RV Living: the Good, the Bad & the Beautiful, Part 2

In the previous installment of this series, we discussed the Logistics of Leaving: how to buy an RV, how to quit your job, storage units, mail forwarding, etc. Now that you’re more or less committed to becoming a glorified bum, let’s get real about what it’s like to live on the road.

Part Two: Life on the Road

Trip Planning

As Dr. Seuss once said, “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.” Choosing your route will depend on several variables: how long you’ll be gone, the time of year you’ll be traveling, the capabilities of your chosen vehicle, and what types of adventure you want to partake in along the way.

A good place to start is a big ‘ol brain dump: get a map, make a list, or go crazy on Pinterest.  During my lunch breaks at work, I’d scour through photos from REI’s 1440 Project. The most rewarding trip planning tool, however, is word of mouth, since some of the places I enjoyed the most were those recommended to me by friends, family and fellow RVers.

Distance & Time

I traveled over 9000 miles in about 90 days. This is not typical for your everyday RVer. What it all comes down to is how many days/weeks/months you have to travel, how much you’d like to see, and how thoroughly you enjoy chugging Monsters, blaring David Bowie, and blasting the AC in your face in order to stay awake.

Unless your RV is outfitted with a Batmobile-grade jet rocket, your average MPH will typically settle around the Speed of Slug. My recommended speed for optimal gas mileage is 55mph. Therefore, I typically multiply Google Maps’ projected travel times by at least 20% to guesstimate my actual arrival.

Where to Stay

Every day, I played a fun game called “Where is Karly going to sleep tonight?” Depending on the amount of money in my bank account, whether or not I had friends or family close by, and the perceived “sketchiness” of my current location, I had several options for RV lodging:

RV Parks – The most obvious answer is an RV park. While the most convenient (they typically offer multiple dirtbag-friendly amenities such as hot showers, laundry, electricity, and wifi) they are by far the most expensive option. However, recycling bins are a beautiful thing, as are hot tubs – so every now and then I’d treat myself to a night at one of these roadside oases.

Campgrounds – Regular campgrounds are the next fanciest option. Believe it or not, National Parks campgrounds actually run cheaper than State Parks, since the environmental statutes protecting National Parks prohibit them from overdeveloping their campgrounds.

Boondocking – From there we enter into the time-honored tradition of what’s called “boondocking.” Generally defined as parking anywhere that’s “off the grid” and free, this can include: parking at a Walmart, snagging a spot on the street, or roughing it out in the boonies. (National Forests and certain BLM land is free reign with your National Parks pass). Other viable options include casinos, truck stops or church parking lots. However, I strongly encourage you to do your research before attempting to boondock, trust your instincts, and use your best discretion. Never park somewhere you don’t feel safe.

Friends & Family – Ultimately, I’ve found that the cheapest, safest, and most enjoyable option for overnighting parking is at a friend or family member’s home. That way you still have access to all the amenities of an RV park, plus a friendly face, and – if you’re lucky – free breakfast!

Here are some of my favorite websites and apps for RV trip planning:

• http://freecampsites.net/ – This is great for pre-trip research when you have access to wifi.

• rvovernight – I used this app constantly on the road, and it saved me many a time!

• Sanidumps – Shows you all the free and fee sanitary dumps along your route.

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Winter in an RV

When I told people I was planning on driving through Colorado and Wyoming in the winter, their typical response was, “You’re a complete moron.” Turns out, there were right. RVs (with a few exceptions) are not designed for the winter. With little to no insulation, exposed plumbing, and the stopping distance of a poodle on ice skates, heading for the snow in an RV is a bonafide deathtrap. But I did it anyway.

Determined to prove everyone wrong, I followed all the necessary steps for protecting your RV from the elements: insulating the pipes, pouring antifreeze down the drains, opening the doors under the sink, praying real hard and erecting a “skirt” (albeit an extremely janky one) around the waste water tanks. And then, after one night of sub-zero temps in Denver, she froze anyway. My advice to snowbird RVers? Don’t use water in the winter.

Sh*t Will Break

Imagine your home undergoing a more-or-less constant 4.4 magnitude earthquake. That’s what it’s like driving down the road in a motorhome. Slowly but surely, your house is being pulled apart, and it’s only a matter of time until thing­s will start to break. Being that my RV was built in 1988, I experienced every home maintenance challenge imaginable, from propane leaks to faulty fridges to complete electrical outlet failure. Oh, and did I mention I also hit a tree? Thank goodness for fiberglass and epoxy…

The key to staying sane in these situations is to simply let go. Any problem can be solved with the right amount of patience, ingenuity, and raw determination. And for those problems that fall outside your expertise, don’t be afraid to call on a mechanic–they are some of the nicest people I’ve ever met, and will share their knowledge with you if you care to listen.

Remember: strength can only grow through adversity. What would be the point of going on an adventure if everything went according to plan?

Category: Extreme