Heading out on the road full-time in an RV is an exciting way to see the country and enjoy a more spontaneous lifestyle. You’re free to go where you want when you want. You might experience natural wonders and meet some incredible people along the way.
Using an RV as your home base may be a big change from living in a house or an apartment. Before you choose your rig and set out on the road, take the time to consider what life could be like in your new home on wheels. You may want to learn some new repair skills, figure out how to stay in touch with friends and family or apply for an RV loan depending on your financial needs.
Here are some factors to keep in mind when moving from a house to an RV.
Use your space wisely
Moving into an RV means downsizing your available living space. The average square footage of a Class A motorhome, the largest variety of RV on the market, is around 300-600 square feet. You’ll be living in a cabin about the size of an average two-car garage, with much of the space taken up by furniture, a kitchenette and the bathroom.
Take the time to research your RV options. A larger vehicle may allow you to bring more belongings, but it may increase the price dramatically.
As you prepare to set up your new living space, consider what belongings are essential to your life on the road.
- Figure out the minimum amount of dishware, clothes and personal items you’ll need regularly.
- Instead of bringing along a ton of books or movies, invest in a tablet or portable hard drive that holds a large amount of digital media.
- Outfit your RV with multifunctional items like furniture that also provides storage space.
Your RV’s weight limit may also affect how much you can bring. Overloading your RV may have negative effects, from safety risks to lower fuel efficiency.
Giving yourself enough time to downsize before you hit the road might also allow you to save money on a smaller storage unit for mementos and keepsakes that you aren’t taking with you.
Get handy with repairs
Driving across the country and seeing the wonders of nature sounds like a blast. But what happens when you’re driving through the backroads of a national park and you get a flat tire? You might have to wait a while for the tow truck unless you know some basic automotive skills.
Living in an RV requires you to be able to handle basic automotive repairs and general household maintenance. Being on the road for months at a time means you might have to fix a leaky faucet or anchor your furniture to the wall.
Don’t forget about RV-specific maintenance, too. You’ll need to understand how to manage your rig’s electric and water systems, which work differently from those in a house. Make sure you know how to dispose of trash, recycling and other waste before hitting the road.
Start working your mechanical muscles now so you’ll be ready to handle whatever comes your way.
Stay in touch while off the grid
While there are many positives to spending time in the backwoods of America, like the beautiful landscapes, clean air and open skies, there is one significant downside. Cellular and internet service might be spotty at best and nonexistent at worst. For example, Yellowstone National Park’s almost 3,500 square miles are covered by only nine cell towers. For comparison, New York City has more than 7,000 4G towers spread throughout the city. While you might be fine at the visitor’s center or by major attractions like Old Faithful, you may find yourself camping in areas that have no service at all.
In cellular service areas, your phone’s mobile hotspot may be a good option for staying connected. In case of an emergency, a satellite phone might give you peace of mind while in a dead zone. Many new phones even come with Emergency SOS services as a standard feature, allowing you to reach emergency services while off the grid.
Be sure to develop a strategy to keep your devices charged. Research campgrounds and RV parks along the way that feature power hookups and invest in high-capacity power banks. Public areas may also feature Wi-Fi service, saving you from using your valuable mobile data.
You should also keep track of the closest post offices near your stopping points in case you want to receive mail or packages along the way.
Take it slow
Once you’ve caught the RV bug, you may want to drop everything and hit the road. Downsizing to an RV is a big adjustment, though — take things one step at a time to ensure you’re prepared. Moving from a home to an RV could be a thrilling next step in your life. Take your time, plan and get yourself ready for one wild adventure. See you out on the road!
Notice: Information provided in this article is for information purposes only and does not necessarily reflect the views of ceocolumn.com or its employees. Please be sure to consult your financial advisor about your financial circumstances and options. This site may receive compensation from advertisers for links to third-party websites.
