definitely have a great time in this regions.  The East Coast is for active and energetic people, who want to see and do things.

Below are 3 Tips for exploring the East Coast in an RV

  1.      Plan Ahead but be flexible

Depending on how far in advance you made your bookings, it is a smart idea to have several options as Campgrounds can be really full throughout the summer season.

Always think of new solution to every challenge, for instance you can decide to stay outside of places you desire to visit and rather drive to those places. It is more affordable to drive a short distance than pay expensive nightly rates.

In case your RV is unusually big, check out reviews, and seek advice from other guests concerning site dimensions and accessibility.

The East Coast has great places to visit and activities to engage in hence, create a list of activities and places you desire to visit then prioritize them and visit the ones at the top of the list as you might not have time to do everything or go everywhere.

Do quick checks on the attractions you intend to visit as you might require tickets to get access to some and most times there are only limited tickets available.

Take advantage of sites and apps to book parking in bigger cities.

Consider public transport; they might be a great option than driving and trying to find parking.

  1. Add 15% to 20% to your budget

Camping can actually come with additional cost as rates are typically calculated on 2 adults and sometimes 2 kids, so anything more attract extra costs.  There are relatively few discount and membership campgrounds in these regions and during peak seasons discounts don’t usually apply for clubs.

Make use of a gas price app or Google and fill up when you find yourself close to the better prices.

A good number of attractions have entry fees; ensure you check for details on the web before going.

Most attractions charge for parking.

There are a number of tolls on the highways and bridges which might add to the hassle.

  1. Route planning is Important.

A great number of highways, bridges and tunnels have tolls; hence an EZ pass is important.

You can drive through without stopping at the booths. You put just put your card on file, and you’ll be billed accordingly.

A great number of low bridges and underpasses are not marked with height.

There is great traffic in these regions because of the population.

Tunnels are numerous in these regions, so it is important to check the policies on propane. A lot require you to pass through with the propane off.

You’ll definitely have a great time exploring the East Coast. The East Coast is rich in American History, and you’ll have great fun there.

Where to Retire: The Black Hills of South Dakota

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The Black Hills of South Dakota, a lonely hill range in the Great Plains of western South Dakota majestically undulating to Wyoming, is a magnificent million-acre natural recreation space drawing a huge number of retired persons looking for softer adventure as an alternative to a non-active retirement life.

This hilly haven houses a great number of world class recreational parks, great historic monuments and memorials which creates abundant possibilities for outdoor recreation in the midst of the wonderfully creek-carved canyons, beautiful lakes and mountain meadows. No doubt this famous hills have become a rare comfort for those who desire the path less traveled.

The Mount Rushmore Memorial One of the nation’s most iconic symbols is etched in one of the highest point of these Hills. The mountain closely hugs the western borders of the state of Wyoming. There are numerous parks and national monuments including Badlands National Park among others. The vast State Park features one of the nation’s largest buffalo herds as well as some of the most scenic and breathtaking drives the country has to offer.

These fascinating hills attract over 3 million visitors every year the majority of which come to experience the region’s numerous attractions. This region also features a great number of serene golf courses, lakes and reservoirs in addition to great hiking trails and scenic nature walks.

The energetic and lively downhill skiing spot as well as the deadwood’s vibrant nightlife has obviously made this location a major winter destinations across the country.

Cutting across the pine forest of ponderosa and the stunning wildflowers and carpeted fields which beautifies the vast backcountry trails the Black Hills are definitely a beautiful sight to behold. The hills are also great for hiking, biking and viewing wildlife. The George S. Mickelson Trail covers a great deal of the Black hills which also gives access to the last region mapped in America.

Why Retiring to an RV is a Great option

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Living the RV life fulltime is a wonderful and fascinating option. It is as well a perfect way to enjoy your quiet golden days or even your youthful age. As remote work is becoming increasingly possible, many are trying out the mobile location lifestyle in advance before finally quitting their jobs. RVing provides a simple option to travel while maintaining some level of frugality and great lifestyle.

Here’s why Rving fulltime is a perfect way to retire or even to live out your prime working years.

RV Retirement living

A fascination for mobility and an inherent desire to travel around the country and meet people is making a great number of people embrace the fulltime RVing life. As opposed to other forms of digital nomadism, RVing lets you maintain most of your things and gives you the advantage of knowing where to sleep every night. On the other hand full-time travelers are forced to abandon nearly all of their belongings as they are flying from one region to another and must take all their comforts on an airplane. They also have to bear the stress of seeking lodgings en route while the Rvers would just look for parking and have a great night in their vehicle.

RV Travel

Not all RV retiree undertake full-time travel. Some basically want to cut back on some expenses as RV offers an amazing and relatively inexpensive option. They might look for retirement communities with RV parking, or RV parks specially designed for long-term occupants and seniors.

As the RV lifestyle is becoming ever more popular among people of various age groups, there are a variety of tools including apps and programs at the full timer’s disposal to help with planning, campgrounds selection, and social networks and so on to ensure that full timers have a great experience while traveling.

RV Retirement Cost

One popular notion that must to be dispelled is that RV retirement is always frugal and very affordable. Although RV retirement living is usually an incredibly inexpensive option but could a money drain when it is not approached thoughtfully. For instance the freedom of mobility and the open road would tempt a lot of people to move unnecessarily and without proper planning. Of course, traveling and seeing different places is a great experience but you must remember that your wheels need enough fuel to keep moving and while RVs are superb and a fascinating in different ways  only a few  are gas efficient.

You also have some additional cost such as registration, insurance, food and entertainment as well as campground fees among others.

Affordable RV Retirement

The good news is, if you are looking to retire to an RV to live frugally, you will definitely have plenty of cash saving options. Full-time RV retirement enables you make choices on your accommodation which can help you change your monthly expenses much more easily than when paying for a mortgage. You could even get a price reduction on your campground by committing to a longer-term space lease.

3 Tips for Simple RV Repairs

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Knowing some simple RV repair tips can be a liberating and exciting experience, it’s also saves you a lot of repair and maintenance cost. Just like flying and maintaining an airplane RVing also has quite a lot of expenses involved, the 2 major ones being service and repairs. That’s why smart RV owners are always working to cut down their repair costs by regular preventative maintenance. Some more adventurous and careful RV owners even go as far as carrying out major repairs by themselves.

But don’t worry too much if you can’t even tell the difference between a socket wrench and a screwdriver there are a lot of tips to help you get started and you’ll in the end keep trucking with a big smile always  while your repair bills become more manageable.

Here are the 3 great tips that will help you keep your RV repair costs very low.

 Do your due diligence.

Needless to say, you wouldn’t wait until the unexpected happens before deciding on the amount to put aside in your travel budget for unforeseen damages. It is a smart idea to always set aside a certain amount for the ‘rainy days’. In addition it is highly recommended that you start checking RV repair shops close to you for simple services such as normal tune-ups, oil changes, or tire rotation on a consistent basis.

On Site RV Repair: On site RV repair is a great service in cases of emergency. Whenever emergencies occur, you can fall back on them to help you fix things rights. They are always ready to offer mobile RV repairs regardless of where you are and are very helpful. However, these services are typically expensive greatly surpassing the estimates you’ll get from a conventional repair shops.

 Look around for a mechanic

Many RV experts recommend checking mechanics reviews and standing before engaging them. This would ensure that you get the best possible service and avoid future complications.  Even in an emergency situation it is best to wait a little than to engage an incompetent mechanic.

Do it yourself.

Without doubt, the best way to manage the high cost of RV repairs is to do it yourself. By learning a number of do-it-yourself RV repair, you can actually cut down your repair budget significantly. Some rvers even carryout more complicated repairs on the RV’s and saving even more dollars.

Don’t feel bad if you can’t carry simple RV repairs the goodnews is there are books and manuals that can help get started, from fiberglass siding repairs to fixing up outdoor awning and to the more complicated repairs.

Emergency RV Repair

The unforeseen happens on every road trip but by monitoring and keeping up with your routinely scheduled maintenance and finding out how to do a couple of simple repairs and maintenance you won’t have to be worried.

10 RV Travel Tips for Retirees

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Living the RV lifestyle is really fascinating and alluring particularly for those who have spent a lot of years in structured work environments or people with same home routine for years. However embarking on the RV lifestyle even if it just a temporary 2 weeks holiday requires a whole lot of knowledge and views to succeed. Thankfully, most people living the RV lifestyle are more than ready to share their experience with anyone willing to learn.

Here are a few RV travel tips for retirees

Get the Right Vehicle

Motor homes come in variety; there is a great difference between a fifth wheel, a Class A motor home and a pop-up trailer, they all differ in usage and purpose but all are essentially for recreation.

The Class A motor home is a great vehicle for moving in style on the highway and not the ideal adventure vehicle especially off-road adventure. The vehicle exceeds 30 feet in length and can hardly navigate through Deserts or go close to the seashore.

The fifth wheel could be detached from the truck. Hence, it provides greater ease and a good option to drive around town when you park the rig in a campground.

And for a great short term camping experience the pop-up trailer is great. However the pop up trailer is essentially best for a long weekend rather than a long term camping experience.

To get the right vehicle for your trips you have to put some factors into consideration including the type of trips you’ll be taking.

Rent vs. Buy

For most people to rent or to buy is really a puzzle for them but if you have intention of buying at the long run, experts’ advice renting a number of different models to find out what is best for you. However, if you have lots of free time and desperately desire the freedom moving at any time, then buying might probably be your best option. But note that buying isn’t cheap. RVs with upholstery and other devices are priced around $130,000.

Research Insurance

It is really important to explore insurance options and buy the best one when you eventually purchase your brand new RV, if it’s a rented RV, you might leverage on your driver’s policy to cover the vehicle. But it is best to engage your insurance agent to understand what your existing policy is going to cover.

Think of Health Concerns

People dealing with some health challenges require some level of caution and vigilance on the road even when they’ve consulted a doctor and got an approval to embark on the RV trip. Their health concerns must be factored into the route planning so ensure they get their prescription along the way or camping in places with mobile network coverage in case of emergencies.

Stay Safe

Most experts suggest you hire a locksmith to re-key the outside storage area of your vehicle because most models are keyed in an exact same way which makes it vulnerable to attack by campground burglars. You need to have a locksmith evaluate the vehicles general door locking system.

Don’t Overlook Dumping

This is usually not an interesting subject to deal with, but when you are on the highway, sooner or later you will need to get rid of the waste from your vehicle.

It is important to double-check details on dump stations as lots of states are removing them in locations where RV drivers might often locate them. Previously, rest stops as well as campgrounds were guaranteed sites for dumping, but due to the mess along with the management costs, most of these sites are no more.

Know How to Drive

You might be planning to just get around and allow someone drives but What if the person gets sick or too tired?

Basically, it’s a great idea for everyone on the trip to learn how to make turns and parking. There a lot of RV driving schools to learn in addition to a selection of instructional DVDs available today.

Create a Travel plan

If you intend to camp along the beautiful shorelines or other spectacular locations you’ll need to book a spot probably a year ahead. The RV community has gained more than enough people that you might have your desired destination full in a very short time. Hence, plan your vacation the same way you would plan a wedding ceremony.

Take a Test Trip

A holiday with the entire family, wandering the open road, trekking and fishing on the way is really great and fun. But you have to take a test trip to know if everyone’s would love the lifestyle rather than be in the middle of a long holiday to discover that some don’t actually like the RV lifestyle.

Even if you’ve taken trips to resorts or campsites before, if you haven’t tried the RV, give it a quick test trip. Most likely, it’ll be wonderful and everybody is going to love it.

Be ready for Repairs

Similar to your home, the RV can develop problems too that require you to solve. Check out any RV travel Site and it’s full of questions on how to deal with vehicle repairs and maintenance.

If you rent the RV, you might have a contract that allows you demand repairs factored in the deal. If you own the RV, you might need to be more ready to manage maintenance problems as you move on. Surprisingly, some people appreciate that part of the experience.

8 Tips to Survive RV Living

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Making a transition to RV living just like any small space living comes with a number of challenges but here are a few ideas to help you get through the transition to RV living. Whether you are a family, a solo traveler or a couple you’ll definitely find these tips very helpful.

Communicate

The major factor to your survival in an RV is great communication. RV has limited space and it will quickly get even smaller if you’re upset or hostile to your partners. Of course you could go walking, sit outside for some time or go driving, but short-term distance won’t fix the problems. Deficiencies in communication in the first months of your transition to RV living could put pressure and emotional stress on your relationship. Life is a lot more pleasurable, if you figure out and deal with your communication problem.

Know Your RV

All new RV suitcases comes full of user manuals. There are manuals for each and every component in the RV. Hence, It is advisable to thoroughly go through each manual and download the online versions as duplicate copies, this will make searching for a specialized topic more convenient and faster.

Spring Cleaning

Trying to figure out stuffs to carry for full time RV living is usually a challenge for most people. Without thorough and detailed planning you’ll end up with excessively too much stuff in you RV but you can carry out a spring cleaning exercise by re-evaluating every single thing in the RV. You could possibly sell the bicycles you don’t use or donate clothing you no longer need.

Create a Checklist

Just like a pilot’s pre-flight checklist, it’s extremely vital that you have a pre-departure checklist for your RV. Every checklist will likely be different subject to the type of RV as well as the gear. In the Class A RV, check carefully to ensure the antenna is down, the jack pads picked up, and ensure that all cords and hoses are property stowed. The major point is to create an all-inclusive list and always check it whenever you want to leave a place.

Everything Has A Place

Every little thing ought to have a place in your RV. Sometimes when the RV goes down a rough road you might probably have vinegar or other bottles with liquid content that gets loosed and mess the whole place because they were kept in the wrong places. In addition, keeping everything in its own place can make packing up a lot faster and easier as you know where all the things are.

Expect the Unexpected

It does not matter if its extreme weather, a flat tire or a windshield problem, always be well prepared for the unforeseeable. Have an RV repair fund to cover unforeseen situations that might arise. Have a spare just in case there’s a flat tire. Create a contingency plan for those unforeseen circumstances. Have a plan in case of a flash flood and you have flooding river in your camp or medical emergencies where there is no cell phone signal.

Be Flexible

It’s really great to know where to go, what direction to go and the length of time to stay but don’t have a rigid plan, be a bit flexible with your plans. Be prepared to stay a couple of nights or leave early if there is a need. Each town has a new experience that you’ll either love or despise. Hence, having a flexible schedule means you can stay longer in places you enjoy and take off early in places you despise.

Enjoy the Journey

More than anything delights in your journey. There are problems related to RV living, but there are even more pleasures.

RV Must do Trip: The Badlands of South Dakota

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Taking an RV trip to the famous badlands of South Dakota would make you understand why the earlier settlers and American Indians referred to the regions as the badlands. The areas are extremely dry, unbearably hot all through the summer, rough, secluded and hard to get around. However, even as these descriptions make it seem like an unwelcoming destination to have your home, in recent times the Badlands has become a fascinating destination for great RV trips.

The Badlands has a National Park which shields great acres of distinctly eroded hills and peaks in addition to the best diverse grass prairie across the country. There is an unusually rough magnificence in this place similar to none other in The United States. You can find bison; bighorn sheep and prairie dogs in the park, in most instances you’ll find them at shockingly close distance but one must be snake conscious.

The Badlands were obviously a creation of the geologic process of erosion and deposition of sediments which started some 69 million years in the past when the sea stretched across the Impressive Plains. Following the sea retreat the land areas, which include rivers and flood plains, continue to put sediments. While the main period of the deposition ended some 28 million years back, erosion of the Badlands could not start until only half a million years ago. Erosion never stops to carve the Badlands buttes till this day. Ultimately, the Badlands would probably wear away completely one day.

During the Dinosaurs age a low sea shielded the Great Plains including the Badlands this accounts for the reason the Badlands is known as one of the world’s most abundant fossil beds. Because dinosaurs were land beasts, no fossils of them would be seen in the park. Huge sea lizards known as mosasaurs also swam in this centuries-old sea, together with sea turtles and a wide species of fish.

The park is accessible 365 day a year. Heat can sometimes reach unbearable levels in the daytime. So it advisable to plan any hiking and bike riding in the morning hours. The badlands are obviously a photographer’s Ideal destination. The craggy spires and open areas apparently seem like a new site with the rising and the setting of the sun. Sunrises and sunsets in the badlands are amazing. You’ll have to commit up to 3 days and some nights if you want to have a great view of the park.

Reaching the Badlands is not difficult. There are actually three campgrounds to choose from. Two of which are managed by the National Park Service:

Cedar Pass campground has close to a hundred level sites with striking views and sights of the badlands formations. The campground is just a stone throw from the Ben Reifel Visitor Center, The fee per campsite range from $18 for site without electrical hook ups and $30 for site with electrical hook-ups. Water, toilets plus a dump station and picnic tables are provided.

Sage Creek is also a great campground. You might probably see animals that look like extinct species moving about. The campground is situated near the Wilderness Area of the Badlands. You can easily get access through an unpaved road that could be sometimes close especially after the spring rain or winter storms. There are limited turnarounds on this road especially for large RV’s.

The White River KOA campground is a great spot in the Badlands positioned in a serene, rural area with lots of huge shade trees at the side of the White River. The campground has a vast dirt road close by which is great for biking. The campground shade is as fascinating as the swimming pool.