A Complete Beginner’s Guide to RV Life

If you’re new to RVing, you could be confused by all the information available. You need to think about the different types of vehicles; the cost of living while traveling; where you can park your RV; and much more. That being said, with the right guide, you’ll see that RV life is not as difficult as it may seem. Therefore, if you’re thinking about starting your own adventure into the great unknown, then you’ve come to the right place! We are here to offer a complete beginner’s guide to RV life.

The Different Classes of RVs

Before thinking about the cost of living, finding the best place to park your RV, or kitting out your vehicle with all of the essentials you’ll need on your trip, you need to understand the different classes of RVs.

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1. Class A Motorhome

Due to their size, Class A motorhomes look like buses or coaches. These types of RV are often the biggest and most opulent motorhomes available (but some smaller class A RVs do exist). Class A motorhomes are equipped with kitchen and bathroom facilities as well as sleeping space for up to seven people. Therefore, they are ideal for large families or couples who want a lot of space in which to relax.

2. Class B Motorhome/Campervan

Class B vehicles are motorhomes or campervans. These RVs are the smallest variety and, from the exterior, resemble conventional passenger vans. Due to their compact size, most of these rigs can comfortably accommodate no more than two or three people.  However, this doesn’t mean that they lack the comforts that larger motorhomes offer. M Class B RVs have kitchen and bathroom facilities, as well as sleeping spaces.

3. Class C Motorhome 

For a lot of people, Class C motorhomes represent the pinnacle of motorhome design. They have a boxy design, like a moving truck, and often have an extended roof section that serves as a bed. Class C motorhomes are typically smaller than class A RVs. However, there are exceptions, such as the super C, which uses a semi as the chassis.

Tips for Choosing a Recreational Vehicle

We can’t make a beginner’s guide to RV life without discussing how to choose the right vehicle. Investing in a recreational vehicle is a significant (and costly) step that should not be taken lightly. This is why, before deciding on an RV, you should test them all. Renting an RV for a weekend is a fantastic opportunity to test drive the nomadic lifestyle.  This is far superior to a simple test drive because it allows you to spend more time determining what you like and dislike about it. This is a great opportunity to get a feel for a wide variety of recreational vehicles, so try out as many as you can. Checking out a variety of recreational vehicles might help you learn about features you want or provide insight into what you value most. Take the time to go around each RV and learn about the features and amenities it offers.

How Much Does RV Life Cost?

Living expenses in an RV can vary widely depending on your travel habits and preferences. Of course, costs will vary between states as well. That being said, the two main determining factors of the cost of living in an RV are:

• Daily cost: The price of food, campsites, and transportation may vary greatly from one region to another. It costs extra to visit popular tourist spots since that’s what a lot of people want to do
• Speed of travel: Taking it easy is always the best option when traveling on a budget. Weekly or monthly camping reservations often get savings over nightly camping reservations. Traveling at a more leisurely pace also helps save money on petrol
• RV insurance: There are a few different types of RV insurance. However, RV parks and campgrounds require liability insurance to protect you and other people from any mishaps at the campsite. Make sure to check your current coverage for any gaps before buying any RV insurance

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Living in a recreational vehicle is affordable, no matter your financial situation. This is because the amount of money you spend is entirely up to you. Some people choose RV living as a means of reducing their monthly expenses. Some people even come out ahead, while others are just about level with their old way of life. It all depends on what you want to do.

How Do Full-time RVers Make a Living?

Full-time RVers do a wide range of jobs. In fact, they are not much different from regular people who work from home. That being said, some people own their own enterprises; some earn a living via online activities, including blogging, Instagramming, and video-sharing websites like YouTube. In fact, Colorado has some of the best areas for digital nomads, which is why it’s such a popular destination for RVers. On the other hand, there are those who rely on part-time employment to meet their basic needs. Some only workseasonally and then go out to see the world during the winter. Many people get by for a time on their savings. Ways to achieve the change vary greatly from person to person. You must choose for yourself what will allow you to affordably support an RV lifestyle while still meeting your financial obligations.

What Are the Overnight Parking Options?

There are a number of places an RV could spend the night without worrying about its safety. The most common options at your disposal are:

• Campgrounds: The traditional RV parking strategy is to use campsites with connections for 110V, water, and sewage
• Boondocking: The term is used to describe the practice of camping in an area that lacks any kind of infrastructure
• Moochdocking:  Parking in the driveway of a friend or relative instead of paying for a parking spot

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Hopefully, having a complete beginner’s guide to RV life will help you decide whether you’d like to try it out yourself. The most important thing to remember is that it’s possible to live the RV life on a shoestring budget. If you do your research and spend wisely, you can accomplish anything you set your mind to. Therefore, get out there and explore! 

Author Bio: Garry Hall has been a writer for over eight years. Before that, he was an avid recreational vehicle (RV) enthusiast who spent most of his vacations driving around the United States. Now he travels the world while freelancing for Spyder Moving as a digital nomad.