RVing is something that a very large number of people enjoy every year, per some estimates around 46 million Americans RV or plan RV trips. Some of them are the so-called full-timers, so you might be interested in what does it mean to full time RV?
In the simplest terms, it means to live full-time in your RV. And this lifestyle has some great advantages for some people.
But, that it is living in your RV is not the only thing you should know about it. Before you decide to do it yourself, there are some things you should know.
What does mean to full time RV?
Full-timing means completely moving your life into an RV, but it isn’t a permanent vacation, it is a lifestyle. And this life is not for everyone.
It does provide advantages and opportunities, but other life circumstances could make it impossible for you. So, before you sell your house and quit the job, remember that there is a reason why most full-timers are retirees.
Who are full-timers?
Full-timers are people who like to and it is possible for them to live a nomadic lifestyle. For many people, just parking the RV in a trailer park is not really full-timing.
Some estimates say that there are around 1 million full-timers in the US, and that majority of them are retirees. But, in recent years the number of younger full-timers is growing.
Advantages of full-timing
Full-timing offers a lot of advantages to people who find the nomadic lifestyle attractive. It allows you to one day enjoy yourself in one place, and as soon as tomorrow be somewhere else.
Slow pace
Some people on vacations just want to go through a checklist of places they have visited. As a full-timer, you can properly explore them, by spending a week or a few in one place before moving to the next one you will be exploring.
Freedom to explore
You can go practically anywhere, the most convenient is to stay mostly at the RV campsites.
These you can find in or around large cities, but also in the proverbial middle-of-nowhere. From time to time, you can venture into dry camping.
Savings
Full-timing can be very cost-effective. For one thing, you don’t need to pay rent, and RV loans are much lower expense than rent. Also, you are living in a much smaller space, so all the expenses for utilities can be much lower than in a house or apartment.
Enjoyment
If you like to travel and every day explore new things and areas, living on the road can provide you with a lot of enjoyment. You can relax somewhere for a week or a few months. It depends on how you feel on any given day.
What is the full-time RV insurance coverage?
Recreational RV insurance is a form of liability coverage you should get when going on an RV trip, it usually has vacation liability as an option. But full-time RV insurance coverage can provide you with liability, health, and damages, including the loss assessment fees.
Is full-timing legal?
It is not banned, but only as long as you have an address of permanent residence, as it is required by many municipality ordinances. The solution for this is to just don’t sell your house. Instead, rent it or list it on Airbnb, which will provide you with a passive income.
Things to keep in mind before going full-time RVing
Before you decide to go full-time RVing, there are some things you should keep in mind or do before making this decision.
his type of lifestyle change is huge, so you shouldn’t make it too quickly.
Slow down
If today you think that full-timing is for you, on the first day of it you might realize that you were not prepared for the challenges. Just like any other lifestyle, this one has its own set of those. Get to know them and how to overcome them before facing them.
Suitable job
If you are working 9-5 in any industry which is not suitable for the nomadic lifestyle, full-timing is not for you. There are many different jobs you can do on the road as they can be done “from home”. But also, seasonal jobs are an option.
Explore
Before starting, explore other people’s experiences, and look for those that tell you what challenges and problems they have experienced.
Not those who will try to convince you that everything is nice. In the house, you need to mow the lawn and clean gutters every year, in RV there are some other regular chores.
Don’t over-plan
Neither before nor during full-timing should you make detailed plans. Allow yourself the freedom to enjoy the moment in the place where you are spending it.
Usually, life is what’s happening around you while you make plans. Let the things happen to you and go with the flow and your own feelings.
Make friends
A friend in need is a friend indeed, as the saying goes. And you should live by it. When you are living on the road, the nomadic lifestyle of full-time RVing, things can happen. Just as if you lived in a house. But on the road, you can’t depend on family and relatives.
Instead, you must depend on people who are your fellow full-timers and the rest of the RVing community.
Accept challenges
Every lifestyle or living accommodation comes with both good and bad, with conveniences and challenges.
The same is with full-timing. And you should equally accept both the joy and the problems that will exist. But also, it is a smart thing to always have a backup plan.
Full-timing is not for everyone, and there is no shame to go back to your house.
Conclusion
Besides the occasional vacation for a week or more, the RVing life can also be a full-time commitment. So, you should know what does it mean to full time RV?
It means to live in your recreational vehicle, but not constantly in one place. It has advantages and disadvantages to other lifestyles.
Up Next:
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Erick is a freelance writer and outdoor enthusiast. Growing up in Nairobi Kenya and now calling Glasgow, United Kingdom home. Sipping on homemade spiced swahili tea and enjoying a good book is his idea of bliss.