Commonsense suggestions for motorhomers who wish to call the road their home.
By Deborah Elster, F389725
December 2014
In May 2008, the day after our youngest child graduated from high school, my husband, Bob, and I left Florida in our 1999 Country Coach Magna 40-foot motorhome. After 10 years of planning to become full-time RVers, we couldn’t wait one more day. We wanted to be singing “On The Road Again” with Willie Nelson. We had researched, taken notes, strategized, sold our belongings, and packed what we thought we needed. We believed we were ready, and on our way we went.
For all practical purposes, we did well in preparing for our life on the road. We knew we would not regret our decision to become full-time RVers. And we never have.
But as with most experiences in life, no matter how prepared you are, certain things do not become apparent until you experience them. Within eight days of starting our full-time journey, while on our way north, I began journaling. I wanted to record “lessons” that might be helpful to others also planning to RV full-time. Here’s my list.
1. I don’t remember what I was searching for during one of our first days on the road. When I asked Bob where I could find this particular item, he replied that it was “someplace” — packed in a bin in one of the motorhome’s underbelly compartments. Basically, his answer meant, “I have no idea where that is.”
Lesson: Before you begin traveling, inventory all your storage bins. Number the bins and label them according to their contents. Make master lists of what is stored in each bin; put one copy in a plastic cover inside each storage compartment, with another copy filed inside the RV. You must be diligent in updating these lists if you remove/change/add to the bins. If you are traveling with a spouse or other companion, it is best if one of you takes responsibility to keep the lists up-to-date. Otherwise, it is too easy to play the I-thought-you-did-it game.
2. On our way from Florida to Vermont, we decided to go through Kentucky, a state we had never explored. “Where is our campground directory?” I asked, preparing for our next overnight stay. “Underneath someplace,” was Bob’s response.
Lesson: Put all traveling reference material pertinent to your current trip inside the motorhome for frustration-free access.
3. Prior to buying our motorhome, we owned a fifth-wheel that we hauled with a custom Freightliner truck. I love to drive! So, I sat behind that truck’s wheel 90 percent of the time. Once we acquired the motorhome, I expected to continue as chauffeur. Wrong! Bob loved driving the motorhome, and he still does. On our maiden motorhome voyage, I fidgeted in the passenger’s seat. I did not know what to do with my time. This was a big transition for me, and it required serious discussion between us. I quickly realized that I would no longer be the primary driver. I needed to rethink how to spend my time as we traveled multiple days down the road.
As full-time RVers, miles on the road and time spent in various areas may be more than you are accustomed to from those weekend or weeklong trips. Living in your RV 100 percent of the time will be far different from residing in a stationary home. How you did things before moving into your home on wheels may no longer be the norm. So, be flexible to reshape habits and activities.
Lesson: Expect changes in your usual routine, and be open to them.
4. As we proceeded through Saratoga Springs, New York, we approached a bridge that was marked as being 12 feet 10 inches at its center. I looked at Bob and asked, “Will we clear that?”
“I hope so!” he answered.
Lesson: Full-timer or not, every RVer needs to know the height of his or her vehicle, or write it down in a handy place, for quick reference, safety, and nerve control, especially before driving through small towns off the beaten path.
5. Before leaving Florida, I was informed by my employer that my next assignment would be in Vermont. Having lived there before, we were excited about returning to this beautiful New England state, yet to a part that we previously had not explored. We soon found out that there were few RV parks in the area. We chose one on a lake, about 22 miles from where I would be working. I called the RV park ahead of time and explained to the manager that we would be there for a minimum of 13 weeks, possibly longer. I was quoted a monthly rate, and we made our reservations.
Upon our arrival, we were informed that we had been misquoted. The new monthly rental rate was higher and did not include electricity. At that point, it was too late to make new arrangements, and we were stuck paying more for our site than we expected. We also were informed that we were being charged a commercial rate versus a residential rate for electric. Since this charge was much higher, we carefully watched how many kilowatt hours we used each month.
Lesson: If you plan to stay in one RV park or resort for an extended period, have the rental agreement confirmed in writing. Fully understand how the electric usage will be calculated if you will be paying for it separately. Avoid surprises!
6. Prior to becoming full-timers, our longest trip in an RV lasted 10 days. Our living situation changed drastically once we moved into our rolling home. Although we had talked in advance about reducing our living area to less than 400 square feet, we didn’t fully feel the impact of that decision until we experienced it. For us, it was an easy transition. But for some couples, this change may be difficult, as fewer doors can be closed to give one the sanctuary he or she may need. Bob and I agreed from the beginning to respect each other’s time and space, and we have never had a problem in our reduced quarters. Remember, the great outdoors is just past your entry door, where you can enjoy all the room you need.
Lesson: Respect each other’s space.
7. We generally have found that some of the smaller parks not rated a perfect “10” still are very nice places to stay. Many Internet sites, including blogs, present information about the facilities that might not be mentioned in campground directories. Take heed in what fellow RVers have to say. We like quieter settings and have found a more pleasant lifestyle in many of the smaller RV parks that have not scored a 9 or 10.
Lesson: Refer to additional information sources, not just campground directories, when researching RV parks and resorts.
8. Power outages happen when you least expect them. We have encountered a few RV parks with faulty electrical service. Since I am one of those three-alarm morning risers, I use both electric and battery-powered alarm clocks; the battery clock rings last, just in case the electric is off.
Lesson: It is a safer bet to use a battery-operated alarm clock if you need to stick to a time schedule, e.g., if you are holding down a job. You don’t want to be late!
9. Ninety-nine percent of the glassware I started with on our full-time RV journey has broken. The glasses either cracked during travel or when I inadvertently hit them while taking something else out of a crowded cabinet.
Lesson: Become accustomed to drinking out of nonbreakable glassware.
10. It seems that something needs to be fixed, tightened, or cut on a daily basis. Searching for a tool to complete the repair is not always convenient or timely.
Lesson: Keep a multi-tool, such as one made by Leatherman, inside your RV. (My husband carries his in a belt pouch for added convenience.) Such a tool is almost on even ground with duct tape!
11. We spent one winter in New England. The RV park had turned off the water hookups for the season, so we utilized what was in our coach’s fresh-water tank. Upon returning to the motorhome after a Christmas visit with family, we switched on the water pump. We heard water running. Soon we saw water leaking from the cabinets under the refrigerator. Apparently, the water in the plastic line that connected to the ice maker had frozen, which caused the line to crack. If we had not turned off the water pump when we left, we would have returned to a flooded mess. Such a scenario can happen while hooked to any source of water.
Lesson: Before leaving your RV for an extended time, turn off all sources of fresh water and depressurize the water line. (Editor’s note: In this scenario, some technical experts suggest performing a full winterizing procedure on the fresh water system — besides turning off all water sources, blow out the lines and/or add RV antifreeze as well.)
12. Most, but not all, RV parks and resorts have free WiFi for guests to use. But to assure safety in securing your private information and Internet transactions, consider having your own capability for obtaining Internet connections. It could entail acquiring basic cell access via an iPad or Android tablet that is set up as a temporary WiFi hotspot, or establishing a dedicated WiFi network through use of a data card, such as MiFi. You now will be doing business, including banking transactions, from your “RV office,” and you want to make sure your personal information is protected. Plus, while you are in transit, you can spend time on your computer if you have your own WiFi source.
Lesson: Have a personal source for a WiFi connection.
13. As you begin your new lifestyle, you will bring more with you than you need. Bob and I are still getting rid of things after being on the road for almost six years. Here’s a good piece of advice that I heard from other full-timers: If you buy a new article of clothing, remove an older garment so that your closets do not become overcrowded. Space is precious!
Lesson: Every six to 12 months, clean out your RV cabinets, closets, and storage bins. Get rid of things that you don’t use.
14. With movement comes clinks, clangs, and various other sounds that can become irritating while traveling. Movement also shifts articles stored in coach cabinets and drawers. I’ve lost more than a few breakable items because of the shifting — the aforementioned glassware and more.
Lesson: Nonskid material is invaluable. Use it to line drawers; place it around and in between dishes and breakable cookware; and slip pieces between stacked pots, pans, and their covers.
The freedom experienced while full-timing is invigorating. If you approach the lifestyle with flexibility and excitement, your new encounters will not be looked upon as problems, but as opportunities to fully enjoy calling home wherever you hook up.