Track #1 from Brain Beats - "Tour the States" song: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_E2CNZIlVIg&t=1s)
10 REASONS YOU WILL REGRET RV LIVING IN RETIREMENT;
By Bob Niedt
published January 17, 2025
This article piqued my interest when it came up on my newsfeed a few weeks ago … so, I read it … and decided to pit our point of view against this author's point of view - which seems decidedly against RVing.
Perhaps he is working hand-in-glove with a Realtor?
My replies will be in colored text …
If you’re work-weary and ready for retirement, the call of the open road might beckon you to saddle up in a recreational vehicle and take off. No 9-to-5, the kids are grown and gone and the RV life seems compelling. Sell the house and move on!
The call to the open road has been calling me since my teen years: my husband has lived a vagabond life most of his life: so, when we married in 2023 - and decided to sell the house, our vehicles, cull our possessions … and hit the road with a 5th wheel and a new truck; we did.
Holland has no kids.
My kids kicked me to the curb when my first husband died.
There are no grandchildren to tie me to one location.
The road beckoned, & we heeded the Call.
%20&%20Independence%20(5th%20Wheel)..JPG)
Betsy (truck), named after Betsy Ross, & Independence (5th Wheel), in reference & celebrating freedom~May 2023
To start our Life together, fresh & unencumbered.
To see places we've never seen.
Places we've visited & lived in, since May 2023: we moved from WA to OR … and have visited all the other States since.
To make memories centered around US and the new Life we are building.
If you’re feeling that way, you aren’t alone. According to a 2021 study by the RV Industry Association (the most recently available information), RV ownership in the U.S. shot up 62% over the previous 20 years, and in 2021, a record 11.2 million households owned an RV. Sales at many RV dealerships spiked partly because of the coronavirus pandemic, but Progressive has seen a steady increase in the number of full-time RV policies sold since 2009.
Because neither of us had been snared by the covid madness, we were unaware of how the changes that the politically motivated hype would affect our lives moving forward.
Big changes had occurred during the politically mandated "reset".
And it’s not just retirees who want to hit the road. In a 2022 survey, Progressive found that 50% of RV owners were aged 18 to 44, while only 18% were 65 or older. Others now want to vacation in a self-enclosed traveling capsule that will let them avoid hotels, motels and even other people.
A LOT of changes had taken place since either of us had experienced the RV lifestyle we remembered and chose to enjoy, again.
It was the obamanite DC minions that caused changes with the misplacement of thousands of homeowners, who caught up in the {scientific} hysteria fled their neighborhoods in RV's to try to outrun the virus. It was the obamanite DC minions that caused jobs to be lost, motel & hotel rents to skyrocket with the overload and overflow of panicked people, and kept landlords from collecting due rents from renters who in effect, became unrepentant squatters with obamanite sanction.
It was the 18 to 44 year old RVr's that led to the severe changes concerning RV living and lifestyles. This age group takes a loooong time to mature. They were raised in public schools that told them they are carefree animals with the right to expect handouts … and so, they behaved as animals. They were rebelliously carefree. They left piles of garbage & filth everywhere they set up camp - leaving a huge mess that RV Park Hosts, Wal*Mart parking lots, Truck Stops, State Park, National Parks, and Rest Areas had to clean up (sometimes calling in a hazmat cleaning crew when filthy pampers were thrown on the ground).
There are too many RV's being driven by incapable people who hog roads; swerve haphazardly down the highways, freeways, and byways; and pull extra baggage like extra vehicles, and/or a wagon (a rented U-Haul wagon, or a homemade disaster). Insurance rates have gone up for everyone, to cover the cost of damages done by those who should not be driving an RV.
It was cost-cutting truck driving companies that hired mexican illegals unqualified to drive semi trucks - and middle eastern foreigner's, who cannot read road signs and drive wildly down American freeways as they do in their country of origin. They left piles of garbage & filth everywhere they pulled over - leaving a huge mess that Rest Areas & Truck Stops have to clean up (sometimes calling in a hazmat cleaning crew when filthy bags of excrement are tossed along the side of the parking area).
We were nearly sucked into a wreck in Castle Rock-WA, when a sikh driver parked on the side of the road, jerkily pulled his semi right out in front of us. Our 4x is a powerful, heavy, beast weighing 9,000 with a full tank of diesel & our 5th wheel is the size of a small studio apartment - weighing 16,000 pounds loaded. We cannot stop on a dime; it take miles to fully stop, even with the brakes on fire in hopes of evading a collision. This semi driver should not have been at the wheel. Insurance rates have gone up for everyone, to cover the cost of damages done by those who should not be driving at all.
But is retiring in an RV right for you? We spoke with retirees who spend much of their time in recreational vehicles for guidance on the cons of RV living in retirement. Key downsides?
“Emptying the sewer tanks. Cost of fuel. Rising costs of campgrounds. Having to manage mail forwarding, unreliable internet access for email and online banking. Managing deliveries from Amazon and prescription refills,” said Geoff Baker, a retired commander with the British Royal Navy who has been RVing across America since 2011 with his wife, Laura (their home base is Polk City, Fla.).
In the long haul, these [concerns] are just basic life on the road - they are not "downsides", they are necessities to a vagabond lifestyle. These concerns may be concerns to vacationers who think to escape work of any kind … but to a Road Gypsy, these things are just day-to-day tasks and chores that need to be accomplished: your RV is your Home: whether just a weekend home, a vacation home, or a full-time home. Your RV is your new home - homes have bathrooms with toilets - your new toilet empties into a holding tank while you are on the move; toilets need to be dumped … and they will need to be dumped at a Dump Station at some point.
Our home on wheels has 2 bathrooms; a 'Y' fixture added to the sewage drain to hook both bathrooms to one drain is worth the expense; no more running back and forth.
Your home is mobile - it takes fuel to move your home; it takes a significant amount of fuel to haul a 5th wheel or drive an RV Coach.
Internet service is reliable if you contract with a reliable server … RV Park Internet is sketchy at best, nonexistent in far-flung places (we've been road gypsies for 2 years straight, and have had satisfactory internet service at a reasonable price through T-Mobile).
Mail delivery & package deliveries aren't that hard to do on the road … the P.O. at your home base domicile will collect and save your mail for you to collect when you return (we are gone for 6 months stints, and our P.O. has never once complained) - Amazon packages can be delivered to your RV parking space, or to the RV Park Office, or to any number of Amazon Pickup locations stationed along travel routes (we have had packages delivered, with no problem).
Holland's Amazon package's was waiting for him.
Of course, if emptying sewer lines, refueling costs, internet concerns, and a copious amount of package deliveries is something that sends your blood pressure into the red … RVing may not be a good choice for you.
A Road Gypsy Life is not for everyone. There is still w.o.r.k. attached to it. And sacrifices - the "Good Life" is not a life of leisure … but it can be a life of pleasure if considered wisely.
Here’s what the Bakers and others had to say about the downsides of life on the road in an RV.
1. RVs are really expensive
Much of the core appeal of the RV-retirement lifestyle is the perception that an RV costs less than a house, or a “sticks and bricks” home, to use the lingo. But there’s a ton of “it depends” in that equation, and an RV that suits your needs can be a big investment. Before you can even set a budget, you need to understand the different options on the market. A quick primer:
Just as one would consider all angle when buying a stick and bricks home … the same rule of thumb needs to be applied when purchasing an RV.
Class A motorhome: These are based on commercial truck chassis and all the bodywork is by the RV maker. You won’t see a Ford or Ram front end here. While not all Class A motorhomes are large, the biggest, most expensive motorhomes are all Class A. On average, Class A motorhomes cost $100,000 to $600,000 but can reach seven figures.
A Class A requires a special driver's license to drive it. Holland would have passed … I know I would not have.
We passed on a Class A for several reasons: they are pretty, for sure. But they are also wildly expensive, and truthfully speaking - from our point of view, not worth the price tag. I also thought them to be too gaudy for my tastes; to me, they looked like upscale cheap.
We had planned on boondocking for the most part … something this heavy would not do for boondocking; it would get stuck in loose grit, and mired down in muck should the weather take a turn for the worse. We're outdoorsy people, a heavy chassis loaded with cheap bling would not work for us.
Class B motorhome: That’s the technical term, but it’s rarely used. Owners will refer to their van, or maybe their “Sprinter” (technically a Mercedes model that gets applied generically). While these might be heavily modified, they’re no wider or longer than a factory van that provides their chassis and body shell (though they might be taller), and this makes them popular among travelers who emphasize traveling, whether in urban centers or even off-road. On average, Class B motorhomes cost $80,000 to $200,000.
Same thoughts as above.
Class C motorhome: Generally the most affordable of the motorized options, though some can rival Class A in their fitments. Like Class A, these motorhomes are built on commercial chassis, but unlike Class A, they retain the factory cab. So, the driving experience — in particular, your actual view out — is more like piloting a pickup truck. Class C motorhomes cost $50,000 to $200,000 on average.
We did consider a motorhome - at first.
Then we rethought the idea: we like having a vehicle to explore with - having our home attached to our vehicle quickly fell by the wayside. The car we had at the time was a Highlander; the car could not be towed behind due to it's design. We did not want to rent a car to explore with - that was just more expense we did not want to have.
Trailers: The cheapest entry to RV living is to buy a trailer of some sort. A folding trailer, sometimes called a pop-up trailer, can cost as little as $6,000 and go as high as $30,000, according to pricing estimates from both the RV Industry Association and Consumer Reports. Conventional travel trailers (a hard shell all the way around) range between $20,000 and $50,000, depending on size and amenities. Of course, as trailer size goes up, so does the need for a capable vehicle to tow it. The largest of these, fifth-wheel trailers, required a heavy-duty truck whose bed is modified to tow them and run from $30,000 to $100,000.
We settled on our 5th wheel - we researched various sites and found a style that suited and works for our needs. We did the same for our 4x. The sale of our home allowed us to purchase our new home and new vehicle, cash down … with $$$$$ to spare.
We did not spend copious amounts of $ - neither did we go stupidly cheap; we are both frugal people, but we also understand that this is our full-time home, probably for the rest of our lives (we are in our 60's): whatever we purchased would need to go the distance & fit our needs.
There are things we are still working out - as we would be doing with any sticks and bricks home, too. But, we are content and happily living our Good Life.
2. You’ll spend even more money updating your RV's décor
Your taste in décor can differ greatly from RV designers, so you may be spending some dough upgrading the interior living space.
Nice picture - but, unrealistic for a home in motion (article pic).
This can be especially true if you buy used, but even new RVs can demand immediate upgrades to suit your taste.
As when buying any home … buy with your eyes wide open: revamping may be the goal, but reality has a way of nipping that in the bud. So, always buy something that you know you can live with.
If you buy with immediate revamping in mind, you are already setting yourself up for disappointment.
RVer Charley Hannagan, whose home base is Pittsburgh, described the interior of her family’s used 32-foot Jayco Precept Class A motorhome as looking like “a 1970s old-age home.”
“It was awful,” she says. “We spent about $2,000 to buy fabric to re-cover the furniture in fabric I liked, to buy melamine dishes that won’t break on the road, organizational stuff and sheepskin covers for the front seats.”
The Bakers redecorated, too. They replaced the mattress on the bed with one of a better quality for $900. Also inside, they changed out televisions, curtains and blinds ($8,000), added a home-grade refrigerator ($350), and bought new recliners and table chairs ($2,000).
We knew from the get-go that we wanted to purchase a nice new home that would fit our needs - without revamping. We wanted a reliable home - not a money pit.
We went shopping with a list of specific needs - wants are flexible, needs are necessities. Space to spread our elbows, and air conditioners were needs.
Plus, we had a puppy at the time; he needed space to grow.
Our Home Floorplan - roughly the same size as a small studio apartment; 400 sq ft.
Outdoor kitchen with pull-out grill, 'fridge, freezer, & ice maker.
We had a rambunctious puppy at the time; the leather sofa's needed protecting.
Air conditioner's & ceiling fans made life in 3-digit heat bearable.
We knew we wanted a washer & dryer set installed - that was done onsite before we paid for our 5th wheel RV; installed in the bedroom (a closet was sacrificed).
Full size Washer & dryer installed; located in the bedroom.
We knew we would replace the mattress with an electric frame and memory foam mattress; this we did as soon as possible, at a reasonable cost - and the mattress warehouse fellas, did all the hard work for us.
Electric-lift bedframe.
I also kept the cushy, comfortable computer chair my husband bought me for my birthday following our marriage … and I am sitting in it right now, as I type this (1 of the original RV chairs has been ditched; and another will follow to make room for a catch-all cart for Holland's stuff, near his recliner): and, like with any other home, we did add things like an oscillating tower fan for the upper bedroom, a tilt-safe space heater for really cold temperatures mornings and evenings, cooking appliances that save time & $$, a cargo net for the upper bunk in the bunkroom (I have turned that upper bunk into a pseudo attic), and also a space-saving clothes hamper.
Cargo net turns the upper bunk into my "attic" space.
Then there’s the outside. What RVs are made of varies, but with the exceptions of the Class B vans and aluminum Airstream trailers (and their imitators), it’s generally not formed and welded metal like a car. Siding, whether aluminum or fiberglass or some other composite, is more common. That was the case for the Bakers, who paid north of $20,000 to have their entire unit resided and repainted.
As with any home, exterior upkeep is necessary: and it is all relative. It is expected, so $$$$ is kept aside to tend to those upkeeps, when needed.
MPO is that RV expenses are pretty level with sticks and bricks upkeep; sometimes less, sometimes more - but it all balances out when truthfully tallied.
3. Your RV will depreciate in value
You might call it your home but don’t expect your RV to increase in value over time like most traditional “sticks and bricks” houses do.
All sticks and bricks homes do not [increase in value]; a lot depends on upkeep, maintenance, and locality.
While it is true that an RV is viewed as "a poor long term investment", you may be able to resell at a decent price if you take care of your RV - attend to needed repairs immediately, stay on top of maintenances, and don't do half-assed revamping … if you start, finish! And always remember resale value depends on presentation: keep décor salable; what works for you, may not work for anyone else - and it may cost you your resale price.
My first husband and I purchased a used 30-ft Taurus travel trailer in 1982 … I sold it in 1995 for a couple hundred dollars more than our purchase price. I was able to do that … with no additional upgrades, because it had been treated right.
If resale is in your future plans - be wise with how you redecorate, and use, your RV.
“With RVs ranging in price from $60,000 to $600,000, it’s hard to compare them to a home that’s paid off or near being paid off and find financial benefit,” says Margo Armstrong, who previously RVed for over two decades and wrote the RV blog Moving On With Margo. “RVs also depreciate rapidly; when you add in costs for gas, insurance, upkeep, food and the many other expenses of being on the road, traditional vacationing will likely seem to be a better value for your money.”
The financial benefit of selling my home and buying an RV was freedom - freedom from property taxes (though your 5th wheel will be taxed), freedom from levies funds, freedom from home maintenance and grounds upkeep, home ownership insurance (RV Insurance is still necessary; MPO is that it is less than a sticks and bricks home insurance policy) … I liked my previous home, but I love freedom.
When I lived in a sticks and bricks home, I always kept money aside for road trips anyway - and the vehicles always carried insurance; so, insurance on our 4x & RV was expected.
And we always keep $$$$ squirreled away for the unexpected - like the tire blowout we experienced on an Idaho backroad, on our way to an RV Resort:
Blown tire; be prepared for the unexpected.
It really all boils down to what suits the life you want to live.
There are exceptions: As with cars, there is a market for high-end, collectible RVs and trailers (again, think Airstream). But the cost of admission to this club is high and as with most collectibles, the wear and tear of everyday use can severely limit price appreciation. Do you really want to break into a sweat every time a branch brushes against your roof?
MPO is that Airstreams are ugly things - I wouldn't want one, collectible, or otherwise.
I like homes that are nice to look at, comfortable to live in, and functionable for everyday living.
A branch can as easily brush against the roof of a sticks and bricks home, also; in 1988, I lived in a sticks and bricks home that had a storm damaged tree fall across the end of our home's side roof gutter … and continued falling, where it damaged the hood of our Ford pickup truck. There are no guarantees in life.
At least, with an RV, you are mobile: with a sticks and bricks home, you are stationary and totally at the mercy of mother nature's stormy whims.
4. RVs guzzle fuel
Even with gas prices lower, you'll still want to think long and hard about what it’s going to take to fill your RV for rolling down the highway. Are you prepared for triple-figure fill-ups? Gas mileage in the single digits? Pushing a house through the air at 60 mph takes a lot of power, and power takes fuel. Plus, the biggest and fanciest of RVs often take diesel fuel, and while a diesel rig can be more efficient, the gap between gasoline and pricier diesel has been growing.
This is true - most RV's & RV pulled vehicles run on diesel. And pushing forward, and uphill against the wind, does use a lot of fuel. However … it takes a lot of natural fuel, or electricity to run and heat a sticks and bricks home (and heat unused areas): the price of diesel costs pitted against the escalating electricity costs - and the obamanite thrust to eliminate fossil fuels for home heat is a no-brainer.
Refilling propane tanks for heat, hot water, the cooking stove … is no more trouble than keeping firewood available for wood-burning stoves (for heat or for cooking); and if you keep your body excised and toned, lifting, shifting, and otherwise moving those propane tanks is not that taxing on the body - I am 68 years young, and lifting & shifting a large propane tank is not that difficult.
The costs of running a diesel vehicle, and the cost of heating an RV is a lot cheaper than a sticks and bricks home; a commuting gas fueled vehicle, or an electric vehicle - which also carries a high-end price tag to purchase.
“The price of fuel has certainly impacted our adventures,” said Nancy Fasoldt, who lives in upstate New York when not RVing. “We’ll winter in mid-Florida instead of South Padre Island, Texas because it is closer. And we are planning summer excursions nearer than farther from home. And we flew to Seattle to see the kids instead of driving. Sad to say, it was cheaper to fly first class than to drive the truck camper.”
Again, it boils down to the kind of lifestyle you want to enjoy.
A NY lifestyle is wildly expensive; so, if that is where you choose to stake your piece of ground … you will have to make big sacrifices in other areas.
When we left Longview-WA, we didn't leave anything behind that we would dearly miss. Traveling to far-flung places in the USA was always a dream for me; that my new husband was agreeable to do that with me, is a real bonus. As I mentioned before, there were no kids, or grandkids in our Life to keep us tethered. And I'd rather keep my feet on the ground, thank you: air travel may seem cheaper, but it's a lot more dangerous that road travel. MPO
According to AAA, the current national average gas price is $3.069 for regular gasoline, $3.901 for premium and $3.542 for diesel. If you're looking to cut costs next time you hit the road, check out these gas-saving tips that actually work.
We paid $9.50/gal for diesel at Pilot Knob-CA … but everything is high in CA, thanks to nuscum's disastrous CA mandates.
$7.50/gal in Death Valley-CA; all of CA fuel in bio-fuel, which costs more because of the process needed to meet nuscum's fuel mandate.
Under $5/gal anywhere along I-5
$4.74/gal for regular diesel, at Chevron in Long Beach-WA
AND Def additive is a requirement for diesel vehicles built and sold after 2008. dubbya was in DC Office then, so it doesn't matter which political party you support - they both work you over in the $$$ department.
Diesel fuel would be cheaper, and more effective if all the smog control BS would be halted; it makes no sense at all to penalize vehicle owners and let entire cities burn to the ground for political purposes. Also, air travel mucks up the atmosphere, too, and restrictions are not being mandated in that area of travel. The smog control hype is BS, plain and simple.
5. You'll need extra insurance for your RV
Your car insurance policy will likely extend its liability coverage for a trailer you haul behind your vehicle (you should absolutely check), but that’s a bare minimum and does nothing to protect the trailer’s value from loss.
Your insurance needs can quickly escalate, especially if you travel extensively or buy something beyond a trailer. Keep in mind, too, that an RV is bigger than a car and more challenging to drive (we’ll get to the gory details), making accidents, both big and small, more likely and potentially more costly.
The same can be said of a sticks and bricks home ownership insurance policy; all policies "quickly escalate" when circumstances require it.
A standard RV insurance policy will cover many of the same things as a standard auto policy:
Liability insurance (if you hurt someone else or damage their property)
Comprehensive auto insurance (theft, vandalism, acts of nature, deer strikes, etc.)
Collision insurance (damage to your RV if you’re in an auto accident)
Uninsured/underinsured coverage (damage to your RV or your injuries if the other driver doesn’t have any or enough insurance)
Medical coverage (medical bills for you or your passengers resulting from an accident).
In addition, insurers have add-on insurance for RVs. Costs will vary widely based on where you live, your driving record, what kind of RV you own and how much time you spend in it. The Hannagans, for example, say they paid about $1,700 a year at one point to insure their motorhome and the Mini Cooper they tow behind it. According to HomeGuide, the average RV policy ranges from $500 to $1,500 per year. Many RV owners, according to Progressive, seek coverage that includes:
Total loss replacement. This will replace your new RV with a comparable new RV (no depreciation applied) if you experience a total loss within a specified time frame, typically five years
Replacement cost personal effects. This covers your personal belongings inside your RV (and sometimes outside) if damaged, destroyed or stolen.
Vacation/campsite liability. This covers injuries and property damage when you’re traveling and living in your parked RV for extended periods.
Emergency expenses. This pays for lodging and transportation if your RV is out of commission due to a covered accident. Particularly important if you’ve ditched “sticks and bricks” to live in your RV.
Depending on your age, you could receive special discounts that can help reduce your premiums. Check out these eight ways seniors can save on car insurance.
Because we live on the road, full time, we have Full Coverage insurance coverage. Yes, it is spendy; but most of life is.
4x = $270/mo for the next 3 years
RV = $335/bi-monthly
Insurance coverage alone, eats up a big chunk of our combined income. MPO is that insurance costs are relatively comparative no matter what your home is, or what you drive - and AARP is not always the best choice, either. There are vehicles they refuse to carry policies on - like our F350 4x. They just flat out refused.
States require insurances … and insurance policies will drag you through the cleaners because they can: homeowner insurance is a Ponzi scheme, and basically your vehicle insurance coverage is jacked up to cover damages of all the UNinsured drivers on the road.
You cannot escape insurance - and they are all spendy.
6. Health care can be a hassle when traveling in an RV
Being on the road in an RV can mean being far away from your regular doctors and your insurer’s network of medical providers and facilities.
“Health insurance is the problem, not health care,” says retiree Nancy Fasoldt. “There are doctors everywhere, but the cost can kill you because of the insurance. HMOs, PPOs, in-network, out-of-network. Geesh. If you are in Bayfield, Wis., and need stitches, you can go to urgent care for treatment, but where to go for follow-up care that is in-network?”
Baker notes, “If you are pre-Medicare, health insurance is a nightmare as most plans are state-specific. Luckily, Laura and I are on Medicare and we get coverage in any state, choose any doctor who offers Medicare. However, for supplemental plans (Parts F and G) we pay an additional $400 on top of our Social Security-Medicare payments of $290.”
Turning 65 and going on Medicare doesn’t eliminate these challenges, points out insurer The Hartford: “Retirees who are already on Medicare Parts A and B will be able to receive hospital and medical care in case of a major illness. If you are on a Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage) plan, however, it may not cover you for anything other than emergency or urgent care, since your plan may specify that you are not allowed to see providers outside of your network."
As for prescription medication, Fasoldt recommends making sure that Walmart pharmacies are in-network in your plan, “because Walmarts are everywhere.” She also recommends asking your insurer for a vacation override if you’re ever on the road and need a refill fast from the nearest pharmacy.
I haven't had health insurance since 2009: I immediately cut all ties with health providers and insurances that included obamacare - it is useless and wildly overpriced. I pay out-of-pocket for Dr. office visits when needed (I very rarely go to a Dr. for anything - they keep me waiting, they over charge me, and they want to schedule appts. for things I do not need; appointments that take half a year to complete - and wastes a lot of fuel to meet all those useless medical appts.), I do not use pharmaceuticals - other than my asthma inhalers, which I pay for out-of-pocket; I live with death every day, I do not want a Dr. trying to scare me into age-related appointments just because I am "at that age". I have a life to live that does not included twiddling my thumbs in waiting rooms, or becoming a medical guinea pig. I have a standing DNR order which I carry on my person at all times. And my funeral expenses, when needed, was purchased and fully paid for in December of 2018, at the same time that I paid for my first husband's burial arrangements.
My currant husband takes blood pressure meds & uses an inhaler for COPD issues, so he has to check in with his Dr. periodically; and gets enough prescriptions filled to last 6 mo's. on the road, which he pays for out-of-pocket.
We are retirees living on my skimpy social security benefits & my husband's skimpy disability monies … and it takes time to save towards $$$$ in hand (medical, glasses, teeth), but this payment method works for us.
We live frugally; less bills with monthly payments, no dealing with collections if a payment is missed on the road, ect.
7. You'll have to deal with your own waste from your RV
Unless there’s a plumbing emergency, you probably think little about where the water comes from and where the waste goes when you turn on the faucet or flush the toilet in your sticks-and-bricks home. With an RV, it’s always front of mind.
Basically, your RV is equipped with a black tank for sewage, a gray tank for shower and sink water, and a freshwater tank. You must monitor the levels in all of these. You also have to schedule regular, er, dumps — of the waste tanks.
To that end, many locales that once offered dumping stations for RVs, such as highway rest stops and campgrounds, are doing away with the service (or charging more money).
Yes, dumping your sewage waste needs to be done on a regular basis.
Just chalk this up to home maintenance - a chore that must be tended to.
Boondocking is fun … but it is also extremely crowded. It is nice once in a while to park in an RV Park to dump tanks, take a shower, & do laundry - where there are dump stations, plentiful water, and space to enjoy your space without geriatric party animals carrying on like unsupervised teenagers.
8. Quarters are close in your RV
Even in the largest of motorhomes, your traveling companion is never more than a few feet away. If you require plenty of space, privacy and solitude, the RV life might not be for you. Some traveling partners sort it out by doing certain tasks — laundry, grocery shopping — solo.
Says Nancy Fasoldt: “Honestly, we never found the closeness to be problematic. Others have told us they have. But we keep busy reading, writing, painting, bike riding, walking the dogs. And, if necessary, we can pull a curtain to hide behind. We seriously like each other most of the time, so it’s not hard to be that close.”
It is true that some campgrounds have the hookup & sewer drains practically in your space … but I've lived in a mobile home park that was cramped also. Contractors are hired to build rental properties small, with postage stamp parking; and amenities on top of other renters. Even town lots with sticks and bricks homes on them are sometimes so small you can barely turn around in a full circle … and street parking, the only options for a vehicle owner, is very risky. Everything in life is a dicey crap shoot - your only option in Life is to chose which game you want to engage in.
The {closeness} of a small-quarters RV life has never been a problem with me, or my first husband - it was an issue in this new marriage for the first 18 months. Holland had been a bachelor for 2 decades before hitching his star to mine: he was used to a lot of personal space, a lot of solitude, and doing things his way. It took a while for him to adjust to sharing close quarters, making allowances for his personal Chatty Kathy, and bending to accommodate new ways of doing things in a shared manner.
Alone time has been worked out; and it's really not that hard to accomplish. Our RV had 2 good-sized bedrooms: the upper room, which is our shared bedroom; and the bunkroom, which is the spare room - can be used to claim needed personal space, for a crafting room, or for a reading room. We have 2 full bathrooms. We both have headphones to use if we want to be together - yet, watch a program the other isn't interested in - or listen to our own style of music. He can research places for us to visit, and I can work on a handcraft while scrolling through FB reels, postings, or updates.
Our Farmhouse RV Kitchen, livingroom-storage areas.
Bunkroom; the full-size sofa is a pull-out, full-size Murphy Bed.
The bunkroom is a very spacious room with lots of storage areas for my crafting supplies.
Both throne rooms have adequate leg room, vanity sinks, cabinets, and full-size shower stalls; my step-up shower stall.
My husband's walk-in shower - less stress on his back & knees.
Our bedroom has a full-size closet, chest of drawers, clothes cabinet, and shelving & underbed storage. Pretty roomy. Holland wrapped the edges of the wooden bed platform with foam pipe tubing, to smooth the rough edges - he is a thoughtful husband.
Me, checking Page updates; Holland; researching places to visit, mileage, and roadways.
As well as close living quarters … living supplies like food stuffs, water, cleaning supplies, ect. have to be carefully managed weight-wise, so we are not over-weight in motion. I was - for 48 years - used to shopping in bulk; shopping for 6 months at a time is weighty, and uses a lot of storage space: scaling back severely is necessary for a road gypsy lifestyle.
As soon as we secured the sale of our RV Home, Holland ordered some dried food bins … and I cut them down to meal portions for 2, and vac-sealed them. This works for or needs - the food packages are prepackaged healthy meals, and take up little cabinet space to store. Since there are only the 2 of us, it's gonna take a while to go through all the packages:
The dehydrated food 4Patriots food packages arrived in these roomy, reusable bins.
4Patriot Foods, 'Dinner Bell-Broccoli Bake' w-rice.
Holland is used to a bachelor pad homestyle: I like a tidy home, not a frat house mess cat interior - at least he has agreed to a hamper in the bedroom. We are still working on tidiness.
I think the earlier frustrations have been sorted satisfactorily … at least, we are living in a settled domesticity, now.
Thank the Lord.
9. RVs are a bear to drive
Even the most nimble of RVs — the Class B vans — require some adjustment for most drivers. The blind spots are massive and rearward vision is generally a function of mirrors and cameras. You’ll need a trucker’s appreciation for clearance limits (GPS navigation can help here). Rest stops, left turns and (maybe just don’t do these) U-turns need to be carefully planned.
With size comes greater difficulty, but attempting to dodge that bullet by sticking to a trailer is not without its own problems — chiefly backing up. Crosswinds are also no fun, especially with a hard-shell trailer. Either way, be prepared for a steep learning curve before you’re comfortable sitting behind the wheel of a 40-foot motorhome or hauling around a full-size fifth-wheel trailer.
The dealer will give you a basic introduction to your RV when they hand over the keys, but you’ll want some practical experience under your belt before you hit the road. Search online for RV driving schools in your area, or ask for referrals for instructors from the dealership or RV parks and campgrounds staff. Or, ask experienced RVers where they learned to drive.
Even if only one of you plans on taking the wheel, your traveling partner should also learn how to drive the RV in a pinch in case you become tired or ill. We saw RV classes ranging from $325 for an RV backing class to $895 for a two-day driving class for two people.
Yes, manhandling an oversized RV can be a dicey undertaking.
Thankfully, my husband is a pro at dealing with dicey situations: he has handled some seriously dangerous weather situations, and gotten our RV through some harrowing circumstances. He has turned our combined 63-ft length around in "ify" spaces that concerned both of us; and backed this RV (which is the same size as a small studio apartment - no joke), into spaces so tight, I was awed at his dexterity: there is no challenge my husband does not rise to and conquer with the calmness and patience of Job. I praise him highly to everyone who gives me an ear.
If the Day comes when Holland can no longer drive, we'll find somewhere to settle permanently … or, I will sell Independence in a heart-beat. Problem solved.
10. Overnight parking can be problematic with an RV
If just stopping to stretch your legs requires forethought, you’d better believe you’ll need to figure out where you’ll park your RV each and every night along the way. The #vanlife people with their Class B vans seem to thrive on finding public land places where they can park for free (yes, there are apps for that, too), but if you’re driving something bigger, want hookups or a bathroom with porcelain fixtures, don’t expect to live too spontaneously.
NOTHING is free - everything has a cost: there is a parking ticket fee for free access Bureau of Land Management lands.
Aside from RV parks and campgrounds where you can reserve a spot in advance, Walmart, Cracker Barrel, Lowes and Home Depot parking lots have been popular for overnighting in your RV. However, Nancy Fasoldt recommends calling ahead to ask the store manager for permission and specific instructions on where to park in the lot. Fasoldt says they’ve also had luck overnighting at Cabela’s sporting goods megastores. Some truck stops, rest stops and state visitor centers allow RVs, as do some museums, casinos and other tourist attractions.
We boondocked our first year on the road. Free camping, we found out, was not free: a parking ticket fee of $180/yr for free access Bureau of Land Management lands was required: we bought a ticket, but found it to be more hassle than it was worth - other RVrs crowded around our space, effectively narrowing the space we had hoped to enjoy solo lobo. Water was available, but the line was 2 miles long to reach it. There was a dump station, but the line was 2 miles long to access it. There was a garbage disposal bin, but it was always overflowing. We could not utilize our generator (bought for the sole purpose of boondocking experiences), without someone complaining about the noise (the desert temp reached 115-degrees, we both struggle with lung issues; we needed to air conditioners on full-time). The sunrises and sunsets were beautiful - the boondocking experience, not so much. We did not renew the parking ticket the following year.
We also purchased a Harvest Host subscription, too, our first year - and that was totally useless as 98% of the Hosts were waaay off the beaten trail, and most RV spaces are too small for us.
Campgrounds requiring a reservation we pass on. We want to enjoy our journey, not be rushed in and out of an RV Park … or slotted for a space we may or may not arrive in time to set up in. Reservations make no sense for us. And we've tried the RV Resorts - they are just playgrounds for geriatric party animals; we aren't interested in any of that nonsense.
We have made use of a Wal*Mart parking lot, or two; but most Wal*Marts are now redesigning their parking lots to halt over-sized RV's due to the lawlessness of covid RVr's that did not respect the generosity.
Lowes and Home Depot are requiring a call ahead to make a reservation for a spot in their parking lots. We aren't going to be doing that - most of the time we don't know where we're going to be by nightfall … or what time "exactly" we will be arriving.
Truck Stops are limiting overnight stays to semi drivers, only - if they have space for an RV at all, it is usually the size of an electric car, with little to no hookup amenities.
We have stayed overnight in a casino parking lot. The grounds people were friendly, but there are no hookups. For anything.
We have utilized Rest Stops, too; but always felt guilty, knowing there would at some point, be a semi driver needing to pull over, for his mandatory rest period. We didn't stay in the Rest Area slot more than an hour or two.
Mostly, if we we need sleep - we just pull over alongside the highway if we see a spot big enough for us following an off-ramp.
We have stayed on a friend's private beach property for a few months; but the dump issue eventually comes up, and we need to drive into town to dump our black tank - which is fine when the dry is ground … not so fine when our tires chew the soil and gravel up moving in and out of his driveway & lawn: we had a pump crew come out one year and empty our tanks on site, but it was ridiculously high priced, and they couldn't be counted on to come do the job when we needed the job done: when you have toilets that need to be drained, waiting until you can be got to, down a long list of other clients, kinda stinks (no joke). Holland & David are trying to find a workable solution, so we can stay longer, and visit more - and I know they can find one.
And we stay at RV Parks with spaces big enough for us - preferably pull-through spaces … but even these can be dicey, as most pull-throughs are not really long, or wide enough, for a 45 foot RV with the tail-gate up (down, Independence is 48 feet long). But, my husband is a pro with tight and difficult situations, and our tail-end has not been damaged with the curbed swing allowances.
11. RV repairs can be costly
As with a car, an RV requires routine maintenance and on occasion, even breaks down. But remember, it’s also a house, with the added burdens of water and waste tanks to watch, propane levels to monitor and appliances to go on the fritz.
“Much like your house, where you’ll have somebody take a look at the furnace every season, you still have those kinds of issues with an RV,” says Phil Ingrassia, president of the RV Dealers Association. “People need to consider the maintenance that needs to be done to keep their RV ready to go when they want to go on vacation. There’s nothing worse than you’re all ready to go with a family camping, and then something’s wrong. So you need to do that maintenance much like you have to do with a home.”
The Hannagans have experience with repairs. Getting repairs done can be complicated, adds Hannagan. While their RV dealer will fix things in the living area, it doesn’t work on the engine and chassis. For that, they need to find a Ford dealer that repairs truck engines and has the room in its garage to fit a 32-foot motorhome. “It’s difficult to get your rig into a dealer,” she says.
Hannagan suggests dedicating a savings account to RV upkeep and repair. Several years ago, she said, "We expect to spend about $5,000 to replace tires, install new brakes and other repairs. RVing is not for the faint of heart.
”For roadside assistance, the Fasoldts rely on CoachNet. “It is like AAA on amphetamines,” says Nancy Fasoldt. A one-year membership costs $179 for trailers and fifth wheels and $249 for motorhomes.
Truth.
Like any home, your RV Home needs maintained, repaired on occasion … and there needs to be $$$$$$ to accomplish that.
Frugality is a necessity.
12. You’ll need to get rid of a lot of your stuff
Meemaw’s hutch and your trusty table saw won’t be able to come along on this ride. That can bother people who have attachments, sentimental and otherwise, to certain belongings. Unless you can find a kindly relative, it costs to store these items.
When we started this venture, I did not haul much of my stuff with us - the house was sold "furnished"; I hauled large lawn bags filled with clothes to the Goodwill; I gave books, potted flowers, boxes of crafting materials, ect. away. I seriously cut down on comforting items.
Holland, on the other hand, didn't cull much … and still carries quite a bit with us. Our large underbelly {basement} is chock-full of things he refuses to part with. All the while carping about "weight" issues.
I had twice organized the man-minded [must have!] crap under there; and twice he totally undid all of the neatness.
Holland's 'necessary stuff' has now taken over this space: I now store my necessary stuff inside, wherever I can. Living in a small home requires creativity thinking.
I tried to keep the basement tidied, so I could just reach and grab what I needed without an endless frustrating search: now, I just let him dig for it; I did have everything looking neat & tidy; I just quit trying - it's a man cave mess now.
Now, I don't even look in the basement. I'm scared to - he's had 18 months of free-rein without restraint: God alone knows what a tangled mess has been created in that dark belly of our over-sized whale of an RV.
Seasoned RVr's, especially full-timers, know you’ll need to cull clothes and cut down hard on clutter — and not acquire more, even if you’re traveling through a world full of yard sales.
I loved strolling through flea markets, thrift stores, and garage sales: can't do that, anymore.
But before you donate all your belongings to your local thrift store, make sure you're not holding on to one of these ten old things in your home that could be worth a fortune.
We are both working class people - nothing we ever owned was worth a fortune … except in memories = sentimental value. And that, was precious little: and those things came with us because they didn't take up too much space, or weigh too heavily.
Holland kept his tools … I kept a gifted plant snippet, that is growing and thriving - I also gave into frivolity again, and bought a perennial holiday plant in Baker-AZ: both have to be packed carefully when we are in motion so that they don't tip, break, or spill dirt everywhere:
.JPG)
A Spider Baby gift & my Wal-Mart 2024 Holiday indulgence ;-)
13. The freedom of the open road isn’t free — and it’s crowded
Things get busy in popular haunts (article's internet pic).
Common complaints from RVers center on climbing rental rates at campgrounds, crowds at campgrounds and the growing likelihood they’ll be shut out or time-restricted at RV parks. Let’s look at the national parks alone. In 2023, 400 national parks reported 325.5 million recreation visits, according to the National Park Service. That was 13 million more than in 2022.
“Seriously, getting into a state or national park campground has become darn near impossible unless you are willing to play a game of chance, counting back the days AND HOURS before the spots are opened for reservations, then going online at a certain time of day and hitting refresh until the site open for reservations,” said Fasoldt. “Then it becomes a game of chance so see whose computer logged in faster.”
We don't play those kinds of games.
We drove through the Yellowstone campground (Independence has been parked at an {outside} RV Park an hour away), and saw how small the camping spaces were … and decided to forever pass on National Park camping. It just isn't worth the hassle.
Making reservations "2 years in advance" is ridiculous - who knows if we'll even be alive, in 2 years??? And there is a "no refund" policy. NO. We do not play these kinds of games.
And honestly? The "National Treasures" aren't really that awe-inspiring. There are more beautiful, wide-open, scenic regions to visit and explore that are more welcoming and enjoyable. MPO
And if you do succeed in winning the site lottery, you’ll need to stick by your reservation, which includes showing up on the first day of your slot and not counting on extending your stay. The next camper is right behind you.
Not for us: we want to enjoy our journey … and that quite often, includes extending our stays.
14. It can get lonely on the road in an RV
Spending much or all of your time in retirement in an RV means pulling up roots and moving from place to place. The lifestyle doesn’t work for those who desire close proximity to friends, family and familiar surroundings.
I have always been a Solo Lobo; even married for 44 years to my first husband, we stayed pretty much to ourselves. Occasionally, we met with friends, or sporadic family gatherings: but mostly, we were happy in our little, private, bubble of togetherness.
Not being with his brothers and their families … or involved with the oak point grange, every day … were big issues with Holland the first 18 months of our Road Gypsy Life. He had told me when we started our road gypsy journey, that he had "no ties to WA", but that really wasn't true. He had ties with a few local, living, family members and friends. Binding ties. And the lengthening distances wore on US for the first half of our married life. Life was hard at times.
“I like escaping,” says Allen Fasoldt. “But it’s often nice to spend time with relatives. Trouble is, if you go RVing to get away, you are trying to get away.”
Yes; I was escaping. Longview-WA was my first husband's town; there was a lot of missingness connected to Longview, after Bob's death: I was escaping. As often, and as quickly, as possible.
The concept of touring the USA with my new husband, seemed a grand adventure; and a fun exploration. It was also a great escape.
It seemed a wonderful Honeymoon Adventure.
But my new husband, though willing to travel with me … had left a large part of his heart behind. His phone was constantly blowing up with phone calls from those left behind. The Honeymoon vibe soured quickly. Life was sometimes hard. When our 1st Wedding Anniversary came around, we were both surprised, and trepidatiously excited, that we had reached that milestone moment together.
Adds Nancy Fasoldt: “Because we travel so much, our friends have gotten used to us not being there, so we’ve been slowly written off invite lists, no longer on speed dial. I look at myself as being a part-time person. Part-time here, part-time there. While fellow travelers make fast friends, it is only temporary, while we are in each other’s sphere. I do miss what I used to have in my home community.”
My true Friends understand me. They understand because they know me. I've always been a bit of a wild child with a gypsy heart. Other fair-weather friends fell by the wayside (their choice - waiting annoyed them; some were jealous of the freedom I was enjoying; some were unnerved by the troublesome 18 months of my new marriage in cramped quarters so far from home base). Those who stuck, were in periodic contact with me: they called, they texted, they read my Blog posts, & they checked my FB notifications. They knew I'd come around every 6 months, and I'd be making time to spend with them before being off, again. Part time has always worked best for me.
My husband needs to have his home community. So, while we are in WA State, that's what we do. Sometimes together, sometimes, he goes it alone - I can only [people] so much. He is understanding this about me, now.
And loneliness can have negative impacts on your overall wellbeing. Loneliness is linked to a slew of health issues, ranging from heart disease, stroke, depression, dementia and even premature death, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Learn more about the cost of loneliness in retirement, and how you can combat it.
15. An airbnb for RVs? You might want to try before you buy
You wouldn’t buy a home and move to a city sight unseen, yes? It’s probably not a good idea to sell your home and buy an RV before a practice run or two in whatever size motorhome (or towable) you’re eyeing. That experience — renting an RV for a vacation — soured a friend of mine on the whole retiring-in-a-recreational-vehicle jam.
Many RV dealers have rental vehicles, too. If there’s not one near you, you can find rentals across the country on several websites, including Outdoorsy and RVshare. Another, RVezy, calls itself “the Airbnb of RVs,” and it features RVs from private owners from around the country. Those rigs include towables, motorhomes, pet-friendly RVs, deliverable RVs and stationary RVs.I
It’ll cost you some, though; modest per-night rates don't usually reflect a bevy of fees. We looked at top RVezy rentals near Sacramento, Calif., a popular rental city for RVezy. This 2023 Wildwood X-Lite travel trailer (sleeps 9), for two nights in October, will cost you about $516 once all the fees are baked in — but remember you'll need to bring something to pull it with. A Forester Class C RV for two nights costs around $552. And this is before gas, food, propane and the fees for wherever you’re going to park.
Reaching the end of this article, I can only assume that the author is in cahoots with Realtors … and the participating interviewees anticipated glamping, rather than camping.
Holland & I have both, in our Pasts, spent considerable amounts of time in RV's of varying lengths, and widths: we knew what to expect.
We chose to live on the road, full-time as Road Gypsies. With our eyes wide-open, and exploratory adventure pulling us forward as we aim Betsy's nose down the road.
Everyone's road travel experience is different.
For US, we fully embrace it - all of it.
We like living free.
We like being able to visit the different States that make up our Great Nation; and staying a while to enjoy places that pull at our heart strings.
We like being able to move if we have annoying neighbors … or just feel like being in a different climate; or visiting far-flung friends and Holland's family members.
We live frugally; we will continue the RV Life until we no longer can - then, we'll find a beautiful place to set Independence, permanently.
The RV Life really is "living the Good Life", for US.
