Your guide to full-time RV living

Introduction

We have been full-time RV living, working, and traveling since 2018. Through this lifestyle, we have visited 23 states and 25 National Parks. Exploring our country has opened our eyes to new perspectives, uncovered new interests, and altered our lives. Four years into full-time RV living, we still enjoy living everywhere more than living anywhere.

Living on the road isn’t all adventure. We spend most of our time working in our RV as full-time remote marketers. We also have our share of setbacks and breakdowns. RV life requires grit, flexibility, and strong problem-solving skills. Ultimately, overcoming the obstacles is worth it for the freedom and joy of RV travel.

If you think full-time RV living is for you, research, decisions, and work are required to make the transition a success. This guide will get you started on your full-time RV living journey.

Considerations for Full-Time RV Living

Moving into an RV isn’t as simple as hopping behind the wheel and hitting the road. Some aspects of everyday life are different when your home has wheels. You will need a gameplan for these considerations:

Costs

The ability to scale your cost of living is a massive benefit of RV life. You can live in an RV luxuriously or on a budget. The major expenses of full-time RV life are campsite fees, gas or diesel, RV and vehicle payments, and activities as you explore. Don’t forget to account for maintenance, repairs, groceries, mobile phones and Internet, insurance, and other day-to-day costs. You can make decisions to control most of these costs by choosing the kind of RV lifestyle you want, planning, and sticking to your budget. Insurance is one of the most important ongoing costs, especially if you live in your RV full-time. Progressive’s RV coverage includes policies tailored to full-timers, helping you protect your home-on-wheels from the unexpected.

Work & Income

Unless you’re retired or saved to travel for some time, you will need an income to live full-time in an RV. Some RVers work online, while others find short-term jobs and work in one location before moving on to the next.

Sell or Store

Downsizing and minimalism are part of the RV lifestyle. You can sell your home and belongings to fund the start-up costs or pay to store your belongings until you’re ready to return to a sticks-and-bricks home.

Domicile State

Even if you travel full-time, you still need a legal address. This determines where you pay taxes, vote, register vehicles, and get your mail. You can claim domicile at a property you own or ask a family member if you can legally “move in” to their residence. Alternatively, you can establish a domicile in a state through a service for RVers. Due to low-income taxes and looser laws, the most popular domicile states for full-time RVers are Florida, South Dakota, and Texas.

Mail

If your address is with a family member, you can ask them to manage your mail. Alternatively, you can use a service to receive and forward your mail.

Insurance

Purchase good insurance policies for your vehicle and RV, and ensure your policy covers full-time RV travel. Not all RV policies are created equal. Full-time RVers need coverage that goes beyond traditional auto insurance. Progressive offers policies that include personal liability, emergency expense coverage, and more—designed specifically for people who live on the road. Joining a roadside assistance program specifically for RVs will come in handy too. Ensure continuation of health insurance through your employer or in your domicile state.

School

If you are road-schooling your children, make sure you are familiar with and comply with the homeschool laws in your domicile state.

Internet

Full-time RVers rarely depend on campgrounds for Wi-Fi access. If you require an Internet connection for work or school, research cellular data hotspots or satellite Internet options. Be aware that no mobile Internet solution works everywhere, so you will likely need to plan your campsites accordingly or purchase multiple options.

Maintenance

If you live full-time in your RV, it’s not a question of if something breaks, but when. There are excellent RV service centers and mobile mechanics, but the ability to diagnose and fix some issues on your own will make full-time RV living easier. Bring a toolbox!

What to Look for in a Rig

There is no one right RV for full-time RVers. The right RV for you will depend on your family size, travel style, budget, and work. Here are some factors for choosing the best RV to call home.

Size

How much space do you need to accommodate your family? The more family members, the more beds and square footage you require. Don’t forget, while bigger RVs are more comfortable, they are more cumbersome for travel and finding campsites.

Layout

Choose an RV layout that fits your family’s daily life. Do you need an office with a closed door to focus? Are there enough workspaces for everyone’s work and school? Is there enough storage for everyone’s belongings? Are your kitchen and fridge big enough for your cooking requirements?

Tank Size

The size of your fresh, grey, and black tanks can dictate your RV lifestyle. If you prefer boondocking and public campgrounds, you may want to purchase an RV with larger tanks, especially if you have a family. Tank size is not as crucial if you mainly stay in full-hookup RV parks.

Other Features to Consider

RVs don’t have as many appliances and comforts as a house. What other features do you need for daily life? Is an in-RV washer dryer vital to you, or are you fine using campground and public laundromats? Do you want to invest in solar and battery upgrades for a more off-grid lifestyle? Do you require a full bathroom, or will a wet bath or campground showers suffice?

Booking Campgrounds While Full-Time Traveling

Parking your home around the country is fun but requires planning to book campgrounds. There is a vast campground style and pricing range, from nature and solitude to urban RV parks.

Types of Campgrounds

There are three main types of campgrounds: private RV parks, public campgrounds, and public lands. Private RV parks usually offer more amenities and the option for more extended stays but can be more expensive. Public campgrounds like national and state parks have fewer conveniences and require RVers to move frequently but cost less and offer more rustic settings. Parking on public land is free but has shorter stay limits and no resources. Some full-time RVers stick to one type of campground, while others dabble in all three as they travel.

Stay Length

How often do you want to move? Some full-time RVers enjoy going somewhere new every few days. Others stay at a campground for one to two weeks, while some settle into an RV park for one or several months to get immersed in the destination. The longer you want to stay in one place, the further ahead you will need to book your campsite.

Plan and Be Flexible

Constantly booking campgrounds is part of full-time RV living. Consider the weather seasons, the sights you want to visit, the high tourist seasons for the destination, and local costs. Peak months in popular campgrounds, such as Florida in the winter or Colorado in the summer, will reach capacity months or even a year in advance. If you have your heart set on a specific campground, research when their reservation window opens and book right away. However, be flexible to visit destinations in the shoulder seasons or stay in less frequented campsites.

Traveling Full-Time in Your RV

Full-time RVing can live up to the dream, but it’s not a full-time vacation. Long-term RV travel requires practice and management to sustain for months or years to come.

Visiting New Places

Traveling to new destinations is the best part of RV travel. Make a bucket list of things you want to see and experience. Do you prefer outdoor activities and national parks, exploring the bustle of new cities, or a little of both? Keep an open mind to new interests and experiences too. Getting out of your comfort zone and getting to know people and places different from you can be the most enriching part of travel. Remember – you will never be able to see everything in one or even dozens of RV trips. Try to slow down and soak in the places you visit.

Travel Days

Full-time RVers spend a lot of time on the road. Driving with an RV is slower and more unpredictable, so estimate an extra 25% for your drive time, and try not to push yourself. Check maps carefully to ensure the roads and bridges accommodate your RV length and height. For drives longer than a day, reserve a campground or plan overnight RV parking in a retail location or rest stop that allows one-night stays.

Maintaining Relationships

If you are traveling full-time, you might miss the built-in community that comes with staying in one place. Make travel plans that include visiting friends or family around the country or inviting them to meet up with you on the road. RVers are open to meeting new people, so don’t hesitate to use social media platforms and campground events as opportunities to make new friends. Take time to nurture your own traveling family too. The constant togetherness and small spaces shift dynamics, so practice open communication and plan focused time together.

Manage Resources

RV life requires constant resource management. From conserving utilities to finding new grocery stores to juggling travel schedules, daily life isn’t as convenient as living in a house. There’s a learning curve for everyone, but you will be a full-time RV living pro before you know it.

FAQs

·        How much does it cost to travel full time in an RV?

The costs of full-time RV living vary greatly depending on your RV lifestyle, but you can quickly scale your budget depending on the type of campgrounds you stay in and how often you travel to the next destination. 

·        Can you live permanently in an RV?

You can live permanently in an RV as long as you have established and maintained a domicile address with the associated taxes and legal requirements.

·        How do you prepare an RV for full-time living?

Prepare for full-time RV living by researching and planning your RV set up, income, school, domicile address, travel plans, and campground reservations. Read others’ experiences on blogs, videos, and social media to learn what to expect from daily RV life.

·        How do taxes work when you live in an RV?

The specifics of how taxes work when you live in an RV vary dependent on your income sources, but generally, you will pay taxes according to the state you establish a domicile in. 

·        How can I live in an RV in the winter?

Most RVers move to warmer climates during the winter months. However, if you live in your RV in cold weather, heat the interior with an electric or propane heater. Use insulation and heated lines to prevent your hookups and plumbing from freezing.

Conclusion

Many considerations and decisions need to be made before you embark on full-time RV life. The more research and planning you do, the more prepared you will be. However, you will always learn new things as you go. Wherever your RV journey takes you, make sure you’re protected with coverage designed for life on the road. Progressive RV Insurance is built with full-timers in mind—so you can explore confidently, knowing you’ve got the right protection behind the wheel. Enjoy the adventure!