At this level, my household and I’ve been residing the full-time RV life for a few decade. Throughout this time, we’ve skilled our justifiable share of RV newbie pitfalls and have discovered lots of classes. That mentioned, there’s no motive it’s a must to make the identical errors we did, or the errors so many others make as they’re transitioning to life on the street. As a substitute, study in regards to the widespread pitfalls to keep away from so you may make your first weeks of journey a clean and enjoyable expertise. Following are the most typical RV errors that you simply’ll need to keep away from.
Dashing Into the Way of life With no Trial Run
Many individuals promote every part, purchase an RV, and hit the street inside a matter of weeks. That is what we did, and fortunately we had no regrets. That mentioned, some individuals understand after doing all of this that the life-style doesn’t swimsuit them after which really feel caught.
Sure, the liberty of RV residing is superb, however it’s necessary to keep in mind that it additionally comes with sacrifices: area, stability, lengthy showers, dependable web, and being close to household and pals.
For that reason, it’s good to take an prolonged journey for no less than two to 4 weeks. Mimic your meant way of life. Prepare dinner meals within the RV, attempt boondocking, handle your RV’s waste tanks, and see the way you deal with distant work (if relevant).
This trial run may help you identify if this way of life matches your wants earlier than going all-in.
Selecting the Mistaken RV
There’s no such factor as an ideal RV. Belief me, I’ve been by sufficient rigs to know that is true. That mentioned, there’s at all times a finest RV for you and your way of life. New RVers don’t at all times know precisely what their wants are, and find yourself shopping for rigs which are too huge for nationwide parks, too small for everybody to suit, or missing key options they didn’t understand they wanted. This results in discomfort and may finally result in adventurous individuals giving up the RV life.
Earlier than you leap in, spend time evaluating your journey type. Will you be staying in RV parks or going off-grid? Do you want a workspace? Are you touring solo, as a pair, or with children or pets? Tour as many RVs as potential, discuss to full-timers, and be sincere about your wants and desires.
Keep in mind that newer doesn’t at all times imply higher. Many older rigs are extra dependable and constructed with higher-quality supplies than trendy mass-produced ones. It’s additionally good to remember the truth that your wants could change, so chances are you’ll want to modify rigs just a few years down the road.
Neglecting Weight and Towing Security
One factor I’ve at all times been hyper-vigilant of? Weight rankings and tow capability. That mentioned, many newbie RVers don’t know that is one thing to pay attention to, and unknowingly exceed their rig’s weight rankings or their truck’s towing capability. This results in harmful dealing with, tire blowouts, or pricey repairs.
Know your RV’s gross car weight ranking (GVWR), gross mixed weight ranking (GCWR), tongue weight, and cargo carrying capability. Use a CAT scale to weigh your rig. In case you’re towing, match your trailer to your tow car—not the opposite manner round—and at all times go away a security margin.
Keep in mind that overloading will void warranties and will probably put you, your passengers, and different individuals on the street at risk.
Underestimating Upkeep and Repairs
Right here’s an unlucky actuality: RV techniques are fragile and liable to failure, particularly underneath fixed use and frequent journey. Many new RVers consider their brand-new rig will probably be “worry-free.” Actually although, RVs usually go away the manufacturing facility needing speedy fixes.
For that reason, we rapidly discovered to sort things ourselves and I extremely advocate you do the identical. Even primary data of 12-volt techniques, fuses, sealant checks, and water techniques can prevent 1000’s of {dollars} and a complete lot of time within the store.
Learn RV boards and watch YouTube channels to study primary abilities. Carry a well-stocked toolkit and loads of spare components (fuses, mild bulbs, water filters, and so forth.). DIY data and a well-stocked RV workshop provides you freedom and peace of thoughts.
Skipping Routine Inspections
Routine upkeep and inspections are so necessary while you’re an RV proprietor. A small leak at present can develop into a rotten wall tomorrow, and a frayed tire can blow out and trigger vital harm and a harmful state of affairs. Once you skip upkeep and inspections, you’re risking paying a complete lot additional for it down the road.
Set an everyday schedule for inspecting seals, tires, the roof, battery water ranges, and your hitch or towing connections. Preserve a upkeep log and replace it month-to-month, utilizing a program like RV LIFE Upkeep that can assist you out. Stroll round your rig earlier than each transfer and substitute tires each 4–6ß years, no matter tread.
Overplanning—or Underplanning—Journey
There are two completely reverse traps that many new RVers are inclined to fall into. They both attempt to cram too many stops into a short while or they wing it with out contemplating reservations, climate, or authorized tenting guidelines. Each may cause enormous issues.
Sure, you need to plan a versatile route, however you continue to need to have a plan and even a backup plan or two. Use sources like RV LIFE Campgrounds to scope out websites, verify opinions, and ensure street circumstances. Throughout peak seasons, e-book forward. In shoulder seasons, go away room for spontaneity.
Most significantly, don’t attempt to “see all of it” throughout your first yr. You received’t have the ability to, and also you’ll find yourself affected by burnout. As a substitute, journey slowly—two weeks per location is a superb rule of thumb. You’ll spend much less cash on gasoline and get extra out of every vacation spot.
Forgetting About Connectivity
Once we first hit the street, the one web entry we had was through our telephones. This was a difficulty as a result of we have been making an attempt to work remotely, that means we needed to drive to a espresso store or library each time we wanted to get work achieved. Whereas some campgrounds claimed to supply web entry, this was not often dependable and our telephones usually wouldn’t have service in distant areas.
To handle this subject, we invested in a very good hotspot and a cell sign booster. Later, we turned to satellite tv for pc web, which is a well-liked choice for boondockers. Simply know that even satellite tv for pc web has its limitations (energy draw, tree cowl, portability).
Nowadays we wish to have a number of choices. These embrace satellite tv for pc web, our hotspot, and our telephones, which respectively use two completely different carriers.
Ignoring the Finances
Regardless of what many say, RV life can be cheaper than residing in a sticks-and-bricks home. That mentioned, it can be considerably dearer. Campground charges, gas, upkeep, and insurance coverage add up rapidly, that means you actually do should regulate the finances.
Observe your bills religiously for the primary few months. Boondocking, work tenting, and gradual journey can all drastically lower prices. Campground memberships like Passport America, Harvest Hosts, and Thousand Trails may repay. Simply be certain they align together with your journey type, and by no means purchase a membership except you’re prepared to make use of it.
Disregarding Authorized Tenting Guidelines
One of many fantastic issues about RVing is that you’ve got your entire home with you wherever you roam. That mentioned, you possibly can’t simply park wherever and name it residence. Newbies usually make the error of overnighting in unlawful spots and overstaying limits on public land. Ignoring quiet hours is one other mistake many make.
Be a well-behaved RVer. Learn to discover authorized boondocking spots, Comply with “Depart No Hint” rules, and at all times name forward or verify signage earlier than staying in a single day in a parking zone. You’ll additionally need to choose up trash, hold noise down, and respect keep limits.
Loneliness and Burnout
Usually, RV life is portrayed as a glamorous factor, and generally it’s. That mentioned, there are additionally some components of RV residing which are decidedly un-glamorous.
One of many least glamorous issues? The loneliness that may set in when touring full-time. Fixed journey, unfamiliar locations, and the shortage of a help community can put on you down.
The perfect factor we did about this? Constructing our group deliberately. We joined teams like Escapees, Fulltime Households, and the Republic of Nomads and attended rallies and convergences. Nowadays we be in contact with pals—even when it’s only a common video name—and make some extent of assembly up with our journey buddies often, generally touring with them for prolonged intervals of time.
By avoiding these primary errors, you’ll be a number of steps forward of the typical beginner RVer. Positive, you’ll in all probability nonetheless discover some errors to make, however you’ll have a strong basis to construct upon, so that you’ll have the ability to discover your footing once more very quickly and proceed your RV adventures.
