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7 types of people who will adore RVing
*Be sure to continue to observe social distancing, and check with the campsites, parks and local government about COVID19 policies.*
In light of the COVID19 pandemic, a lot more travelers are looking into exploring the USA by RV. It’s a safer way to travel, while embodying that sense of freedom you can only get from hitting the open road. I think that is a win.
So many people dream of taking an epic RV trip, but few do. As a newbie RVer, I’ll admit it’s a little intimidating at first. However, once my family and I hit the road, we instantly fell in love with the flexibility, spontaneity and community that comes along with an RV camping trip.
Here are seven types of people who should consider embarking on this kind of adventure.
*Go RVing is a proud sponsor of my show, Places to Love, but all opinions are my own.*
Families with small kids
Let’s face it: Unless your hotel is a suite or you reserve adjoining rooms (and magically get them!), traveling with little ones can be the pits logistically. So many issues can be eliminated when your car, hotel, kitchen, restaurant and recreation are housed under one roof! Does someone need a nap? Great! Put them to bed and everyone else can hang outside. Hangry meltdown? The fridge is right there and filled with all your favorite goodies. And the kid’s bedtime doesn’t need to dictate what time the adults hit the sack. Put them down, then head outside to the campfire with a glass of wine and pretend you left them at home with a sitter.
Animal Lovers
There are a lot of people who think it’s too hard to have a pet and be a traveler. If you travel via RV, you can bring kitty or fido along. Say bye-bye big bills at the boarding place (not to mention kennel cough! Yuck!), or asking your niece to pet-sit and praying she doesn’t bring her entire sorority over for a party. Your furry friends will love adventuring with their favorite humans, and you’ll love snuggling with them after a long day on the road. Note: not all campgrounds allow pets, but many do! Do your research and you’re golden.
Grown-up Backpackers
Who hasn’t been romanced with the idea of touring Europe by train with only a passport, a backpack and a sense of adventure? I certainly have, but as I’ve gotten older, the thought of cramming all my stuff into one bag and schlepping it across a continent seems less and less fun. I’m an adult and want my full-sized toiletries and more than two pairs of pants.
For those of you who want to see a lot but are over the hostel life, may I suggest an RV? You only need to pack once, can bring all your creature comforts, and don’t have to share a sleeping car with some lady who snores! It’s all the flexibility of backpacking, but much more comfortable.
Airport Loathers
I’m one of those people who actually enjoys a good airport (I know, I’m strange). If you’re not, I get it. The lines, navigating security, the leg room (or lack thereof), the man who reclines his seat into your lap the second you’re airborne… it’s not exactly the Ritz Carlton. With an RV, you get to skip all that! Granted, it takes 10 times longer to get anywhere, but that’s the fun of it.
Outdoor enthusiasts who love a real mattress
Some hear the call of the wild… I love the flush of a toilet. I love hiking, biking, swimming and breathing in the fresh outdoor air… but I also love showering after said activities, sleeping in a bed, and not using an outhouse. If you enjoy the outdoors but crave creature comforts, you should try RVing. You still get to wake up in the wilderness, but are by no means roughing it.
Budget travelers
The biggest cost-drivers for most trips are dining and ponying up the money for a hotel. Campsites cost much less than a hotel. And by cooking for yourself, you save tons of money… not to mention what you save on beer and wine purchased at a grocery store (maybe that’s just me)! Also, fuel isn’t as expensive as you think. GoRVing.com offers lots of suggestions for making the most of every tank.
Long-term nomads
Maybe you’re retired, can work from anywhere, took a sabbatical from your job, or won the lotto. Whatever the case, if you’re not held down by day-to-day responsibilities requiring you to be in one place, why not live on the road? Spend a few months or a year seeing the country, meeting up with distant relatives and friends you always say you’re going to visit and never do. If you find a place you love, stay for a week or two (or forever!). RV life gives you the flexibility to see as much as you want, at the pace that’s right for you.
What do you love most about RVing? Share in the comments!
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We are definitely the families with small kids type of travelers. We are usually on a budget too, which is why we love RVing. Truth be told, my brother-in-law does all the work and we just tag along to for the fun. We loved you episode, especially when you got the kids ice cream in exchange for good behavior while you enjoyed your beer. We roll the same way in our group, haha.
This guy has it all figured out!
https://youtu.be/-5DjFprD6jQ
We have always met the most interesting people, like you said the kitchen is steps away.
Seeing the landscape unfold in front of you and knowing you are always home
Dear Sam , I love the way you phrase your thoughts on RV ing , short , sweet and to the point . I am a fan and hear your infectious laughter when I read your blog!
Love that you include acknowledging the people you meet to get them to share their stories. Television programming the way it should be – fun thank you!
A former Montrealer we moved to Raleigh NC 25 years ago .
Your Montreal episode was Golden , different than all Ive enjoyed on PBS.
At 74 I feel 50 and teach seniors post joint replacement ,that there truly is an outdoor life to be had on a Pedego e-bike!
Hugs
Len
I’m a tent camper, hiker and sometimes backpacker, but once my knees give out plan to upgrade to a travel trailer so I can save my joints for the trail instead of crawling in and out of bed. My only reservation is all the noise in RV campgrounds vs. the quiet of primitive campsites — generators are the worst!
My wife travels and works in the hotel business. She loved RV’ing because it was more like home. We could cook, relax and enjoy our trips without outside intervention. We also were sure how clean our space was.
I grew up camping with my family in a pop up. My husband and I had one we used when our girls were small, but gradually gave it up for fancier vacations. A few years ago we bought my parents Road Trek, and used it some, but once again let it slide Now we are getting it spruced up and ready to hit the road this weekend for our 40th anniversary. When you can’t go to Belgium as planned, you make the best of it and enjoy the great outdoors. RVs are wonderful!
I have a little 20′ Roadtrek, class B…its small, easy to drive, can park anywhere & extremely convenient. Very nice when you don’t want to use public restrooms, especially during COVID. Great to have everything you need in a tiny space! Love your blogs! Happy travels!
Can you rent an RV to see if you would like or dislike one? For how long can you rent one?
After traveling 4 to 6 days a week as a contractor for a handicap mobility company repairing them in supermarkets, doing 110,000 miles a year, we have finally retired. We have RV’d many times and travel with our 5th wheel trailer. However work was all hotels every night. Now we are ready to spend some time slowly easing back into the RV life. We travel with our 2 small pups, and love exploring places we stumble upon on the road. Ive see so much of the Northwest United States, but not at all in the North East. We can’t wait to hit the road!
We tent camped for many many years. When the kids got to b a little older, we camped in a pop up camper. Now, we just bought a motor home and love it. We have everything we need in it!
Another confirmation that I did the right thing and bought myself a Camper Van (RV) a 2015 Ford Transit Custom . its preowned by a surfer dude. It looks like a normal van on the outside, but inside it has a double bed, cooker sink shower Hot & cold water via a 70 tank under the bed, 12 & 240V sockets as well as USB sockets. But because of various lockdowns here in the UK I’ve only managed to do two expeditions this summer in the UK. I am panning on hitting Europe next year, mostly Germany, one of my old haunts from my Army days, i just love the place. I’m now 59 single again, and with my pooch Ruby we can go anywhere now.
I am about to be a fulltime rver. I am also homeschooling with a need for cheap but effective internet. I’d love some suggestions!
As long time RVers(Full time since Jan 1, 2015), when I run the numbers with higher fuel and RV park costs, it pencils out about the same. The advantage is in being able to prepare our own meals & a bit more privacy. We still enjoy it but not as much as before things got so crowded.
It truly is a home away from home!
Yes it can be a lot of “fun”, but as a Fulltimer I agree with the other FT rver. Campgrounds have become crowded, noisy , expensive. In addition you don’t mention the reality of leaks, torn awnings, brakes, tires. engine issues etc. You better know how to fix a lot of stuff or have the $$ and time to get it fixed. The home is bumping over every pot hole on the road. That’s the reality besides the beauty and comfort you mention. Before we bought an RV we took boot camp classes to learn about the lifestyle, etiquette, maintenance, insurance, warranties, tips and tricks etc. Made life on the road these many years possible. Craps going to happen, if you know how to handle it ✔✔