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Most people assume that to live life in an RV you must be either rich, a retiree, or both.
The truth is… anyone can be a full-time RVer! If you’re looking for adventure, want to save money, learn more new things, and live life to the fullest, then RV life is for you.
But before you head out and buy an RV there are some tricks and downsides to this particular lifestyle. And to help you make the most of any RV experience, let’s take a look at what living in an RV entails.
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The Cost of Living in an RV
The cost of living in any place is at the forefront of everyone’s mind. And just like any other style of housing, RVs come with their own set of costs.
Your cost of living in an RV is dependent on a few factors:
Lifestyle
Some people love all the luxuries that glamping RV life has to offer while others may prefer to go wild camping.
Depending on what you want and what you can live without will impact the overall cost of your RV experience.
Luxuries such as solar panels, smart controls, RV space, entertainment systems for outdoor or indoor, and so on can add to the costs Or if you want further ideas on how to remodel your RV, you can check vehiclefreak.com
Budget
Not everyone is a millionaire, and that’s perfectly okay! RV life is all about budgeting and finding the best deals wherever and whenever you can get them.
But for those who like to keep track of expenses, your main focus will be on gas, RV space rental, and park fees, phone/Internet bills, RV maintenance, and food.
And for some individuals, you’ll want to have a P.O box for mail.
On the Road vs. Off the Road Living
Speaking of gas mileage costs, on-the-road living will be different from off-road living. If you’re constantly on the road, then you can expect to pay more for gas and potential RV maintenance such as tires.
An off-road living will mean more money spent on RV park space rentals and some RV maintenance such as tubes and engine repairs.
Number of People
More people often means more expenses for bills and food. And you’ll need to make sure the RV is suitable for your group size.
Pets
A home just isn’t a home without pets. And while short trips are great for dogs and cats, some RV parks may have limits on pets. You’ll want to check ahead before renting a space to ensure your animals are just as welcome as you are.
In most cases, the most you’ll need to worry about is insurance, food, phone bills, gas, RV space rentals, and the RV itself.
And when you total all those things together, you still come out on top when comparing RV life to the expenditures of standard living.
But if you’re a numbers type of person, then you can expect the RV life to cost between $1,400 to $3,000 per month.
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Taking the RV Lifestyle for a Test Run
If you’re not sure if the RV life is right for you, don’t worry! The great thing about RV living is you can do plenty of trial runs and you have access to guides like www.myrvtopreviews.com.
You can always rent a fulltime RV and go camping to see if going full-time is something you would want to do.
But before you hop onto the RV life bandwagon, you’ll need to be ready for the downsides of RV life.
What to expect when on an RV trial run:
- Gray and black water tanks (sink/shower water and poop water)
- Large vehicle size
- Electrical and plumbing repairs
- Tire and engine repairs
- Late-night setups
In most cases, these drawbacks can be negated by finding RV spots with sewage hook-ups and saving up for potential repairs.
Finding, Inspecting, and Purchasing Your First RV
After your trial runs are out of the way, you probably have an idea of what type of RV you want to go full-time in. So, what should you look for in an RV before committing?
As a general rule, you’ll want to try out different RV models. To help see if the RV is the right fit for you, try to pretend to cook in the kitchenette, lay on the bed, get behind the wheel, stand in the bathroom, and move around the RV.
And since space is limited in most RVs, you’ll want to consider features that expand the RV or provide you with ample storage opportunities.
When it comes down to buying an RV, you can shop around by checking out RV dealerships or check online for used RVs up for sale. After all, buying an RV is almost like buying a car or home.
The Inner-Workings of an RV
With your choice of RV, it is time to learn how it all works. Not all RVs are the same and you’ll want to familiarize yourself with the user manuals and RV repair St George guides. You should check out soft start for RV ac for your air conditioning, compressor, and start-up issues.
The basics to consider up how to hook up the RV, towing, dump stations, how the electric and water systems work, and so on.
How to Maintain the Value of Your RV
RVing is fun but there may come a time where you want to sell your rig. To ensure you get as much of a return on your investment as possible, you’ll need to keep the RV in mint condition.
What to maintain on an RV:
Exterior paint
You’ll want to wax your RV every three months. And it never hurts to give your RV a good monthly washing.
Slides
Keeping the slide lubricated will make them last longer and look appealing for potential buyers.
Slider seals
Baby powder helps keep the seals from sticking to the RV.
Roof
Roofs will need to be re-caulked every year to prevent leaks and water damage.
Water tanks
Flushing your water tanks prevent gunk build-up and a monthly tank treatment will help keep bad smells and clogs away.
There are plenty of other areas to focus on ranging from keeping the interior as dry as possible to preventing sun damage to the seats. Taking care of the RV will not only benefit your travels but make reselling it ten times easier.
Final Thoughts
Outside of maintenance, trial runs, and expenses, you’ll want to consider all travel routes, destinations, and working while on the road.
Finding a source of income is easy, you can start a business, work remotely, or work for campground owners. All in all, we hope this guide helps you plan out your RV lifestyles down to the smallest detail. May your full-time RV experience be wondrous!
