Do you find the idea of living in an RV for a while appealing? Whether you’re ready for the ultimate camping adventure or you want to take a road trip across the United States, living in an RV for several months can provide you with a great mode of transport for travel and the experience of a lifetime. There are a number of benefits to exploring the world in an RV. Not only do you get to travel, but you also get to enjoy the comforts of having a private space that isn’t a hotel room. Some people even choose to live in an RV for several years.
Before you commit to living in an RV, you may want to take a few smaller trips to get an idea of what life on the road is like. Especially if you’re planning on bringing children or pets, you’ll want to get an idea of what your daily routine would look like.
After you’ve made a few smaller trips and are ready to commit to full-time RV living, here are four tips to help you to get started.
Have a travel plan
While there might be some appeal in getting in your RV and going where the roads lead you, you really should develop at least a general idea of where you’re going. One of the perks of RV living is really getting to take your time while you visit places.
If you’re planning on spending several days or weeks in the same general area, you’ll want to research campgrounds in advance so you have an idea of which ones you’d enjoy staying at and which ones are in your budget.
While you don’t necessarily have to stick to a firm itinerary, having a general idea of where you’re going and where you’re going to stay can help you stay within budget and ensure that you’re getting to see everything you want to see.
Pack the essentials
Living in an RV is nice because you’re able to take some of your personal belongings with you. You can pack your own pillows, cook with your own pots and pans, sleep on a comfy mattress and personalise your space with family mementos.
But as tempting as it might be to shove as much of your house into your RV as possible, you’re going to need to downsize. You’re only going to have so much space within your RV and you don’t want an already small space to feel even more cramped.
You’re going to want to stick to the essentials and only bring the items that you need to survive. For example, instead of bringing your entire wardrobe, only bring what you’ll reasonably wear on your travels.
Organise your space
Once you figure out what your essentials are, take the time to organize everything before you hit the road. Make sure everything has a space, preferably within a secure location such as a cabinet. While it might be tempting to decorate your RV with knickknacks and photos, remember that loose items might go flying if you suddenly have to slam on the brakes.
If you’re struggling to find a spot for everything, reassess to make sure you’re only bringing the essentials. Once you have a spot for everything, write up a list that details where everything belongs. This allows you to easily find items. Plus, if things shift while you’re on the road, you’ll easily be able to recall where they’re supposed to be.
Prepare for the unexpected
In a perfect world, your travels will go as planned and there won’t be any concerns. But things rarely go exactly as planned. A number of things could go wrong while you’re living in an RV.
The RV could break down, you might experience bad weather, or a family member could experience health problems.
The best way to prepare for the unexpected is to have an emergency fund that you can dip into during an extreme circumstance. You’ll also want to have an idea of how to perform basic repairs to your RV, such as knowing how to change a tyre, just in case you break down in the middle of nowhere.
It also doesn’t hurt to have a fully stocked first-aid kit so that you can quickly treat any minor injuries.
Final thoughts on RV living
Research, research, research! If you’re serious about wanting to live in an RV, know what you’re getting yourself into. RV living can be an amazing experience if done correctly, but it can also be a miserable experience if you’re not prepared. To further prepare for your travels, check out Camperism for product reviews and additional helpful tips.
