Living the Solo RV Life
With so many RV types available, there is definitely something for everyone. But don’t let the choices overwhelm you. We’re here to help you sort through them all, figure out your needs and wants, and find the RV of your dreams. Learn more about your options and the different types of RV’s available.
TPMS stands for Tire Pressure Monitoring System. It is an electronic system designed to monitor the air pressure and/or temperature inside tires on various types of vehicles. A TPMS reports real-time tire-pressure information to the driver of the vehicle, either through a gauge, a picture display, or a simple low-pressure warning light. TPMS can be divided into two different types – direct (dTPMS) and indirect (iTPMS). TPMS are provided both at an OEM (factory) level as well as an aftermarket solution.
The goal of a TPMS is avoiding traffic accidents, poor fuel economy, and increased tire wear due to under or over-inflated tires through early recognition of a hazardous state of the tires.
Benefits of TPMS
The behavior of a tire is closely connected to its inflation pressure. Key factors like braking distance and stability require the inflation pressures to be adjusted and kept as specified by the vehicle manufacturer. Extreme under-inflation can even lead to thermal and mechanical overload caused by overheating and subsequent, sudden destruction of the tire itself. Additionally, fuel efficiency and tire wear are severely affected by under-inflation. Tires do not only leak air if punctured, they also leak air naturally, and over a year, even a typical new, properly mounted tire can lose from 3 to 9 psi, roughly 10% or even more of its initial pressure.
The significant advantages of TPMS are summarized as follows:
Fuel savings: According to tire manufacturers, for every 10% of under-inflation on each tire on a vehicle, a 1% reduction in fuel economy will occur. In the United States alone, the Department of Transportation estimates that under inflated tires waste 2 billion US gallons of fuel each year.
Extended tire life: Under inflated tires are the number one cause of tire failure and contribute to tire disintegration, heat buildup, ply separation and sidewall/casing breakdowns. Further, a difference of 10 pounds per square inch in pressure on a set of duals literally drags the lower pressured tire 13 feet per mile. It is important to note that not all sudden tire failures are caused by under-inflation. Structural damages caused, for example, by hitting sharp curbs or potholes, can also lead to sudden tire failures, even a certain time after the damaging incident. These cannot be proactively detected by any TPMS.
Improved safety: Under-inflated tires lead to tread separation and tire failure, resulting in 40,000 accidents, 33,000 injuries and over 650 deaths per year. Further, tires properly inflated add greater stability, handling, braking and provide greater safety for the driver, the vehicle, and others on the road.
Although these systems can alert a driver to a hazardous blowout condition, they may not help with slow-leaking tires, unless its found before it is too late. However, keep in mind you still need to do a visual inspection before, during and after your daily driving.
RVing can help you live more simply. Owning things is a huge part of the American Dream. Part of the blueprint involves buying a home so you can then buy stuff to put in your home. Some of the stuff is useful and some — probably more than you realize — is useless. In fact, instead of owning your material things, your material things start to own you. My husband and I felt that way as we started to purge our belongings. It’s amazing how you can fill an entire garage (and then some) with objects you never use!
Our whole lives the world has told us we needed more. More money, more house, more cars, more toys to be happy and successful. But what if the world was wrong? What if actually having less gave you more? More time, more memories, more life, more freedom. People are discovering the RV lifestyle to be the vessel to achieve this goal. A life of simplicity and adventure worth living! Not everyone is going to leave everything behind to live a different American Dream, and not everyone has to. For some owning an RV is the American Dream. It’s different for everyone, but there’s something about being on the open road in an RV that inspires universal feelings of freedom.
RVs support an active and balanced lifestyle. Many people are searching for a more fulfilling life — and quite a few are finding that RVing is the answer. Many people are seeking ways to unwind and unplug more often. Since we’ve been traveling, we’ve created stronger bonds and friendships that felt more healthy and everlasting. RV owners have said that RV travel enables them to experience nature and outdoor activities and enjoy more quality family time. Many reference stronger family bonds, healthier eating and comforts like sleeping in their own beds as benefits of RV travel. The RV life just make sense that people who spend time outdoors, cook at home and spend quality time with their families would be drawn to this type of travel. Since we’ve been RVing we’ve visited more beautiful destinations than when living in a sticks & bricks home. This kind of freedom is addicting and we can see why it has attracted so many adventure seekers.
RVing communities bring RVers together. If you talk to someone who’s been RVing for a really long time, say twenty or more years, they talk about how isolating the experience was back then. Without internet or Facebook groups, it was pretty challenging to have spontaneous meetups. Unless you planned well in advance with friends and family, you might not see another RVer outside of an RV park. Now there are whole communities of RVers that are an instant message away. These are communities of like-minded people who love the travel lifestyle and understand the unique experiences that RVing offers.
The RV movement is expected to grow. What really strikes me about the RV movement is how RVing truly appeals to all ages. It’s not only for retirees or hardcore outdoor adventurers. Since COVID 2020, I feel people are looking at their lifestyles a bit different. RVing is not just for travel. It’s a lifestyle.
I hope this blog inspires you to be part of the RV movement. Maybe you’re already rushing out the door now to go check out RVs for sale or for rent. The RV movement is a huge opportunity for savvy RV owners. If you don’t live in yours full time, consider renting your RV, camper or trailer to someone looking to experience the joys of the open road! Hope to see you on the road!
In our The RV Broke video, we mentioned we would be looking at some additional safety equipment in case we ever ended up stranded on the side of the road – especially at night. After all, when you’re faced with an RV, truck or any vehicle breakdown, it can be pretty stressful and it’s easy to overlook simple yet important things – like not wearing our safety vests! So we’ve created a list for you to stock up on some safety gear!
We did some shopping around to see what options were out there so we could share our findings with you. We’re aware that everyone has different needs, preferences, and types of RV/vehicles, so we’re not presenting just one or two safety gadgets, but several for you to choose from. In this blog post, we share what we already had in our RV and also show you some of the other handy gadgets that we found, personally tried and tested and felt were worthy to share with you here.
We want to help keep you safe during the day AND night, should you end up on the side of a road! It may not ever happen, but it’s better to be safe than sorry, and many of these gadgets are very affordable. You cannot put a price on your safety! We were happy to find some convenient and affordable solutions to those old chemical burning flares that run the risk of causing a fire. Today’s modern LED lights and reflective materials are very bright and can be seen from far away. And while we already had some regular orange safety cones on board, we decided to add some new gear to our safety stash.
Let’s talk through each of the safety gadgets individually.
Simple Traffic / Safety Cone
When we first started RVing, we bought the inexpensive rubbery safety cones from the local hardware store. They are standard stackable cones and weigh about 1-1.5 pounds each. We still had all four until we started using them on our jobsite. Because they are fairly inexpensive (about $10) you don’t need to be overly concerned about leaving them unattended or out overnight.
One of the nice things about these cheap safety cones is that they come in handy for other uses, like temporarily holding a space. They are also good to use for practicing maneuvering your RV into mock street corners or parking when learning how to drive your RV, and it doesn’t matter if you run over them because they will bounce right back.
Collapsible LED Safety Cones
These collapsible safety cones with reflective material have built-in LED lights. A weighted base, and a fabric cone that extends to 17 inches tall. The reflective material allows visibility at night, but for even better visibility at night, there is a built-in light that illuminates the whole cone.
The LED light can also be set to flash on and off drawing even more attention. It is powered by two AAA batteries. The weighted base with rubber feet make them feel very secure.
These cones could be used like the rubber cones for some activities (like sports), because the fabric would be forgiving. But we wouldn’t use them for driving practice because if you run them over with a RV or truck, they might not survive. We bought three of these to add to our safety kit.
These come in a very compact plastic storage case that is an efficient use of space. It is a water-resistant design with reflective material, a comfortable grip and a very bright LED light that runs on 3 AAA batteries for each ‘flare’ – and the batteries are included. While we initially thought these were a bit cheap and flimsy when we opened the case, we actually came to really like the versatility and compactness of these. They are a nice, compact size for keeping in a car and the reflective material would help show at night, but is very little surface area so it would not be visible from great distance with just the reflective material. The Collapsible LED Safety Cones would of course be much more visible.
Emergency Reflective Safety Triangles
These are large 17” reflective triangles that appear to be the only product in this group that are officially DOT (Department of Transportation) approved. They offer excellent visibility with the bright orange base color during the day, and reflective red when lights hit them at night. The triangle shape is very clear from a substantial distance day or night. We have seen many professional drivers using these on the side of the road, and they are definitely a reliable and effective option. They are a bit bulkier and heavier than some may want to carry in your RV. If space and weight are not an issue for you, these would be a good option.
We recommend wearing a safety vest when you are outside of your vehicle so you are more visible to passing motorists. Safety vests are usually orange or bright yellow/green, and will include reflective material for better nighttime visibility. We have had several bright safety vests that we normally wear while gate guarding, but the better option would be a specifically designed reflective safety vest. Make sure to get a size that will fit you, even if you need to put it over the top of a jacket. We found these well-reviewed reflective safety vests on Amazon that come in a range of sizes from Medium up to XX-Large, and just placed our order for these at only $10 each as they are far superior than our gate guarding vests.
Workamping is a combination of work and camping. A Workamper combines part-time or full-time paid or volunteer work with RV or Van camping. Workampers generally receive compensation in the form of a free campsite, usually with free utilities and additional wages.
Workampers can be adventuresome individuals and couples who have chosen a wonderful lifestyle that combines any kind of part-time or full-time work with RV camping.
Workampers come from all walks of life and they workamp for many, many different reasons. Some people have to work in order to make their expenses so that they can reap the joys of RVing and keep from going back to the traditional rat race life. Some have to work to supplement their other income to keep their nomadic spirit alive. Some are following their passions and those passions might just include doing something akin to “work”. Some like to give of themselves through volunteering. And some just like to keep busy.
Typical workamper jobs? The most advertised positions are with private campgrounds and RV parks. Typically, the duties for couples involve office assistance/reservations, cleaning, and general maintenance or landscaping (meaning grass cutting, weedeating, etc.) However, after this past year, 2020, several businesses are now looking outside the traditional worker. They are not just geared solely toward RVers, but they do advertise many positions that include RV sites.
Other jobs available? Oh heck ya. Some include; Theme Parks, Amusement Parks, Tourist Attractions, Rest Stops or Welcome Centers and truck stops to name a few. If you take the time to look around, there are all kinds of opportunities out there to earn money on the road. And there is something for all kinds of interests, skills, and personalities. You are only limited by your imagination and desire.
Length of Commitment? Typically, employers hiring workampers to work on-site want at least a three month commitment. But they will give preference to those that can work a full “season”. What’s a “season”? Well, again, it depends. It depends on the location of the employer as much as anything. The weather generally dictates “peak” seasons when the most help is needed. For most of the country, the busiest times are between Memorial Day & Labor Day. It’s the warmest time of the year in the most places. And it’s the time when school is out, so families can travel.
Of course, in the winter, the “season” is different for places in the south such as Florida, the Southeastern Gulf Coast, Texas, Arizona, Southern California. The winter “season” generally runs November through April with peaks being January through March (as many snowbirds don’t head south until after the holidays).
So, generally, you will be looking at somewhere between three and seven months for a paid workamping position. But, please keep in mind. Since 2020, things are not back to “normal” so take some extra time and do your research.
Hours Per Week Requirements? The hours per week vary more than the length of commitment. The hours requirements often depend on whether or not it is the employer’s peak season, how many workampers are hired, the rate of pay or overall work environment.
The typical requirement would be 15 to 20 hours per week. That’s 15 – 20 hours per couple (or 15 – 20 hours for one person if the campsite is occupied by a single). In most cases, it’s simply a math problem. If the work you do is valued at $7 – $8 per hour, 15 – 20 hours at those rates would give you a range of $420 – $640 per month. Usually, the value of the campsite will fall in that range. However, the hours could be more or less for a campsite if the site value is above or below that average range.
Now, for volunteer positions at national parks, other federal locations, state parks, you will have no expectation of being paid (there might or might not be a small daily stipend for the days you work). But you might be expected to work 24 – 32 hours per person per week. And in camphosting positions, you might be “on call” three to seven days a week, technically, 24 hours a day. Granted the work is usually much easier and the atmosphere is more laid back, but volunteering is often a bad deal economically. So why do people do it?
There are so many different types of workamping jobs, so many different employers, so many requirements, commitments, and compensation plans. But the above is a pretty good starting point. Always be sure you thoroughly understand your commitment. Getting it in writing is ideal. You should interview the employer as much, if not more, than they interview you.
Living in an RV means that you can live wherever you want to live. Our great country has so many beautiful places to see and live, and because it would be hard to just pick one place, RV life allows us to live in as many as we want.
And, it’s more than just going on a vacation, which is nice too, but we love being able to bring our entire home with us. This way we are not forgetting anything, and because our home is always with us, we still get to live comfortably.
If you want to spend your summer in the mountains and your winter near the beach, you can do that. If you want to do the opposite the following year, you can do that too.
If you want to have your front window open up to a beautiful national park, you can even do that.
By living in an RV, you can choose to live wherever you want.
One of the best things about RV life is that you can park your home wherever you want to. We love being able to do things outdoors, and we usually pick places that make that even easier. So, we like to park next to hiking trails, bike trails, and more.
Our dogs love the RV life...
When it comes to our fur babies, Missy and Mason, they too love the RVlife. Okay, so we can’t be exactly 100% sure about this since my dogs can’t talk to us, but they seem pretty happy whenever they are able to explore new places, sniff new things, go on long hikes, and so on.
Our dogs are much more active now than they ever were before and seem pretty happy to us.
Since we can park our home wherever we want, we can follow the weather. We like to stay in temperatures that are just perfect – somewhere around 70 degrees year round.
Following the weather is something that we truly love. After all, who wants to be too cold or too hot?
Thankfully, the RV life lets us just leave whenever the temperature is something that we don’t fully enjoy.
Another thing you could consider. When your able to travel to the weather you like, you really only need one set of clothesWe really only have clothes for one season, so we avoid places that are cold. I pretty much wear dresses, sandals, shorts, and/or tank tops year round, which is really nice and comfortable.
Downsizing is liberating…
Living in an RV means that you’ll have to downsize. While some people dread this, getting rid of nearly all of your stuff is extremely liberating.
When we left our sticks & bricks home and moved into an RV, we donated and got rid of a lot of our belongings. At first it was difficult to get rid of so much, but it became easier as time went on. We will have to admit that we kept a storage shed for approximately 2 years with belongings that we felt that we could not get rid of. Each time we returned to our storage shed, whatever items that we ‘did without’, they were either given to family members or donated.
These days, all we have is what we have with us. We have a small amount of everything, and we like it best this way.
We are much more mindful of what we buy and this is allowing us to save money as well.
Plus, when you’re RVing, you no longer have a need to buy as much stuff because the outdoors take up all of your time. Before we would waste time going to the mall, Target, and other stores- but we hardly ever do that now. Instead, we spend a lot of our time exploring new places.
No more yard work or other house work with RV living...
One of the factors that is debatable for us is, not having a sticks & bricks home is that we do not have the yardwork or the routine things that come with a normal house. But I will say that one of the things we do miss is mowing our lawn. But, if your one that does not care for lawn care then this definitely will be a pro for you.
We also don’t have as much maintenance and repairs to do. While RVs aren’t perfect, there’s less that goes into an RV than a house. General maintenance of our RV seems to feel a bit like what you would do in a sticks & bricks home however we feel it is less.
RV living means you can move if you don’t like your neighbors...
The saying we’ve learned over the years is; “Have Wheels Will Travel.” I think pretty much everyone has lived next to a neighbor that they didn’t like. The great thing about RV life is that if you have a crazy neighbor or someone who you don’t get along with, then you can just move your home!
And trust me, we have done this in order to get away from some not-so-friendly and/or crazy RVers.
You can work and travel at the same time...
Yes, you can do both.
We’ve met many amazing people while RVing. Some are retired, but others are like us and also trying different things in order to make their traveling dreams a reality. I know that thinking about making money while traveling can be a scary thing for many people, but it has really allowed us to live our dream life.
This factor is something that holds many potential full-timers back, but it shouldn’t! Don’t let making money on the road hold you back from living your dream, because even though it may seem big, it’s something that can usually be worked around. Check out our series of YouTube videos about this subject.
Living in an RV makes traveling and working (and living) much more enjoyable because we can bring our home everywhere we go. We don’t have to worry about forgetting something, bringing a suitcase, or anything – I just have it all with us. No packing required!
Also, we’ve had a lot of you ask what we are using for internet. If you plan to live this lifestyle and you NEED internet DO NOT depend on RV parks free WIFI. In the 11 years that we’ve been Full-Time Rvers we’ve only experienced 1 RV park with great WIFI speeds.
Currently we are using a 3rd part service called Visible which uses Verizon towers. Their phones have hotspots set up for unlimited data use. I believe we paid $75 for the phone and our monthly service plan is $40. We also have AT&T phones that have limited use of our hot-spot in case we get in a pinch. This way we are always covered.
You’ll want to travel as long as you can...
RV life is a lot of fun, and due to that we know now, we want to do this lifestyle as long as we possibly can. Our next adventure is unknown at this time but that is what’s great about this life. You can go where you want to go when you want to go. We are so glad that we gave the RV life a shot in 2009, because our lives are so much better due to it.
If you are interested in learning more about the RV life, head over to our YouTube Channel to check out some of our experiences and possibly learn a few things.
Nobody wants to waste time, money, and energy choosing the wrong path.
When we chose our first travel job, we had no idea of all the options out there. Have you picked a loser and ended up spending more money than stashing in our wallet? To save you from making the same mistakes, we created a process to help you strategically narrow down which job is best for you.
1. Blogger.
Let me tell you from experience—blogging is not a get rich quick option. Yes, anyone can be successful if they put in the time, follow a proven strategy, and don’t give up. But most people fail.
Blogging can unlock ultimate freedom, but it comes at a high price. You may work thousands of hours without seeing a penny, wondering if it’s all a HUGE waste of time. But if you stick to it and show up consistently, you will find success.
That said, money isn’t the only reason starting a blog is a smart move. It’s also the perfect “training ground” for building up the digital skills needed for other traveling jobs.
2. Waiter/Waitress.
Every where you look you will see bars and restaurants, and landing a job can be done with no prior experience. You’ll probably have to start in a “normal” restaurant and work your way up to a fancy one (where the “big bucks” are made).
3. Bartender.
If you know how to bartend, you can find a job pretty much anywhere. Similar to waitressing, if you don’t have any experience, you’ll have to start at the bottom and work your way up. But the income potential is there.
5. Street vendor.
Arts and crafts in your blood? Why not earn some money with it? If you’ve traveled at all, you’ve probably crossed paths with street vendors selling their crafts. If you go this route, avoid setting up shop next to locals who are trying to make a living. Also, check local laws regarding vendors.
6. Freelance videographer.
Becoming a highly-paid freelance videographer doesn’t happen overnight. These highly coveted travel jobs require dedication and a passion for filmmaking. But if you master your craft, companies will be lining up to give you money.
7. Holiday Work.
Working during Holidays allows you short-term jobs that can pay very well. A few are in sales and others are in factory settings. There are tons of well-paying short-term positions available. And they’re easy to get. You can work and save for a couple weeks/months in one city, travel a bit, move on to the next city, and repeat.
8. Freelancer for local businesses.
Many options here—website designer, social media promoter, videographer, photographer, etc.
These are typically digital nomad travel jobs, just offer your services to local businesses, tour companies, restaurants or other businesses in each destination you travel to.
We’ve met a gentleman in a RV Park who arranged a free one-week stay in exchange for setting up the RV Parks social media accounts and taking some professional photos. He finished all his work in one day, then had a week to relax.
9. House sitter OR Pet sitter.
Kids not your jam? What about pets? There are tons of people around the world who want to travel, but don’t have anyone to look after their pets (or house) while they’re away. That’s where you come in. It’s a perfect opportunity to live rent-free while working on building other jobs that allow you to travel.
10. Property manager.
The rise of Airbnb has brought with it many new job opportunities. Many real estate investors buy multiple properties to rent out on Airbnb. They then hire people like you to take care of check-in, check-out, and cleaning in between guests.
If you want to start working and traveling, there are plenty of travel jobs out there. You just have to look around and get out of your comfort zone. Try something new and interesting. You will never know you like it until you try it. Get started today!
Summer travel comes with hot days, depending on your current location, even fall and spring days can cause temperatures to climb. That’s why, whenever you travel, you need a game plan to keep your RV cool during your trip. With the right mixture of positioning, planning and a few other tips, you’ll be able to stay comfortable. Check out our video on these particular tips and how we stay cool living in our RV.
While no single tip will keep your RV completely cool, combining these tips should make a noticeable difference in the indoor temperature of your RV. But by minimizing your RV’s sun exposure and the heat you create, you can greatly reduce the amount you’ll sweat.
Before turning on your air conditioner, make sure you’ve positioned your RV in the best possible spot. Choosing a shady spot is no-brainer, but if you only have partial shade, try to park your RV so the refrigerator vents and the A/C unit are covered. Also, try to park your RV so the largest windows receive the least amount of full sun.
Traveling without air conditioning? If you don’t have AC, do some advanced planning to take advantage of passing breezes by installing RV roof vent cover. This product will channel breezes inside and keep rain out. Keeping windows and vents open also encourages cross ventilation that keeps your RV cool. You can also add fans to your roof vents, which will ensure that you’ll be able to make your own breeze during still days.
Even if you’re running your air conditioner, use your awnings and window shades to prevent the sun from overheating your RV. Once you’ve parked your RV, extend any awnings to provide some shade. Close the shades and blinds on windows that also receive full sun.
When you regularly hit the dusty trail, it’s easy for your A/C filters to get dirty. Dirty filters make it difficult for your air conditioner to work efficiently, but you can clean them quickly with a handheld vacuum cleaner. You can also wash some A/C filters with soapy water to keep them clean.
If you still have a few incandescent light bulbs in your RV, change them for some LEDs. Not only do LED bulbs run significantly cooler than old-school light bulbs, but the LEDs.
A skylight can make the shower stall feel larger, but it’s also a major source of heat gain. After you’ve finished using the shower, consider covering the skylight with sun block attached to the ceiling with hook and loop fasteners. If you don’t mind permanently blocking the skylight, consider replacing the inner part of the skylight with Reflectix insulation.
Well, this concludes our RV tips how to beat the heat and keep your RV cool during the hot summer months. You can still enjoy RVing and camping as the mercury rises. Happy camping!
Most people think living in an RV with either being digital nomads or retirees traveling from state to state. What a lot of people don’t realize is that you can live in an RV and actually maintain a more “traditional” life—you can still drive to your job every day, you can have a mailbox, and you can take weekend trips.
Stationary RV living is the ability to stay or live in your RV, in one place, for an extended period of time. Typically, people who do stationary living will live at an RV park and pay a monthly “rent” for their space. Some stationary RVers don’t travel at all and treat their RV like a permanent home, while others will take their RV out for the occasional trip.
Now, you might be thinking that this goes against the whole point of RVing, but there are numerous advantages to this type of lifestyle. Listed below are tips and advice from us but also others that are currently living the stationary life.
There are a lot of factors to consider when searching for your home on wheels. A big one is the floor plan—be sure to choose a rig with a floor plan that fits your unique needs. Number of beds, kitchen size, room for entertaining, and storage space are just a few things to consider. For us, upgrading to a larger rig was ideal because it not only gave us more physical space, but we didn’t feel like we were constantly crowding each other.
Next, when considering where to park your new home, always check the RV park’s amenities. What are your must-haves? In addition to the overall location and aesthetic of a park, consider things such as trash pickup, propane refills, a general store, a fitness center, and a laundry room. You may find that many RV parks are just like apartment complexes for RVers.
Different RV parks will handle utilities and mail differently, so it’s important to ask about their policy on each. For example, a RV park may charge a flat fee every month for electricity and water. Some parks are not able to receive regular USPS mail for their guests, but can receive small FedEx and UPS packages. Some parks also have individual mailboxes for each site, so it was extremely convenient to send and receive mail.
If mailing services are not an option at your preferred RV park, there are plenty of third-party services that can set up mail forwarding for you or get you a PO Box at a local post office. A few of the best third-party mail services are Escapees, Traveling MailBox and Good Sam Mail Service. When we are traveling for an extended amount of time we use Traveling Mailbox. A very affordable and convenient option.
Most RV parks have WiFi but, in all honesty, it’s rarely a good, strong signal—especially if you want to stream entertainment or do video calls. There are WiFi boosters and antennas you can buy to help amplify the park’s WiFi, but we found that a portable hotspot device with unlimited data has worked the best for us and gave us the strongest signal.
Many RV parks offer basic cable connections for local channels, but you won’t be able to get premium channels like HBO, ESPN, or TNT. For those channels, we decided to try YouTube TV a cable app that works with your laptop, smartphone, or streaming device (Roku, Apple TV, Google Chromecast) and offers a wide range of channels, movies, and shows. Although it was a great option, we found we were not watching the service enough to justify the cost.
We have met some of our closest friends because of the RV life. When we lived in our Sticks & Bricks home, we didn’t get to know our neighbors as much as we do now. Once we started RVing, we were constantly meeting new people—many of whom we still keep in touch with. Even if our neighbors were only staying for a weekend or a week, we would sit at each other’s rigs next to the fire, enjoy meals together, swap stories, and share RVing advice. The sense of community at RV parks, and among the RV world, is very, very strong.
Truthfully, Ed and I never thought we’d embark on a RV living journey—it’s not always what people expect. But if you want to hit the road, while still maintaining an affordable homebase, try it out. You might just fall in love with it.
As seen in our previous video, we were having some stinky issues which our fresh water at our kitchen sink faucet. After doing a lot of troubleshooting, we found that bacteria must have been growing in our cold-water line leading to the kitchen sink. Ed had previously flushed our system out but only using a small amount of chlorine bleach. Just enough to ensure the water coming into our RV was drinkable. Well…after we left our job site and were where we could hook to city water, Ed placed a large amount of chlorine bleach into our freshwater tank, ran it through our cold-water lines using our onboard pump. Once the tank of water with bleach was run through, Ed once again filled our freshwater tank full of water but with just fresh water, no bleach. He repeated the fresh water step a couple more times. As I am typing this blog, we feel confident that we have effectively removed any bacteria in our RV water lines.
Your RV’s tanks need to be in proper working order for you to be able to enjoy camping to its fullest, especially the freshwater system. The freshwater system on your RV not only needs to work right, but it needs to be clean, too. Without a clean freshwater system, you are asking for a trip filled with illness. Like any other part of your RV, your freshwater system needs to be cleaned.
So…we wanted to share with you how YOU can sanitize your water system BEFORE you experience issues like we did. Below are the steps to complete regardless if you are weekend warriors or full-timers.
All you need to do is follow a few simple steps BEFORE you have issues like we had
Step 1: Turn Off Your Water Heater and Drain Your Freshwater System
You don’t want to drain the freshwater system with the water heater on. This will damage the water heater. You need to turn it off and let it cool before you drain the water. It’s not a bad idea to have the water pump on to ensure you can get all of the water out of the system before you start sanitizing.
Step 2: Calculate the Amount of Bleach You’ll Need and Add It to the Freshwater Tank
You’ll need 1/4 cup of bleach for every 16 gallons of water in your freshwater tank. This also equates to one ounce per eight gallons. Make the calculations based on those ratios. That means. If you have a 20-gallon freshwater tank on your RV, you’d need 2.5 ounces of bleach to sanitize your system.
Don’t add the bleach straight to your freshwater tank. You should dilute it first. Take that amount of bleach you’ve calculated for your specific RV and add it to at least a gallon of water. Then pour this water-bleach mixture into the freshwater tank with the help of a funnel.
Step 3: Fill the Freshwater Tank with Potable Water and Pump It Through The System
The next step is to fill the freshwater tank with clean, potable water. Make sure to fill it all the way. This will ensure that the tank and the rest of the system get fully sanitized.
You also need to make sure the water with the bleach solution gets all the way through the system. Turn on all the faucets to ensure the bleach water makes its way to every part of your freshwater system. Once the water is circulating through, you can turn them off again.
Step 4: Let The Water Sit For 12 Hours
The solution will take time to really sanitize your system well. You can’t just run some bleach-water through your freshwater system in a few minutes and call it good. I suggest letting the solution sit in your freshwater system overnight. It’s a great way to make sure it gets the job done.
Step 5: Drain the Tank and Then Flush the System
After at least 12 hours of letting the RV sit with the bleach solution in the freshwater system, you need to drain all the water out again. Then refill it with fresh water and start circulating that water through the system with your water pump. Open all the faucets and flush the system until you can no longer smell the bleach.
It may take a few times for you to get all of the bleach smell out. Don’t worry about doing this step multiple times. I’d suggest continuing to flush the system even after the bleach smell is gone. This will ensure you eliminate all of the sanitizing chemicals from the system.
Once that’s all done, I’d suggest replacing any water filters on your rig or inline filters you are using outside the RV. After you’ve replaced those filters and switched your water heater back on, you should be ready for another full year of camping!
Not Your Average Explorer 