WHAT MOST PEOPLE DON’T TELL YOU ABOUT MOVING INTO AN RV
8/30/2024
We humans are forever seeking ways to be happier. There’s no doubt that living in an RV can be more fun than living in a sticks-and-bricks home. But will it make us happier? To avid RVers, moving into an RV might seem to be a no-brainer to achieve greater happiness.
After all, RV living gives you the freedom to:
Travel wherever you like,
Stay in places you love as long as you want, and
Take off on a new adventure at a moment’s notice.
Not only that, but all the expenses and maintenance tasks of living in a house vanish when you move into an RV, leaving you with plenty of time (and money) to explore new places (or just relax and unwind instead). …At least that’s the way RV life is presented on Instagram, right?
LET’S GET REAL ABOUT MOVING INTO AN RV
Here’s the thing. There are aspects of RV living you won’t find on social media or even YouTube. Most people just don’t tell you about it, either.
Quite frankly, moving into an RV has ups and downs, like any other lifestyle. Social posts and videos are made to get channel views and subscribers. The more fantastic (or dramatic) life in an RV appears, the more views and subscribers.
What you may not see is the mundane everyday routines and happenings of living in an RV.
Folks washing dishes, only to find that (oops!) the gray water tank is already full.
Messy, cluttered RV spaces when things don’t get put away.
Bickering with your spouse over where the remote was last put.
There’s no doubt that living in an RV has a set of challenges. There are many things you only find out after you move into an RV. Here’s what most people don’t tell you about living full-time in an RV.
1. MOVING INTO AN RV PROBABLY WON’T MAKE YOU HAPPIER
If you’re basically a happy person who adapts easily to change, you’ll probably be at least as happy (and maybe happier) living in an RV.
On the flip side, if you’re generally unhappy or you’re someone who is happiest with familiar, unchanging surroundings, that won’t change after you move into an RV. As a matter of fact, you’ll probably be just as unhappy (and maybe less happy) when you live in an RV.
Before making such a significant change, it’s crucial to reflect on what drives your current happiness or unhappiness. Consider speaking with a therapist or counselor to explore these feelings more deeply. They can help you understand whether a move to RV living aligns with your emotional needs and life goals.
Additionally, it may be helpful to try the RV lifestyle on a trial basis before fully committing. Rent an RV for a few weeks or months to see how it affects your mood and satisfaction. This approach can provide valuable insights into whether this lifestyle is a good fit for you without the pressure of a permanent decision.
2. YOU HAVE WAY MORE STUFF THAN YOU THINK
Moving into an RV means having limited space and a very limited cargo-carrying capacity. Most people who live in RVs have to drastically re-think what they really need to live in their day-to-day lives.
During the downsizing process, you’ll suddenly become aware of how much unnecessary stuff you’ve accumulated over the years. You’ll have to sell, donate, throw out, or find secure storage for everything you don’t absolutely need.
Starting the downsizing process can be overwhelming at first. However, there’s an easy way to start getting rid of your accumulated possessions.
Begin by identifying what you use every day, what you use every week, and what you need every month.
Then, decide what can be replaced by a smaller, more portable version.
After that, start at one end of your home. Sort items into clearly marked boxes–“donate,” “sell,” “bring,” or “trash.”
Pack just a few boxes every day and donate or trash as you go. Things you’ll bring can go directly into the RV.
By doing just a little every day, downsizing won’t seem as monumental.
3. SHARING A TINY SPACE WITH YOUR PARTNER WILL PUT YOUR RELATIONSHIP TO THE TEST
Moving into an RV can also be hard on relationships. Living in a tiny space with another person can be difficult at the best of times. However, living full-time in an RV can amplify this.
When you live in an RV, you could be stuck indoors together for days at a time if the weather is bad.
If you are a couple with issues that need ironing out, it’s best to do that while you’re in a stable environment where you can take breaks from each other.
That being said, if you’re a couple who loves doing things together all the time, you’ll probably love being able to share the best (and worst) things about RV living with your best friend and soul mate.
4. YOU SHOULD ALWAYS EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED
RV living demands that you be prepared for anything to happen and for it to happen when you’re out of cell signal range. Not that life challenges happen every day in an RV. But it’s always good to prepare for the best and plan for the worst.
However, even if you have a new RV (or you are fastidious about maintaining your older one), there’s a good chance it will break down somewhere along the way.
Always have backup plans in place in the event this or another emergency happens. It’s also good to be able to do at least very basic RV and tow vehicle repairs yourself.
5. SOME PEOPLE WILL CALL YOU HOMELESS WHEN YOU LIVE IN AN RV
When you move into an RV, some people—strangers, friends, and even family members—might mistakenly think you’re homeless or struggling.
It won’t matter how nice your RV is or how content you are with this lifestyle. Some friends and relatives may view full-time RV living as a last resort rather than a deliberate choice. They might look at you with pity and offer well-meaning but unnecessary assistance.
For some, living in an RV might indeed be a necessity rather than a choice, and it’s important to respect those experiences. However, the good news is that many people will enthusiastically support your decision and see the adventure and freedom it brings.
The RV community is welcoming, and you’ll have plenty of opportunities to meet other full-timers who understand and share your lifestyle. iRV2 is a great place to start. This forum is dedicated to the RV lifestyle. You can connect with others and discuss all things related to full-time RV living.
6. COMMITTING TO A MASSIVE LIFESTYLE CHANGE CAN BE SCARY
Let’s face it! Committing to living in an RV is scary for many people.
After all, it’s not like most of your friends will make the same lifestyle choice as you do. Some of them won’t approve of your decision and that’s okay.
It’s always a little scary breaking away from the herd. RVIA’s latest survey found that only 1.5% of all RVers choose to live in their RVs full-time. That puts us in a definite minority.
However, the majority of full-time RVers I’ve spoken to don’t regret anything about moving into an RV, except that they didn’t do it sooner.
7. WHEN YOU LIVE IN AN RV, YOU’LL DO MORE PLANNING THAN EVER
When you live in a typical sticks-and-bricks home, there are a lot of things that need to be planned.
RV living takes planning to a whole other level.
The RV lifestyle necessitates planning everything—your budget, destinations, places to stay, routes, rest stops, fuel stops, maintenance schedules, laundry, meals, and packing. If you’re working from the road, you’ll need to plan your work schedule, too.
Tools like those found within the suite of RV LIFE Pro—RV LIFE Trip Wizard, RV LIFE GPS App, RV LIFE Campgrounds, RV LIFE Maintenance, and more—can really help with planning RV-safe routes, fuel stops, the best places to stay along the way, and keeping your rig in tip-top shape.
8. RV MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS SHOULD NEVER BE PUT OFF
Nobody ever tells you that procrastinating on maintenance and/or ignoring repairs can compromise both your safety and the lifespan of your RV.
Tow vehicles and RVs take a lot of punishment just by traveling on highways. That’s because they carry a lot of weight, and their suspension system is constantly being pelted with lumps and bumps on the road. RV roofs are exposed to the weather all the time.
It’s important to inspect these and other RV components regularly. That way, you’ll catch little problems before they become big ones.
Routine maintenance on a schedule will help you avoid costly repairs and add years to the life of your home on wheels. Every RV has different maintenance requirements. Reading your RV’s owner’s manual is a good place to learn what needs doing and when. RV LIFE Maintenance is also really handy resource for keeping track of all the maintenance jobs on your RV.
EMBRACE THE RV LIFESTYLE WITH OPEN EYES
Living in an RV offers unique opportunities and challenges that aren’t always apparent from social media or glossy travel blogs. Whether you’re driven by the allure of adventure or the necessity of a new lifestyle, it’s essential to go into RV living with a realistic mindset.
Remember, the RV community is vast and welcoming. If you’re already a full-time RVer or considering the switch, we’d love to hear your experiences and tips. Share your stories in the comments below and help others navigate the ups and downs of this exciting lifestyle. Happy travels!
If you would like to reserve a stay with us and enjoy the Williamston, Greenville, Washington and Eastern NC area please give us a call 252-943-1699 or visit our website: Treeside RV Park
To reserve a spot, give us a call 252-943-1699