This is a deeper dive into RV life pros and cons beyond the obvious reasons every other list gives you…
If you read any list of the top ten pros and cons of RVing, you’ll pretty much get the same answers.
Pros like freedom, traveling with the comforts of home, flexible schedule, priceless experiences, and cheaper lifestyle. (The last of which is only sometimes true.)
The cons on those lists always include limited space, RV maintenance, travel stress, and climate control / unpredictable weather.
While all of those are true (well, except the “cheap” part), they are rather obvious even to non-RVers. So, this time, I want to dig deeper and list the pros and cons that we’ve learned from our 10+ years living the RV lifestyle.
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5 RV Life Pros You Don’t Expect as a Newbie
There’s quite a bit to cover here so I’m going to jump right in. The following 5 things came as a happy surprise to me when Jennifer and I started our RVing journey over 10 years ago.
1. More Quality Time with Family & Friends You “Leave Behind”
Now, it’s obvious that an RV opens the door for more quality time with the people you travel with. However, most people don’t realize that it can greatly increase your quality time with those you “leave behind.”
Jennifer and I travel in our RV about ¾ of the year, and pretty much have since the beginning. When we started off, we were really worried about the time we would lose with our family and friends by our sticks and bricks house.
But something great happened! Whenever we were in town, everyone excitedly got together and we spent more quality time together.
So, even though we didn’t see each other nearly as often, our time together was better spent. That’s why if you’re getting ready to embrace the RV lifestyle or even become a full-time RVer, I recommend you read How to Tell Family & Friends.
2. Deepening Your Connection with Your Travel Partner
Now, I have to warn you that this “pro” can be a con if you don’t already have a good relationship with your partner. In general, RVing will expand upon whatever type of relationship you have (good or bad).
However, it does provide an amazing opportunity to deepen your connection with your spouse or travel partner. You have to learn how to work together, respect each other’s space, and communicate with kindness if you are to stick with the RV life.
It helps to learn Our Top Ten Rules for Getting Along in a Motorhome (You can click this link or watch the video above.)
While learning how to do that at home can be an impossible challenge, there’s something about RVing that enables you to reset. It’s like there’s a natural understanding that things have to change to make the most of your travels.
If you both have that mindset and are willing to work together, your relationship can be better than ever before.
3. Dogs Are Amazing Travel Companions
Too many RV pros and cons lists forget to include the ability to travel with your pet as a top reason for RVing. Dogs, in particular, are amazing travel companions!
Yes, this is coming from a lifelong dog lover, but there are several reasons this is true beyond the fact that dogs are great in general.
For one, dogs need to be walked when you travel in an RV. So, that encourages you to stop and stretch your legs while driving as well as spurs you to be more active while you camp.
For two, dogs are natural ice breakers. RVing can get lonely (even when traveling with a partner) and dogs are a fool-proof way to meet new people while you travel.
For three more perks, you’ll need to read the 5 Best Perks of Traveling with a Dog.
4. The RV Community Restores Your Faith in Humanity
How many people want to go RVing to escape the doom and stress of the “real world”? Clearly the answer is A LOT!
A lot of people enter the RV world as an escape but, surprisingly, it’s much more like a return. A return to the “better days” where people say hello and your neighbors are there to help whenever you need them.
Granted, there are always bad apples in the bunch, but it’s safe to say that the RV community as a whole is a wonderful group of people. They are kind-hearted, approachable people that enjoy life to the best of their ability.
We all need more of that in our life!
5. Practice Makes Perfect (& Builds Confidence)
The thought of driving, maintaining, and living out of an RV (whether for a weekend or full-time) can be overwhelming. I know I was scared when I started!
But let me tell you something, YOU CAN RV! If you give yourself the chance and go for it, you can do it.
Yes, I’m talking to you women RVers. Yes, I’m talking to you solo RVers. Yes, I’m talking to you senior RVers.
Practice truly makes perfect… or rather, good enough! You can learn how to RV and enjoy it to its fullest.
Trust me, I know this from experience!
5 RV Life Cons That May Surprise You
Alright, now it’s on to the downsides of the RV life. The following are the things that surprised Jennifer and me (and not in a good way.)
1. Decision Fatigue is Real
I’m not sure if I ever heard of “decision fatigue” before I started RVing. But, boy, did I become very familiar with it once we hit the road.
When home, you take for granted the things that are just “givens.” You realize you followed a routine more than you ever thought, even if you consider yourself a spontaneous person.
When you start having to make hundreds of decisions every day that you don’t normally have to make, it gets exhausting. You have to learn to make quick decisions without putting too much weight on it.
2. Campgrounds Are Noisier Than You Think
When people think about RVing, they often envision a secluded campsite surrounded by trees. Birds chirping. Squirrels frolicking.
Well, let me tell you, that is not the case! Granted, these campsites do exist, especially if you boondock like Jennifer and I prefer to do.
However, most campgrounds are quite noisy. Instead of birds chirping, there are kids screaming. Instead of squirrels frolicking, there are drunk people laughing.
I know that doesn’t paint an ideal picture, but it’s better you’re prepared for that possibility with every new campground you visit. It’s almost a given in a lot of places during peak summer months.
Expecting that, you can prepare with 5 Privacy Products to Make Your Campsite More Private and How to Deal with Bad Camping Neighbors.
3. Non-RVers Will Question Your Choices (& Sanity)
This con is mainly for people planning to go full-time RVing or most-time RVing (like Jennifer and me).
While some people will be excited for you, most will question your choices and your sanity. They’ll even mock you.
I honestly wasn’t prepared for that when we made the decision, and Jennifer and I even questioned our decision. Thankfully, we didn’t listen to the naysayers.
Again, I recommend reading How to Tell Family & Friends You’re Becoming a Full-Time RVer.
4. The RV Life is NOT Cheap
Remember how I said in the intro that lots of RV pros and cons lists tout “more affordable lifestyle” as a pro? Well, that’s a load of bologna.
Let me be clear on this before those who have achieved a cheaper lifestyle by RVing attack me. The RV Life can be cheaper; however, that is not a guarantee! It’s probably not even the norm.
It takes a lot of planning in advance, budgeting, and ongoing effort to make RVing a more affordable option to living in one place. Fuel, RV repairs, campground fees, and loss of income pose really big obstacles to overcome.
The more you want to actually travel (drive all over), the more expensive it becomes. And fast. If you’re expecting it to be more affordable, you’ll likely have to stay in place a lot more than you think.
Boondocking is one of the biggest solutions to a more affordable RV life. So, I recommend learning more about that and the following:
- The Beginner’s Guide to Boondocking
- RV Buying Secrets
- The Ultimate Guide to Cheap or FREE RV Camping Sites
5. You Need to Be Hands On with RV Maintenance
I am not a very handy man. And I certainly wasn’t a handy man with any mechanical inclination when I first started RVing. However, I am a handier man now that I’m an RVer.
I’m handier because I have to be handier. It’s one of the first surprises I had as a newbie RVer when I naively thought my new RV wouldn’t give me trouble. And if it did, I’d just let the professionals handle it.
Boy, did I have a rude awakening when I realized that it’s impractical to think you could hire everything done. For starters, there’s a big shortage of RV mechanics! The waiting time for even the simplest repair and maintenance is usually ridiculously long.
So, out of necessity, I learned how to do basic RV maintenance and repairs myself. And now I suggest that everyone (male and female) do the same!
Thankfully, it’s easier than you think. Otherwise I certainly wouldn’t have been able to learn it!
Also thankfully, there are now online courses you can take to teach you RV maintenance basics, like the following…
Get the Home Study Course today and worry about the road, not the repairs!
Every time you move your RV it's like driving through a hurricane during an earthquake. Parts break and many items need to be maintained, this program will show you how you can save time and money by gaining the confidence to take on the majority of the issues you’ll come across. Don’t get caught with your RV in the shop! Learn how you can maintain and repair your RV at your own pace and at the most convenient time for you! This course is produced by the National RV Training Academy.
7 Responses to “10 RV Life Pros and Cons (Beyond the Obvious)”
Comments are closed.
December 15, 2023at3:56 am, REINA ANGUIANO LEDBETTER said:
Looking for experienced owners of RVs and 5th wheelers.
I am about to do one of the things I have always wanted to do!; and it is to buy an RV and travel to all States, their parks, and cities, take my time, take my photos, and make a living in the RV a full-time lifestyle. Now that I am in that position, I have considered what I should buy. Large Diesel 40 feet at least, with all the necessary amenities as possible, or a 5th wheeler? Also large with essential amenities like a washer and dryer!
To give you more contest, I will do it 90% alone with my two dogs. I don’t have a truck to pull the 5th wheeler (I have driven a trailer before. (Not much experience, though ) but fearless! LOL! That is that. The diesel pusher had no experience whatsoever (I drove 38 feet, and I thought it was easier than I thought), but again, bold enough to try and learn. LOL!! And I also need a vehicle I can tow behind to get around.
So far, I haven’t purchased everything. I would like to hear the experience, pros, and cons of those who have had both. RV and a 5th wheel. Even the most obvious pros and cons since I have not experienced either style.
Please, your experiences are welcome. It would help if you experienced both. Please!
I will be looking forward to reading and learning from your worthwhile experiences.
Thank you
Reina
December 15, 2023at2:43 pm, Team RV Lifestyle said:
Hi Reina – I’d like to suggest joining the Mike and Jen’s RV Lifestyle Facebook group here https://www.facebook.com/groups/roadtreking and asking your question there. There are many RVers there who I’m sure would be happy to share their experiences. Since this is a blog post, the format doesn’t allow the level of give-and-take you are seeking. Team RV Lifestyle
June 25, 2023at2:31 am, Dennis Carson said:
Retired/Widowed with one adult son and considering camper life. These cons completely discouraged me from the challenge. How can I get the interest back?
October 11, 2022at8:09 am, Deborah Beck said:
While I love traveling with dogs, my biggest “con” would have to be getting up and dressed in the morning to take the dogs out and picking up the you-know-what, rather than just opening up the back door at home and letting them out. It’s worth it, though.
October 13, 2022at10:30 am, Team RV Lifestyle said:
We can relate to that- and agree with what you are saying. Happy Trails! Team RV Lifestyle
October 11, 2022at7:56 am, Bev Parkison said:
The article brings up some very good aspects of RV life most people don’t realize until they delve into it. We were full time for 3.5 years and I never felt “decision fatigue”. I thoroughly enjoy the planning aspect of travel and after much practice, am getting very good at it. We just returned from a four month Pacific Northwest RV tour and it was wonderful! Yes it took months of planning but once we took off we could just relax and follow the Itinerary. I had reservations for all but about two weeks of the whole trip and only one or two campgrounds were undesirable. My husband is very skilled with fixing and maintaining everything so we make a great team. We really tested our relationship on this trip because we took a small truck mounted camper but were able to camp inside the national parks and places the large 5th wheel wouldn’t fit. The cost of RVing has increased tremendously. We spent 5K on fuel for two vehicles but it was worth every dime! It costs nearly 1K to fly anywhere round trip now. The adventures and memories we have from this trip are priceless. There is no way anyone could fly out, get a rental car, pay for hotels and eating out for a four month trip like this. RVing is the way to go!
October 13, 2022at10:29 am, Team RV Lifestyle said:
Love your comments here and appreciate your feedback on RVing full-time. Sounds like your Pacific Northwest RV trip was amazing. Happy Trails – Team RV Lifestyle