Pros and Cons for Fulltime RVing
You are at work, on social media, scrolling through many posts that are very aesthetically pleasing, and you stop because something catches your eye. You see this couple, smiling and camping in their converted Van, in the great outdoors. They look like they are having such a great time. You feel like you need more adventure in your life and are tired of paying a mortgage. You want to travel like the couple on social media! So you look at their blog and see all the amazing adventures they have been on and work remotely. You can do this also! Who wouldn’t? It looks so fun and so freeing. So why not?
There is much more than jumping full time into RVing than many people think. It seems easy, and simple. It definitely can be, but there are always Pros and Cons to consider with any major life change. That is why you are here! We will tell you our top Pros and Cons when going fulltime RVing.
Let’s start with the Pros!
You can work remotely! If you are lucky and have a job that can offer this opportunity, then you can work wherever you’d like at any time! You not longer have to be confined to an office setting.
This can be true for most fulltime Rvers. But cost efficiency is one of the main reasons for people going fulltime. No longer having to pay mortgage or rent, yard maintenance, yearly property taxes, major repair costs, etc. If you plan your trips and locations thoroughly, you can go days without even paying for a site and instead boondocking on public lands.
When going fulltime, you have to make major life changes. The things you thought you needed can no longer go with you. Downsizing can create a feeling of freedom and provide you a minimalistic mindset. When you downsize your personal affects, you also downsize your living area. We think everyone loves the idea of LESS CLEANING. Those that have pets may not be able to benefit from this Pro, but others can! A full deep clean will take you less time than a full sized house. Leaving you more time to adventure and have fun.
Travel has a new meaning. You may have a set destination, but you can take your time getting there, making as many stops as you want. You may come across the most amazing views and landscapes. You can follow the good weather and always have sunshine. This freedom is how you create priceless memories. If you could travel anywhere and stop wherever, you create long lasting memories along the way.
Renovating is all the craze right now. People are purchasing RVs and creating a space that is their own. Taking away the outdated valances and putting in custom drapes and counter tops. It can be a great way to make it so you feel at home in your RV. There are many ways to do this at a low cost with a huge result.
We have pointed out a lot of pros, but with these pros, comes the cons.
If you have the ability to work remotely, you need internet. Which isn’t always available, even though it is 2023. A lot of RV parks offer free Wi-Fi, but that doesn’t mean it is reliable and strong. Especially at a full RV park or resort, where tens to hundreds of people are trying to connect.
Rving can be very cost efficient, but every detail needs to be planned thoroughly. The cost of where you stay, the amenities, the gas, everything adds up. Then, when you think you have planned it all out, you need to fix an unexpected flat tire, or your water heater goes out. Being flexible is the key point for any RVer!
Weather can make or break a trip. You have to be very careful what you think is safe weather to travel in. RV’s can only take so much wind, or handle so much water. Water damage is a huge problem RVers come across.
If weather is affecting your travels, RV park availability is the next concern. With the lack of nice RV parks and campgrounds, availability is scarce and it can be very hard to reserve a site. If the park has limited availability, the price can increase, affecting your cost efficiency. So the freedom can go out the door and you might have to get on a set schedule if you want to make your reservations.
Although you may be able to downsize dramatically, you still need stuff! The storage in RVs can lack immensely. You can get creative and work around certain areas, but you can’t fit everything.
If you do decide to renovate, a lot of things are overlooked that can negatively affect your RVing experience. Some may go all in and it can be very pricey and end up costing way more than expected. You can add features that are too heavy for the RV and can cause towing issues. It may be a good idea for some, but may not be beneficial for others.
To recap; RVing fulltime is such an amazing experience, but it is not for everyone. People enter the RV life with a sticks and bricks (traditional home) mentality. It looks fun and adventurous but no one is really ready to experience the ups and downs that RV life has to offer. You can go so many places and have the freedom to do so, creating exciting new memories. Then you can experience breakdowns, bad rv parks, horrible weather and more. The only thing we can advise you, is to do your research, plan ahead, be prepared and flexible, but HAVE FUN!