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RV life looks fun, simple, and even a little glamorous from the outside, but there’s a lot that doesn’t make it into the photos.
After years on the road, we’ve learned that while the lifestyle can be rewarding, it also comes with real challenges.
If you’re thinking about hitting the road full-time or just curious what it’s really like, here are a few truths you should know before jumping in.
1. Life on the Road Isn’t Always Easy
RV life looks simple in pictures, but behind the scenes, there’s always something that needs to be planned. It’s not just the big things like routes and campground reservations. It’s propane refills, where to dump tanks, where to fill up water, how to get reliable internet, mail forwarding, or finding a safe place to stop when you’re behind schedule. When you’re always in motion, everything from grocery shopping to medical appointments gets more complicated. There’s also a mental load that builds up from all this planning. It doesn’t ruin the experience, but it can wear you out if you’re not ready for it.
2. RV Life Isn’t Always Cheap
There’s a common belief that living in an RV will save money, especially compared to rent or a mortgage. While that can sometimes be true for stationary RV living, once you factor in campground fees, fuel, repairs, insurance, and the cost of decent internet on the road, those savings often disappear. Even budget-minded travelers run into unexpected expenses. And when you’re moving regularly, fuel alone can eat up hundreds a month. Add in the wear and tear, depreciation, etc., and the real costs start to show up fast.
💡 Tip: Fuel and campground costs can be two of the biggest expenses. Check out these gas saving hacks and how to find free and cheap campgrounds to hopefully save a little cash.
3. The Weather Can Wreck Your Plans
Mother Nature doesn’t care about your campground reservation. Wind gusts, snowstorms, heavy rain, heat waves, all of it can change your route, delay your plans, or leave you stuck.
RVs don’t handle severe weather well. For example, in the summer, heat can make boondocking miserable if your battery/generator setup can’t support prolonged air conditioning use. Even with full hookups, RVs aren’t insulated like a house and can be tough to keep cool in hot weather or warm in the cold. Cold snaps can freeze pipes or make it tough to keep your rig warm. Furthermore, high winds can create dangerous, even deadly, situations. You learn quickly to keep an eye on the forecast and have backup plans.
4. Campgrounds Are Getting Harder to Book
The rise in RV ownership over the past few years has led to packed campgrounds, especially during peak seasons or in warmer states during winter. Trying to book Florida in January or Yellowstone in July can feel impossible. More people on the road means more competition for sites. You may need to book months in advance or get creative with less popular spots. The longer you stay at sites, the less stressful this typically is. Plus, tools like campsite apps help, but it still takes time and effort.
5. You’ll Probably Regret Your First RV
A lot of folks buy what they think they need, only to realize it doesn’t fit their travel style. Maybe it’s too long to get into certain campgrounds, or too small once you’ve lived in it a while. Storage issues, floorplan flaws, and towing problems can all show up once you hit the road. It’s common for people to switch rigs after their first year or two. You learn fast what matters most to you, and it’s rarely the same as what seemed important at the dealership.
6. Dumping Tanks is Part of the Deal
This is one task that no one really gets excited about, but needs to be done if you use your RV’s facilities. Dumping black and gray tanks isn’t difficult, but it’s not fun and can even be a stressful experience for many. Leaky hoses, stuck valves, and full tanks with no dump station in sight can happen. You get used to the process, but it’s never something you look forward to. Most RVers figure out a system that works for them, and it becomes just another chore.
All of That Said… RVing is Rewarding
Even with the cost, planning, repairs, weather stress, and tank dumps, a lot of people find themselves hooked. There’s something about sleeping in your own bed every night, waking up in new places, and meeting others doing the same thing. You control the pace, the route, and the view out your window. RVing gives you a way to focus more on experiences and less on stuff. It may not be for everyone, but once it clicks for you, it’s hard to go back.