Are you ready to break free from your normal routine and set out on the adventure of a lifetime? Well, then buckle up and get ready to drive into the world of full-time RVing, where the road goes on forever and the party never ends!
1. Embrace Your inner Nomad: Go Off the Grid and Equip Your RV for the Ultimate Boondocking Experience
While there are some benefits of hitting up modern campsites, there is something liberating about leaving behind the constraints of traditional campgrounds and embracing the freedom of boondocking. That’s why we suggest making sure your RV is set up to go off the grid, allowing you to camp anywhere your heart desires.
- A good battery bank, complemented by a solar panel charging system, will keep you powered up even in the most remote locations.
- Increase your fresh water and holding tank capacities. Your water usage and the size of your tanks will be one of the most important things to consider when figuring out how long you can stay in your boondocking spot.
- Research Boondocking Camping Spots: We like using Use Google Earth to scout out the landscape before choosing a site.
As one couple who we interviewed a while back told us, “We boondock in beautiful wilderness areas where the quiet makes it easy to relax and slow down. The nomad lifestyle requires you to get more deeply in touch with your own survival, which has been a wonderful experience for us.”
2. Filter It: Clean Water = Happy Travelers
When your water source varies from campground to campground, having a reliable water filter is important. Install filters both outside and inside your RV to ensure clean, sediment-free water for your faucets, water heater, and toilet valves. Double filtration ensures that even your drinking water tastes good, allowing you to save money on buying bottled water.
3. The Key to Happiness on the Road Lies in Following Good Weather
Managing the temperature inside your RV can greatly impact your comfort and energy costs. That’s why it is a good idea to plan your travel routes to chase mild weather instead of relying on air conditioning or heating systems.
- During summer, seek out cooler areas or higher elevations where the air is naturally cooler.
- Look for campsites with natural shade or sites near water, which provides a cooling effect.
4. Fueling the Journey: Plan Your Travel Route to Budget for Gas
Gas prices can be a deal breaker for many trying to get into the lifestyle, but with careful planning, you can minimize your fuel costs.
- Carefully plan your travel routes, avoiding toll roads and construction zones whenever possible.
- Opt for the most fuel-efficient routes and manage your driving habits to avoid rush hours and constant stop-and-go traffic.
- Download Apps Like Gas Buddy to find the cheapest gas stations along your route, and don’t be afraid to head off the highway and into town for cheaper gas!
5. Roll Up Your Sleeves and Don’t Be Afraid To Do Your Own Maintenance and Repairs
Living in an RV means occasional maintenance and repairs are inevitable. Instead of shelling huge sums of money for every minor issue, take the time to learn how to do some basic DIY skills. Start by learning simple tasks such as oil changes, air filter replacements, and spark plug checks. YouTube has a treasure trove of tutorials to guide you through most small repairs.
6. Find Affordable Internet Options on the Road
Staying connected while on the road is important for many full-time RVers. To avoid high internet costs, explore affordable options such as mobile hotspots offered by cell phone carriers or parking in areas with free WIFI. Alternatively, consider satellite internet, like Starlink, which ensures a strong connection even in remote areas with weak cell phone coverage. Check out our article on Off-Grid Internet Options.
7. Harness the Power of the Sun: Let Nature Fuel Your Travels
One of the great things about full-time RVing is the sustainability of the lifestyle if done correctly.
- Install solar panels on your RV’s roof to generate electricity, reducing your reliance on campsite hookups or expensive gas generators.
- Invest in lithium batteries, which have a longer lifespan than lead-acid batteries.
- For shorter trips or small teardrop trailers, we recommend Jackery Solar Generators. Personally, we use them in the field to run our ham radios and emergency radio rigs.
8. RV Memberships: Unleashing the Benefits
We love boondocking, but there are some upsides to having a good campground membership. Programs like Thousand Trails, Passport America, Escapees RV Club, and Harvest Hosts offer various perks, including reduced rates, access to a network of campgrounds, free WIFI, and an easy, worry-free camping experience. These memberships can be a budget-friendly way to enjoy campground amenities while connecting with a community of fellow RV enthusiasts.
9. Finding Meaning in Your Journey: Never Forget the Reason Behind Your RV Adventures
Contrary to the life of your normal 9-5 drones, full-time RVing is about slowing down and truly experiencing the places you travel to. Seek out places that capture your imagination, and don’t be afraid to stay awhile and soak in the local culture. By staying put for 2 to 4 weeks, you’ll have the opportunity to go much deeper into the local culture, explore hidden trails, and really enjoy the unique wonders of that location.
In our interview with full time RVers, the Globe Trekker Family, they told us “We typically try to keep our driving from point A to point B to around 200 miles. We will stay at an RV Park, or we can boondock, depending on where we are and what we need. We like to stay at every location for one week so that we have time to explore and also time to relax. When we first started out, we only stayed 3-4 days at each place, and that was exhausting. After six months, we realized that we didn’t have to keep up the “vacation” mentality and that we could slow down so that we didn’t get burnt out.”
Full-time RVing is not just a lifestyle; it’s a chance to embrace the unknown, explore new ways of living, meet new people, and create one-of-a-kind, unforgettable memories.
