I’ve been a long time gone now
The Chicks – Long Way Around
Maybe someday, someday I’m gonna settle down
But I’ve always found my way somehow
By takin’ the long way, takin’ the long way around
About a year and a half ago, I put two years of research and searching in action and dove into RV life. It was a bittersweet beginning as I had to part with my beloved Toyota 4Runner, Betty, and purchase a truck. While I was sad to see Betty go, I was ready to tackle full time RV living, and bought the most ridiculously luxurious truck this farm girl has ever owned.
This post is the story of my first year and a half of RV life and all the lessons I have learned so far. Some I knew going in, some were surprises, but all have been valuable learning experiences. This has been a solo experience which comes with its own challenges and triumphs.
Hi, my name is Eryn, and I am a coffee mug addict. Whatever you think you need to get rid of to downsize, get rid of twice that much. Seriously, storage is one of the biggest issues with full-time RV’ing, particularly when your trips to home base (if one exists) are almost non-existent. This means four seasons of clothing and gear, and everything you need to live. It is way too easy to start collection too much shit along the way. You need so much less than what you think you do. But don’t be afraid to keep some things that make you feel at home. I cannot bear to get rid of my coffee mug collection, but I only get to pick six to bring with me (excessive still, but it’s my thing).
Pro-tips: If you buy a new item, get rid of two things you already own. Think about how few items you regularly wear in your wardrobe (be honest with yourself), and then keep half of that. Switch out your items when you get back home for a little change (my coffee mug tactic).
One out of place item makes for a cluttered disaster. Perhaps it is just me and my streak of OCD, but if I leave just one extra item on the kitchen counter, or don’t put away the two towels I just folded, the place looks like chaos. My camper is approximately 225 sq ft. It does not take much to make things feel cluttered.
Pro-tip: I have found that keeping the camper clean and decluttered prevents feeling like the space is too small.
This lifestyle is not always cheaper. If you are smart enough and able to purchase your RV (and tow vehicle, if needed) for cash, then you are already a step ahead of where I am at. Payments or not, insurance for both needs to be considered (many insurance companies won’t insure for full timers). Maintenance is a constant on RVs, particularly if you want it to last. Seals need conditioned, the roof needs UV treatments, tanks need cleaned, etc. Gas prices and lower gas mileage while towing need to be factored into your budget. Lot fees and camping spots can be as much as a mortgage payment. If you are going into RV life thinking you are going to save a ton, think again. There are ways to camp free, but be aware that you won’t always find free spaces.
Pro-tip: Take the time to download apps like RV Parky, Allstays, FreeRoam and Gas Buddy to help save money. If looking for a long term spot, ask Hip Camp hosts if they are willing to work with you on a discounted monthly rate.
All RV parks are not created equal. My first RV park living experience was in a reasonably priced, but extremely well maintained, high end resort in North Carolina. Lots were level with beautifully maintained lawns, excellent amenities, community activities, and lovely facilities. The standards for how your RV and site could be kept were high. Because this was my first experience, I thought this would be the way RV living would be.
After four months, I moved to my next contract in Virginia and realized it would definitely not always be that way. The sites were so narrow you could almost reach out the bathroom window to borrow toilet paper from your neighbor. I have had trees that prevented the use of my awning. Long termers sometimes have sheds, tarps, additions, and miscellaneous junk worthy of the trashiest trailer park. Paved lots don’t always mean they are even close to level, and solo leveling can be a bitch. Most important, just because the website looks nice does not mean the park still looks like the pictures!
Pro-tip: read reviews, lots of them. Look for dates on pictures. Come up with a list of questions to ask (more on this next). Ask about dimensions of lots and how open they are.
Drag racing is the loudest thing ever. As stated above, not all RV parks are created equal. Imagine having had a conversation where you tell the owners you are looking for a quiet, out of the way place because you work weekend nights and need to sleep during the day. Imagine they say their park will be perfect. Imagine arriving at the park, and while setting up camp, you hear what may be the loudest engine noise you have ever heard, loud enough to set off alarm systems! When you ask the neighbor, “what the fuck was that?!?!,” he responds that there is a major drag strip (a big one, like the kind featured on the Speed channel) right next door.
Pro-tip: I have created a list of questions to ask park staff when I call regarding reservations that now includes: Is there a drag strip nearby? Is there an airstrip next door? Are they doing major construction or excavation in the immediate vicinity? Is there a shooting range nearby? Random questions you may think, but all of the above are from my personal and unfortunate experiences.
Windows randomly may explode, and shower bars may fall on you. Quality is not a factor in the production of RVs, particularly newer ones. I bought my 2022 camper brand new, but have already replaced the water pump. I have a track for the retracting shower door that regularly falls out. Last week, my living room window just shattered for no reason. Shit just breaks on them, y’all, and all you can do is take a deep breath and fix it.
Pro-tips: Keep a random assortment of tools, duct tape, gorilla glue, velcro strips and Alien tape on hand. Skip the warranty, the warranty company is going to be a complete pain in the ass anyway. Learn to laugh at the ridiculous amount of things that go wrong, and chalk it up to part of the experience. Join camping/RV groups on Reddit or Facebook for lots of advice and tips on how to fix things.
You will become more focused on bodily functions than an 80-year old. Suddenly using the bathroom isn’t just a thoughtless act. You have to think about enzymes in your black tank, flushing the tank, using appropriate toilet paper, and other such nonsense the house dweller never considers. At some point, mid shower, you will do the towel wrapped, shampoo dripping run of shame to open your grey tank so your shower doesn’t overflow. You will empty your black tank and think, “oh my god, do I really smell that bad?!” You will read articles and watch endless YouTube videos trying to find the best enzymes, tank cleaners, and flushing methods. If you were shy about using bathrooms in public, you no longer will be, because that is one less bodily function you don’t have to empty from your tanks.
Pro-tips: YouTube is your friend. Use public restrooms often.
Layers are good. For those not familiar with the heating and cooling systems in campers, it isn’t like your average home system. When the AC is on, you are freezing. When it kicks off, you are sweating within a short period of time. The opposite happens with the heating system. If you are lucky enough to have an electric fireplace like me, you can keep an ambient temperature a little better, but only in the main room.
Pro-tips: Dress in layers. Keep a couple of light blankets handy. Know whether your tanks are heated or whether they use the ducted heat to keep them from freezing.
If the camper is a rockin’…come on over, it’s just the spin cycle. The camper I purchased came prepped for either stackable or combo washer/dryer units. Prior to my camper ever leaving the dealership, I purchased a combo unit and had it installed. I can’t imagine life without this time saver. I work nights, so I come home in the morning, toss in a load of scrubs and go to bed. When I wake up in the afternoon, my scrubs are washed, dried and ready. While the unit may be a little small for an entire full time RV family, it is perfect for me. That being said, it takes a little getting used to the spin cycle. Your camper will definitely be rocking and everything will be rattling inside, especially if you have a smaller unit. Occasionally this wakes me up briefly. Mostly it just makes me giggle.
Pro-tips: Drinking or edibles will make the spin cycle a lot funnier. Make sure you know how to run a clean cycle and how to clean the filter. YouTube is your friend.
Ladies, be prepared to be underestimated. Having had horses most of my adult life, I am very accustomed to towing and backing trailers. I have had to learn a lot about full time RV life, but towing and backing are not something I was ever concerned about. In my experience, most men in the rodeo and horse world know women are capable and treat them like they are. This isn’t always the case with the well intentioned papaw a couple of sites over who thinks it is his job to either try to take over your rig, or over instruct you on backing up. I travel solo, so sometimes an extra set of eyes behind me is appreciated, but I have discovered that not everyone knows basic backing up hand signals or which direction to point. Most of the time, I am better off just going it alone.
Pro-tips: Learn to firmly say, “no thanks, I am fine.” Clearly communicate hand signals you expect. If you aren’t comfortable with backing up, find a big, empty parking lot at night and practice. Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you really need it (your wounded ego is cheaper than running into a tree or pole). Bluetooth leveling devices will make your life easier.
Would I make the choice again to live RV life? Hell yes! I love having a consistent home for my dog and I everywhere we go. I love the places I get to see and stay, and the people I meet there. Right now I wake up every day to a beautiful view of Mt Adams in Washington, on 20 acres that I mostly have to myself. How cool is that?! I don’t have to pack all of my things every three months anymore.
If you are interested in RV life and have any questions, I am happy to try to help. I could probably list another twenty things I have learned, but this post is already way longer than I intended. I don’t know how long I will continue my mobile life, but right now there is no end in sight. RV life is not for the weak, but it is worth it for me.
Pro-tip: Get out and explore.
Change Of No Plans 