Have you been dreaming of full-time RV travel or becoming a minimalist, but aren’t sure if you can manage living in such a small space? In June of 2014, we moved from a 2,500 square foot home to a 44′ triple axle toy hauler Fifth Wheel RV and set out on our full-time RV adventure. In March of 2019, we downsized yet again to a 30′ Fifth Wheel RV. In this article we’ll share a tour of tiny, traveling home and share some pointers for enjoying it.
WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW FOR A TOUR.
Why would you live in an RV?
We get asked this question quite often, and there are several reasons. The primary one is that after 20 years in the military we just weren’t ready to settle down in one place. Living in an RV and traveling around North America was the ideal solution. Now we relocate our home whenever the mood strikes us.
Another reason is our love of travel. We’ve always enjoyed visiting new places, but found ourselves wishing we had more time to enjoy a location. Now we can take our time along on the way, and truly get to know an area. We not only hit the highlights or “top 5 things to do” in a given area, but can experience all it has to offer. Currently we stay in each location 4 weeks on average.
Finally, we appreciate the ability to spend time with our family for extended visits. Our parents, siblings, and children are scattered around the United States in Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, Florida, Virginia, Texas, and Washington. Now we can take our own home with us when we go to see them. This allows us to stay longer and stay in our own place.
How can you live in such a small space?
This is another common question. Believe it or not, the RV is actually very comfortable. We realized that we didn’t use most the rooms in our large house once our boys were grown. We started out with a very large RV thinking we needed a lot of space, and ended up not using it either.
Our 30′ Fifth Wheel is just the right size for us. I especially love our rear kitchen model that gives it a more open feel. The bedroom has a queen-sized bed with nightstands on both sides. Those were really our only minimum requirements. If you’d like to see the inside of our tour, please watch the video tour at the top of the page. Click here to see the manufacturer’s specs for this RV.
Getting rid of enough “stuff” to fit in the RV was the hardest part. Although we didn’t need most of the items that were filling our home to the brim, I have a hard time of letting go of things that I may use one day. Downsizing in preparation for the move to the RV was actually very freeing. And guess what? We don’t miss any of it! Especially when there is so much to see and do on the road; who would ever trade the amazing emotional rush of the dolphin tours myrtle beach for some “stuff” they never even use?
If you are struggling to downsize, check out my tips on the 3 areas that make the biggest impact.
Now, I’m not going to say there aren’t challenges. As with anything in life there are both pros and cons to it. One of our biggest struggles is with internet connectivity. We’re both working, and need reliable internet and the ability to participate in video conferencing.
Another thing I didn’t like about every RV we looked at was the interior. They were all so brown. We actually made several cosmetic changes to our toy hauler, and will likely do the same with our new RV. Although we loved the “bones” of the Fifth Wheel, we wanted to personalize it and make it ours. Click on the individual articles below for our previous remodeling efforts:
Updating Your RV Window Treatments
RV Organization & Storage Ideas
But doesn’t it cost too much money?
Full-time RV travel can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. After five years we created a program, Full-Time RV Finance, where we share our process for paying off $137,000 in two years, exercises for assessing your current situation and designing your dream life, an in-depth look at all the full-time RV expenses you may want to include in your budget, and ideas for making money and saving money along the way.
We’ve also written several articles detailing our financial lessons learned from living and traveling full-time in our RV. Click on the links to read each below.
How Much Does it Cost to RV Full-Time?
5 Ways to Fund Full-Time Travel
Top 7 Ways to Save Money While Traveling
How To Start a Profitable Blog
Should I Buy a New or Used RV?
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Enjoy your trips, south in the winter, north in the summer, desert or sea. Enjoying the freedom and building experiences.
This year we’re spending summer, fall, and winter in Florida. Next year, though, I think we’ll do as you suggest and spend the winter up north and find some cooler temperatures.
This is the type of RV we are in the process of buying. Looked at a LOT of them, and then found one from a private owner. 2016 Fusion Chrome, 43′ with a 2015 Ford F350 diesel crew cab to pull it. We are figuring on workamping in TX or AZ in winter and going back north in summer either MN.WI, or UP or MT. Our only concern is finding parks that can handle the 43′ RV.
That’s terrific! I know that many warn about the size issue, but we really haven’t had too much trouble. Maybe 1/3 of the campgrounds I look at can’t accommodate us, but I easily find others. You may want to check out our article on Trip Planning: 3 Simple Steps for Finding the Best RV Campground. https://www.chickerystravels.com/choosing-an-rv-park/
Safe travels!
I love RV and have been enjoying your videos
Thanks! I’m glad you like them.
This is amazing, and definitely a goal for my family!! The freedom to travel is a good feeling! Thanks for sharing your journey!
I love tiny homes !!! Defintley more economical and you have still have a lot while living in a tiny home. Great post !
Thank you, Anisa! Glad you liked it.
Thanks for stopping by! We’re having a blast traveling in our tiny home too!
This is great!!! What can be better than being able to travel all over the world, while living in the comfort of your own home?? Great great way of living!!!
How adventurous you are! I can live vicariously through you. You’ve inspired me to downsize. I’m going to do some early spring cleaning today!!
Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Hi, My husband, son & I are brand new to RVing (just purchased our 33′ Keystone Grand Touring and have loved all 5 nights we have stayed in it. Your tiny home is beautiful, and has the same colors and tones as ours. I want to hang a few small items to cozy it up a bit. You mentioned using Command hooks, I know they are removeable and say they don’t damage surfaces or leave unsightly marks behind. I’m a believer but, my husband is not one yet. He thinks that when we move locations the bumps will make them turn loose and also turn the contact paper (or whatever the sheeting is on the walls and cabinetry) loose and cause damages. Have you experienced any of this, or heard of it happening? Ours is an aluminum frame and not sure where to mount screws to studs, therefore, I’m thinking these hooks are the way to go.
I was happy with the command strips for everything, but our hat rack keeps falling down so I need to find another option. It hasn’t ruined the wall paper though. Here’s a great article from a friend of mine who has tried different approaches. https://rvinspiration.com/decorate/8-no-drill-wall-hanging-methods/
Where did you have the “sticky “ photo art done? We also have a Cyclone (2018) and live full time.
I ordered it through Shutterfly and was so disappointed to learn that they no longer make it. I’m going to research alternatives.
Oh shoot! Thank you anyway!