Last Updated on November 25, 2024
Embarking on a journey of full-time RV living is an exciting yet daunting adventure. Whether you're a seasoned traveler or just starting to consider the nomadic lifestyle, there are countless questions that arise. From the logistics of daily living to the emotional adjustments, the transition to full-time RVing can be overwhelming. Recently, we found a great video from seasoned full time RVers that dives into the most frequently asked questions about RV life.
1. How Nervous Were You to Leave the Sticks and Bricks?
"On a scale of one to 10, it was an 11," Barry admits when asked about the anxiety of leaving a traditional home for full-time RV living. The couple had to sell almost everything they owned, which was a massive undertaking.
They kept their house for a year to ensure they liked the RV lifestyle. The first six months were a significant adjustment period, filled with learning curves and emotional ups and downs.
If moving into an RV doesn't make you question your sanity at least once, are you even doing it right?
2. Do You Ever Have to Leave or Fly Away and Leave Your Rig?
"Yes, we do have suitcases," Darlene laughs, explaining their process of leaving the RV for short trips. They have a 44-foot toy hauler with plenty of storage for luggage. Sometimes, they book regular RV parks and leave their rig there. However, this can be expensive, especially when boarding pets.
Leaving your RV is like leaving your baby—except this baby has wheels and a kitchen!
3. What Tools Do You Carry for Minor Repairs and Maintenance?
Barry confesses, "I bought everything." He went to Lowe's and spent a few hundred dollars on new tools, including an impact driver for lug nuts. The couple also recommends the NRVTA online course for learning how to fix various RV systems.
Remember, the more tools you have, the more you'll feel like MacGyver—minus the mullet.
4. How Do You Handle All of the Together Time?
"You need alone time," Darlene advises. Living in a small space means you'll get on each other's nerves. They suggest taking walks, running errands alone, or having separate hobbies to maintain sanity. Barry enjoys fishing, while Darlene loves her solo trips to Starbucks.
Alone time is crucial. Otherwise, you might end up using those tools on each other!
5. Is Internet a Real Problem on the Road?
"Yes, in our opinion, Starlink is a must," Barry states. They rely on Starlink as their primary internet source, with T-Mobile as a backup. This setup ensures they can work full-time from their RV.
The only thing worse than no internet is slow internet. Buffering is the enemy of happiness.
6. How Many Hours a Day Do You Travel on Move Days?
"Two hours is the sweet spot, but four hours is usually our limit," Darlene shares. They prefer to travel on weekends and pack up the night before to make the process smoother. Long travel days are rare but sometimes necessary.
If you haven't napped in your own bed at a rest stop, are you even a real RVer?
7. How Do You Get Your Mail and Packages?
"We use Escapees as our mail service," Darlene explains. They have a domicile address in Texas for legal matters and use a scanning service to view their mail online. For packages, they rely on RV parks, mail and ship stores, and sometimes even Amazon lockers.
Getting mail on the road is like a scavenger hunt, but with more bills and fewer treasures.
8. How Do You Handle Grocery Shopping?
"We lean towards Walmarts for one-stop shopping," Barry notes. Small-town groceries can be expensive and have limited selections. They stock up in larger cities to avoid the high prices of remote locations.
Nothing says adventure like paying $14 for a tiny bag of coffee in a small-town grocery store.
9. Do You Store Some Items Seasonally or Have Everything With You?
"We had a storage unit but realized it was a waste of money," Barry admits. They now store keepsakes with family and continually purge items they don't use.
If you haven't Marie Kondo-ed your RV, you're just hauling around a mobile storage unit.
10. How Far Ahead Do You Plan Your Travels?
"We use RV Life Trip Wizard for planning," Darlene shares. They plan around significant events and fill in the gaps with fun adventures. Flexibility is key, and they adjust plans as needed.
Planning RV trips is like playing Tetris, but with campsites and scenic routes.
For more detailed insights and tips, make sure to watch the entire video from Barry and Darlene:
