Full Time RVer

By Malia Lane

Travel may be a passion of yours that you’re finally ready to pursue. It may be something you’ve dreamed of for years while you put in all those 9-5 hours or a totally new “wild hair” idea. Whether you’re retired or planning to work on the road, there are other important things besides money to consider. No matter how excited you are, this is a major life decision and should be considered carefully.

No matter how many other people you know (and envy) who have been or are fulltimers, not everyone is suited for fulltiming. Don’t worry, this is not a Cosmo-type personality test, but here are some things for you to think about in the privacy of your own home before you trade it in for an RV.

Are you comfortable with change?
You might think so - or at least you want to be - but this is a major one, not to be underestimated. Some people just can’t take a regular diet of the unknown and unplanned.

How much routine and order do you need in your life?
Not all fulltimers are on the move all the time, and certainly you can create your own style, but besides varying scenery, the traveling life is mostly all about change, staying open and flexible, and experiencing new things. If you value continuity and feel better doing the same things every day and seeing the same people all the time, it may not be the life for you.

Do you enjoy being around adventuresome folks?
I personally think RVers are some of the most courageous people I’ve ever known. So many from completely different backgrounds, but with some basic things in common: they have usually overcome obstacles, both great and small, to get to the life they wanted. They love to talk to other people who have done the same thing, and swap stories and share “must-sees” and “don’t bothers” about all the places they’ve been.

Are you basically a shy person?
This could work both ways - as both a detriment and a blessing. Since RVers are such friendly folk, you’re more likely to have opportunities to be greeted and included. But RVers will also respect your privacy, so you’re gonna have to put forth some effort, too. Sit outside under the awning and put out some extra empty camping chairs - greet other campers as they pass by your “yard.” You’ll be surprised what neat people you can meet that way.

How much self-confidence do you have?
Lots of newbie RVers have shaken in their captains chairs when first getting behind the wheel of a giant motorhome or looking in the rear view mirror and seeing a trailer being towed behind that looks like it goes on forever. And I’ve heard other people say, “Oh, I could never do that!” I say “bull” to that. You CAN do anything you care to learn to do. And little ole women drive big ole motorhomes every day. I see it more and more all the time, but I always get a kick out of it. They had the confidence to face and then overcome their fears.

How much security do you need?
I had someone once tell me that fulltiming is not a responsible way to live - that people should have more stability and security in their lives. Building things, acquiring possessions, putting money in the bank - these were the important things in life. Most RVers have let go of bricks-and-mortar homes and had garage sales to sift through what other possessions they could let go of. Most who put stuff in storage admit to not even thinking about it or missing it and wind up culling through it again to lighten up even more.

How much home maintenance are you willing to do?
You hear lots of people talk about one of the benefits of RVing is getting rid of all the chores associated with owning a “real” house. But your real house now is on wheels, and there are still many things that take time and money to maintain. Staying on the road and doing it safely means checking and replacing things as needed, as well as doing preventive maintenance. You have to learn new skills - like how to maintain your fresh water tank so you aren’t drinking moldy water, how to keep your wastewater tanks from stinking while not getting sprayed by grey (or heaven forbid - black) water, how to drain your hot water heater regularly to keep from having cold showers, and you still have to change water and A/C-furnace filters regularly.

I’m married -How well will we get along living in such a small space?
Some of us haven’t figured out how to live with the opposite sex in a mansion, much less a motorhome. I’ve asked married fulltimers for years how they have managed to stay married, sane, and live with someone else that closely. They all talk about having to respect the other’s differences and learn to compromise. They all mention being good friends, too - and when they start getting on each other’s nerves, they know when to go for walks alone - and when to come back to make peace.

I’m single - won’t it be lonely on the road?
Like anywhere else, you’ll be about as lonely as you let yourself be. I’ve found you can meet friendly people anywhere you go. There are singles groups for RVers with no intention of being a dating service, and those exactly for that purpose. Take your pick, but companionship can always be found, in my experience, as well as from others I’ve heard from.

So now you know some of the questions to ask yourself. All you have to do now is figure out if you like the answers.

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