How to Successfully Embrace the Full-Time RV Lifestyle
Full-time recreational vehicle life is only for some! But if you do enjoy using your motorhome or travel trailer as your permanent resident, it can open the door to countless benefits, such as:
- Unbridled freedom
- No homeowner’s insurance
- Cost savings
- Environmental friendliness
However, before you sell your home and take life on the road permanently, you should know a few things. The experts at RV Roadway in Calera and Opelika have outlined a few of our top tips for people living permanently in an RV.
Build a Community of RV Friends
If you’re a full-time RVer, it’s critical to build a community. This is because life on the road can get lonely, even when traveling with a spouse or family. You can establish a network of people living the same lifestyle to prevent and curb loneliness. Whether you find them at your favorite campsites or restaurants, building your community can help you connect and develop lasting relationships nationwide.
Cash Is King
From CashApp to Zelle to digital wallets to Buy Now Pay Later platforms, such as Klarna, we have more payment options than ever. While these payment options may suit most, permanent RVers should always stay tethered to cash. You never know when you may need it, but you will need it for various expenditures like laundromats and tolls. Even if a vendor does accept cards, cash will be your best friend when their card reader is down. How much you should carry will depend on your lifestyle, but $100 or $50 is a good rule of thumb.
There’s an App for That!
There are smartphone mobile apps for everything, including travel. Make sure you download a few apps to live life on the road. From navigation to finding fuel and everything in between, mobile apps can make your RV life more manageable. Consider downloading these essential apps for a stress-free adventure:
- Roadtrippers: Plan your route, estimate fuel costs, and discover nearby restaurants, attractions, and points of interest.
- GasBuddy: Locate the nearest gas stations and compare prices to save money on fuel.
- Flush Toilet Finder: Quickly find public restrooms wherever you roam.
With these apps and countless others at your fingertips, you can focus on enjoying the journey and creating unforgettable memories on the open road.
Designate Your Home Base
While you may not have a mortgage, having a home base is critical and can offer many benefits:
- Get a primary care doctor and catch up on appointments
- Take time to slow down and manage your usual life stuff
- Establish roots in a specific place
- Enjoy your local community
- Get a sense of belonging
- Designate a place to receive mail and packages
- Store items and retrieve stored items
Many permanent RVers purchase a piece of land where they can legally park. Alternatively, you can invest in a rental property where you can park and stay when in town. In either case, align your home base with the lifestyle you love the most. Whether it’s a wide-open space, mountainside area, beach location, or nearby family, you will want to enjoy the area you designate as your home base.
Don’t Be Afraid to Boondock It!
Boondocking, known as dry camping, is a unique way to experience RV living off the grid. It involves camping in areas without the typical amenities of electricity, water, and sewage hookups. You might boondock in parking lots, public lands, or remote areas where you can enjoy nature’s tranquility.
Since boondocking doesn’t rely on external power sources, it’s trendy in mild temperatures, where you won’t need to rely heavily on air conditioning or heating. For the most comfortable experience, aim for temperatures between 40 and 70 degrees.
If you plan to boondock for extended periods, you must equip yourself with a generator or a reliable battery system to power your appliances and devices. Additionally, ensure you have ample fresh water or access to a water source for drinking, cooking, cleaning, and hygiene purposes.
Contact RV Roadway to Take Life on the Road
Whether you are an occasional RVer or a full-time permanent RVer, RV Roadway can help you find the best solution. As the premier RV dealership in Opelika and Calera, AL, we offer a generous selection of travel trailers, fifth wheels, toy haulers, and more. Once you find the best RV, our experienced finance gurus will guide you to the best RV financing solutions. Contact RV Roadway today.
