1.One great idea I got from my daughter with 3 kiddos and a husband on varying shifts. After grocery shopping write down all the meals you can make with what you have on a white board. Include page numbers of recipes. No schedule needed of days. Erase meals after you have made them. 2. Invest in a vacuum sealer. We are only two most of the time. I buy large quantities of chicken or hamburger and seal them in small servings to use later. Takes up less space in our freezer and cuts down on leftovers.
We are getting ready to take the full time plunge; house goes on the market tomorrow. My biggest challenge seems to be leaving books and clothes behind. Who needs that adorable turquoise raincoat at a campground?
We've had our Class A for almost 4 years, been F T since last July. Recently, our most difficult encounter has been finding a quality dealer for annual maintenance. Some won't work on it if they didn't sell it. Some places won't work on diesel pushers. Some charge outrageous prices for services and parts. So keep detailed notes and ask others, including campground hosts/managers for their recommendations. Thanks for all the videos!
The most difficult thing for us was learning to keep the weight of all our stuff down. We had way too much stuff with us when we first started. Just because we have room to store something doesn't mean we have the free allowable weight. The next difficult thing was learning how to keep mice out of the rig. Hate mice!
Yeah, I am finding that the rear axle rating is real problem spot for us. We travel with a tow vehicle that's on the smaller side, and the front passthrough is *massive*. Very easy to get in trouble there. Pretty much every single trip we have to move something.
@@kellyheinzman3226 I'm not sure if they offer it for the 3 quart. I got one for a 6 quart in the house. We don't use it a lot but it does seem to work good.
We try to stock the RV with the premise that items need to be dual purpose when possible, and / or lighter weight. An example would be a plastic, folding small table. We can use it indoors in front of our couch, place it in the kitchen area for a little more food staging area, or take it outside. For travel days it folds up and tucks away.
Biggest change for me was lack of space, for storage and for food. I learned after the first season eliminating items that only get used once a week or less were just not needed. Learning to be a minimalist made a huge difference in the clutter, packing and unpacking. As my truck weight has to be watched due to my RV being a truck camper eliminating infrequently used items cuts down on weight.
After watching tons of videos for several yrs I had caught on to most of these. It’s how I knew we can’t do it. What hasn’t happened in 40 yrs is not suddenly going to start happening now, esp with the added challenges. So I’m getting a tiny rig and taking off occasionally with a grandkid or two. My hubby is SO relieved. 😂😂
I have thought of hitting the road full time myself but I'm thinking I may be more like you and get that tiny rig and take off for just a bit with a grandkid or two for some adventure! 🙂
Spot on! My greatest challenge has been finding workspace. We have a smaller rig (26 feet) and I have been dismayed at how many campsites don’t have picnic tables. I have learned to ask before booking.
I've thought about rving on a permanent basis like you folks and so many others. But after my bride and I finish a trip we are always glad to get back home and start planning for our next adventure. Glad for you guys and all the full timers out there, but I need a place to call home base. I do enjoy your posts keep up the good work.
As I always tell friends who are thinking about full timing, it’s not for everybody. We started out keeping our home for a year to be sure it was what we wanted to do before we decided to sell the house. We have no regrets.
Yep, you guys nailed it. One thing I didn’t plan on was not being able to share the struggles with my old non-RV friends back home. Sometimes this can be lonely and HARD, and I just need to talk to someone, but my struggles are completely not relatable with my old friends. How could I possibly complain when we’re living the dream??? I ended up buying a journal, and I write in it like I’m writing to my best friend, and it’s made a huge difference when I’m feeling lonely or scared.
We are gearing up both physically and mentally to begin FT RVing next month. These videos are really helpful to us newbies. Thank you and maybe we’ll see you on the road someday.
Doing laundry in a public laundrymat (or at an RV Park), when you haven't done it in many, many years, can be a shocking eye-opener for the new RV full-timer.
Thank you for all your videos. Bought our RV December 2020. Your videos helped us choose which RV was right for us (Tiffin Allegro Red 38 QRA). In 2021 we did three 40 day trips, using all the advice you provide, determining if full timing is right for us. January 2, 2022 we left for a 2 year (and maybe longer) trip. We could not be happier. We never would have been as prepared without out you! I love RV Trip wizard and have used it since day 1. I appreciate your discount codes and have used them for Harvest Host and Boondockers Welcome as well as others. The biggest thing I have learned is you have to be flexible. You may not like your campground or the COE knocks on the door to tell you to leave because they are closing due to flooding. Stay calm, get out all your resources - there is always another spot. Finally, if you are willing to put in the time it can be affordable - both campsites and fuel (we have the TSD card). We hope to cross paths along the way and have a beer! Hoped to meet you at Tampa RV show but took a pass with spike of Omicron. Big Thank you for your willingness to share with all of us!
Thank you Kelly! We are glad to help in anyway we can. This lifestyle is amazing and we are glad to share with everyone that is looking to get in to it. Hope to meet ya out in the wild soon!
Great video!!! You are right. Trip planning can sometimes become overwhelming depending on the length and distance of the trip. I just try to remember "there's joy in the journey". It will all be worth it. RV cooking. Yep, it's not perfect, but I tweak my set up every so often and it does work out. 1st rig had the TV screen right above the counter next to the sink; also right across from the seats. Thougt that would be "OK", nope. Learned that lesson. Be very careful when getting a rig thinking something will just be "OK". Usually, it isn't. But, all in all, it's life. We had struggles in our sticks and bricks too. It's not for everyone and I say do what works for you. Full time, part time, weekenders, once a year. Make it your own. Have watched you since we first decided to buy an RV and you guys are always a joy to watch and give great information. Happy and safe travels!!
Great video, good information. My wife and I have been full timers for 11 years. One thing we didn't realize until we lived it, if you have a major breakdown there is a good chance you're going to be sitting there for hours. Then if it happens on a weekend you may have to be taken to an available RV Park and then towed to a repair shop on Monday. We lived this experience while traveling through Canada. Fortunately we had Coach Net Insurance and they took care of all the arrangements for us, including finding the RV Park, having us towed there and dropped in a full hook up spot, and then having the large tow truck return on Monday and tow us to a repair shop! They even located the shop and made the arrangement for our arrival. We own a 42' Beaver Patriot Thunder. Thanks for all your videos and keep on enjoying the journey!!
We have 36' diesel pusher and Coachnet. Often wondered what emergency service we could get from them. Glad you had a good experience. Like all insurance, hope we never have to use it.
@@terrygillis9909, Coach Net has been excellent! No, I receive no compensation for singing their praises. I have so impressed with them when we needed them I just love to share. We have needed them 3 times in 11 years. Every experience was exceptional.
Great, honest Video as usual! First we are pat timers not full time yet maybe in the future. Much of the learning curve is similar. so when we bought our Class A RV I did the research and set it up for us. This was because I had a position at the time that allowed me to do this. Recommendation if you like your Small appliances duplicate them exactly, this eliminates the learning curve. Trust me you will have enough to learn. I love to drive so that is good however, Set a daily mileage limit and stick to it. Nothing can ruin a good day quicker than driving to far and getting tired and then having to park the rig maybe even in the dark. While on the subject of parking, get a good walkie talkie our is hand free. This saves a lot of time and frustration. Learned from unpleasant experiences. Talk ahead of leaving the drive how to give parking directions so both driver and spotter are on the same page. Above all take your time and enjoy.
I have followed you guys for over a year when my partner and I seriously investigated full time RV. We realized this lifestyle was not practical realistically for us. Now I just enjoy the lifestyle vicariously through you guys! Thank you for all the great videos and information.
I'm so glad you discussed these issues. So many newbies watch videos with all the fun and adventure but don't realize it's not all fun and games. Love to see the excitement the newbies have but as a long time rv'er I know reality will set in. It's good but not perfect and not cheap.
Hi guys, my husband and I just recently retired and became full-time rvers. Every point you mentioned, we experienced and then some. The beginning of this adventure put a terrible strain on our marriage, because youtube and real life are two different things. We purchased from a private owner a 40ft 2010 Winnebago Tour. Being a ex-school bus driver I could drive and handle the rig, but we forgot we didn't know anything else about an RV. Anyway we've been learning lots through trial and error, and I've even decided to keep the husband. Anyway excellent message you guys keep up the good work.
Yes, not a full time RV'er, but your right. You always must be neat, clean-up as you cook, or as you come in and out of your RV. Biggest problem is the dirt that fines it's way into your RV no matter how much you wipe your shoes off. Space is tight, so when down with a cooking item, clean, then put away. Good video
Loved this video. On point and caught my attention from the beginning. We love this lifestyle but it's not always rainbows and Unicorns. Great video throughout 👍!
My wife and I have been watching your videos and consider you guys as close friends even though we haven't met. I do receive your newsletter and have learned so much about full-time RVing. In September of 2022, we sold our 5th wheel and bought a Newmar Dutch Star 41' coach. We have started purging the house and it's not an easy task. But the nice thing about your video was that my wife is slowly done purchasing items that we can't take with us. That's a plus. :) We are looking to start full-time in about one in a half years. Would love to meet you guys someday. Thank you for the numerous educated videos and stay well. Frank and Olga.
I've been enjoying full timing since last April in my fifth wheel and doing fine. Thanks to all my research and learning from yours other full timer channels BEFORE going full time myself I had a decent realistic idea of what to expect. For anyone considering full timing, do your research and set realistic goals and things will go much smoother. Thanks Phil and Stacy !!
We have five and a half more years of work before we can RV part time. In the meantime I am living vicariously through you two. The good, the bad and the ugly. Thank you for all of your insights.
We’re on month #4 as brand new full timers and are learning a lot of the things you mentioned! One big one we’ve encountered is learning what all can be on at the same time. For instance, we cannot run the large toaster oven/convection oven and the electric kettle at the same without tripping the circuit. Still figuring out my new cooking habits! Getting used to life without a large island to prep food on. Loving this life so far even with the new challenges!
Congratulations on month #4! We are almost at our 4 month anniversary, too, and are SO glad we sold everything and got under way:). We are also learning lots about mapping our electric usage and also how to manage solar (tons of learning- we are boondocking about 85% of the time in our Little Guy Max)- absolutely no regrets, even when it gets dicey. Congratulations on surviving your first winter 😂 We’re doin’ it!
As former sailors we refer to the RV as "The Boat" and carry boat boxes. We are not full timers and we travel with only what we need for a trip. It is easy to load up the RV with stuff that you use only once a year if any. We have "boat boxes" setup for hiking, boon docking, etc. Each box is ready to go. We also tow a Trailhawk giving us the opportunity to pick up anything we forgot.
Been FT a yr now, we've been fortunate to not have rv issues. Everything changes, on an hourly basis seems. Ready to start our 2nd yr summer work camping gig in Steamboat Springs CO. Stop by this summer!
Thank you for taking the time to highlight the practical considerations in real time RV lifestyle. I appreciate that so many people only shine the Instagram perfection, but understanding the real, but manageable costs, to RVing should make a better true experience for new RV couples.
First time out- we put the water supply in the wrong inlet on the Jayco Pinnacle 38flsa. Soooo, our black water tank was full instantly. Want to know how we found out? Flush your toilet with a full tank that is under pressure….you’ll see! Oh well, live and learn.
How about doing most of your cooking outside! Either with a griddle, a grill, or going old fashion with cast-iron and a fire pit? I will take up a lot of your cooking issues right there
We just started full-timing in May 2021 and even though we prepared for this around 2 years in advance by learning all we could and watching lots of videos like yours and your good friends, Changing Lanes, I was still amazed at how much maintenance was required, some little and some bigger issues. It is still well worth the effort and we are loving this lifestyle.
Still love the videos from you two. Serious question for you as a fellow sailor; buying an RV, driven or towed, is like getting a new ship or sub from the builder. We normally do a series of shake down cruises to test EVERYTHING before we accept it. Can't really do that with an RV, but based on your experience, what do you recommend folks test thoroughly once they pick up their new RV and how should they test it?
We RV with three Chihuahuas and they don't have a doggie door and 1400 Sq Ft of backyard to do their business. I've got to take they outside so that means never going to sleep early and never sleeping in. They can only hold it sooo looong!
It’s remembering to reassemble your stuff when you pick up to go from place to place-did you get everything in the fridge and cabinets arranged so that there are no “surprises” when you open the doors at your next spot!
Thank you for a great review of the RV lifestyle. As 20+ year part time RVers with a long cross country trip under our tires, the points y'all make were right on! Also, thank you both for your many years of service to our country and for your continuing efforts to support our Veteran community. Semper Fi!
time apart is a huge key! we are a family of 4 and been full time almost a year now. Our park has a playground and rec hall with activities...also learn to cook outside when its really hot outside (instapot or crock pot)
I really don't have any tips because I've just purchased my RV a few months ago but I'm sure I'll have some surprises along the way. What I'm most worried about is my wife having something go wrong and saying never again, not to the whole RV thing but to an aspect of it I might enjoy. We'll see. Keep the good stuff coming guys.
I'm still not full time (damn work! lol). But you hit all the spots in your video. The one thing I would add is how much of a power drain some of those small appliances can be! I understood this previously from living in a house, but I think the first time it hit home was when I was using my generator in the RV and decided to use my 1 cup/pod coffee maker. Hearing the generator dip in power as it was being used was a huge reminder of what even a simple appliance will suck up while in use.
Thanks for the heads up on some of those items that I haven't thought of. It still beats living in a tent for six months in the desert and you get to see more things. Looking forward to seeing you on the road sometime.
You mentioned cooking....I can't use 2 normal size pots of top of my stove. The pots touch, and it's to close to the rv wall causing bubbling of the wall paper. I had to get smaller pots. If your cooking for more than two people. You have to cook your meal twice, and sometimes three times to have enough food for every one. We had to replace the reclining chairs in our RV because they were obviously designed for shorter people. My husband is 5'4", I am 5'7". Our feet had no support, and the head rests landed on our shoulders. They're so many adjustments you make in an RV to have your creature comforts like you have at home.....with limitations.
Great video. We've learned a lot while out on the road. We dreamed of it to be one thing, and then there was the reality thing. With the growth of the rv community I think reality will be hard on some people. Hope to see you guys out there as we plan to expand our adventures.
the convection oven is ok , but we purchased a toaster oven , that is great for a lot of things , and recently purchased a Ninja dual basket air fryer , absolutely a must have unit we could not do without
A newbie needs to know things will breakdown and if it’s a diesel pusher it will cost more. I never saw that in blogs etc when I was researching. Need to be prepared and SAVE for it. It will happen! Not complaining, just sharing.
So we lived with our family for a year in our RV, as we’re setting up our land. 2 kiddos, now 3.. and things like: humidity! If things are put away, there’s little air flow. So you need a small dehumidifier (or a few). I can’t actually sit at my table, because it’s bench is positioned low to the ground. Learning how to maintain the leaks, the breakdowns.. finding people to work on things. Not everywhere is a good place for the awning..
Spot on guys with full timing, we are in a 40ft Phaeton after a big house since Oct 12 and although I love most of it, we have our challenges. Love seeing all the amazing things and national parks but what I miss the most is me time. Being together 24/7 is a drastic change, but we are trying to adjust. I enjoy grocery shopping by myself more than ever. I also agree with the convection oven, no matter what I cook, it just isn’t the same as a conventional oven. We have a food ninja and black stone which we use most. Love watching you guys.
You hit it on the nail head about how much work it takes to roll down the road and the expense. I have actually discouraged friends and family against rving knowing who they were and the abilities they had mechanically and financially. Rving is not a hobby if you go for any length of time out on the road. Something will eventually go wrong out there and it will help if you can turn a wrench, as little as changing a tire or a headlight bulb. Love you guys. Stay Safe out there. Peace
I was surprised in mid January with an e-mail from RV Life rewarding me with a free two years extended membership because of my involvement on IRV2, and the Winnebago Owners group, both hosted by RV Life.
All very good reminders we are not full times, but do like to travel for months at a time. One thing we are always surprised is how long it takes to set up and take down. Phil is correct if you don’t like where your parked. Move. Well stay safe and I’ll go check out your blog.
For me the biggest lesson was about water. Because I filled the RV when it was at a slight angle I got an inaccurate readings from the level indicator. I also ran out of water on a few trips. Resolved some of these problems by taking one of the panels off so I can visually see the water level.
Great tips. One thing I was surprised about was all the upgrades I needed and wanted. It never seems to end. After RVing with the family, I quickly realized the original floor plan just didn't cut it, so I took out the old and completely built new furniture that works better for my family.
You would have never had room for the 5/16 old style Calif. cold water wet suit I offered Phil, as I clean out my garage, it takes a full sea bag to store.
We are two weeks or so from it being our FT home so this was very helpful! The biggest challenge we have found with trial runs has been workspace set up and storage when not in use. And our books…where to put the books?!
Completely agree. Life is still life no matter where you live or what type of home you have. :) I appreciate that you show that's it's not all sunshine and rainbows 100% of the time. Too many may get caught up in the hype and excitement and overlook reality. :)
THANK YOU for addressing some real life daily issues - the good, the bad, and the ugly. We've been full-time since Sept 2019. I mostly love it, but at times I hate it. The lack of "me" time is my biggest challenging, and my husband does not understand this. It's amazing how much one accumulate over time: we've purged many times, but I think that's life. Please keep going with how to deal with the everyday real life/issues of full-time living. I think you can always learn something new and glean from others no matter how "experienced" you are .
We are working from home in the same room, next month will be 2 years. It is our training period🤣, because we are seasonal campers for now. We are planning a longer trip this summer and your tips have been so helpful!
Really good info. Thanks for sharing. You guys have always given a HONEST version of RV life, the glamorous and the unglamorous. I so appreciate the honesty you strife to give your views. Well done and Semper Fi.
Great info, good tips. After being a weekend warrior for 40yrs we've highly refined the routine to setup and breakdown to travel in our 33' Class A. Setup takes 10min, breakdown and toad hookup, 20min. Hydraulic levelers are ESSENTIAL for a fast setup and breakdown. Today, being retired, we travel around the country for months at a time, but we usually camp for 2 or 3 nights at each POI, then we move on. This provides enough time to explore the area in our toad, or ebikes, seeing the sites. So far retirement mode as a half timer is working out great.
My wife and I are fixing to start the full time RV life. Your videos have been very helpful and will save us a ton of mistakes. I really like the scene of using curtain rods to keep stuff in place in the refrigerator.
Thanks for the video. My wife and I are set to start this lifestyle in about 3 months and we can not wait. Videos like this make us talk about some of the non fun things that are involved, but we are doing it anyway. Hope to meet you two on the road. .
Great video!! As you said RV life can be hard work. I think sticks and bricks isn’t all fun either, just different. We are like most, countertop for cooking and making room for everything w/o weight issues. We try the rule, if we purchase something new one thing goes out or to give away. We have been full time for over 3 years now and are still learning and rearranging, ha!! Keep up the good work love your content!! 😊🇺🇸
Glad to see your purchase of the Ninja air oven. That’s my go to. Can cook entire meal in it using the air roast option. The fact that it tilts up for storage is fantastic for this fulltime RV lifestyle.
Hello! Organization is key! On our last five months trip we just took too much - period! I have found when we are out in our local parks ( near family) we set up a lot of stuff we don’t normally set out when it’s just the two of us and we are on the road…
Thanks for the tips. We've been avid part-timers for about 20 yrs. We will always have a home base as we like both family time and our "away time". I finally purchased a RV specific GPS as I wanted to reduced stress factor for those unplanned exists/treks. We love the RV Trip Wizard. Specially now where you need to plan more due to full parks. keep the tips coming on making RVing more enjoyable.
I come from an exceedingly small 550 sq. ft. apartment. I don't even have enough stuff to fill an RV. I am figuring most of my cupboards and underbelly will be empty. I won't have to downsize at all. Other than getting rid of a dresser and a couch I hate!
I love your videos! I hope our paths cross one day. I bought a new truck and Grand Design travel trailer last year and camped full time for 4 months. The confined space can be challenging. My biggest challenges were dirty laundry, computer storage/use on my dinette and kitty litter for my two cats. I have an Imagine XLS 22 MLE which I love but if I continue with this retired lifestyle, I may need a larger unit! Take care! Jean C.
My biggest surprise was how traveling really beats up your kitchen stuff. I.e., my silverware has dark marks on them now from rubbing together from the friction of traveling...so...I started wrapping as much as I can with dish towels to keep the friction down now.
This isn't exactly on point, but I have a few observations during my 6 plus years of full timing. I stay at only a few rv parks a year, so when staying at these long term rv parks I notice: 1) I NEVER see any of the "permanents" clean their sewage tanks. They must do it in the middle of the night. 2) the permanents always ask me why I'm leaving. I tell them that's why my rv has wheels.
Truth, I like it. My wife Deborah and I say Tetris, and sometimes Jenga as well depending how things fall out 😆😩…. Dips and valleys, we started our Journey full time last October. It’s challenging but fun. Everything you mentioned in the video is soooo True. But it’s worth it. Think about the day to day from where you came from. The stress and hassle, and then some…..This way of life has enormous benefits over the oh crap moments. Love your channel, Stay Alert, Stay Alive.
Been living in my MH since 2004. I never check my power and tanks daily when plugged into power. I now how long my tanks take to fill up. A lot of other things you do I don't do, don't use GPS.
We’ve been on the road almost 2 years. Right now the most difficult thing for me is planning. I definitely have decision fatigue and kind of hit the wall at the 1 year mark. It’s hard to find a groomer for our golden and it’s hard to find someone cut and color my hair. And lastly, sometimes the odor in the black tank is unbearable no matter what we do. Great video!
We found that while we like to travel, we also liked being home. So, not full time material here. But we appreciate the insights as your experience helps part timers too. Passport America has been one of our camp ground cost savings tools since day one, so parks that are a little long in the tooth are not a surprise to us. We do appreciate a nice park, but really only get value from the hookups and the view. Appreciate your volunteer work, your projects and your travel experiences. Thanks for sharing.
We sold our home and moved to a different state and have had to live in the rv for 3 month till we move into our new home. We quickly realized how expensive it is to live in an rv and the difficulties of laundry and other things. I would say we are definitely are not full time RVers either. We like to take the rv for vacation, but love coming back to our home afterwards.
We have the same air fryer and take it with us on all our trips. We absolutely love it! I bake and air fry just about everything in it. Tip: a round pizza stone fits in it perfectly and it bakes great cookies, etc...
You guys absolutely nailed it! We have been on the road full time about 15 and everything you said was true. The hardest part for us are the dogs. We have two small dogs so potty time can be difficult when dealing with muddy locations like PNW or temperatures in the teens (currently at Lake Tahoe where snow is melting and mud is everywhere). Dogs are also not allowed on trails in the National Parks as well as many other trails so we either can’t go hiking or we have to leave them in the rig (not our favorite). Timing becomes an issue in that case because of needed potty breaks. Boarding is an option (can be costly) but for only one of our dogs…the other is too old. Hope to see you on the road!
We wrote up a check list of things to do in the order to do them. We were not full times, so it was easier to forget something! Low bridges we never worried about because we always carrier our Truckers Atlas the laminated verson so in case that coffee spilled. As an over the road trucker we both enjoyed the the traveling, so it wasn't a big stretch to climb in an RV. Of course our choice was a "5th wheel". Happy trails to both of you!
Dive gear, I better not let Diane see this, getting rid of here dive gear was part of our compromises.. I think like many we started out by sitting around the fire and having Happy Hours way to much and figured our real fast that the smoke gets old and our livers needed a break LOL!! Hey, who do you use to make your tumblers and cups with designs?
I was surprised how fast the grey tank fill. 1st week long trip didn't have sewer an we didn't have a dump cart and had to use the campground bathrooms for the last few days!
We have been RVing for 20 years.. Couple of things,,,, you can order Space Saver Vacum Storage Bags that will shrink your bluky linens into next to nothing. Check amazon. The other thing we have done is changed our mind set. RV life is not Sticks and Bricks it is better. So we don't think about air firers or instapots we are camping and just cook and deal with it accordingly.. ; We barbeque make stuff that our little kitchen can deal with ... Sorry you don't like your convetion oven ...We love ours yes noicey but we have even cooked prime rib in there. Be happy and for all of us embrace the adventure.
Great tips! When we started full time RVing our problems was the moisture inside the walls and windows. We still haven’t figured out how to deal with that lol
We RV about 6 months out of the year as we live in Florida. So we leave for the hots months. Jean says RVing make her gain weight. I didn't expect planning to be such an issue. We like to be able to stay somewhere an extra day or more if it ends up a nice area, but if you plan to much you can't do that.
great video and very helpful. I'm considering getting a travel trailer and stationary full time as Ive hated moving around paying rent or being stuck in a lease as I follow work around. The lack of kitchen or food storage space is a concern as I like to food shop once a month to month and a half. Its why im seeking out videos like this.
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1.One great idea I got from my daughter with 3 kiddos and a husband on varying shifts. After grocery shopping write down all the meals you can make with what you have on a white board. Include page numbers of recipes. No schedule needed of days. Erase meals after you have made them.
2. Invest in a vacuum sealer. We are only two most of the time. I buy large quantities of chicken or hamburger and seal them in small servings to use later. Takes up less space in our freezer and cuts down on leftovers.
We are getting ready to take the full time plunge; house goes on the market tomorrow. My biggest challenge seems to be leaving books and clothes behind. Who needs that adorable turquoise raincoat at a campground?
We've had our Class A for almost 4 years, been F T since last July. Recently, our most difficult encounter has been finding a quality dealer for annual maintenance. Some won't work on it if they didn't sell it. Some places won't work on diesel pushers. Some charge outrageous prices for services and parts. So keep detailed notes and ask others, including campground hosts/managers for their recommendations. Thanks for all the videos!
The most difficult thing for us was learning to keep the weight of all our stuff down. We had way too much stuff with us when we first started. Just because we have room to store something doesn't mean we have the free allowable weight. The next difficult thing was learning how to keep mice out of the rig. Hate mice!
Yeah, I am finding that the rear axle rating is real problem spot for us. We travel with a tow vehicle that's on the smaller side, and the front passthrough is *massive*. Very easy to get in trouble there. Pretty much every single trip we have to move something.
There is a air fryer lid available for the Intsta- pot. Works pretty good and will take up less room than a stand alone air fryer.
I bought a 3 qt instant-pot. What would the air fryer lid add in functionality if I added it?
@@kellyheinzman3226 I'm not sure if they offer it for the 3 quart. I got one for a 6 quart in the house. We don't use it a lot but it does seem to work good.
We try to stock the RV with the premise that items need to be dual purpose when possible, and / or lighter weight. An example would be a plastic, folding small table. We can use it indoors in front of our couch, place it in the kitchen area for a little more food staging area, or take it outside. For travel days it folds up and tucks away.
Biggest change for me was lack of space, for storage and for food. I learned after the first season eliminating items that only get used once a week or less were just not needed. Learning to be a minimalist made a huge difference in the clutter, packing and unpacking. As my truck weight has to be watched due to my RV being a truck camper eliminating infrequently used items cuts down on weight.
After watching tons of videos for several yrs I had caught on to most of these. It’s how I knew we can’t do it. What hasn’t happened in 40 yrs is not suddenly going to start happening now, esp with the added challenges.
So I’m getting a tiny rig and taking off occasionally with a grandkid or two.
My hubby is SO relieved. 😂😂
I have thought of hitting the road full time myself but I'm thinking I may be more like you and get that tiny rig and take off for just a bit with a grandkid or two for some adventure! 🙂
If you have a 6 quart insta-pot you can get the air fryer adapter for the top, so you don’t have to have a separate appliance, just a top.
Spot on! My greatest challenge has been finding workspace. We have a smaller rig (26 feet) and I have been dismayed at how many campsites don’t have picnic tables. I have learned to ask before booking.
I've thought about rving on a permanent basis like you folks and so many others. But after my bride and I finish a trip we are always glad to get back home and start planning for our next adventure.
Glad for you guys and all the full timers out there, but I need a place to call home base.
I do enjoy your posts keep up the good work.
My wife and I are the same way. As much as we enjoy going we also enjoy coming home too.
As I always tell friends who are thinking about full timing, it’s not for everybody. We started out keeping our home for a year to be sure it was what we wanted to do before we decided to sell the house. We have no regrets.
Thanks for your input, at least my bride and I aren't the only ones that enjoy coming home.
I love RV'ing....but as George Carlin says, I need a place for my stuff! ;-)
I'm the opposite. When I start for home, I wish I was staying out longer.
Yep, you guys nailed it. One thing I didn’t plan on was not being able to share the struggles with my old non-RV friends back home. Sometimes this can be lonely and HARD, and I just need to talk to someone, but my struggles are completely not relatable with my old friends. How could I possibly complain when we’re living the dream??? I ended up buying a journal, and I write in it like I’m writing to my best friend, and it’s made a huge difference when I’m feeling lonely or scared.
We are gearing up both physically and mentally to begin FT RVing next month. These videos are really helpful to us newbies. Thank you and maybe we’ll see you on the road someday.
Doing laundry in a public laundrymat (or at an RV Park), when you haven't done it in many, many years, can be a shocking eye-opener for the new RV full-timer.
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Thank you for all your videos. Bought our RV December 2020. Your videos helped us choose which RV was right for us (Tiffin Allegro Red 38 QRA). In 2021 we did three 40 day trips, using all the advice you provide, determining if full timing is right for us. January 2, 2022 we left for a 2 year (and maybe longer) trip. We could not be happier. We never would have been as prepared without out you! I love RV Trip wizard and have used it since day 1. I appreciate your discount codes and have used them for Harvest Host and Boondockers Welcome as well as others. The biggest thing I have learned is you have to be flexible. You may not like your campground or the COE knocks on the door to tell you to leave because they are closing due to flooding. Stay calm, get out all your resources - there is always another spot. Finally, if you are willing to put in the time it can be affordable - both campsites and fuel (we have the TSD card). We hope to cross paths along the way and have a beer! Hoped to meet you at Tampa RV show but took a pass with spike of Omicron. Big Thank you for your willingness to share with all of us!
Thank you Kelly! We are glad to help in anyway we can. This lifestyle is amazing and we are glad to share with everyone that is looking to get in to it. Hope to meet ya out in the wild soon!
Great video!!! You are right. Trip planning can sometimes become overwhelming depending on the length and distance of the trip. I just try to remember "there's joy in the journey". It will all be worth it. RV cooking. Yep, it's not perfect, but I tweak my set up every so often and it does work out. 1st rig had the TV screen right above the counter next to the sink; also right across from the seats. Thougt that would be "OK", nope. Learned that lesson. Be very careful when getting a rig thinking something will just be "OK". Usually, it isn't. But, all in all, it's life. We had struggles in our sticks and bricks too. It's not for everyone and I say do what works for you. Full time, part time, weekenders, once a year. Make it your own. Have watched you since we first decided to buy an RV and you guys are always a joy to watch and give great information. Happy and safe travels!!
Great video, good information. My wife and I have been full timers for 11 years. One thing we didn't realize until we lived it, if you have a major breakdown there is a good chance you're going to be sitting there for hours. Then if it happens on a weekend you may have to be taken to an available RV Park and then towed to a repair shop on Monday. We lived this experience while traveling through Canada. Fortunately we had Coach Net Insurance and they took care of all the arrangements for us, including finding the RV Park, having us towed there and dropped in a full hook up spot, and then having the large tow truck return on Monday and tow us to a repair shop! They even located the shop and made the arrangement for our arrival. We own a 42' Beaver Patriot Thunder. Thanks for all your videos and keep on enjoying the journey!!
We have 36' diesel pusher and Coachnet. Often wondered what emergency service we could get from them. Glad you had a good experience. Like all insurance, hope we never have to use it.
@@terrygillis9909, Coach Net has been excellent! No, I receive no compensation for singing their praises. I have so impressed with them when we needed them I just love to share. We have needed them 3 times in 11 years. Every experience was exceptional.
Great, honest Video as usual! First we are pat timers not full time yet maybe in the future. Much of the learning curve is similar. so when we bought our Class A RV I did the research and set it up for us. This was because I had a position at the time that allowed me to do this. Recommendation if you like your Small appliances duplicate them exactly, this eliminates the learning curve. Trust me you will have enough to learn. I love to drive so that is good however, Set a daily mileage limit and stick to it. Nothing can ruin a good day quicker than driving to far and getting tired and then having to park the rig maybe even in the dark. While on the subject of parking, get a good walkie talkie our is hand free. This saves a lot of time and frustration. Learned from unpleasant experiences. Talk ahead of leaving the drive how to give parking directions so both driver and spotter are on the same page. Above all take your time and enjoy.
Great advice!!!
I have followed you guys for over a year when my partner and I seriously investigated full time RV. We realized this lifestyle was not practical realistically for us. Now I just enjoy the lifestyle vicariously through you guys! Thank you for all the great videos and information.
I love how you moved around the campground and spoke to us. Much more pleasant to watch than someone just staying in one place.
I'm so glad you discussed these issues. So many newbies watch videos with all the fun and adventure but don't realize it's not all fun and games. Love to see the excitement the newbies have but as a long time rv'er I know reality will set in. It's good but not perfect and not cheap.
Hi guys, my husband and I just recently retired and became full-time rvers. Every point you mentioned, we experienced and then some. The beginning of this adventure put a terrible strain on our marriage, because youtube and real life are two different things. We purchased from a private owner a 40ft 2010 Winnebago Tour. Being a ex-school bus driver I could drive and handle the rig, but we forgot we didn't know anything else about an RV. Anyway we've been learning lots through trial and error, and I've even decided to keep the husband. Anyway excellent message you guys keep up the good work.
Yes, not a full time RV'er, but your right. You always must be neat, clean-up as you cook, or as you come in and out of your RV. Biggest problem is the dirt that fines it's way into your RV no matter how much you wipe your shoes off. Space is tight, so when down with a cooking item, clean, then put away. Good video
Loved this video. On point and caught my attention from the beginning. We love this lifestyle but it's not always rainbows and Unicorns. Great video throughout 👍!
Glad you enjoyed it!
My wife and I have been watching your videos and consider you guys as close friends even though we haven't met. I do receive your newsletter and have learned so much about full-time RVing. In September of 2022, we sold our 5th wheel and bought a Newmar Dutch Star 41' coach. We have started purging the house and it's not an easy task. But the nice thing about your video was that my wife is slowly done purchasing items that we can't take with us. That's a plus. :) We are looking to start full-time in about one in a half years. Would love to meet you guys someday. Thank you for the numerous educated videos and stay well. Frank and Olga.
Thanks, Frank! Congrats. It is really was a great decision for us. Have fun with the process.
I've been enjoying full timing since last April in my fifth wheel and doing fine. Thanks to all my research and learning from yours other full timer channels BEFORE going full time myself I had a decent realistic idea of what to expect. For anyone considering full timing, do your research and set realistic goals and things will go much smoother. Thanks Phil and Stacy !!
We have five and a half more years of work before we can RV part time. In the meantime I am living vicariously through you two. The good, the bad and the ugly. Thank you for all of your insights.
We’re on month #4 as brand new full timers and are learning a lot of the things you mentioned! One big one we’ve encountered is learning what all can be on at the same time. For instance, we cannot run the large toaster oven/convection oven and the electric kettle at the same without tripping the circuit. Still figuring out my new cooking habits! Getting used to life without a large island to prep food on. Loving this life so far even with the new challenges!
The hair dryer is a big breaker tripper when the AC, water heater, coffee pot etc are all on!
Congratulations on month #4! We are almost at our 4 month anniversary, too, and are SO glad we sold everything and got under way:). We are also learning lots about mapping our electric usage and also how to manage solar (tons of learning- we are boondocking about 85% of the time in our Little Guy Max)- absolutely no regrets, even when it gets dicey. Congratulations on surviving your first winter 😂 We’re doin’ it!
As former sailors we refer to the RV as "The Boat" and carry boat boxes. We are not full timers and we travel with only what we need for a trip. It is easy to load up the RV with stuff that you use only once a year if any. We have "boat boxes" setup for hiking, boon docking, etc. Each box is ready to go. We also tow a Trailhawk giving us the opportunity to pick up anything we forgot.
Been FT a yr now, we've been fortunate to not have rv issues. Everything changes, on an hourly basis seems. Ready to start our 2nd yr summer work camping gig in Steamboat Springs CO. Stop by this summer!
Thank you for taking the time to highlight the practical considerations in real time RV lifestyle. I appreciate that so many people only shine the Instagram perfection, but understanding the real, but manageable costs, to RVing should make a better true experience for new RV couples.
Glad it was helpful!
First time out- we put the water supply in the wrong inlet on the Jayco Pinnacle 38flsa. Soooo, our black water tank was full instantly. Want to know how we found out? Flush your toilet with a full tank that is under pressure….you’ll see! Oh well, live and learn.
How about doing most of your cooking outside! Either with a griddle, a grill, or going old fashion with cast-iron and a fire pit? I will take up a lot of your cooking issues right there
We just started full-timing in May 2021 and even though we prepared for this around 2 years in advance by learning all we could and watching lots of videos like yours and your good friends, Changing Lanes, I was still amazed at how much maintenance was required, some little and some bigger issues. It is still well worth the effort and we are loving this lifestyle.
Great video 🙂 What got me was how wore out the driving made me. I always loved driving, but I can't drive the RV as long as I can drive a car.
Still love the videos from you two. Serious question for you as a fellow sailor; buying an RV, driven or towed, is like getting a new ship or sub from the builder. We normally do a series of shake down cruises to test EVERYTHING before we accept it. Can't really do that with an RV, but based on your experience, what do you recommend folks test thoroughly once they pick up their new RV and how should they test it?
We RV with three Chihuahuas and they don't have a doggie door and 1400 Sq Ft of backyard to do their business. I've got to take they outside so that means never going to sleep early and never sleeping in. They can only hold it sooo looong!
Thanks for sharing the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of full time RV life! Love to follow your channel!
It’s remembering to reassemble your stuff when you pick up to go from place to place-did you get everything in the fridge and cabinets arranged so that there are no “surprises” when you open the doors at your next spot!
Thank you for a great review of the RV lifestyle. As 20+ year part time RVers with a long cross country trip under our tires, the points y'all make were right on! Also, thank you both for your many years of service to our country and for your continuing efforts to support our Veteran community. Semper Fi!
Phil - "RVing is a lot of work"
Thanks guys. Hope you are doing well.
time apart is a huge key! we are a family of 4 and been full time almost a year now. Our park has a playground and rec hall with activities...also learn to cook outside when its really hot outside (instapot or crock pot)
I really don't have any tips because I've just purchased my RV a few months ago but I'm sure I'll have some surprises along the way. What I'm most worried about is my wife having something go wrong and saying never again, not to the whole RV thing but to an aspect of it I might enjoy. We'll see. Keep the good stuff coming guys.
I'm still not full time (damn work! lol). But you hit all the spots in your video. The one thing I would add is how much of a power drain some of those small appliances can be! I understood this previously from living in a house, but I think the first time it hit home was when I was using my generator in the RV and decided to use my 1 cup/pod coffee maker. Hearing the generator dip in power as it was being used was a huge reminder of what even a simple appliance will suck up while in use.
Thanks for the heads up on some of those items that I haven't thought of. It still beats living in a tent for six months in the desert and you get to see more things. Looking forward to seeing you on the road sometime.
You mentioned cooking....I can't use 2 normal size pots of top of my stove. The pots touch, and it's to close to the rv wall causing bubbling of the wall paper. I had to get smaller pots. If your cooking for more than two people. You have to cook your meal twice, and sometimes three times to have enough food for every one.
We had to replace the reclining chairs in our RV because they were obviously designed for shorter people. My husband is 5'4", I am 5'7". Our feet had no support, and the head rests landed on our shoulders.
They're so many adjustments you make in an RV to have your creature comforts like you have at home.....with limitations.
Great video. We've learned a lot while out on the road. We dreamed of it to be one thing, and then there was the reality thing. With the growth of the rv community I think reality will be hard on some people.
Hope to see you guys out there as we plan to expand our adventures.
the convection oven is ok , but we purchased a toaster oven , that is great for a lot of things , and recently purchased a Ninja dual basket air fryer , absolutely a must have unit we could not do without
A newbie needs to know things will breakdown and if it’s a diesel pusher it will cost more. I never saw that in blogs etc when I was researching. Need to be prepared and SAVE for it. It will happen! Not complaining, just sharing.
We have talked about this in previous videos. Everyone needs an emergency fund. The more expensive your RV the more in the fund.
So we lived with our family for a year in our RV, as we’re setting up our land. 2 kiddos, now 3.. and things like: humidity! If things are put away, there’s little air flow. So you need a small dehumidifier (or a few). I can’t actually sit at my table, because it’s bench is positioned low to the ground. Learning how to maintain the leaks, the breakdowns.. finding people to work on things. Not everywhere is a good place for the awning..
Spot on guys with full timing, we are in a 40ft Phaeton after a big house since Oct 12 and although I love most of it, we have our challenges. Love seeing all the amazing things and national parks but what I miss the most is me time. Being together 24/7 is a drastic change, but we are trying to adjust. I enjoy grocery shopping by myself more than ever. I also agree with the convection oven, no matter what I cook, it just isn’t the same as a conventional oven. We have a food ninja and black stone which we use most. Love watching you guys.
You hit it on the nail head about how much work it takes to roll down the road and the expense. I have actually discouraged friends and family against rving knowing who they were and the abilities they had mechanically and financially. Rving is not a hobby if you go for any length of time out on the road. Something will eventually go wrong out there and it will help if you can turn a wrench, as little as changing a tire or a headlight bulb. Love you guys. Stay Safe out there. Peace
Nice videos. Sounds like Time to also remove the unloved convection oven. Thank you for sharing and have a Lincoln’s Birthday weekend.
I was surprised in mid January with an e-mail from RV Life rewarding me with a free two years extended membership because of my involvement on IRV2, and the Winnebago Owners group, both hosted by RV Life.
All very good reminders we are not full times, but do like to travel for months at a time. One thing we are always surprised is how long it takes to set up and take down. Phil is correct if you don’t like where your parked. Move. Well stay safe and I’ll go check out your blog.
For me the biggest lesson was about water. Because I filled the RV when it was at a slight angle I got an inaccurate readings from the level indicator. I also ran out of water on a few trips. Resolved some of these problems by taking one of the panels off so I can visually see the water level.
Great tips. One thing I was surprised about was all the upgrades I needed and wanted. It never seems to end. After RVing with the family, I quickly realized the original floor plan just didn't cut it, so I took out the old and completely built new furniture that works better for my family.
Phil is with you on the upgrades!
You would have never had room for the 5/16 old style Calif. cold water wet suit I offered Phil, as I clean out my garage, it takes a full sea bag to store.
We are two weeks or so from it being our FT home so this was very helpful! The biggest challenge we have found with trial runs has been workspace set up and storage when not in use. And our books…where to put the books?!
We had to go digital with books! We only have a couple on board at a time.
@@todayissomeday Me, too. My Kindle is full, but only a few paperbacks allowed.
Thanks for taking the time to give these tips.
Completely agree. Life is still life no matter where you live or what type of home you have. :) I appreciate that you show that's it's not all sunshine and rainbows 100% of the time. Too many may get caught up in the hype and excitement and overlook reality. :)
THANK YOU for addressing some real life daily issues - the good, the bad, and the ugly. We've been full-time since Sept 2019. I mostly love it, but at times I hate it. The lack of "me" time is my biggest challenging, and my husband does not understand this. It's amazing how much one accumulate over time: we've purged many times, but I think that's life. Please keep going with how to deal with the everyday real life/issues of full-time living. I think you can always learn something new and glean from others no matter how "experienced" you are .
I know maintenance cost of doubled, truck repairs doubled, RV repairs doubled, unless you do them yourself; which most you can.
One thing that is a life saver is on the automotive insurance is always make sure that you have glass coverage in your policy
We are working from home in the same room, next month will be 2 years. It is our training period🤣, because we are seasonal campers for now. We are planning a longer trip this summer and your tips have been so helpful!
Really good info. Thanks for sharing. You guys have always given a HONEST version of RV life, the glamorous and the unglamorous. I so appreciate the honesty you strife to give your views. Well done and Semper Fi.
Great info, good tips. After being a weekend warrior for 40yrs we've highly refined the routine to setup and breakdown to travel in our 33' Class A. Setup takes 10min, breakdown and toad hookup, 20min. Hydraulic levelers are ESSENTIAL for a fast setup and breakdown. Today, being retired, we travel around the country for months at a time, but we usually camp for 2 or 3 nights at each POI, then we move on. This provides enough time to explore the area in our toad, or ebikes, seeing the sites. So far retirement mode as a half timer is working out great.
My wife and I are fixing to start the full time RV life. Your videos have been very helpful and will save us a ton of mistakes. I really like the scene of using curtain rods to keep stuff in place in the refrigerator.
Thanks for the video. My wife and I are set to start this lifestyle in about 3 months and we can not wait. Videos like this make us talk about some of the non fun things that are involved, but we are doing it anyway. Hope to meet you two on the road. .
That is awesome!
Great video!! As you said RV life can be hard work. I think sticks and bricks isn’t all fun either, just different. We are like most, countertop for cooking and making room for everything w/o weight issues. We try the rule, if we purchase something new one thing goes out or to give away. We have been full time for over 3 years now and are still learning and rearranging, ha!! Keep up the good work love your content!! 😊🇺🇸
Glad to see your purchase of the Ninja air oven. That’s my go to. Can cook entire meal in it using the air roast option. The fact that it tilts up for storage is fantastic for this fulltime RV lifestyle.
Hi Stacey and Phil. Nice video. You two never disappoint me. Looking forward to the next adventure. Stay safe.
Hello! Organization is key! On our last five months trip we just took too much - period! I have found when we are out in our local parks ( near family) we set up a lot of stuff we don’t normally set out when it’s just the two of us and we are on the road…
Good information. The most I could do is about 5 months out and 7 months home
Thanks for the tips. We've been avid part-timers for about 20 yrs. We will always have a home base as we like both family time and our "away time". I finally purchased a RV specific GPS as I wanted to reduced stress factor for those unplanned exists/treks. We love the RV Trip Wizard. Specially now where you need to plan more due to full parks. keep the tips coming on making RVing more enjoyable.
I come from an exceedingly small 550 sq. ft. apartment. I don't even have enough stuff to fill an RV. I am figuring most of my cupboards and underbelly will be empty. I won't have to downsize at all. Other than getting rid of a dresser and a couch I hate!
I love your videos! I hope our paths cross one day. I bought a new truck and Grand Design travel trailer last year and camped full time for 4 months. The confined space can be challenging. My biggest challenges were dirty laundry, computer storage/use on my dinette and kitty litter for my two cats. I have an Imagine XLS 22 MLE which I love but if I continue with this retired lifestyle, I may need a larger unit! Take care!
Jean C.
My biggest surprise was how traveling really beats up your kitchen stuff. I.e., my silverware has dark marks on them now from rubbing together from the friction of traveling...so...I started wrapping as much as I can with dish towels to keep the friction down now.
Great tip!
Trip planning has gotten to be a huge undertaking. Gone are the days when you could plan a week or two in advance. Now, it's a year in advance.
This isn't exactly on point, but I have a few observations during my 6 plus years of full timing. I stay at only a few rv parks a year, so when staying at these long term rv parks I notice: 1) I NEVER see any of the "permanents" clean their sewage tanks. They must do it in the middle of the night. 2) the permanents always ask me why I'm leaving. I tell them that's why my rv has wheels.
Along with a deep clean of the black tank is a sanitizing of the water lines and changing any water filters.
Good Tuesday morning 🌄! IMPORTANT video- thank u so much for the HONESTY! Have a blessed and beautiful day. LUCRETIA
Truth, I like it. My wife Deborah and I say Tetris, and sometimes Jenga as well depending how things fall out 😆😩…. Dips and valleys, we started our Journey full time last October. It’s challenging but fun. Everything you mentioned in the video is soooo True. But it’s worth it. Think about the day to day from where you came from. The stress and hassle, and then some…..This way of life has enormous benefits over the oh crap moments. Love your channel, Stay Alert, Stay Alive.
Been living in my MH since 2004. I never check my power and tanks daily when plugged into power. I now how long my tanks take to fill up. A lot of other things you do I don't do, don't use GPS.
We’ve been on the road almost 2 years. Right now the most difficult thing for me is planning. I definitely have decision fatigue and kind of hit the wall at the 1 year mark. It’s hard to find a groomer for our golden and it’s hard to find someone cut and color my hair. And lastly, sometimes the odor in the black tank is unbearable no matter what we do. Great video!
We found that while we like to travel, we also liked being home. So, not full time material here. But we appreciate the insights as your experience helps part timers too. Passport America has been one of our camp ground cost savings tools since day one, so parks that are a little long in the tooth are not a surprise to us. We do appreciate a nice park, but really only get value from the hookups and the view. Appreciate your volunteer work, your projects and your travel experiences. Thanks for sharing.
We sold our home and moved to a different state and have had to live in the rv for 3 month till we move into our new home. We quickly realized how expensive it is to live in an rv and the difficulties of laundry and other things. I would say we are definitely are not full time RVers either. We like to take the rv for vacation, but love coming back to our home afterwards.
We have the same air fryer and take it with us on all our trips. We absolutely love it! I bake and air fry just about everything in it. Tip: a round pizza stone fits in it perfectly and it bakes great cookies, etc...
That is awesome!
You guys absolutely nailed it! We have been on the road full time about 15 and everything you said was true. The hardest part for us are the dogs. We have two small dogs so potty time can be difficult when dealing with muddy locations like PNW or temperatures in the teens (currently at Lake Tahoe where snow is melting and mud is everywhere). Dogs are also not allowed on trails in the National Parks as well as many other trails so we either can’t go hiking or we have to leave them in the rig (not our favorite). Timing becomes an issue in that case because of needed potty breaks. Boarding is an option (can be costly) but for only one of our dogs…the other is too old. Hope to see you on the road!
We wrote up a check list of things to do in the order to do them. We were not full times, so it was easier to forget something! Low bridges we never worried about because we always carrier our Truckers Atlas the laminated verson so in case that coffee spilled. As an over the road trucker we both enjoyed the the traveling, so it wasn't a big stretch to climb in an RV. Of course our choice was a "5th wheel".
Happy trails to both of you!
Dive gear, I better not let Diane see this, getting rid of here dive gear was part of our compromises.. I think like many we started out by sitting around the fire and having Happy Hours way to much and figured our real fast that the smoke gets old and our livers needed a break LOL!! Hey, who do you use to make your tumblers and cups with designs?
I was surprised how fast the grey tank fill. 1st week long trip didn't have sewer an we didn't have a dump cart and had to use the campground bathrooms for the last few days!
It takes practice to figure out how to decrease your water consumption.
A little difficult at times but we work thru it.
Love the real-life camping stories! Thanks
All of that was so true. If we bring something new into our rig something has to come out. Thank you for sharing. Mary💕Fred
We have been RVing for 20 years.. Couple of things,,,, you can order Space Saver Vacum Storage Bags that will shrink your bluky linens into next to nothing. Check amazon. The other thing we have done is changed our mind set. RV life is not Sticks and Bricks it is better. So we don't think about air firers or instapots we are camping and just cook and deal with it accordingly.. ; We barbeque make stuff that our little kitchen can deal with ... Sorry you don't like your convetion oven ...We love ours yes noicey but we have even cooked prime rib in there. Be happy and for all of us embrace the adventure.
Great Video, the shock for us was the start up cost. All the things you need to properly equip your RV, then there were the nice to have item!!
Very true!
I've been watching you guys for over a year. love your videos , keep knocking them out.
Awesome! Thank you!
Great video and you hit the mark with every point! Love the background shots of East Bank! We were just there last week- what a gem!
Great tips! When we started full time RVing our problems was the moisture inside the walls and windows. We still haven’t figured out how to deal with that lol
We RV about 6 months out of the year as we live in Florida. So we leave for the hots months. Jean says RVing make her gain weight. I didn't expect planning to be such an issue. We like to be able to stay somewhere an extra day or more if it ends up a nice area, but if you plan to much you can't do that.
great video and very helpful. I'm considering getting a travel trailer and stationary full time as Ive hated moving around paying rent or being stuck in a lease as I follow work around. The lack of kitchen or food storage space is a concern as I like to food shop once a month to month and a half. Its why im seeking out videos like this.
Thank. you and good luck. We had too learn new ways to store food as well. Part of the journey.