The mobile life is one with innumerable adventures and eye-opening experiences. Have you decided to take your life on the road? Whether it is freedom you crave, or a less burdensome and more minimalist life, living in an RV can have its challenges.
However, with more and more people leaning towards living a mobile life, you will likely find solutions and tips to everything you could have a problem with online. Here are some tips to help you get a better idea of everything you’ll need, what you need to consider and help answer the biggest question, “how ready are you to make a significant lifestyle adjustment?”
1-Everything needs to have a place
Just like anything in your house has a designated space, living out of a van should have the same principle.
However, the difference is that in an RV, you’ll encounter many bumpy roads that can get your items loose, and they are likely to fall everywhere. Plus, if you need to move out of the van for a while, you’ll need a safe place to park/store your mobile home. A smart decision would be to rent storage in your domicile state. And if at some point you’re looking to store your RV, it is more convenient and sage to rent a garage-style storage unit. For example, if you have your mobile home parked in Rockwall and need to travel somewhere far within Texas or a neighboring state but don’t feel like driving, look up ‘RV storage Rockwall TX‘ to rent space and park your van as well as store any extra belongings. This way, you won’t have to be worried about your mobile home.
2-Figure out everything about your RV
If you’re new to living in an RV, you might feel overwhelmed looking at the number of manuals that come with the van. You don’t need to be an expert to know your RV, but you’re likely to get frustrated when you’re experiencing heavy rain and can’t find that fuse switch.
Do you have a basic understanding of how RV plumbing works? What if you get a flat tire? Are there companies you know that can help you out? So, the minute you are done unpacking and settling into your van, get to know how it functions through a professional. This will help you learn to do an oil change independently, among other things. Knowing how to operate your vehicle will also mean knowing how it is doing. Establish a routine check to see if there is any general maintenance required. This will help you avoid long-term complications, especially if you plan on driving your van full-time.
While it is okay to rely on outside help for changes or repairs, knowing what is wrong with your RV can help you understand what is going on and save you from scams.
3-Sort your domicile and insurance
Living in an RV comes with certain restrictions. While the world seems like your oyster, and for the most part, it is, you also need a domicile as you don’t have a permanent address. Luckily, as the RV lifestyle becomes more mainstream, several states in the U.S allow RVers to claim residency without owning a piece of land or renting some property. South Dakota, Texas, and Florida are the top three states for full-time RVer domiciles. You will likely find insurance, licensing fees, and annual inspection requirements in these states quite reasonable.
Look into their RV insurance policies to properly choose which state domicile you should get. Is the insurance covering the liability protection? What about roadside assistance and replacement coverage for personal belongings? Pro tip: use a mail forwarding service like Escapees to send and receive correspondence, notices, and bills. While many correspondences have become online, there are some that you might need to get this service for.
4-Figure out remote working in your RV
If you’re earning through freelance and remote working options, there will be challenges you need to keep in mind and a solid plan to access the internet. Do you have to be online every day? This will affect where you travel often.
There are many areas where you will not find internet coverage. But more often than not, you will have cellphone coverage and can use your phone’s hotspot for work. Look into purchasing a cell signal booster, Wi-Fi boosters, and perhaps satellite internet. There are many also “work camping” options available to RVers now, such as HappyVagabond, and Workamping.com. You can utilize your time better if you’re near such camping places made for RVers. However, if you’re a full-time employee working in an office but want to switch to more flexible options while living in an RV, here are some to check out.
5-Be flexible and enjoy yourself
If you are new to the RV lifestyle, you might feel overwhelmed, but it is important to remind yourself why you chose this option. Mobile living sets you free. It allows you to explore life in a carefree and easy way. You don’t have a mortgage to pay for, nor long-standing bills. So, while the living situation might need some getting used to, it is important to remember to appreciate the step you have taken. Build a flexible travel plan to go to places easier and leave at any time if you’re not excited about the place. The ease of having room to remake plans will help you enjoy yourself more.
Conclusion
Living in an RV full-time might feel challenging initially, but as you get used to moving around and looking at beautiful sunrises and sunsets from different places, you will slowly start appreciating the beauty mobile living offers. Not only that, you will end up creating a community of RVers who share similar interests and can go on road trips with you. Just remind yourself to read the manuals, do thorough research, allow flexibility in your schedule, and most importantly, enjoy yourself in this new phase of life.
