From Dreamers to Doers: How to Finally Start Your RV Adventure
This RV Podcast episode 544 digs into the challenges and obstacles involved in going from dreaming to starting your RV Adventure, with two compelling messages from our readers. Plus, we have the social media buzz, your RV Questions, and Mike and Jen's Storytime about one of our many adventures.
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RV LIFESTYLE NEWS OF THE WEEK
Federal staffing cuts hit the heartland hard: COE campgrounds, more close for 2025
It’s not just National Parks that are being affected by staffing shortages.
Now we’re learning that many US Army Corps of Engineers federal campgrounds, recreation areas, and visitor centers in Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Montana will be partly or fully closed this year, starting May 1, due to federal staffing cuts.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Omaha District issued a press release stating that these are “temporary adjustments,” but provided no indication when, or if, the facilities would reopen.
They also announced that, because of limited seasonal staffing, Safety patrols would be reduced, especially during peak weekends and holidays.
Besides closures of some facilities, janitorial services for comfort stations and trash removal in those still open will be reduced from seven days to an average of three per week
Remember the story we shared a couple of weeks back of luxury travel trailers stored on a vacant lot near LA that were overtaken and vandalized by homeless squatters?
Well, about 70 of those Black series travel trailers – many apparently the same damaged and graffiti-tagged trailers from that incident – just showed up on a quiet, vacant lot in a neighborhood in the city of Wildomar in nearby Riverside County
That has drawn outrage from nearby homeowners, who are worried about the same thing happening again.
The city says the owner of the trailers- Black Series RV – did not obtain the necessary city approvals to place them on an empty lot that sits near several homes.
And the mayor says the city is in the process of obtaining a warrant to remove the trailers.
Yellowstone's Most Clever Canine? Limpy the Coyote Is Back!
Have you heard of Limpy, Yellowstone National Park's famous “con artist” coyote?
He made it through the winter and is back panhandling the tourists in the Lamar Valley area of the park.
\For those who don't know, Limpy somehow learned that by hanging out near the roadside and greatly exaggerating an old leg injury by looking absolutely pathetic, tourists stop to leave him food.
Feeding wildlife in Yellowstone is strictly forbidden. But that doesn't stop tourists from falling for Limpy’s act.
He’s been observed having only a slight limp when he’s chasing natural prey such as rodents.
But when he knows an audience is watching, he really lays it on and acts as if he can hardly walk.
Limpy’s been at it for years, and nobody’s quite sure how old he is, though they guess he’s around 6.
On the Road with Love: RV Campgrounds Roll Out the Red Carpet for Moms
One last story. Mother's Day is fast approaching, and we’ve noticed that many campgrounds around the country are planning special Mother's Day events in hopes RVers will celebrate mom at the campground.
Many Jellystone and KOA campgrounds are offering everything from spa days to “sip & paint” to chocolate surprises.
And some states, like Tennessee, are getting in on the action by offering special mouth-watering Mother's Day menus at their state parks.
RV CONVERSATION OF THE WEEK
We want to spend some time having a conversation this week about two different emails we received in response to recent podcasts. Both deal with starting an RV Adventure.
Both of them are from RV wannabes, folks who have been dreaming about the RV lifestyle and want to start, but they just aren't quite sure how. And we think both of these emails were a bit more of a conversation than we could do if we just responded to their email. Besides, what we received from two people probably means that other people are in the same boat or similarly confused about which way to go.
So let's dig right in and read them first. I like the headline that the woman who wrote this first email, she said Dreamer Needs Advice for Becoming a Doer. Now, in our past podcast, we talked about dreaming and doing. And here's what she says.
She says:
Thanks so much for your informative videos.
I've really been enjoying your channel. I have a question. I hope you wouldn't mind answering pertinent info. First, my whole life I dreamed of RVing. I thought it would be a Class A or C. Fast forward, and I am 55, an empty nester cancer survivor, living with a new cancer diagnosis that is incurable but treatable.
So I've been patiently dreaming and researching over the years. But we now feel a little pressed for time. I may be stable for the next 20 years, or things could change on a dime. We are eager to start making some wonderful memories being it's just me and my husband now. Given that we will have insane medical bills for the rest of my life, we figured Class B would be the wisest option, especially when factoring in the cost of fuel and all those things.
All this ease of parking and driving the size seems perfect. But we had no idea the prices would be so high. My question is, what would you say would be the best, wisest way to move from dreamers to doers? ASAP? Of course, I have my dream van, which is the Coachman Beyond. I also like the Noovo Plus with the lift bed.
We have seven grandchildren, ages five and under and dream of taking them on trips with us. Not all at once. And I would like some extra sleep space. We could fit one at a time in the Beyond bed with us. Also I have other health issues and disabilities that would make not having to set up and break down the bed every day, a blessing.
Realistically in this moment, even a used camper van is still a pipe dream. So a brand new one is dreaming big. But I gave you that information to give you an idea of what we would choose if there weren't any obstacles. Like you said in one of your videos, Jen, we can dream and isn't that just half the fun, just dreaming about possibilities. Hopefully we will meet on the road someday. Blessings, Linda.
Thank you Linda. We're delighted that Linda took the time to write, and she is very candid about her life situation and challenges. However, we want to encourage her not to give up on this dream.
It is doable, but the problem is the cost of new RVs and the RVs that she's attracted to are very expensive. That new Beyond we priced one out, they're, it's approaching $230,000 new, loaded up, like she'd like it. And if all of the industry talk about tariff worries and price hikes is true, we're told that some of the cost of these RVs, the new RVs, can go up as much as 20% later this year.
So, for Linda, if an RV is going to be part of her future, a new one sounds like it's out of the question. So one thing we caution, don't finance a new one. Interest rates, depreciation, and I hate to say this, but there are financial shenanigans at many dealers. We keep hearing some folks complain about that. We strongly advise against financing an RV unless you are absolutely certain of your financial situation for years to come.
The health issue, Linda shared, adds way too much uncertainty. And the other thing we hear is just never buy from one of those great big mega chains. And yes, I'm talking about Camping World. Their sales tactics — just Google them, they're under a lot of criticism for high-pressure tactics, and they're not alone.
Most of the other large sales outfits, those that have operations across the country, generally have a poor reputation for service and customer care. So our advice is to try and buy a used RV. And buy it directly from the owner if possible. If you have to go to a dealership, look for a small dealership that's family-run.
Finally, judging by what Linda shared, we do not recommend a Class B unless you'll be using it for relatively short stays. Look for a B+ or a small C, as this is not so much set-up and breakdown. And with your health issues, I think you'll be happier with something a little bigger. And I gotta say, sometimes those sofa beds.
They're not nearly as comfortable as they appear to be. So set your maximum budget. That's just the first thing you should do what you can afford. Then you can search places like RV Trader and Facebook Marketplace. Set up a Google search for used RVs that match their criteria. You need to be patient and methodical.
All right. Good luck, Linda. Now, that was Linda.
We received another letter this week that expressed the same frustration, but this person wants to literally sell the farm — her home for decades — and set out full-time in an RV.
Let's read it. This is from Amy.
I gained another golden nugget from your last podcast, and I'm asking you a favor. Please knock me off the fence of indecision.
I leaped out in faith over the weekend and rented a camper van and spent two nights at a state park in New Jersey. I drove almost 300 miles total in two days, and sure enjoyed the flexibility of the van being able to fit into parking spots, drive into little beachheads and trailheads. Yet the build was very simple, and if it wasn't for the state park bathhouse, I would've been miserable.
So now I'm scared to take the leap of faith because my lupus also flared up, from all the driving and the stress and the cold nights, and it felt good to come back to the farm late Monday night after driving another few hours from dropping off the rental van until I got to the farm. The sink started leaking and then the wind blew down more trees, and I just came in from laboring with my electric chainsaw and I'm miserable.
And I finished your podcast and I just wish you two could be my ambassadors and tell me what to buy that would enable me drivable flexibility, yet a little more creature comfort. I don't have a buyer for the farm yet, so here I am. What should I do? — Amy
Wow. First good job, Amy, in running an RV. You learned a lot, didn't you? And what we think you learned is that a Class B is pretty cramped.
Especially if as, you shared with us in a previous letter, you want to be selling your longtime farm home and traveling around full time. Like our previous conversation with Linda, Amy has some long-term health issues and there's a lot of setup and take down involved in the Class B and VanLife may sound very adventurous, and it is, but I don't think it's really well-suited long-term to those who have age and health issues.
So we suggest a B+ or a Class C for Amy as well. In fact, find one and rent it. See how that fits and imagine what it would be like living in it full-time. Here's a wake-up call, Amy. Just as you had all those chores and challenges at your farm when you returned from the RV rental, you're also gonna have similar chores, maintenance, challenges, breakdowns, and repairs in the RV life.
For you, too, we recommend a used RV. If you are dead set on getting one, how much can you afford? What's available? Do not overbuy and do not finance one. You need to know how you'll use that RV and what are your minimum requirements, and that means you probably need to rent a few more. Make sure you know how to maintain one.
Now she asked us to tell her which one to buy, and we can't make that decision for Amy. Whatever we end up choosing for our second RV, we're going to get a motorhome. We need a motorhome to supplement our fifth wheel for shorter trips, but what we choose is based strictly on our needs and our wants, and it would not fit yours.
Amy, you have to figure out your own needs. We don't want to tell you to give up on your dream, but you tell us it's an either-or situation. Either you sell the farm and use the proceeds to buy it, or there is no RV. Seriously, consider all the ramifications of this decision if you decide that's what you're going to do.
Get some more information first. And audience, what do you think? Use the comments below to offer helpful suggestions to both Linda and Amy.
And Linda and Amy. Tell us your direction. We love following up with you both. So let us know what's going on.
SOCIAL MEDIA BUZZ – Wendy Bowyer
Wendy Bowyer reports on the hot issues most talked about this past week on social media and our RV Lifestyle Community group.
The theme this week in both our private RVLifestyle Community and Facebook Group seemed to be hitting the road.
In our private Community, about 80 of us were on our way to Nashville, the Music City, for the Spring Rally.
And on Facebook, people are heading all over the place, running into different situations. One of those folks is Lina. Lina is a newbie, who wrote:
Quick question, if I come to a Camping World or a Cabela's after they close, and on the RV Parky app it says it’s okay to stay overnight, do I just stay there?
It sounds like Lina and her family were planning on driving further that night, but the kids got cranky and they decided everyone just needed a little sleep before continuing. So they used an app, RV Parky, to find a place that allows overnights, but since the stores were closed, there was no way to call to double-check.
This led to a huge Facebook discussion with hundreds of comments, and a lot of good information.
First, many people knew they could stay overnight in many Walmart or Cracker Barrel parking lots, but they did not know there were other options. Besides Camping World and Cabela's, many Costco, Bass Pro, Home Depot, Lowe's, and even some casinos allow it.
The thing that is important to remember is that sometimes local ordinances prohibit overnight camping. Also sometimes individual stores no longer allow RVers to stay overnight because RVers had abused it by staying for multiple days, getting out the grill and camping chairs, and leaving trash behind, and the business decided it was no longer worth it.
But back to Lina. Her family decided they wanted to stay overnight at the Camping World parking lot and her app had reviews from others who had stayed there. The reviewers said where to park, what to expect, etc. And then, since the store was closed and she could not confirm with the general manager, she found the store's website and sure enough, it contained their overnight parking policy. Her family then felt comfortable to crash.
If you ever find yourself in a situation like Lina, there are some great tips to glean from her experience. First, use an app to help you find a free place to stay overnight off the road ahead. Second, read the reviews of that location on the app, make sure they are current and see if there are suggestions on where to park or what to expect. Then third, if the store is closed so you can't speak to management to confirm, find their webpage and see if there is an overnight policy there. Hope this helps someone!
RV QUESTION OF THE WEEK
QUESTION: If you are camping off grid for a week, how much water do you need to bring? There are two of us. – Roseann
ANSWER: How clean do you want to be?
A general guideline is 2 gallons per person per day for drinking, cooking, washing dishes, and minimal hygiene (sponge baths, brushing teeth).
This excludes showering or heavy water use like laundry.
Here’s the Breakdown:
- Drinking: ~0.5-1 gallon per person/day
- Cooking and dishwashing: ~0.5-1 gallon per person/day with conservative methods (e.g., using paper plates or wiping dishes before washing).
- Hygiene: ~0.5 gallon per person/day for brushing teeth, washing hands, and sponge baths.
- Total estimate: 2-4 gallons/day for two people, or 14-28 gallons for a 7-day trip.
That is the minimum and we’re betting you will want a bit more.
Here are the considerations:
- Showers: If you plan to shower, add 1-2 gallons per person per shower using a low-flow showerhead or take navy-style showers that conserve water.
- Toilet: If using a flush toilet, add 0.5-1 gallon per flush. Consider a cassette or composting toilet to save water.
- RV tank capacity: You didn't tell us what you’re camping in, but most RVs have 20-100 gallon fresh water tanks. Check your RV’s capacity and plan trips around it.
- Backup: Carry bottled water for drinking pr extra water in portable jugs.
So… putting this all together, here’s a reasonable example :
For a 7-day boondocking trip with minimal showers two RVers might need:
- Basic use: 3 gallons/day x 7 days = 21 gallons.
- Plus 2 showers each during the week (1.5 gallons/shower) = 6 gallons.
- Total: ~27 gallons, plus 5-10 gallons extra for safety.
MIKE & JEN’S STORYTIME
Jennifer’s Mackinac Island Nocturnal Visitor
MIKE: Welcome to Storytime! I'm Mike, and with me is my wife, Jennifer.
JENNIFER: This week, we're sharing one of my most memorable nights on Mackinac Island – my favorite place in the world.
MIKE: That's right! For those who don't know, Mackinac Island sits in Lake Huron between Michigan's Upper and Lower Peninsulas. It's unique because no motor vehicles are allowed – you get around by bicycle or horse and to get there you take a ferryboat or fly in.
JENNIFER: We try to visit every year, but we have to leave our RV parked on the mainland. To overnight, we stay in one of the island's charming hotels.
MIKE: This particular night happened just before 11 PM. We'd just turned off the lights, settling into a comfortable king-size bed…
JENNIFER: I had just closed my eyes when something soft – like a feather – landed on my cheek. I instantly knew what it was!
JENNIFER: A bat!
MIKE: She resisted screaming, but she definitely woke me up!
JENNIFER: Well, I had to! I told him, “A bat just landed on my face!”
MIKE: First thing I asked was if it bit her. She said no, but that it was literally sitting on her cheek!
JENNIFER: When it fluttered away, I did what any sensible person would do – I dove under the covers!
MIKE: Meanwhile, I jumped out of bed and turned on the lights. Here's the thing… I did see the bat flying around, but I didn't want to scare Jennifer more than she already was.
JENNIFER: And what did you say?
MIKE: I… may have said it was just a big moth…
JENNIFER: He grabbed a magazine and started making these half-hearted swats at it!
MIKE: Eventually, the bat landed on the window screen. I trapped it between the pages of the magazine, took it out to the hall, and released it outside.
JENNIFER: Then he came back, told me to come out from under the covers, and confessed his little white lie!
MIKE: I called her Batgirl for the rest of the weekend!
JENNIFER: As it turns out, bats are quite common on Mackinac Island. We learned later they're frequent visitors in hotel hallways.
MIKE: Now, we won't name the hotel – it wasn't the famous Grand Hotel – but it gave us a story we'll never forget!
JENNIFER: So what's the moral of our tale?
MIKE: Sometimes a little white lie to prevent panic can turn a scary moment into a cherished memory…
JENNIFER: And that even in the most beautiful places, unexpected guests can drop in – literally!
MIKE and JENNIFER: Thanks for listening!
