Self-Isolating in an RV During COVID-19
With the current COVID-19 pandemic putting the RV camping season on hold, you would think many rigs are sitting empty and idle. That is not the case, as many people are choosing to follow physical distancing and self-isolation rules by staying in their RV. From healthcare workers protecting their families from possible infection to Snowbirds returning home with no other place to go, let’s take a look at self-isolating in your RV during COVD-19.
Where to Park
Our governments are telling us to stay at our primary residence, which for many Snowbirds could be a trailer park or seasonal site. With these sites closed, many folks are being forced to “driveway camp” with friends or family. Some are even being forced to rent land for boondocking. On the other side of the spectrum, many people are donating their unused RV’s to healthcare professionals and first responders who may have been exposed to the virus and need a place to stay in order to protect themselves and their families. Many municipalities are changing or adapting their bylaws for RV parking and usage to accommodate these necessary stays but be sure to check with your local lawmakers to be sure you are within the guidelines.
The Necessities
Any extended stay in an RV is going to require power, water and plumbing. If you’re staying in a driveway, these will be all readily available. Freshwater is the easiest utility to acquire when driveway camping. All you need is a hose long enough to reach your RV tank from the house.
If your location is already professionally wired for either 30 amp or 50 amp service, you’re all set. If not, you will need a heavy-duty extension cord and 30 or 50 amp adapters to connect to your standard power service. Because of the smaller amp service, you will have to monitor and limit the usage of certain appliances like the air conditioner, hairdryer and microwave. If shore power is not available, now is the time to consider solar power options.
Sewer hookups while driveway camping or boondocking will be very rare. Furthermore, most dump stations are currently closed during the pandemic. In this case, you are going to need to rely on a portable wastewater tank to help keep the black and grey water tanks flowing. You can help things along by parking your rig on high ground and allowing gravity to do its part. With campground shower and toilet facilities unavailable, you will likely find your tanks filling up much quicker than usual so be sure to keep an eye on them.
If your rig relies on propane for heating and cooking, as most do, you will want to have some extra tanks on hand to avoid running out and minimize your trips for refills.
Maintenance and Repairs
With many service centres limiting their hours of operation and offerings, this is also a good time to brush up on your DIY skills and make sure that you have a good supply of spare parts on hand. YouTube is a fantastic resource, as well as hardcopy manuals and guides. Be sure to have a good stockpile of fuses, tank treatments, bulbs and filters on hand as well.
This is also an ideal time to check off that to-do list of renovations and repairs that you just haven’t had the time for. Using this mandated “downtime” to get ready and you’ll be all set to roll out once the restrictions have been lifted!
Staying Entertained
Keeping healthy, mentally and physically, is a challenge right now. If you plan to be doing any exercise in the RV, you will want to ensure that you have a sturdy set of stabilizers, levellers and chocks. One bonus to driveway camping is that you will likely have a reliable internet connection and possibly even access to cable tv - something that many travellers struggle with on the road. Now is the perfect time to catch up on all your favourite television shows and Netflix binges.
The key to navigating this pandemic is to stay safe, stay calm and stay home … even if that home is on wheels. RV Part Shop is doing our very best to help our customers navigate these tough times by staying open 24/7 and employing best practices in our warehouses, shipping locations and offices. We are committed to getting you what you need for repairs, maintenance, renovations and more with our fast, free shipping* option to your home or directly to your RV site. Our website is regularly updated with any delays or updates to our standard shipping times. Need help navigating our massive selection of items? Contact us today!