RV Living Tips For Beginners: Quick Prep For Full-Time Nomads

(Last Updated On: April 25, 2019)

Finally decided to start a nomadic lifestyle? With life’s constant stressors, more and more individuals and couples as well as families are taking to the road to build something more meaningful. The freedom that nomadic living on a four-wheeled RV can be a great respite from all the heavy drama and toxicity that city living brings. Don’t know where to start or how to do it right? Whether you are doing it solo or tagging along the whole brood, these RV living tips for beginners are just for you.

 

1. Familiarize how an RV works. There’s more to your RV than just recreation. That’s a fact. The best thing to do is to read those manuals lodged usually in the glove compartment. While it moves like any ordinary vehicle, there is so much to learn about your moving vehicle before hitting the road. Think about basic plumbing or septic system. You wouldn’t want to be on a bind when a heavy storm happens or when a tire goes flop down the road to nowhere. It would be great to learn how to handle things on your own instead of relying on emergency services.

Tip: upload those files on a cloud for ease of access.

2. Always research ahead of a ride. When you plan to do a lot of traveling cross-country style, it is basic to know where you are heading. Treat each trip like any other vacation. Learn not just for fun and enjoyment but also for safety and security. If you are traveling alone, it will be wise to inform friends and family your itinerary.

Tip: Get a digital planner to map out your travel. Choose ones that allows sharing with family and friends.

3. Remember to have domicile and RV insurance. Even when living on the road, you will need a domicile in lieu of a permanent address. You will also need insurance. Keep in mind the various sets of rules and regulations when it comes to licenses, taxes, voting registrations, and even banking. Your previous home state or your targeted one may not have so much to do with RV living so it is important to learn about this beforehand. When choosing RV insurance, always go for trusted ones with coverage on liability protection, replacement for personal belongings, roadside assistance, and so on.

Tip: Find a reliable mail forwarding company. It will provide you with a DMV street address as well as voting requirements.

4. Consider downsizing and proper storage. You will need to downsize everything. Yes, everything! Your current home’s minimalist idea may still need to be downsized. List down all the essentials from clothing to kitchen utensils. Keep only the necessities and make sure to invest in wise storage.

Tip: Earn extra by organizing a garage sale of your stuffs. This is a practical thing to do than leaving them behind in pricey storage rentals to rot.

5. Have a security checklist. You will be facing some challenges when shifting to living in a space-limited home. You would not want to make a mess out of your small kitchen counter or cause water leakage in your bedroom just because you forgot to turn something off. So, always have a checklist handy of things that you believe will be useful in your new nomadic lifestyle. Example: closing of windows, securing knives and pots or pans, and so on.

Tip: instead of investing in a generator that runs on gas, choose solar powered ones. It’s an excellent long-term plan.

6. Go digital. Living on the road is an exciting experience, but one that’s not fraught of challenges. Unless you want to go off-grid, you may want to engage in digital paraphernalia like a Wi-Fi booster or antenna to keep you connected to the world.

Best of all, be reminded that there is so much to learn out there so expect the unexpected. A flat tire can happen on that bump off the road. A storm may also put you on a standstill. The idea is to know the basics and gain more experience as you move from one state to the next. These RV living tips for beginners simply meant to jumpstart your foray into the marvelous world of nomadic living. With all its spontaneity and flexibility, living in a home that allows you to travel anywhere you want to be can bring in fresh new ideas and discoveries. Make sure to note them down and share them to others. As always, living in an RV full time or temporarily can bring a plethora of opportunities to explore new places and meet new faces. Carpe diem!