How to live in a motorhome (with pictures)

If you are ready for this change, living in an RV can be a dream come true. However, if you are not prepared, it can easily turn into a complete nightmare. Before you start, you should make this decision carefully and prepare for your new lifestyle.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Make the Decision

Step 1. Evaluate your reasons

Life in an RV can differ greatly from life in a conventional home. Therefore, you must ensure that you have good reasons to commit to this decision so that this experience can be successful. However, there are no definitive "right" or "wrong" reasons, so often it will be enough to have a reason that is solid to you.

Among those who tend to choose full-time life in a mobile home are retirees and those who tend to relocate frequently due to their employment. However, this can also be a good option for you if you want to have a simpler life or if you have a desire to travel throughout the country

Step 2. Reach a consensus

Life in a motor home evokes a sense of freedom, but the truth is that you will have to live with your family members in a very small space and spend a lot of hours with them. In case any of them oppose this lifestyle, this division will generate an unwanted tension from which you will not be able to escape in your daily life.

In case you have children under the age of 18, you should make sure that both they and your spouse agree with this decision. Likewise, all family members must be prepared to face the challenge of homeschooling

Step 3. Practice before you commit

You may want to try spending an extended amount of time in an RV before purchasing one, in case you never have. You can rent or borrow an RV and try going on vacation for a week or a month. This way, you can get a better idea of what it will be like to live in an RV in the long term.

You must have experience actually living in an RV even if you already have it driving or hauling large trailers. You need to have a good idea of what it will be like to drive your motorhome, organize and schedule your driving periods, budget for life on the road, and live with only the essentials on a daily basis

Step 4. Find out about the licensing legislation

Many times, to drive or transport a motor home, you will not need to obtain a special driver's license. However, there are certain exceptions, so before you focus on other preparations, you should research the driver's license laws where you live permanently and meet these requirements.

Check with the local department of motor vehicles or the equivalent entity in your country to find out what the legal requirements are. For some fairly large motorhomes, it may be necessary to obtain a license for a vehicle of another class. However, since motor homes are personal vehicles, a commercial driver's license should not be required

Step 5. Make a contingency plan

Life gives you surprises, and many things could go wrong and prevent you from continuing to live in an RV for long periods of time, so you should plan an alternative way of life in case an emergency arises.

• You must determine where you will stay and how you will pay the associated expenses in case the motor home breaks down or you develop a medical problem that prevents you from moving.
• You should also get the right kind of insurance, both for the motor home and for your own health.
• You should try to have a savings account from which you can live for a whole year without the motorhome.
• In case of an emergency, make arrangements with your relatives or friends if possible to stay with them for a month or two.

Part 2 of 3: Preparing for Full-Time Life in an RV

Step 1. Choose the best motorhome according to your needs

In general, these are the three main types of motorhomes designed for full-time living: travel trailers, caravans, and motorhomes. Your wishes and what you can afford will determine the best option for you.

• Travel trailers are bumper-pulled motorhomes and are the cheapest option, but also the smallest.
• Caravans are larger mobile homes that can be hooked up to the bed of a truck. While they are larger than travel trailers and cheaper than motorhomes, they will still need to be towed with a separate truck.
• Motorhomes are the most expensive and convenient option, as they have more storage space and allow you to drive directly without having to hitch it up to another vehicle.

Step 2. Read the fine print

In some cases, motorhomes have not been approved for full-time employment, so the cost of breakdown repairs may not be covered by the vehicle's warranty. Before finalizing a purchase, you should read the fine print so that you do not have unpleasant surprises.

Step 3. Reduce your belongings

In simple terms, in a mobile home you will not be able to have the same amount of belongings as in a conventional home, so you should make plans to get rid of everything you do not need or store it in a deposit.

• Instead of holding on to whatever you want, you should go through all your belongings and only take what you need. In case you can't give up the belongings you don't need, this lifestyle is probably not right for you.
• The best option is usually to get rid of the excess. Try to sell as much as you can to get money and then donate or get rid of the rest.
• For items of personal value (such as family heirlooms, souvenirs, and photos), you could leave them with other members of your family or store them in storage. However, if you are renting space, you will need to budget for the cost of storage on a monthly basis.
• If you choose to keep your apartment or house permanent, you could also store your excess belongings there. While this option is the most expensive, if you consider that there is a possibility that you will change your mind about life in an RV, it might be a sensible thing to do.

Step 4. Establish a permanent address

You don't have to have a permanent home or apartment, but you do need a permanent address of some kind for tax and other legal purposes.

• In some places, in order to obtain and maintain a driver's license, you must present proof of your residency. An address will also be required to open a bank account and maintain utility accounts. Often times, having a PO box may not be enough, but instead you will need to get a true permanent address.
• If keeping a permanent apartment or house is not something you can afford, you could use the address of one of your adult children or other relatives (with their permission, of course). In some cases, mail forwarding services will also provide you with the postal address you need for these purposes.

Step 5. Hire a mail forwarding service

These services may vary a bit from company to company, but generally, they collect your email and forward it to you depending on where you need to be.

• You should research various companies and service plans. You can find prices as low as $ 9 a month, although these can vary depending on the level of complexity. Therefore, you must opt for a service that adapts to your budget and your needs.
• You may have the option of dividing your correspondence into different categories, such as "to forward", "to review", "to throw away" and "to hold", although this will depend on the service. You could also choose how often the mail will be sent to the place where you are.
• In some cases, the services will also provide you with a physical postal address that you can use to receive packages and for legal purposes.

Step 6. Make the transition to online banking and billing

Consider correspondence exclusively online by opting for online banking and billing for important mailings. This way, your invoices won't get lost in the mail and you'll have a lower risk of having to pay late fees.

Step 7. Stay online

Today, a large number of RV parks offer wireless Internet services of some kind. However, you should not rely on these services as your way of staying connected to the outside world. Get a reliable plan for your cell phone and a mobile wireless network system (often called MiFi) so you can have a more constant connection.

• The wireless network in camps and other free-access places can be unreliable, so if you constantly need to access the Internet, your best option is to get a MiFi system.
• You should also shop around to get the best plan for your cell phone. There are several factors to consider, but one of the most important is the reliability of the coverage. The plan you choose should have coverage in a wide variety of locations across the country.

Part 3 of 3: Living in an RV

Step 1. Manage your income

Living in an RV is not free. Therefore, you should know where you will get income from while you live there. Many times, flexible employment may be necessary so that you can supplement your savings or savings plans.

• Often times, the most suitable jobs for this type of lifestyle are those that allow you to work online or freelance. However, you can also consider earning income from alternative ways, such as craft fairs and bartering.
• Check with other people who also live in mobile homes to determine what options you have. You can also find services online that work by matching employers with traveling workers.

Step 2. Make a budget for your expenses

Before starting, it is advisable to make an estimate of what your expenses will be and stick to your budget once you start. You can determine what your average monthly expenses are by calculating your current monthly expenses, subtracting the cost of living in a permanent home and adding the cost of living in a mobile home.

• Costs will vary, but you should be prepared to spend between $ 1,500 and $ 3,000 a month while living in an RV.
• There are certain costs you shouldn't worry about, including taxes on real estate, mortgages, rent, and certain utilities.
• Additional costs to consider include the cost of the motorhome itself, vehicle insurance, and certain camping costs.
• Your daily living costs, including the cost of food, entertainment, and health insurance, will stay fairly constant.

Step 3. Find areas where you can legally park

You will not be able to park anywhere. However, fortunately, there are many areas where you can park for free.

• You can generally park and camp for free on public land as long as it is zoned for these purposes. In some locations, you will need to choose a location that has an established fire ring and there may be other restrictions as well. Therefore, check with your local ranger's office or equivalent for more specific guidelines.
• In some cases, you can park for free overnight in commercial parking lots and truck stops, although you will generally need to leave after a couple of days.
• It is also possible to search for trailer parks and campgrounds, although there may be a cost to using these services.
• In case you have pets (especially dogs), you should make sure to make stops in places where it is allowed to take them.

Step 4. Be sensible when choosing stops

When stopping somewhere, you must be sure that it is close enough to a city where you can have access to the facilities you require to meet your daily needs.

At a minimum, you should make stops near cities where there are supermarkets and several restaurants. Also, if the motorhome does not have a washing machine, you should locate a nearby laundry

Step 5. Have another vehicle

Although it is not necessary to tow the motorhome using another vehicle, you should still have one in case the motorhome breaks down temporarily or permanently.

• You can tow your car or keep it in a location that is central and easily accessible.
• Keep in mind that cars are more fuel efficient than RVs. So if you have your car with you, you can drive through more scenic spots and run errands more easily.
• Also, a car gives you an alternative form of transportation in case you need to have your motorhome repaired.