Ready to HIT THE ROAD?
Have you dabbled with the idea of purging all your stuff, selling the house and hitting the road? Well, that's what we did in late 2016!
You may have wondered..where do I start? You might have a zillion questions about everything from where to stay, memberships, costs, what type of RV to get, etc...
After 3 + years of travel, I hope Paul and I can answer some of those questions for you!
Here are our top 12 tips for full-timing or just for planning an RV road trip!
1) Where to stay and boondocking/age restrictions/kids/pets
Once you decide where you want to travel to and the destinations you'd like to see, the next step is booking your reservation. I highly recommend booking ahead of time because spots and RV parks tend to book fast, especially during peak travel times like Spring and Summer. They will require a deposit in most cases and then you just pay the balance while you're there. Again, this is where checking out FB groups is helpful for spot ideas. Keep in mind too, some parks have age restrictions ( think 60+), some may not allow children ( I know, that is ridiculous to me that any would be against having children there), some say no pets. Many places we've found do take pets though and ,most allow kids, thank goodness but good to be aware. Ask ahead of time. Another option on the road when your budget is kinda tight is to boondock. Some big box stores like Walmart, Home Depot, Lowes, etc will let you stay in their parking lots way in the back but you have to call them and get permission. We boondocked a few nights while traveling through Utah and ID. They don't charge at all but again, call first. The downside is you won't have hookups. Its a great way to save a good $50 bucks a night.
2) What type of RV do you want?
A new Rv can be pretty expensive so going newer used may be the way to go. Keep in mind that while you might enjoy the luxury of a new RV, when not traveling, it will be sitting in storage or your garage or your driveway, unless you are full-timing.
Questions to ponder as you decide what to get..
How big is your family? How many beds will you need?
What is your budget? If you can get a used RV but in good condition, I'd recommend that.
Do you plan to tow?
Do you have a truck ( for a fifth wheel)?
If you are getting a motorhome, keep in mind you will be towing a car or have a family member driving behind. Or you could decide to rent a car when you arrive at the city you're heading to. Just something extra to consider, cost, etc..
Do you want a travel trailer?
Do you want slide outs? How many?
Diesel or gas?
Will you be in a colder climate, spending more time indoors?
Or warmer climate? Maybe taking bikes along?
Are you taking pets?
3) Monthly living expenses
RV living and traveling does have many advantages in terms of living on the cheap. While you don't have a mortgage payment, you will have to pay nightly, weekly or monthly rates. Typically, a monthly rate would be the way to go because nightly rates really add up. They could potentially add up to be twice a monthly rate. Rates also depend on location of the park, ( think a warmer popular climate vs a smaller town) amenities, etc. Resorts are nicer but will cost you more. We were paying over $900 a month plus electric in San Diego vs about $600 in AZ. A few other costs to consider: fuel ( diesel vs gas), propane for heat and cooking if not using electric, satellite cable ( direct tv), internet, phone service, insurance costs. When your RV is stored, your payment will be less because you can list it as stored and not being used. When you begin to travel again, you will need to update your plan again.
Will you be in a hot climate? Think of extra utility expenses like AC. A cooler climate you may need heat. If you are living on the road, you will need to decide how to handle your mail. We purchased a PO Box and had a friend pick up our mail and send it to us at our RV parks. It typically runs about $60 every 6 months and over $100 for a year. Food is another main expense obviously but there are places to get great deals. Costco for stocking up, Grocery Outlets, Gleaners, local farmers markets, even the Food Banks are always great too. I used to volunteer at one in WA and they were wonderful. Don't be afraid to check them out!
4) Follow RV FB Groups
There are many helpful groups on Facebook like Fulltime Families where you can find tips, memberships for sale, ask questions and just find the support of a great community that is on the road, been on the road or thinking of hitting the road. When we were in Tucson, one of the families in that group was in our same RV park at the same time so we said hello to each other. :) You can also ask for RV park recommendations and great places to see in the cities you are headed to! I also wanted to add really quick that traveling and staying in RV parks will let you meet so many people. It is neat to connect and meet people all over the country and frankly the world, hear their stories and backgrounds, where they've been and where they're headed next.
5) Pests
Rats, ants... oh my, we have seen it all! I'm just going to be real here. Some RV parks, even nice ones have pack rats. It hasn't been a huge problem but we have encountered it. Peppermint oil sprayed around the perimeter of our RV has helped. We have also used rat traps which helped as well. Hotter climates invite packrats which like to hide under the hood. They can chew wires so please be aware. Ants have been easy to control with spray.
Make sure that you keep food crumbs at bay and even dog food protected.
6) Repairs/leaks and maintenance
Giving your RV a thorough maintenance check prior to hitting the road is smart so you can avoid those unexpected expenses. Check wires, hoses, tanks, oil and fluids, the battery, tire pressure, etc. We had our water tank go out on the way to CA so we had to replace it just outside Salt Lake City. Trying to find a Camping World that was easy to get to off the highway or an RV parts place in the middle of nowhere is not fun. :)
7) Mail and License/taxes
As I mentioned above, consider where your mail will go while you are gone. If you are living on the road, also keep in mind how you will renew your license if it comes due in terms of what state you are living in at the time and how long you will be there. If you are working in multiple states, keep in mind that you will be filing taxes per each state, paying state taxes if necessary, etc.
8) Income/Work
If you are just taking a short road trip, you won't need to worry about making an income on the road but if you are considering full timing, here are a few great ways to make some extra income. Keep in mind, these are just a few!
-An online business
-Being a campground host
-Using your special trade skills ( electrical, plumbing, maintenance?)
-Taking online surveys for cash and gift cards ( Swagbucks, American Consumer Opinion, etc)
-Retail jobs
-Traveling jobs in the union, nursing, teaching, etc)
-Tutoring online
9) Memberships
Memberships like Thousand Trails, Good Sam Club, Escapees are just a few that help with discounts and life on the road. They are worth getting but if you can find them cheaper, all the better. Many FB groups have people looking to sell them at great prices.
10) Easy RV First Aid Kit
Check out my blog post here https://getoiling.com/erikamiller/blog where I share a thorough breakdown of my go to at home healthcare essentials that supports you physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.
11) Schooling
If you have kids, homeschooling makes sense on the road. We had our son in private schools which looking back, really allowed him to experience different environments, meet new kids and learn different curriculums. He has done really well. Straight A's! With the pandemic we have homeschooled obviously too so he has pretty much done it all. :)
12) Weather/Climate:
Are you aiming for lots of sunshine? Don't mind cold weather? Plan according to the climate of where you're going. You will probably pay some extra for AC in hot climates and heat in colder ones as I mentioned above which adds a little to your utility bill.
Weather can also affect activities and outings you have planned. We will never forget when we were in Arizona in the middle of a crazy monsoon, thunder and lightning all around our RV, power went out and it was raining BUCKETS. It was pretty scary. An experience we will not forget!
The last thing I wanted to mention was finding activities in the towns you visit are easy! The RV parks will give you a brochure with ideas and there are typically stands in the office with lots of other travel brochures for the local area. Check out National Parks, lakes, hiking, outlet malls, best places to eat or get an ice cream, the downtown area for walking, fun thrift and vintage shops or specialty shops, parks to stroll or have a picnic lunch. Check out local museums too to learn the unique history of the area! Google best places in the area or even check out that city's FB page!
I hope these have been helpful! Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions. Just send me a message, comment or email me.
With joy,
xo
erika
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