The Downsides Of Full-Time RV Living

For many people, the idea of living out of an RV is very appealing. It seems like a great way to see the country, travel and live like a free spirit out on the open road. There are many benefits to living a full-time RV lifestyle, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t drawbacks too. Before you take the plunge and get behind the wheel, you must make yourself aware of all sides of the experience. With that in mind, here are five downsides of RV living that you should know.

High Initial Purchase Price

An RV is a great vehicle to own, but it’s not one that all of us can afford. The initial purchase price will most likely be high unless you go for an old RV. If you’re looking for newer motorhome or trailer, then you’ll set back anywhere around at least 60K.  The overall price of the vehicle will depend on the brand and RV type you want to buy, as well as any amenities you ask to be fitted inside. Usually, class C RVs are among the cheaper motorhomes, and I got myself a Coachmen Orion in 2017 for around 60k.

Lack Of Storage Space

Anyone that has ever traveled in or even looked at an RV knows that storage space can be an issue. While there is usually much more space than there first appears to be, you won’t be able to travel with the entire contents of your home. This means that you’ll need to downsize your things. My rule is now if I haven't touched something for over a year, I don't need it and I'll get rid of it.

Travel Locations Are Limited

With a vehicle as large as an RV, it should be no surprise that you aren’t going to be able to travel wherever you want to. Unlike a usual vacation, where you would choose the best travel agency and plan your trip with them, you will have to do all of the work yourself. This means contacting campgrounds to see if they have a big enough slot to accommodate your vehicle. My rig is pretty small, I can drive it in most places and campgrounds always have the right size for me.

Continual Upkeep Is Required

No matter what make or model of RV you pick, regular maintenance is critical for all full-time RVers. You are moving all the time, things will break. First of all, you have to maintain your tanks, make sure you have enough propane, electricity, and water. As well as this, you will have to maintain kitchen appliances, the generator, and heater, all of which can add up to a sizable cost.

Dumping The RV Tanks

Most full-time RVers see their vehicle as a home away from home. The trouble is, there’s one nasty task you must perform with your RV that you don’t have to do in your own house - Dumping the grey and black tanks. This job isn’t nearly as horrendous as it sounds and you will get used to carrying it out, but as a new RVer, you might not be too happy about it.

Living and traveling in an RV can definitely be exciting. However, that doesn’t mean that it’s without its downsides. Before getting too invested, make sure that you consider the entire picture.

3 Ways To Find Cheap RV Storage

There is nothing greater than hitting the open road in an RV. You can explore with enjoying the comforts of a home. Sadly, there is a lot of time during the year when your RV will not be in use. When you live in the city or urban areas, it is not easy and cheap to store your RV. There are options for RV storage however, but many make the mistake of renting any nearby space without doing any research and this is a mistake. Here are some things to consider:
There are some places that are excessively overpriced for RV storage, so you need to think before you jump in. Besides pricing, there are additional factors you need to consider when it comes to finding storage for your RV.

Inside or Outside?

Do you go with a storage facility that keeps your RV inside or outside? Outside storage is cheaper but your RV will get more protection when stored inside. When kept outdoors, the RV exterior can age much quicker, so you may find yourself with unnecessary maintenance costs down the road. In the long run, inside storage may save you money despite costing more upfront. Take the time to figure out the costs and what conditions you want your RV to be in before deciding.

Insurance:

Look into your RV policy to see if the RV is covered while in storage. Not all policies include this but the facility itself may have insurance coverage of their own. Compare the terms of your insurance with the insurance offered by the storage facility before deciding on the best coverage for your RV while it is in storage.

Amenities:

Take the time to research the amenities each facility has as these will influence the price as well as your choice. Commonly offered amenities include electricity, keeping your batteries charged, access to water, sewage disposal, trash services, and heating or cooling. The more amenities a facility has, the higher you should expect the rate to be. If you are on a budget, you will need to search for a place that does not have the amenities that are not important to you.

Space:

Make sure you find a place that has adequate space for your RV unit as you want to comfortably maneuver in and out of it. You also want to consider if there is enough space for you to wash the RV to save you time and hassle while you are traveling.

Security:

You want a storage place that is close to your home so you have easy access to the RV as well as one that is safe. Some facilities have minimal security whereas others have hi-tech advanced security measures. The more secure a facility is, the higher your costs will be. You need to consider the location too, as to whether it is a high-crime neighborhood or not.
After you consider all this and you know what you want, it is time to look at pricing. A storage unit indoors for an RV can cost anywhere from $250 or $400 per month. One with fewer amenities, less space, and lower security may only be around $150. Outdoor facilities will be even cheaper, but you should opt for a canopy, in this case, to protect your RV from the elements.

Here are 3 ways to find cheap RV storage near you:

1. The Neighbor App:  the app is trying to match people’s empty space with other people’s extra stuff.  There is a menu for RV storage. 
2. Storage.com which is a self-storage aggregation website. As a network partner of US Storage Search, Storage.com provides information on the largest available variety of self-storage facilities and allows for online reservations through the website. 
3. Local Facebook groups: I found a space for my RV through a local mommy group that my friend used. Join some active local Facebook group and ask members if they have space available in their backyard. It worked for me!