Chickery's Travels

Chickery's Travels logo. A blue-green Earth globe with continents surrounded by dots with an arrow denoting movement or travel and "Chickery's Travels" as part of the dotted circle. Next to this is a photo of their blue and white Arctic Fox 5th Wheel with the awning out.
  • Home
  • Campground Reviews
    • The Best U.S. National Park Campgrounds
    • 28 Must-See State Park Campgrounds You Can’t Miss
    • Alternatives To National Park Campgrounds: Discover Hidden Gems Just Outside the Park Boundaries
    • Best Luxury RV Resorts For All RV Types
    • Best Waterfront Campgrounds For Every Budget
    • Alabama
      • Gunter Hill Campground (Montgomery, Alabama)
    • Arizona
      • Best Campgrounds in Arizona
      • Aspen Campground (Payson, Arizona)
      • LazyDays KOA (Tucson, Arizona)
      • Lost Dutchman State Park (Phoenix, AZ)
    • Arkansas
      • Catherine’s Landing (Hot Springs, Arkansas)
      • Downtown Riverside RV Park (Little Rock, Arkansas)
    • California
      • Best Campgrounds in California
      • Crescent City Redwoods KOA (Crescent City, California)
      • Sea Breeze RV Park (Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station)
    • Delaware
      • Cape Henlopen State Park (Lewes, Delaware)
    • Florida
      • Best Campgrounds in Florida
      • Blue Angel Naval Recreation Area (Pensacola, FL)
      • Jonathan Dickinson State Park (Southeast FL)
      • LazyDays RV Resort (Tampa, FL)
      • MacDill AFB FamCamp (Tampa, FL)
      • Military Camping in Key West
      • Patrick AFB FamCamp (Cocoa Beach, FL)
      • Rainbow Springs State Park & Campground (Ocala, FL)
      • Walt Disney World’s Fort Wilderness (Orlando, FL)
        • Halloween at Disney’s Fort Wilderness
        • Chickery’s Travels Podcast Episode 5: Fort Wilderness Campground Review
    • Maryland
      • Cherry Hill Park (College Park, Maryland)
    • Michigan
      • Port Huron KOA (Kimball, Michigan)
    • Nevada
      • Las Vegas RV Campgrounds: Nellis Air Force Base and Lake Mead RV Village
      • Boondocking Near Las Vegas
    • New Hampshire
      • Lincoln / Woodstock KOA (New Hampshire)
    • New York
      • Round Pond Recreation Area (West Point, NY)
    • North Carolina
      • Outer Banks West / Currituck Sound KOA (Coinjock, North Carolina)
    • Oklahoma
      • Oklahoma City East KOA (Choctaw, Oklahoma)
    • Texas
      • Best Campgrounds in Texas
      • Alsatian RV Resort (Castroville, Texas)
      • Maverick Ranch (Lajitas, Texas)
      • Texas Wine Country Jellystone (Fredericksburg, Texas)
    • Tennessee
      • Camp Margaritaville (Pigeon Forge, TN)
      • Crossville I-40 KOA (Crossville, TN)
      • Midway RV Park (Memphis, TN)
    • Virginia
      • Complete Guide to Camping at Shenandoah National Park
      • Fort Belvoir Travel Camp (Alexandria, VA)
      • Harrisonburg / Shenandoah Valley KOA (Broadway, Virginia)
      • Shenandoah Views Campground (Luray, Virginia)
      • Lynchburg / Blue Ridge Parkway KOA (Monroe, Virginia)
      • Shenandoah River State Park (Bentonville, Virginia)
    • Washington
      • Crescent Bar RV Resort (Quincy, Washington)
    • West Virginia
      • Harper’s Ferry KOA (Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia)
  • USA
    • Alaska
      • 5 Things You Can’t Miss On Your First Trip To Alaska
    • Arizona
      • Apache Trail: A Crazy, Scary, Beautiful Drive
      • Lost Dutchman State Park (Phoenix, Arizona)
      • Phoenix Faves: Best Activities to Enjoy on Your Arizona Vacation
    • District of Columbia
      • Budget Friendly Fun in Washington D.C.
      • Favorite Hikes near Washington DC
      • Indoor Skydiving and TopGolf: Just Another Day of Family Fun!
    • Florida
      • Best Walt Disney World Festivals For Adults
      • Blowing Rocks Preserve – Jupiter Island, Florida
      • Bok Tower Gardens
      • Daytona Beach – The World’s Most Famous Beach
      • Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
      • Gasparilla – Tampa’s Pirate Invasion
      • 3 Days on the Nature Coast 
      • Florida Freshwater Springs on the Nature Coast
      • Halloween at Disney’s Fort Wilderness
      • Kennedy Space Center – Cape Canaveral
      • Island Hopping at Honeymoon Island and Caladesi Island State Parks
      • Must See Sights in St. Augustine, FL – America’s Oldest City
      • Rainbow Springs State Park & Campground (Dunnellon, Florida)
      • Enjoy the Best of Sunny Sarasota
      • Tampa
        • Get Back to Nature in Tampa Bay
        • Take Me Out to the Ball Game – Spring Training in Tampa, FL
        • The 5 Best Beaches in the Tampa Bay Area
        • Why We Love Tampa
      • Tarpon Springs – The Gulf Coast Town with Greek Flavor
      • Top 5 Things to Do on Florida’s Space Coast
      • What Not to Do When Kayaking on the Weeki Wachee River
      • Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure
    • Georgia
      • Visiting Atlanta? Don’t Miss These Civil Rights Museums
    • Hawaii
      • Everything You Need to Know About Camping in a Jeep Wrangler in Hawaii
    • Illinois
      • One Day In The Windy City – Chicago Itinerary
    • Maine
      • Coastal Maine Road Trip
      • Discover the Beauty of Monhegan Island, Maine
      • Acadia National Park: Highlights You Can’t Miss
    • Nevada
      • Best Campgrounds in Nevada
      • Las Vegas RV Campgrounds: Nellis Air Force Base and Lake Mead RV Village
    • North Carolina
      • Complete Guide to Great Smoky Mountains National Park
      • Uncover the Coastal Charm of North Carolina’s Outer Banks | A Guide for Visitors
    • Tennessee
      • Complete Guide to Great Smoky Mountains National Park
      • Burgess Falls: 3 For 1 Waterfall Special
      • National Civil Rights Museum – Memphis, TN
      • Window Cliffs, TN – I’m Not Afraid of Heights, But I am Afraid of Falling!
      • WWII History in Tennessee
    • Texas
      • Best Restaurants in Fredericksburg
      • Enjoy a Bird’s Eye View of Texas Hill Country
      • Explore Nature’s Untamed Beauty at Big Bend National Park
    • Virginia
      • Explore Great Falls Park, Virginia
  • RV Resources
    • 3 Simple Steps to Find the Best RV Campgrounds
    • 5 Years Full-Time RV: Lessons Learned & Biggest Regret
    • Boondocking – What We Learned From Our First Dry Camping Experience
    • Tips for Boondocking Success
    • Essential RV Gear
      • Essential RV Gear Guide
      • DIY RV Power & Solar Upgrade
      • RV Must Have: Tire Pressure Monitoring System
      • RV SnapPads Product Review
      • RVLOCK Keyless Entry Door Handle Installation and Review
      • Shop “RV Local” With TechnoRV
      • Top RV Gadgets & Accessories
      • WeBoost Cellular Booster Review
    • Maintenance
      • DIY RV Power & Solar Upgrade
      • DIY Power Upgrade – “Solar Ready” Arctic Fox Fifth Wheel
      • An Easy Way to Protect Your RV Water Heater
      • Easy DIY Project to Protect Your RV Water System
      • How to Reduce the Likelihood of Tire Blowouts on your RV
      • Odor Free RV Black Tank Tips
      • RV Condensation: What It Is, What It Does, and How To Stop It
      • RV Roofs – What You Need to Know
    • Living in an RV
      • 9 Lessons From 2 1/2 Years on the Road
      • Biggest Regret Full-Time RV Living
      • Dealing with my Biggest Full-Time Travel Struggle, Missing Family While Traveling
      • Downsizing: 3 Areas That Make The Biggest Impact
      • Full-Time RV: 2019 Year in Review
      • Full-Time RV: 2018 Year in Review
      • Full-Time RV Travel – 2017 Year In Review
      • How Full-Time RVers Celebrate the Holidays
      • Get Ready for Full-Time RV Travel
      • Internet Solutions for RV Travelers
      • The Ultimate Guide to Embracing the Full-Time RV Lifestyle
      • Living in a Tiny, Traveling Home
      • Making Friends (and reconnecting with old friends) While Traveling Full-Time
      • Pros & Cons of Full-Time RV Travel
      • RV Organization & Storage Ideas
      • Short-Term RV Storage: Leaving The RV Behind
      • Top 3 Lessons Learned & Biggest Regret: 3 Years Full-Time RV Living
      • What We Wish We Knew Before Full-Time RVing – Stories from the Road
      • What You Need To Know Before Selling Everything And Moving To An RV
      • Why We Are Traveling Full-Time In Our RV
    • Must Read Books Before Becoming A Full-time RVer
    • RV Organization & Storage Ideas
    • RV Remodel
      • Planning an RV Remodel
      • RV Kitchen Cooking Videos
      • Painting Your RV Interior
      • Update the RV Kitchen – Backsplashes & More
      • Updating Your RV Window Treatments
      • RV Bedroom Makeover
      • RV Remodel Costs with Before & After Photos
      • Vintage Camper Renovation
    • RV Holiday Tour – Decorating Our Small Space
    • RV Hurricane Evacuation
    • RV Misery Can Be Overcome By The Generosity Of Others
    • How Book Readers Can Space and Weight in the RV
    • Slow Travel
    • Small Kitchen Cooking
      • Cooking Videos
      • Eating Healthy on Travel Days
    • Staying Healthy
      • Traveling with Fibromyalgia, Arthritis, and Other Chronic Pain Conditions
    • Trip Planning
    • Traveling with Pets
      • RVing with Your Cat
      • Traveling with Restricted Breed Dogs
    • Why I Prefer RV Travel Over Flying
    • Your Guide To Planning The Best Family Vacation This Summer
  • Travel Finance
    • 5 Tips to Save on RV Travel
    • 5 Ways to Fund Full-Time Travel
    • Creative Ways To Save Money On Your Next Vacation
    • Full-Time RV Expenses
      • Annual Full-Time RV Expenses – The Big Three
    • Five Credit Card Strategies To Improve Travel
    • How Much Do Campgrounds Cost?
    • How Much Does it Cost to RV Full-Time?
    • How to Camp for Free
    • How to Start a Profitable Blog
    • How to Save Money on RV Fuel Costs
    • How to Save on Food While Camping
    • How We Earn A Living While Traveling Full-Time (And How You Can Too)
    • How We Paid $139,000 of Debt in 2 Years While Full-Time RVing
    • Learn How to Finance Your Dreams
    • The Top 7 Ways to Save Money While Traveling Full-Time
    • RV Purchasing
      • RV Purchasing: Understanding RV Types
      • Benefits of Renting an RV: Try Before You Buy
      • Should I Buy A New or Used RV?
      • The Costs of RV Ownership
      • The True Cost of Financing an RV
      • Attend An RV Show – Even If You Already Own An RV | Exciting Reasons Why
    • Save Money Using the Public Library (On More Than Just Books)
  • Military Travel
    • Guide To Using Military Campgrounds
    • Health Care for Retired Military Full-Time RVers
    • Why Military Retirees Should Fly Space-A
  • About Us
    • RV Shows We’re Attending
    • Contact Us
    • Follow Us
    • Why We Are Full-Time RVers

9:03 pm by Guest Post Leave a Comment

6 Tips for Safe and Stress-Free Road Trips

Road trips are one of the best ways to explore the world and make memories with friends. Whether you’re planning a cross-country adventure or a weekend getaway, it’s important to plan in advance and be prepared for the journey. With a little bit of preparation, you can ensure stress-free and safe road trips.

Plan for your next RV road trip with these pro tips.

As longtime travelers, we’ve had plenty of time to explore strategies for getting the most out of our RV experience while changing up our lifestyle to meet the challenges of our time. We hope you find them useful as you embark on your own adventures.

Table of Contents
  • Chart a new course
  • Be prepared
  • Go big or go home
  • Create an itinerary
  • Secure the home front
  • Safety at the campground
  • Be financially prepared

Chart a new course

The longer you’re on the road, the more places you’ll see. It’s fun to revisit places you’ve been before, but it’s also fun to get off the beaten track and find hidden gems you might have missed. Check out some of the more isolated campgrounds; they’ll be less crowded, which is better for social distancing. 

Or take things a step further: Have a family member join you in a four-wheel drive. He or she can spend the nights in the RV, then you can go off-roading to even more remote destinations. You can’t get much more socially distanced than that. But it’s a good idea to learn to drive a stick shift first.

Be prepared

Even more than when you’re traveling by car, you need to be sure you have emergency gear on board in case you need it. Of course, you’ll need the standard tool kit, along with jumper cables, a fire extinguisher, antifreeze, and motor oil.

But you’ll also need specialized supplies on the road like an electrical management system, tire pressure monitor, air compressor, sewer valve, hand vac, water purifier, and jack pads. As far as electronic devices go, don’t forget backup cellphone chargers, WiFi and cellphone signal boosters, and a two-way radio. Take a paper map, too, in case you’re out of range of all satellite systems.

And in the current environment, be sure to stock a kit of health and safety items, like hand sanitizer, face masks, rubbing alcohol, and disinfecting wipes. 

Go big or go home

Actually, if you’re in an RV, you are going big already, so you need to adjust your driving habits accordingly. If you’re new to this lifestyle, be aware that size matters, whether you’re on the road or in a campground. You’ll need to know where (and whether) your RV is allowed on the road. 

Maximum heights and lengths vary by jurisdiction, so know what’s legal before you cross that state line. Not sure whether you’ve got enough clearance to get under that bridge? Best not to test it. Also, be sure you’re aware of other RV restrictions: Some places, for instance, require that you have special weight-distribution hitches, sway control, or independent braking systems.

Create an itinerary

Even if — or especially if — you’re always on the road, you need to think and plan ahead to the conditions you could encounter next. Download a weather app so you know what road conditions and potential detours you might be facing soon. If possible, plot out your stops ahead of time, and decide where you’ll be staying. 

RV campgrounds are available across the United States. Follow these tips to find campgrounds along your chosen route, but be sure you know what each has to offer. Rules may vary, too (some, for example, don’t allow you to bring in firewood), so be familiar with them before you stop.

And look for alternatives: For example, Walmart doesn’t offer hookups, but it does allow RV users to use most of its parking lot. (You’ll need permission from the manager first.) Many RVers prefer retail establishments that close at night like Cracker Barrel or Cabela’s to allow for a quieter night’s sleep.

Secure the home front

If you’re not a full-time road-tripper, you’ll need to be sure your home base is safe and secure before you get going. Chances are, you’ll be gone for a while, so make sure your house is protected from intruders. Deadbolt locks are always a good idea; so are outdoor sensor lights and indoor lights that turn on automatically at night. 

Not all threats come from the outside, though. It’s also important to protect your home from problems that can arise when you least expect them. If your pipes freeze when you’re gone, or something goes wrong with one of your major appliances, you’ll want to know you’re protected. A home warranty can do the trick by covering the cost of repairs to your essential systems.

Safety at the campground

Typically on a road trip, you’ll be spending hours away from your RV each day. You’ll want to take a few RV security measures. First, a new RV lock should be top of mind when purchasing an RV since most have interchangeable locks. Also, always trust your instincts and leave if a campground doesn’t feel right. Finally, consider installing a system like RV Whisper that monitors power, temperature, propane, and more.

Be financially prepared

An RV is a big investment, and the time you take to explore is a major commitment. As with any other major investment, you need to make sure you’re financially prepared — which includes different budgeting and funding factors for RV travel.

You’ll need to increase your fuel budget, for example. Your gas mileage will be significantly less than what you get in a car, so calculate it and adjust your projected costs accordingly. (Gas prices also vary a lot by state, so factor that in, too.) Another thing to consider: Diesel RVs tend to be more fuel-efficient. Look for strategies to save on RV travel. 

Then there’s RV insurance. Many insurers offer a reduced rate for their coverage when the RV is in storage. And you’ll want to have enough money budgeted for a long trip with possible detours, souvenirs, and weather-related mishaps. Beyond that, make sure you have an emergency savings fund as a backup just in case you need it.

There’s a lot to think about when you’re living on the road, but planning and preparation beforehand can make your experience much more enjoyable. Do plenty of research and make a checklist to be sure you don’t forget anything. Then you can hit the road with the knowledge that a great time lies ahead.

Guest Post by Molly Barnes, a full-time digital nomad, exploring and working remotely in different cities in the US. She and her boyfriend Jacob created the website Digital Nomad Life to share their journey and help others to pursue a nomadic lifestyle.

Filed Under: RV Resources Tagged With: RV Road Trip, RV Safety Tips

6:00 am by Guest Post 5 Comments

5 Tips to Save on RV Travel

We’ve been full-time RV travelers for 5 years now and have found numerous ways to save money along the way. In this article, we’ll share our top five tips for saving money on RV travel including ways to reduce both campground and fuel costs.

Tip #1: Saving on Overnight Campground Stays

When we first started our RV journey we had a 44′ Fifth Wheel with a residential refrigerator and a tiny inverter that couldn’t keep it powered overnight. As a result, we always stayed in full hook-up campgrounds, even for overnight stays.

Graphic will text for Roadtrippers Plus

We used a program called Passport America to save a lot of money on these stays. It only costs $44 a year and gives you 50% off the regular nightly rate. Just use it for 2 nights, and you’ll get your money’s worth. It is important to know that there can be restrictions because each park is individually owned and makes its own rules about participation. This information is provided for you in the Important Campground Notes section of each park’s listing on the Passport America website, mobile apps, printed camping directory, and e-directories.

Another way we save on overnight stays is by choosing Corps of Engineer Campgrounds. These parks are federally managed and available for all of the public to use. Situated on lakes, rivers, and reservoirs, they are found in some of the most beautiful settings and are reasonably priced. If you have the senior or access (disability) National Parks Pass, you get 50% off the already low rates. Here’s one of our favorites:

Tip #2: Saving on Extended Campground Stays

As full-time travelers who are working full-time, we prefer staying a month in most locations to allow ourselves time to really get to enjoy an area. As a result, we get massive discounts! We stayed at a fabulous RV resort in Arizona winter that has 2 pools, 2 hot tubs, a bar & restaurant, mini-golf, and more! The least expensive sites (back-ins at the back of the campground) were regularly $65 a night. BUT stay a month and it was only $690 for the month. Divide that by 30 days and it is only $23 a night!!!

Many (not all) places with a monthly rate meter electricity. Since we have solar, we don’t need to use much so our electricity bill for the month we stayed at that resort was only $29. I asked the cashier the typical rate and she said about $150 for a large, all-electric rig. Still, if you add that to the $690 and divide by 30, it is still only $28 a night and a great deal!

Tip #3: Saving on all your Stays

Another terrific way to save money on overnight and even longer stays is by boondocking or dry camping. After we upgraded our power system and installed solar, we started doing more off-grid camping and loved it!

Of course, you can stay overnight at retail places like Walmart or Cabelas, but we really like Casinos if we’re going to stay in a parking lot. We go in and get a player’s card that usually gives us $10 of free play on the slots and sometimes even win money back! You often get 50% off buffets too!

The spots we love best for overnight stays are Harvest Hosts, a membership program of farms, wineries, breweries, and even some museums that let you dry camp on their land. Click here for 15% off via my affiliate link (that means I’ll get a small commission if you buy a membership through it). In the interest of full disclosure, I will admit that this is not really a money-saving technique because you have to buy a membership and then you’ll obviously want to spend money at the business, but we still love it. To us, there is no better way to see this country than to meet the people who make it unique and Harvest Hosts allows you to meet small business owners all around the US.

Boondocker’s Welcome is another great program where private landowners allow you to stay overnight at their location for FREE. Of course, there is an annual fee, but it is only $79/year for unlimited stays.

Boondocker's Welcome allows you to stay overnight for free on private member's property.

For longer dry camping stays (more than 1 night) we prefer FREE camping on public lands.

Click here to read my article on Trip Planning where I share the apps and websites I use to find great campgrounds and boondocking spots. I even have a video tutorial to show you how easy it is.

Tip #4: Saving on Fuel

Our first tip for saving on fuel is to slow down! Believe it or not, this actually can lead to significant savings. A study of diesel trucks was undertaken that showed that slowing down 10 miles per hour on the interstate can save 27% fuel efficiency! We never drive over 65 MPH and get 12 MPG towing our fifth wheel with a Chevy 3500 HD dually truck. We also ensure our tires are properly inflated and we keep up with all preventive maintenance.

Another way to stay on fuel is to travel slowly or close to home if you have the option. Explore the hidden gems within an hour or two of your current location instead of trying to race across the country and back in two short weeks.

Tip #5: More Fuel Savings with Apps

We use two different apps: one to save money and one that pays us back with a rebate. When we’re really lucky we can use them both at the same campground.

The savings app is called Gas Buddy and we use it to find the range of gas prices near our current location when we’re at a campground. When we were in Tucson, we found a range of $0.30 per gallon in a five-mile radius! We also use it to find the prices of propane.

The rebate app is called Get Upside and we use it to search our location to see if there are participating gas stations. If so, you scan the receipt and upload it to the app. Once you reach $20 they send you a rebate!

Bonus Tip: Mindful Spending

We have found that setting financial goals and tracking our spending is hands down the best way to save money. Otherwise, it is way too easy for all the small things you buy to add up.

We created a program called Full-Time RV Finance to help others financially achieve their full-time travel dreams. Over the course of 25 videos, we’ll help you chart your course towards financial freedom, create a realistic full-time RV budget, and learn how to make money & save money on the road. 

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Looking to save money on RV travel? Check out these five simple tips that will save you thousands in campgrounds and fuel costs. RV vacations and camping can be a very economical way to travel with the whole family.

Filed Under: Full-Time Finance Tagged With: saving money

5:46 pm by Guest Post 10 Comments

5 Years Full-Time RV: Lessons Learned & Biggest Regret

We can’t believe it has been 5 years already! First, we just want to say that overall it has been terrific, and we are so happy that we chose to embark on this full-time RV journey. However, there were growing pains and sometimes we miss the comforts of a traditional home (believe it or not). It has been a learning process and we wanted to share some of our lessons learned along the way. We rarely have regrets in life because even mistakes can cause growth, but we will share one regret that we do have from our full-time RV lifestyle.

Note: It’s been a year since we wrote this article. We updated the post to ensure it is up to date. Feel free to watch the two part video series below or read on for a few more examples and details.

Lesson #1: Find Your Travel Style

Find your own travel style and don’t  worry about anyone else. In other words, do you! Do what makes you happy. Ask yourself:  

  • How far do you want to drive in a day? 
  • How long do you want to stay in a location? 
  • What types of places do you want to stay at? 

Don’t let anyone tell you there is a right or wrong way to RV. And watch out for social media. It can give you serious FOMO – Fear of Missing Out and lead to travel based on someone else’s ideal rather than your own. 

Wondering what works for us?

We are still working full-time from the RV so we like to stay in a location for at least a month. This gives us time to enjoy the area. It also gives us time to go back to places we enjoy — we’re not “one and done” kind of people. If we really enjoy a park, farmer’s market, or restaurant, we’ll want to visit it again.

Because we’re staying in one place for a month (or more in the winter), we usually travel farther in between. We often make big jumps between stops and by that, I mean 12-15 hours of driving time. We’ll typically drive two long days (Sat & Sun due to work commitments).

We typically stay in urban areas. We need to be within an hour of a major airport for work and we need good enough internet for video teleconferences. The Internet has been an ongoing struggle for us over the past 5 years. Click here to read what we’ve tried and what we’re currently using.

We also like to stay at RV resorts that have all the amenities especially a good fitness room, swimming pool, and hot tub. Two of our favorites that we’ve been back to more than once are the Tucson Lazay Days KOA and the Alsatian RV Resort near San Antonio, TX.

We do mix it up from time to time and do a little boondocking, as well as stay at COE Campgrounds or State Parks (Florida has some of our favorites). We do that for 1-2 weeks maximum and usually when we can take a little time off work.

Finally, we have access to military campgrounds since we both served 20 years in the Air Force. We love these because it feels like going home to us. Also, even though the campgrounds don’t necessarily have many amenities besides full hook-ups, the bases usually have great gyms, pools, and more! If you have access to military bases, check out our Guide to Using Military Campgrounds.

Lesson #2: RVs Require A Lot of Upkeep

Not only is there a lot of routine, preventive maintenance, things on RVs break. A lot. And usually at the worst possible time. So, have an emergency fund and try to learn how to do things yourself as much as possible. Here are just a few things we’ve had to pay to get fixed over the last year: 

  • New truck tires 
  • 2 new RV tires 
  • RV refrigerator – although it was under warranty we paid for the mobile repair tech’s service call and some parts when we tried to fix it ourselves. Plus we had to trash the groceries in the refrigerator and freezer.  

Of course, you know how things go…a couple of years ago, right AFTER the warranty ended we discovered water damage to the deck on our toy hauler. Neither the extended warranty, nor insurance covered water damage, so we had a hefty $7,000 bill to replace it!

In addition to routine maintenance and repairs, you may want to modify or upgrade your RV systems. A few years ago, we upgraded our power system to include solar panels and lithium batteries. When we downsized to our current fifth wheel earlier this year, it came “solar ready,” but we added panels and moved our lithium batteries over from our previous RV.

Lesson #3: Be Flexible

It’s life. Things are going to happen. I’m a planner and have reservations several months in advance. However, I’ve learned to be a little more flexible and only make reservations at places that have a liberal cancellation policy. In fact, my rule is that I don’t make a reservation at any place that will charge me more than $15 to cancel or make a change. 

A couple of years ago, we had to evacuate Florida for Hurricane Irma. When we returned to Florida after the storm, we still had quite a few reservation changes to make because the parks we planned to visit in the Keys had not recovered.

You may also just change your mind about your current itinerary. We did that this year. We were tired of being cold, so we diverted to Arizona after two months in the Pacific Northwest.

Lesson #4: You Don’t Need as Much Room as You Think

We thought because we had a large 2400-square-foot home, that we needed a large RV. As a result, we purchased a 44′ Fifth Wheel toy hauler. Here’s a tour of it:

After a few years on the road, we sold our toy and realized we didn’t need such a large RV. Of course, it took us 2 more years to pay it off before we would allow ourselves to get a new RV. 

This year we downsized to a 30′ Arctic Fox Fifth Wheel and love it! Learn why we chose this particular make and model below:

There really is a lot that goes into choosing the right RV for you. I wrote this article earlier this year on some things that everyone should consider when trying to determine which RV to get.

Lesson #5: It Doesn’t Have to Be Forever

We like to say we’re making for-now decisions, not forever decisions. That applies to our full-time RV lifestyle too. Change is really second nature to us after having served 20 years in the military. In fact, we moved so often that our first RV was the longest we ever lived in one home — 4 1/2 years!

So we went into this full-time RV life knowing that we would do it as long as it felt right to us. Once it doesn’t, we’ll move on to the next thing — whatever that may be. We actually never owned an RV before we moved into one, but now we know RVing will always be a part of our life. However, we do think we’ll move back into a traditional home (still small though) one day and part-time RV. Even then, we’ll still allow ourselves the flexibility to change our minds.

One thing that really helps with options, is money. That leads us to our one regret…

Biggest Regret: We Didn’t Start Debt Free

We were so excited to get started on our full-time RV life that we rushed out and financed an RV instead of saving up and buying it. In fact, our RV wasn’t our only debt. We financed a truck, had a Parent Plus loan from one of our son’s college semester abroad, and some credit card debt.

A couple of years ago we read The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey, and it changed the way we looked at money and debt. It took us two years, but we are now debt-free. Read how we paid off $139,000 in 2 years while traveling full-time.

It was not always easy that’s for sure. For example, we knew we wanted a different RV, but we wouldn’t allow ourselves to get another until we paid off the last RV AND saved up enough to purchase the next one outright. 

So even though we had to really prioritize what was important to us and make sacrifices, being debt-free allows us to save even more money. Our savings provides us with more options for the future and keeps us from stressing out too much when things happen (like needing new truck tires and a new refrigerator in one month). We only wish we had started out debt-free because we know how much farther ahead we would be now. Still, we don’t dwell on that because all we can do is change our future, not our past.

Hope We Helped

We hope this article has helped you as you plan your full-time RV journey. We don’t expect yours to be exactly the same as ours, but hopefully we’ve given you some things to consider.

Learn more about our Nomad Story here.

If you have any questions, please feel free to send us an email. We answer each and every one.

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After 5 years of full-time RV living and traveling, we share our top five lessons learned and biggest regret. While we don't expect your RV journey to be the same, we hope we can give you some things to consider. We also share some tips and ideas for enjoying your RV life whether you are traveling in a motorhome, fifth wheel, or travel trailer.
After 5 years of full-time RV living and traveling, we share our top five lessons learned and biggest regret. While we don't expect your RV journey to be the same, we hope we can give you some things to consider. We also share some tips and ideas for enjoying your RV life whether you are traveling in a motorhome, fifth wheel, or travel trailer.

Filed Under: RV Resources Tagged With: full-time rv, full-time rv life, RV Living

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