Ever wondered what it’s like to live in an RV full-time? This guide has the answer to your full-time RV living questions!
Having a home on wheels comes with a number of perks, from constantly changing scenery to the freedom to travel anywhere in the country! Though, RV life isn’t all wide open spaces and scenic views. The magic of full-time RV living will certainly come at a cost.
Of those one million Americans who choose this RVer lifestyle, most will make serious adjustments to enjoy the perks of full-time RV living.
This blog will inform you of the costs, benefits, and essentials of living full-time in a home on wheels.
How Much Does Full-Time RV Living Costs?
The cost of full-time RV living can be as low as $1,000 or jump up to $5,000, depending on your spending habits and lifestyle preferences. However, there are some fixed costs you must pay when living the full-time RV life:
Campground Fees
Private campgrounds charge a $25 to $80 camping fee to park your mobile home. These fees can vary depending on the location, camper size, and facilities available at the campground.
These charges cover the cost of using amenities like electricity, water, internet and cell services, dump areas, hot tubs, entertainment sections, exercise equipment, and more.
Check out some of the well-renowned campgrounds and their fee structure to select one that suits your budget and comfort preferences:
| Campground | Fees |
| Inn Town Campground – Nevada City, California | $50 – $75 |
| Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park – Mill Run, Pennsylvania | $50 – $62.50 |
| Sun Outdoors Lake Rudolph – Santa Claus, Indiana | $30 – $55 |
| Ramblin’ Redwoods – Crescent City, California | $32 – $67 |
If you don’t want to pay these high fees, consider basic (more affordable) national parks. This is a relatively cheaper option, but fair warning: Most national parks only provide the fundamental necessities, including electricity, sewerage, and water supply.
Fuel Costs
Adopting a full-time RV lifestyle can lead to higher gas costs, especially if you frequently change locations. Filling an empty RV tank with gas can cost up to $300 with gasoline and around $400 with diesel.
The exact amount will depend on your motorhome’s tank size and the current fuel rates.
To save on expenses, consider staying in one spot for a few months rather than moving frequently. Additionally, traveling with less weight can improve mileage and ease the strain on your engine. You can also save on gas by filling up in states with lower fuel prices, like Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, Tennessee, and South Carolina, where a gallon of gas costs around $3.
Grocery Expenses
In full-time RV living, dining out daily isn’t necessary. Instead, you can save on food costs by cooking your meals. This way, you can enjoy tasty, budget-friendly, and nutritious dishes whenever possible. But remember that you’ll need propane to power your stove, which typically costs around $2.67 per gallon.
How to Choose the Best Location?
Choosing the best location when you’re a full-time RVer can feel both freeing and overwhelming. You can choose to live anywhere you can drive and park your RV, and that’s exciting!
But…you now have so many places to choose from. Where do you start?
I’ll tell you…
Where Have You Always Wanted to Live?
Go ahead. Dream for a moment.
Where have you always wanted to live but could never afford to move? L.A.? Alaska? Florida? Maine? Kansas? Make a list of all the places you think you’d love to live in.
Do Your Research
Dig deep here. Research places to park your RV. What are the local laws surrounding RVs? What’s the crime in the area? What’s the standard of living? What’s the nightlife like? Are there restaurants close by? What’s the weather like? Is there a season that you don’t want to be there? Do you have family or friends who live close by?
Paint for yourself an accurate picture of what it would be like to live there.
Narrow Down Your List
Now that you have a more accurate picture, it’s time to be honest with yourself and cross off the ones that are out of your budget. Take off the places that no longer excite you after learning more about them.
Once you have a narrowed-down list of places that you’re excited to see (and can actually afford), there’s only one last step to complete: find a source of income.
Can You Work There?
If your work is remote, then it’s safe to say you can work from almost anywhere. But if you’re relying on finding a job when you get there, then take the time beforehand to do a little scouting and find out what the job market is before you take the plunge.
There go! You’ve found the best places to live in your RV full-time. And the best part is, you don’t really have to choose. You can travel to each location, live there for a few months, and then move on to the next.
How to Find Suitable Work for Full-Time RV Living
The time has come to ask yourself: how do you keep an income when you’re a full-time RVer? There are three main options you have.
- Find remote work: so much is done remotely nowadays that whatever your skill set you can probably do it remotely.
- Find local work: You may choose to get a job at the different places you choose to travel to. Just keep in mind that the jobs that are readily available tend to be on the lower-paying side of things.
- Grow a passive income stream before you set out: this one takes time to set up. But whether you’re a retiree who built up a nest egg to enjoy in retirement or you’re a young entrepreneur who makes money from digital products while you sleep, it’s still a valid source of income.
Ways to Live a Full-Time RV Life Affordably
There are various ways you can make full-time RV living more affordable. Let’s take a look:
Tip #1: Practice Boondocking
Boondocking, also known as dry camping, is a self-reliant way of RV living. With this method, you won’t have access to water, sewage, or electrical hookups unless you onboard your RV’s water tanks, batteries, and generators.
You can boondock in parking spaces, rest stops, or natural settings (such as Lake campsites or forests). This approach can help you save camping fees, especially during longer stays.
You have options when you’re living in an RV. Just don’t make the mistake of assuming you’ll be able to find free parking wherever you go. While brands like Hipcamp and The Dyrt are making it easier to find the best boondocking in any area, some areas—especially in city limits—don’t have options for free overnight parking. So you will, at some point, have to pay rent. But be sure to check out this list of stress-free, overnight parking spots.
Tip #2: Join Camping Clubs
Many camping clubs (such as Escapees RV Club) offer discounts to members, like free boondocking, cheaper RV insurance, and road assistance. Joining the right club can help you save money during RV living based on your needs.
Tip #3: Indulge in Free Sightseeing
As full-time RVers, you’ll naturally want to explore various places and visit famous attractions. However, the cost of admission fees to the popular spots can strain your budget.
To manage this, opt for destinations with affordable or free admission. State parks, local theme parks, zoos, and museums often offer budget-friendly experiences.
Additionally, look for discounts you might qualify for, like those for military personnel, seniors, homeschoolers, or AAA members.
Tip #4: Option Use Free WiFi
A dependable internet connection is essential if you’re a freelancer or work remotely. Instead of splurging on costly cell service, choose an RV park that provides free public WiFi. Many private RV parks and campgrounds offer complimentary WiFi.
Alternatively, you can save on internet expenses by visiting coffee chains like Starbucks, which often provide free WiFi access.
How to Pack for Full-Time RV Living?
One of the primary hurdles in full-time RV living is choosing what to bring. Given the constraints of limited storage space, here are some strategies to help you pack efficiently for your RV lifestyle:
Basic Items
Basic items are the must-haves for full-time RV living. This list includes:
- Drinking water hose for clean water supply
- Blankets, pillows, and sleeping bags
- Shirts, pants, raincoat and jackets
- Underwear and socks
- Sneakers, trekking shoes, and house slippers
- Toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, body wash, and lotion
Emergency Items
Emergency items ensure you are always prepared to resolve any issue when RVing full-time. So, make sure to pack these things in your emergency kit:
- Spare RV parts to replace damaged ones
- Screwdriver, wrench, and other maintenance tools to take off faulty parts
- Spare tires to replace punctured or burst tires
- USB batteries for night
- Jack pads and wheel chocks to level your rig’s jacks
- Medical kit for injuries
- Health insurance and RV insurance documents
Kitchen Items
These essential kitchen items can help you save space and ensure you have everything you need for your full-time RV adventure:
- Coffee maker
- Wine and can opener
- Plates, pots, pans, glasses, and utensils
- Cutting board
- Stove or grill
- Dish towels
- Trash bags
- Storage containers
Considerations for Efficient RV Packing
If you are boondocking your camper van, you’ll need some essentials. For instance, you need more camping supplies like outdoor tables, lanterns, and coolers to relax outside.
However, if you prefer private RV parks, you can bring a propane fire pit, kayaks, hammocks, or golf clubs to make the most of your stay.
How to Buy a Rig for Full-Time RV Living?
If you are shifting toward the RV lifestyle, use these guidelines to purchase the right rig:
- Size: Your camper’s size must accommodate all the family members.
- Layout: The layout must fit your daily requirements, such as closed office space for work
- Tank Size: The size of the freshwater tank, black tanks (which hold toilet waste), and gray tanks (which hold wastewater from the kitchen sink) must be sufficient for long trips.
Wrapping Up
Ready to join the community of full-time RVers? Find the perfect RV, plan your route, find a remote job, and pack up your motor home with essentials and emergency supplies.
As you’re transitioning to this new lifestyle, you’re downsizing. Some things you’re giving away and some things you want to store – like your classic ‘76 refurbished El Camino that can’t come with you. But you don’t want to spend a ton on storage fees.
Neighbor is a peer-to-peer storage marketplace that offers safe, affordable storage for everything from classic cars to RVs. And their storage options are up to 50% cheaper than traditional storage options.
With Neighbor, you can find RV storage options in all 50 states. You’ll even find storage spaces in your very own neighborhood. Find listings (from pre-screened hosts) nearest you!
FAQs
How Do I Earn an Income While Living in an RV Full-Time in an RV Park?
Some options include remote work, freelance gigs, seasonal jobs, or even starting an online business. Some full-time RVers also work at camp, taking on temporary jobs at campgrounds.
How Do I Choose the Right RV Park or Campground?
You must research and plan ahead. Look for parks that offer the necessary amenities, such as hookups, Wi-Fi, and proximity to attractions. Read reviews and seek recommendations from other RVers.
What Should I Do with Mail and Legal Residency?
Set up a permanent mailing address through RV mail forwarding services or by entrusting dependable friends or family. However, establishing legal residency varies by state and may require research and documentation. Through RV mail forwarding services or by entrusting dependable friends or family. However, establishing legal residency varies by state and may require research and documentation.
