Top 5 Tips & Guides For Living In an RV Motorhome
Are you interested in the RV lifestyle? Not only does occasional camping, it’s also possible to live permanently in an RV. Are you dreaming of the freedom of the open road with no commute and different beautiful views right outside your door? These ideas have drawn many people into the RVing lifestyle.
RV living requires a lot of preparation. It's important to keep updated with RV tips and hacks. There are many things you need to take into consideration before you hit the road. Here is our list of the top 10 full-time RV living tips that you can’t live without. RV living tips and tricks are necessary to know, especially if you’re new to RV living. But even if you’re already a veteran, there’s always something new to learn about.
Not everyone is cut out for full-time RV living. Regardless of whether you are living in a luxurious top-of-the-line model or an ultra-lightweight travel trailer, it’s a significant adjustment and lifestyle change. Let us share with you our simple tips and tricks for RV living.
Living In RV Full Time Right For Me?
Full-time RVing can be plenty safe; you just have to be prepared mentally & physically. Life in RV is completely different from life at home. Understand in case if you aren't prepared for the long-term challenges of daily life hurdles you are not meant for such RV life. RV has uncertain electricity, weather, animals, driving conditions, and access to health care.
You need to know why you want to live permanently in an RV. Is the reason strong enough for you to go through all processes in preparing to live in an RV? You need to make sure that your reasons will keep you committed. Remember that preparing to live in an RV permanently will require lengthy preparations & strong preparations.
The Best Part About Living Full Time In An RV
RV is not somewhere you go back to, you carry your home everywhere with you. With that much traveling, many unexpected things will happen. Maybe, you won’t know where to go next. There are times where your RV will break down in the middle of nowhere. In addition, you’ll also need to think about how to socialize with friends and family.
How To Set Up A Full-Time RV Budget
Although living in an RV is cheaper, it still needs money. You should make sure that you have enough savings to maintain your life. Another option is to have a flexible job that doesn’t require you to stay in one place. Usually, after COVID-19 Work From Home is trending or jobs that can be done online are the best-suited jobs that can easily settle for LV living.
The initial budget estimate is between $2500 and $3000 per month. With some cost control, you are able to make this lifestyle work at little less, around $2000 per month not including health costs, business expenses, and paying taxes being uncertain expenses.
RV Living Pitfalls You May Not Have Considered
Not only preparing yourself, you should also make sure that your family is totally on board with this idea. Living in an RV is not for everyone, so you have to make sure that they’re really willing. Otherwise, it will create friction within the family. In addition, the family members will be severely unhappy.
Living in an RV full time with children is the hardest part. You need to plan their education, friend circle. They will be homeschooled so you need to think about how it’s going to work. In addition, children need friends or say people of the same age group so you’ll need to figure that out too.
Select Your Domicile State & Native City
For full-time RV living an important tip is to consider your domicile state & native place carefully. Just because you will be living in your RV full-time does not mean that you are entirely free. You will still have some responsibilities. Choosing your domicile state is an important decision. It involves legal paperwork concerning your vehicle registration and tax filings.
In the United States, the top three states for full-time RVer domiciles are Florida, South Dakota, and Texas. These states are all income tax-free. The vehicle licensing fees, and annual inspection requirements are reasonable. Another tip for entrepreneurs & self-employed is the ease of running a business from those states is also a significant factor in making it a great home base.
The legal obligations state to establish a domicile within a state, you must have a permanent address within that specific state and have your mail forwarded to that address. Some full-timers will rent a campsite at an RV parking space on a long-term basis. Some might even go so far as to purchase a deeded RV lot. With the increased option & technology advancement you may choose to have just an address in that state without renting or buying a property.
RV Storage Solutions Tips
After living a normal life at home the most challenging part of living in an RV is the limited available space for living in Motorhome. Most RVs are between 20-45 feet long, 8.5 feet wide, and 14 feet tall. On average, that’s 275 sq feet of space, which is quite smaller than most small studio apartments or a normal-sized home.
Due to limited space, every part of your camper must be organized in the most efficient possible way. Failure to organize your RV space means you won’t be able to fit what you need inside. Making the best use of the space you have will also create a more comfortable trip and help everyone be happier along the way.
Our next full-time RV living tip for RV Space saving idea is that hooks are your friends. Permanent hooks, temporary hooks, suction cup hooks, it doesn’t matter. You can place hooks under and on the side cabinets and shelving, in high corners, on curtain and shower rods, as well. Hang suction cup hooks on windows and metal surfaces such as oven hoods and refrigerators. Use magnetic strips inside cabinet doors for small metal items and containers. Command strips work well for lightweight items, as well.
Camping In Your RV
Eventually, you must stop driving and park your rig somewhere to sleep. Finding the right place to camping Essentials might require a bit more effort on your part. There are several things you need to consider when looking for a campground or an RV park especially if you have a big rig.
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RV Safety Tip – Ensure you are not camping in a high crime area or danger zone area.
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RV Easy Access Tip – Ensure there’s enough room for your size rig, and that you can easily reverse, U-turn, backup or pull through.
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Room to Spread Out – Ensure you have enough room to expand your slide-outs and awnings. You might want additional space for your Patio Awnings, chairs, and your outdoor cooking activity, barbeque pit, etc.
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RV Spacing Tip For Your Vehicle – If you are towing or using a fifth wheel you’ll need space to park your vehicle, as well.
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RV Cleaning Tip – Ensure the campsite is not dirty or under construction or carrying Parts For RV Camping Accessories, Camping Gear, Folding Camping Chairs, RV Covers, & RV Accessories.
Advantage Of Living In An RV
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Living In RV Is Cheaper
Living in campers is different when compared to living in a conventional house with a permanent address, RV can save up a lot of budgets. You don’t need to worry about paying rent or mortgage. However, you’ll still need to worry about gas, insurance, etc.
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RV Living Offers More Time in Nature
This is one of the evident reasons why people love to live in an RV. Going back to nature is a great way to enjoy life. If you are tired of living in a crowded city, living your retirement life in an RV is a great option to enjoy nature more. Even RV living is suitable for people falling under the new concept of Working From Home - WFH.
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RV Living Has Opportunities For Frequent Travel
People with a big heart & adventurous souls will especially love this reason. Living in one place can get really boring, what’s the better option than living in an RV? You can move around whenever you feel like it. That's what freedom feels like.
Disadvantage Of Living In An RV
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Living In An RV Has Its Limitations
The limited space will make you really consider what stuff to bring in. Oftentimes you need to leave your things behind because you can only bring necessities. Every space is smaller, especially the kitchen and bathroom.
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Mold And Mildew Are Present
Traditional living & conventional houses also have mold & Mildew problems. However, RVs have increased risks because of their closed small space and lack of ventilation. They easily grow there, especially on the spots you can’t easily reach. Installing RV Ventilators is a key solution to it.
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Shaking RV Is A Constant Problem
Moving around all the time, the RV will keep shaking. As a result, your stuff may fall down and break. You will need to have a regular checkup for repairs. Balancing & wheel alignment is the key action to minimize this problem.
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It’s Hard To Keep Driving The RV
RV is big, even the smallest size. It can be stressful having to keep driving around. It takes a lot of energy and time. In addition, traffic jams are also a problem.
Summary Of RV Living Tips And Tricks
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Communicate Effectively
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Gear Up With The Right Equipment
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Understand Your RV
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Maintain A Regular Cleaning Schedule
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Switch Driving
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List All The Important Things On Your Camping Checklist
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Every Item Should Have Its Own Space
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Remember One In, One Out
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Make Sure You're Prepared For RV Living
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Spare Money On Things Of Necessity
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Stay Positive & Strong