RV Camping is a great experience. It gives you the ability to drive down the road, see the sites, and spend time with the ones you love. Here are a few RV hacks that will make your trip easier.
DIY Travel Cup RV Hack It never fails, something gets spilled. An easy way to minimize the disaster area is Press ‘n Seal Wrap. It works with most cups and saves many headaches.
Command Hook Curtains Need a temporary curtain to create separation in your RV, don’t want to drill holes into the frame, or simply want a super-easy way to hang curtains. Use command hooks to hold up your curtain rod!
DIY Tank Cleaner Toilets are always dreaded to clean, especially RV ones. An easy fix is a cup of Borax detergent and 1/2 cup of Calgon Water Softener. The Borax helps control odor and the water softener prevents waste from sticking to the walls of the waste tank. Be nice to your RV bathroom and keep your tank clean.
Dry Erase Board Use Dry erase boards come in handy for many uses but they can help with safety concerns as well. Keep one in the RV to write down the name of the campground, address, spot number, phone number of the campground, and any other useful information about the site you may want to be nearby in case of an accident or emergency.
Collapsible Garbage Can RV’s are low on storage, a large trashcan is difficult to travel with. However, using a collapsible laundry basket makes a perfect impromptu trash can that stores away easily.
Bubble Wrap Insulation For those chilly winter months a campfire is great but inside your RV is a different story! An easy temporary solution is Bubble Wrap insulation.
Line the Shelves with Non-Slip Liner Be sure to line all of your shelves with non-slip liner. It will keep your cabinets from becoming a dishware graveyard on those bumpy road trips.
Place a Foam Noodle Over Awning Brace or Slide Corners An inexpensive easy solution for no more bumped heads as you walk around the RV.
Easy Washing Station Create an easy washing station, all you need is a bar of soap placed in a leg of pantyhose and tied around a water spigot. It will make cleaning up more convenient and your RV much cleaner.
Leave in the comments what your tips are. We would love to share them with the community.
As we are coming close to Christmas, we felt this may be something you that are needing. Are you spending Christmas in your RV? Will you be with family or friends? Or will this be your first year alone with your significant other?
Every family has favorite holiday traditions. Christmas isn’t the same when you’re full-time living in your RV. But this doesn’t mean the holidays can’t be awesome. An amazing part of Christmas is the decorating – especially when it comes to picking out a tree. You could go the artificial route and find a fake, yet still beautiful tree that can fit the dimensions of your RV.
Our 1st Christmas Tree
One of the best parts of Christmas for me and my family has always been decorating. While it’s a small space, we still have fun decorating both the interior and exterior of our RV. You can do the same!
Decorated with 2 trees while Gate Guarding
Deck out the exterior with lights and a wreath Place mini Christmas trees inside Hang your stockings wherever they fit Decorate your campsite Warm up your RV by baking holiday treats Keep the decorating simple. Have fun and find new ways to keep the spirit glowing. A great part of spending Christmas in the RV is your ability to enjoy the simplicity of holidays for that year. You don’t need to get extravagant with the decorations.
Decorated our site while at Tybee Island GA
If you’re feeling the holiday blues, here’s how to see the season in a different way. Celebrating the holidays in your RV is an opportunity to create even better memories and make new traditions! One of the greatest things about camping out is that you can meet all kinds of people from all over the country. So, why not take advantage of that? On Christmas Day, get together with some of the other people camping out at the RV Park and host your very own RVing holidays Christmas dinner!
Tybee Island RV Park Christmas Party
Travel to new destinations with winter weather you enjoy. Prepare your holiday meal for yourself and/or friends. Get to know new people and their Christmas traditions. Eat out at new places and learn local holiday food customs.
Just try to keep in mind, the best thing about spending your holiday in an RV is the complete mobility you have. You can go and do whatever you want, wherever you want!
As Ed and I continue to grow our YouTube channel, we want to share with you daily videos on various subjects such as our RVlife, Destinations & Experiences, Making Money To Make Memories, Gate Guarding, Modifications & Remodeling RVs. We’ve listed a couple that have already been posted but we have many, many, many more to come. Don’t miss out because we have so much information for you. AND make sure to share with your friends!
Being nomadic sounds great doesn’t it? For the most part, it can be. However, do your research before you take the leap. You will want to research the differences between types of RVs. Do you know there’s a difference between the different types of RVs? RV stands for recreational vehicle, so in itself, it isn’t a single vehicle. It is a category of vehicle just like an SUV is.
Let’s get into the main categories of RVs so you can get an idea for what you’d like.
A motorhome is a motorized RV that has living accommodations. There are different classes:
Class A: The Class A motorhome resembles a bus and features a larger living area Class B: Smaller and more agile; also known as sleeper or camper vans Class C: More fuel-efficient and comfortable to drive than Class A, but also more modest
Towable Trailers are RVs that require a tow vehicle to get from Point A to Point B. The different types of trailers include:
Pop-up or foldable trailers: compact, but need to be physically folded before they’re usable Travel trailers: wide range of towables ranging in size 5th wheel and/or Toy haulers: these can be the largest towable RVs on the market, heaviest, require a specific type of in-bed truck tow hitch. And toy haulers feature a “garage” so you can haul a large “toy” like an ATV, golf cart or small car
Buying an RV can be a thrill, but not when you don’t really know which type of model will work for you. Using the information above, go to your local RV dealer and tour all the different types. Take notes OR video record each RV that may interest you. Before you enter the RV, at the door most RVs have their information on a sticker. Take a picture of the sticker and then start recording. This should help you keep each RV video organized so when you go to view the videos you don’t get confused. Once your in the RV, don’t rush. Set down and look around. Is this a space you can comfortably use while camping or living in? Weird tip but necessary… go set on the toilet, with the lid down of course, and see if there is enough leg room. Stand in the shower and pretend your washing your hair. Is there enough room or do you hit your arms on the shower walls? One of the things we overlooked at first was closets! Where do you hang your clothes? Where do you put your underwear? We found ourselves looking at the cosmetic things within a RV and then when watching our videos realized there was not a closet to hold our clothes. Bottom line, take your time. Don’t get overly excited and rush through things. Don’t do it. Take your time. Buying a RV is a expensive investment and you don’t want to make a mistake a purchase a RV that will not function for your needs. Do you have tips for us or our other viewers? Leave your comment below.
We hope the take away from these past two videos is…. You Can Do Anything, But Not Everything. The quote is a reminder that is important to just DO instead of trying to do everything. Just remember, the time on this earth is limited so its important for you to choose what’s best for you and the others that are most important to YOU!
Thanks everyone for following along on our crazy adventure.
Dora & Ed
Please also head over to our Patreon Page and become one of our supporters!
When we made this video we didn’t realize how it would make us really ‘think’ about our intentions and what is most important to us. Make sure to watch the video and while your there, please take the time to watch our other videos.
So you saved up enough money to start living on the road OR you’re taking your remote job on the road with you. As you’re excited and have been traveling, you quickly find out that you’ve exceeded your budget based on your method of travel. Living full-time is not a vacation so you need to watch your money or it won’t last long. In this blog I will provide you the information you need to make your dollar stretch while living on the road.
Make Being Frugal Part of Your Life
Being frugal while living on the road can really help your dollar go a long way. By keeping things simple you won’t spend money on the extras. Here are some basic ideas to being frugal:
Thrift Stores
Workamp for you site instead of paying
Batch cook instead of eating out
Use coupons
Look for clearance and discounted items.
Slowly Get Rid of The Unessential’s…Think Minimalism
This one can go side by side with being frugal. Minimalism is basically living with less. When you live with less you don’t need to spend money on items or services you don’t need while living on the road. Here are some tips to keep in mind about taking the minimalist route:
Think about what you need not want in life. We need food, clothing, shelter and water. Items for work, health, etc., will be different for everyone.
Having minimal amount of stuff means you are not paying for the extras you don’t need.
You are less likely to overspend when having a minimalist mind and lifestyle.
Buy In Bulk and Quality
When you do your resupply in town try to buy in bulk. That is of course if you have the space to do so. It may cost more in the beginning but saves you money in the end.
Also buy better quality items. For example:
Hiking or Camping Gear- This could range from backpacks to tents and everything in between.
Solar-having a good solar power system not only can last you a long time but save you money since you don’t have to use electricity or have to buy propane. Some areas may be more solar friendly than others when it comes to weather.
Kitchen Items such as blenders or kitchenware.
Shoes-This especially goes for hiking, sport or work shoes. Of course check the thrift stores 1st because you may find the quality brand you are looking for.
Tools-Stick with good brands like Dewalt or Milwaukee.
Clothing-Again check the thrift stores before paying full price.
These are just a few examples to keep in mind when buying quality as opposed to buying something at a cheap price and then having to repurchase that item again.
Don’t Travel As Much
Gas prices as well as wear and tear on your vehicle can make your money go down the drain…….and quick! Consider these ideas while you are living on the road:
Boondock. Stay on free public land for 2 weeks instead of 2 days.
If you stay at paid campgrounds look into weekly or monthly rates. They may be cheaper in the long run compared to daily.
Stay in one spot until you reach your financial goals.
If you don’t already have a job that you can take on the road with you, you may find that your funds will not last a lifetime. That means you may have to make some type of income to not only support your current income but support you when you are older. Below are some ideas to get you started:
Be a Digital Nomad-Basically your workplace is online and wherever an internet connection is. Examples of digital nomad jobs are a programmer, website designer, SEO specialist, or a customer support representative.
Become a Freelancer-This option you can utilize both the digital and physical world. Examples of a freelancer would be a writer, a tutor, a transcriber, or an illustrator.
Do seasonal work in whatever areas you travel to-This could be seasonal retail or restaurant work, working at ski lodges or summer resorts, campgrounds, the list could go on.
Odd End Jobs-These jobs include but are not limited to pet sitting, craigslist jobs, delivering food or being a personal taxi service.
Stick with a 9 to 5-If you do not want to travel then stick with your day job.
Consider Investing
No I don’t mean hit the stock market while living on the road. Unless you want to of course. There are many ways to invest your money to make it a sort of passive income while you do little or no work. Here are some ways to invest your money while living on the road:
Bonds-Basically you are loaning money for a certain amount of time and you get that money plus interest. Treasury securities are issued by the government where other bonds can be issued by another entity like a corporation.
Real Estate-Real estate is a good source of passive income while you are on the road. Better yet, if you have a house and are downsizing, consider keeping your house to rent out to someone to generate income.
Become an Affiliate-If you have a website, a blog or even make videos for a living you can earn side income through an affiliates program. You pretty much will earn a commission by posting a merchant’s website link if someone purchases something from that link on your site.
Invest in a Business– This could be either starting your own business or investing in an already established business.
Stocks-If you invest in lets say an Amazon stock you share ownership of the business, so whatever they profit you can profit a percentage as well.
Put your money in a high yield savings account or money marketing account-Instead of putting your money in a regular savings account, which won’t give you much interest, try an online bank that will give you a higher interest rate.
The beauty with this option is you can have a versatile portfolio all the while earning your normal income. It’s a good way to make money and keep up with inflation without doing much. One thing to keep in mind is patience and go for the long term to get the most money out of your investments.
As always, put in some extra research before doing any of these investing options that you can fully understand what you are getting into.
Making your dollar stretch while living on the road can be very easy once you put your mind to it. You may have to use multiple methods to get the right fit with your lifestyle. So don’t wait until your funding runs out. Start building that cash while you are living on the road.
Todays video I’m so happy to be able to show you how hard Ed has been working on our truck and making it beautiful again. Making friends on the road can be one of the most rewarding things about RVlife. All Nomads come from a more settled life, and they bring with them the close friends they’ve made through work, school and community. As a full-time RVer, you can sustain those relationships and create new friendships as you travel. Embrace those friendships, keep in contact with them until you meet again on down the road.
Driving an RV or a motorhome is very different from driving a car and once you start driving you will quickly begin to realize that towing or driving an RV is nothing like driving a car or even a truck. As a first-time owner or even an experienced RV driver, you should learn as much driving RV as possible so that you are prepared for every scenario from tight turns to backing into small parking spaces. Here are some top driving tips for new drivers of RVs and motorhomes to check out before hitting the road.
Go Slow The first tip when driving or towing an RV is to go slow. Unlike other drivers, who are usually rushing to get to their destinations, you’re taking your time. Owning and driving an RV or a motorhome is supposed to be a leisurely experience, so going slow is all part of the package. It is recommended to always drive around the 63 miles per hour mark and never exceed 65 miles per hour. Don’t worry about impatient drivers around you – drive at the speed limit and stay in the slow lane. Driving at a leisurely speed will also give you better gas mileage.
Keep Far Right Unless you’re driving outside of the US, motorists should stick to the right lane when driving. If you are driving an RV, this is generally the rule of the road. Motorhomes and RVs are large, lumbering vehicles and it is safer for everyone on the road if they stick to the right lane. Driving in the right-hand lane also allows you to be close to the shoulder should you have any mechanical issues and gives you the best visual access from your driver’s side mirror. But, an exception to the rule may be traveling in the center lane on a multi-lane highway. We have found in our travels the lane overall is wider and the center lane allows you to change lanes for upcoming exits on the right or left-side of the highway easier.
Adjust your mirrors
Adjust Your Mirrors It is very important to always have an eye on the rear of your vehicle at all times. Before heading off on any trip, adjust all your mirrors so that you have a clear vision of the rear of your RV from all angles. But, don’t hyper-focus on the rear of your RV and not also focus on the road in front of you.
Measure height & length
Know Your Literal Limits A RV is a large vehicle and it’s important to know the limits of the vehicle from the width to the height. Your road trip may take you to a range of different locations from narrow overpasses to low tunnels and you don’t want to be worrying whether your RV will fit under that tunnel or be too wide for that overpass. Take the measurements of your RV before you go. Measure the width and the height and keep these in mind when driving through tunnels and overpasses. We printed a small label and stuck it to our GPS so when we get into a situation you are unsure, you look at the label for direction. If you do happen to come across a tunnel or overpass with less clearance than your vehicle allows, use your GPS to find another route to avoid getting stuck.
Understand Your Tail Swing The tail swing of a motorhome or an RV is “the distance that the body of the RV behind the pivot point moves in the opposite direction of the front when you turn.” If your RV is made up of two parts – the cab which is the shorter part of the vehicle and the coach, which is the longest part. The coach will not turn at the same time that the front of the RV does, so you will need to calculate your exact tail swing to accommodate and plan for that distance gap. The best way to do this is to find an empty street or parking lot and have another person watch as you turn to calculate the tail swing. Park the vehicle flush with a painted white line and use the white line as a reference point for turning. Depending on the size of your RV and how tightly you turn, average tail swings are between 18 and 30 inches (more or less). The more you practice, the more you’ll get comfortable with making tight and loose turns.
Keep your distance
Keep Your Distance Always stay at least 400 to 500 feet from the vehicle in front of you. If you aren’t sure how far that is, count four to six seconds – this should give you enough time to brake over a minimum distance without worrying other drivers on the road.
Know When to Brake While this may seem like an obvious tip, braking in an RV is very different from braking in a car. The average campervan packed with gear weighs over 7,000 pounds and you need to account for this when braking. There are no such things as sudden stops – you need to be alert and conscientious at all times. If you have to brake for any reason, you must plan it out well in advance. It’s going to take time for your vehicle to roll to a complete stop, so you must make sure the path in front of you is always clear.
Be a Courteous Driver It’s always a good idea to be courteous on the road, and when you are driving a large vehicle like an RV or a motorhome, it’s even more important! If you know you have a left turn coming up in a few hundred feet, flip your left turn signal on early and slowly begin to move over to the left lane. This will give other drivers on the road plenty of time to move out of your way.
As with anything in life, practice makes perfect – or close to! Practice, Practice, Practice. Driving an RV is just the same – the more you drive it, the better you will become. Focus on wide turns, parallel and perpendicular parking, and other tricky driving maneuvers, and practice these until you feel confident doing them.
Not Your Average Explorer 