r/RVLiving

I've lurking around here for over two years...finally mustered the courage to dive in last spring. Placed a large order for my existing furniture, notified my landlords 60 days' in advance, and purchased a 2019 Keystone Passport 240BH from a couple in Ohio, who had only used it three times. I was immensely proud of myself. I think I finally cracked something that most people never will..

The first month was really amazing-set up in a state forest in Tennessee, and spent three weeks there, every morning as the sun rose there were deer sauntering past the window. I spent much of every evening cooking outside-and read more books than I had in the last 5 years combined-and I truly felt much, much lighter than I had in a long time.

Then came June.

The holding tanks scaled out quicker then I thought, went to dump wrong station and totally contaminated myself and the rig. The water pump started sounds like a dying cat just over week seven. I blew a trailer tire out side of Chattanooga in 95 degree heat and was stuck on the shoulder of I-24 for two and a half hours waiting forroadside assistance. My laptop overheated twice because I didn't understand how to control the air flow when I was trying to work remotely from a site with no shade. I drained my emergency fund faster then I budgeted and had to call my sister and borrow money I swore I never would.

Come August I was at a KOA outside Nashville just sitting there looking at the ceiling fan I’d put up earlier that day when it started wobbling slightly to the left every revolution. I contemplating what I’d done with my life.

I took my lunch break at Cracker Barrel, parked in their parking lot, and actually begin looking for apartments back home.

Honestly what put me off was embarrassing. A guy I would say in his mid sixties came up to my passenger window and asked if he could use the picnic table by my site. When I asked him why he said his grandkids were with him and there wasn't enough room for them on his site. We talked for four hours. He had been living full-time for eleven years. His wife died during their third year out. He just kept going, because it seemed wrong to stop.He has a rig that was a Ram 3500 with a fifth wheel on it that clearly been in a real war that appeared to be in pristine condition inside. He didn't just show me his water arrangements but he had a binder of every repair he ever done, every part number, cost and date. He said year one nearly broke him as well and everyone he'd met that stayed said the same.Kinda did not go up as I thought I would go up and left my flat. I just took the first step of somethingthat will take me a couple of years to learn.

That's right ,it's been over a year now. The water pump was replaced, and I did it with a YouTube video and a considerable amount of profanity. I now keep two full-sized spares. Some sort of small organizer I'm designing is beginning to materialize. I've recently been able to help a woman in a campground in Arkansas because her converter wasn't charging her batteries and I was able to tell her what it was.

I'm not writing this as someone who has everything all mapped out. I'm writing this as someone who is three months in, six months in, eight months in, and is sitting in a parking lot attempting to find apartments. Just remember this guy at Cracker Barrel travels; it is always in the back of his mind and when you think you've got nothing left he's right there. Just roll down the window.

My wife and I took our two kids (5th and 8th grade) on the road for 14 months from May 2018 to August 2019. 40 states, Canada, 120+ campgrounds. Ellen took a sabbatical from teaching to road school the kids. I worked remotely the whole time.

We logged every transaction in Quicken. Here's the actual breakdown:

Total: $112,457 (excludes RV loan interest and insurance — fixed costs whether you travel or not)

• Dining out: $28,041 — $65/day. Local only, no chains. We asked the server what they recommended every single time.
• Campgrounds: $20,969 — $49/night average across 429 nights
• Attractions/entertainment: $18,738
• RV misc & repairs: $12,389 — souvenirs/pins, mechanical, tolls, satellite TV, supplies
• RV fuel: $8,049 — Ford 6.8L V10 towing a Honda CR-V flat
• Groceries: $8,118
• Everything else: $16,152 — cell/internet (3 carriers simultaneously so I could work anywhere), auto, clothing, laundry

$262/day for a family of four. $65.53/person/day.

One pin per stop, displayed on a cork board as we went. 14 months, 40 states. The board was $317.69 from Etsy. The pins were about $1,000.

https://preview.redd.it/977n87i6gfug1.jpg?width=3371&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e756664cc813a4086395a3b16143ca15f93a87cb

We did a 36-day shakedown trip in 2017 first to make sure the rig and the family could handle it. Turning all of it into guides now — the shakedown guide is free if you want the campground data and what we'd do differently.

We're turning all of it into guides now — the shakedown is free, and Guide 2 covers the first 63 days heading west. What would you actually want to see covered in a guide like this?

For me it’s better storage, it seems like even the rigs with a decent amount of physical space don’t utilize it very well. I’m so tired of deep, tall cabinets that don’t have any shelves or hangers! I always end up having to add them in myself so I can actually use the vertical space. Lots of solutions exist, but it would be nice if the manufacturers took it into consideration from the start

Came back after being out for a while and the bedroom AC was humming with very little cold air coming out. Kind of like it was running at half power. I turned it off for a little while and then turned it back on and it sounded like ice was breaking. Any ideas on what’s happening or how to fix if it’s freezing up?

This was initially gonna be a question, but as I was writing it I figured out the problem.

It’s spring, and boy do the local bees know it. A couple spritzes of eucalyptus bug repellant and around the doors and windows helps a lot.

Today, I had to free four different bees across the day who each just seemed to spawn into existence between the front door and its screen. It’s completely sealed from the outside with no gaps or holes. I was starting to worry that they were in the AC vent or walls somehow, but it’d truly be impossible to get between the metal frame of the door and the screen.

Finally, my partner fingered it out. The black rubber trim around the front door that helps keep rain out is truly just an open tube with open ends near the top of the door. Bees were sneaking into the weatherproof tubing above the door whenever the door opened (we come and go several times a day). They were probably as surprised and upset as I was to find themselves suddenly in my trailer, trapped behind the screen.

TLDR; bees (accidentally) in the trap. Put tape over the holes. No more bees.

Wow, passing through New Mexico and Tex, I didn't know so many people were staying in trailers full time.

I recently upgraded my 50amp 5th wheel with a 300ah lithium battery and added 200 watts of solar(400watts total). My initial plan was to also add an inverter for the few times a year we camp at a friend’s house or in a state park. I am also looking to buy a battery power station for home when the power goes out which again is not often but it does happen. The only 120v devices we have in our camper is the microwave, 3 tvs and a small computer/media server. I didn’t list the 3 ACs cause I know which out spending a fortune on batteries and solar I won’t be able to run even 1 of them.

Now my question is this: if I was to buy an 1800w power station with only 15 amp plugs could I plug my 50 amp camper into the power station via adapters (50 amp to 30 amp to 15 amp) to run the 2-3 tvs and the computer?

Two different senior brothers just got campers so all 4 brothers could camp together. I don’t know what they have in terms of accessories. Looking for house/camper warming gift ideas.

2020 Grand Design Solitude 377MBS Fulltime/Off-grid ready $49K OBO – Excellent shape!

Heavily upgraded 41-ft 4-slide luxury fifth wheel—turnkey for full-time/boondocking.

Pictures available at:

https://www.rvtrader.com/listing/2020-Grand+Design-SOLITUDE+377MBS-5039866608

Power (>$10K value):

4x100Ah Battleborn 12V lithium batteries

1,000W solar

Victron MultiPlus 3,000W inverter

Suspension/Safety:

Roadmaster Comfort Ride springs/shocks (2025)

Tireminder TPMS (CarPlay/Android Auto)

2-yr-old Carlisle 18-ply G-tires

Tech/Comfort:

Pepwave UBR LTE (roof antenna, dual SIM)

RVlock keyless, backup cam, new awnings

Residential fridge/ice maker

Oven/air fryer

Splendide washer/dryer

Built-in vacuum

King bed

Mid-bunk currently converted to office, but could easily be transformed back to a bedroom

Upgraded loft mattress

Residential couch

Electric fireplace + mounted electric heater

DM to view in Esmont, VA. We can also arrange a video call if you are not in the area.

This rig is set up to be off-grid capable. The solar + lithium + inverter combo is a serious upgrade that we invested heavily in. The mid-bunk is currently set up as a home office (which has been amazing for working on the road!), but it converts back to a bedroom easily perfect for families or anyone who needs the extra space.

This is a completely turn-key, adventure-ready setup. Everything you need to hit the road just add diesel and groceries!

Buy it for $49,000. Or, packaged with a 2023 Ram 3500 Laramie Dually with 30k miles for $115,000.

I was thinking about buying an RV and just living out of it instead of paying overpriced rent, but when I look at RV spots online, the fees are a bit high for just parking a vehicle in a spot. I know you need water, sewage, and electricity hookups, but even then I don’t see anything that makes it worth it. What’s the cheapest way to live out of an RV in terms of monthly camping fees?