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Pros and Cons of the Small RV Lifestyle
More and more people today are downsizing and living in small RVs or vans. Hitting the road in true vagabond style. There is a care-free and magical draw to this living that makes it understandable. A life full of new adventures. What could be more exciting?
Jumping into the full-time RV life is a thrill but you need to think things through. There are a few things to consider so you know what to expect. This guide of the pros and cons of RV living will get you prepared before you make the leap.
RV life is just as it sounds. Packing up (possibly selling your home) and moving into your camper, RV, or van. Saving money is guaranteed but it does not have the comforts of home. There are many good things about living in your RV. But, it isn’t always rosy, so you need to consider both sides.
To decide if van living is for you, ask yourself a few important questions
Do you have a strong sense of adventure? You must have this if you plan on living on the road. Every day will be full of new experiences and challenges. Things will not always go as planned and you need to be able to handle that constant-changing lifestyle. Going with the flow is very much a requirement.
Are you good with small spaces? Small RVs are not big, they are small. While some are pretty decent, they are not homes. You need to be okay with the smaller space as well as limited storage and fewer belongings.
How are your problem-solving skills? There will be problems along the way. Leaks need to be patched up, finances need fixing and you have only yourself to rely on. You have to take all matters into your own hands when it comes to this life.
Try Before You Buy
Before you buy a van and change your lifestyle, look at many and maybe rent one for a few days. This is the best way to determine if you are cut out for the nomad lifestyle. Some are surprised how much they love it, others cannot handle the small spaces. Either way, you get a close look at how living will be and whether you can handle it or not.
Benefits of Living in an RV
There are numerous benefits to RV living, some are more obvious than others. Below are some of the benefits you can expect when you live on the road.
Travel: When your home is on wheels, you can go anywhere, anytime. This freedom is priceless and makes the whole lifestyle worth it for most people.
Perspective change: Space is limited which means so are your belongings. This changes your perspective as to what really matters to you. The idea of what is important shifts and you identify things that you cannot live without.
New friends: Living on the road may seem lonely. But this is not true. Full-time travel means new places and new people. This means making new friends. This lifestyle has a large community and it gets bigger every day. Everyone is welcoming and eager to share adventures. You can get a close-knit community that would surprise you. The more people you meet from all over, the wider your mind opens and the more you grow.
Save money: Most people enjoy this benefit the best. Especially if you boondock a lot, this lifestyle will save you money. If your RV or an is set up right you can live outside campgrounds for the most part and save more. House mortgages and utilities are all gone.
The Down Side
There are cons to living in your RV and that is to be expected. People will be quick to point out all the cons to you but miss the wider picture. Some people are not aware of the downside, so this list will help you make a more informed decision before you dive in.
Small spaces: Living in a small RV is cramped and tiny. You get to live minimally which can be a bonus, but small spaces can also be annoying.
Uncomfortable: You can make your RV comfy but it will never be the same as a house. The small space is uncomfortable and the minimal furniture means you’ll lose that favorite chair. You will have a bed and likely a table, but that is it. Depending on the RV you get, you may not have much of a bathroom either.
Things going wrong: There will be unexpected problems on the road. Living in an RV puts more wear and tear on it than when you just used it for vacations. Problems will appear more often and this can increase stress levels and reduce fun.
Guidelines to RV Living
You should know by now if van living will be a good fit for you. The next step is learning to live in one. The tips below will help get you on the right path.
Seek out remote work to keep – you don’t need to earn that much since RV life is cheaper. Unless you are getting a huge loan and you have debt.
Downsize – This is harder than you think. Make sure you give yourself time to go through everything. Sell what you don’t need to provide funding.
Find a little home – and by home, we mean a small RV. A factory-made one is fine or if you can get one custom built. Make sure you are 100% happy with whatever van you get before you buy.
Create a budget – This is one of the most important things to do. Make sure you stick to your budget and revisit it regularly.
All that is left now is for you to hit the road. Enjoy your new lifestyle and all the adventures that are sure to come your way.
Outdoor Camper Rugs, Which One?
It’s spring, and what better way to get away from all the COVID junk than to go camping! If you camp a lot, you understand how much of a pain it can be to have a nice area coming out of your camper. It seems as we are either on gravel or it is muddy.
We decided to get an outdoor camper rug so I started my research. Here we are going to go over some of our choices. But before we start, i want to point out a couple things you may be asking yourself. 1. Does the quality of an outdoor camper rug vary much? Yes, you can get cheap crap that will fall apart within a year. 2. Why do outdoor camper rugs cost to much. Well, to be honest, because everything that has to do with campers are expensive. There are a couple options you can select that are cheaper and good quality if you plan on leaving out all summer (yearly spot) that we will cover below.
Note that many camper parts do not have real brand names, or are generic names. We will talk about specific rugs, not name or models.
Good Quality Outdoor Camper Rugs
This reversible camper rug comes in a few different color choices and measures 9′ by 18′. Large enough to cover a large area in front of your camper. It is breathable which helps with mildew and drying out quickly. Best of all, it comes with a carry/storage bag and has 4.5 stars from almost 2,000 people. This rug is best if you will put it away when you leave. It is not a good choice if you plan on leaving out all summer.
Cheap Outside Camper Rugs
If you are looking for a cheap rug for your camper, I hat to be the one to tell you, but you are not going to find one. This 9′ by 12′ outdoor camper rug may be your best bet. Cheaper than the one above, but not outdoor carpet like below. Still getting good ratings from minimal customers, it will get the job done. Like above, this options is good if you clean and store it while not camping. You should not leave this out in the sun while not camping.
Outdoor Camper Rug Alternative
If you plan on leaving your camper rug out all summer, there may be a better option. Outdoor turf carpet makes a good outdoor camper rug! You could go with the classic green, or go with something with a little more style. Here is a ton of outdoor carpet choices.
This selection is best used if you have a yearly camping spot and plan on leaving it down all year. Being solidly built, it will hold up against weathering. The downside to these is it may hold water. You would probably want to sweep it off every trip.
My Final Thoughts
Outdoor Camper rugs are not a must, but they sure do make your weekends much more comfortable! I always hated walking out barefoot in the morning to get coffee going and end up with dirty feet. They give you an area of comfort and well worth the money if you ask me.
No matter what you choose, make sure the quality is there. You do not want to put that kind of money out for something that will only last the season. Do your research and read reviews of others.
Check out our other camping articles here.