6 Uncomfortable 'Truths' About RV Life You Need to Hear

In this video, we share some ""realness"" to RV living. While RV travel and the travel lifestyle are amazing, there are some things that not everyone talks about that make this lifestyle complicated. We break those down in this video.

0:00 Intro
0:43 Life on the Road is not Easy
2:19 RV Life Isn't Cheap
4:48 RV Life Will Not Fix...
5:58 Campgrounds Are Getting Harder To Book
7:56 RVs Break All The Time
10:07 Rving Is Addictive

🏔 Originally from Colorado, we dreamed of living a travel and adventure lifestyle but stuck in a 9-5 grind, we had no clue how we would break out of the mold. In 2017 we bought our first RV and it all changed!

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*This channel is for entertainment purposes only. We are not RV or travel experts. We share our opinions and what works for us, but you should do your own research. #rvlife #rvlivingwithkids #gratefulglamper

[braveheartrv]

I've been full-timing since 2017 and it cured my depression. What triggers my depression is certain types of routine. Sticks and bricks is like a broken record. The same thing over and over. I need new things very often. Even though there are routines in moving that routine is worth it to see something new. Plus the sun helps my depression also. There's no way I coulda got mentally whole by staying in place.

[takingaforkintheroad]

RVing will not, as you’ve pointed out, fix any personal/marital/family issues, but it can bring people closer together because RVing has to involve partnership and full engagement. I do like my husband better when we’re RVing because he has to be engaged in the process. However, if he resented having to be more responsible, it wouldn’t work. We’ve been full time traveling RVers for 3 years now and we’ve had the joy and privilege of seeing/learning about this beautiful country of ours. We are truly blessed.

[chrisc]

My take on this is that there are 2 types of full-timers: those who live in big RV's where no expense is spared, and those who pinch pennies. The latter tend to live in smaller RV's or vehicles and boondock most, if not all of the time. When you eliminate or reduce significantly camping and fuel costs, that changes the financial picture significantly. If you are able to make repairs that also helps.

[ricklodin]

While I agree in part to some of your points, being a full timer going on 6 years you definitely have had a different experience then we have had. First finding parks hasn’t been an issue, but then again our tendency is to only travel 6000-7000 miles per year. So we stay longer in one spot rather then the “thousand trails” model. (Personal opinion here - WHY? The last thing I want to do is move every week or two) Second on break downs, while our rig was brand new when we started out, we purchased what we believed was a “quality RV”. Yes we had the initial punch list of issues at first, however after that our issues have really been small. All that being said, I address any problems immediately for the most part so they don’t grow into much larger issues. Yes I work on my own rig. To me successful full timing requires planning, preparation, patience, the ability to adapt, and perseverance.

[mikelanier]

Full-time RVing has helped me to have a much better quality of life. I was diagnosed with progressive Multiple Sclerosis along with Trigeminal Neuralgia and had to be fitted for a new wheelchair, end my work career, and shut down my company. I reached a point where I was just sitting alone in my basement of a big house in NC, staring at walls with no one to interact with 😳 My service dog Max and I are now able to just go outside and see neighbors or meet new campers as they move through. Wife and I bought a fifth wheel RV and sold everything we had filled that big house with and moved to Florida. The weather is much better for my pain, and we have way less to worry about since I used to do all the repairs and maintenance on our house before I fell ill. We have made so many new friends and Max is pretty famous around here, lol. Live by the water now, and the view is way nicer than from that basement too! Our relationship is much better RVing, but everyone has different needs and goals in life. For us, it has literally been life changing for the better, and we enjoy what we have together while I still can! Don't wait to do the things you want to do, because you may not be able to do them later. 😎👍 🇺🇲

[brendacaston]

We RV'd for 5 years. We had a blast. We also experienced each of your truths. We stopped during COVID. Eventually selling motorhome because it was all too much. Great video. Wish I had watched it 8 years ago.

[badoeno]

I spend as much as 4 months of the year in a camper to save lodging expenses as I work in far-flung places for a few weeks at a time. I agree with almost 100% of what you are saying. And I can wholly agree that it's nice to come home to a solid house (mortgage paid off!) at the end of each season.

[alarichaney]

Really enjoy your videos! Keep them coming! We have been RVing since 1989 and we have learned a lot of what y’all are talking about, the hard way! Hard knocks of experience!

[donnaniles]

We traveled in an RV for about three years. We hosted at a couple of parks (national) and loved some time on BLM land. I think the expense depends on your lifestyle. We were definitely living much cheaper in an RV than we were in a mortgaged house. We had an annual pass for NM State Parks - big savings, and stayed in one area for a couple of weeks hiking and exploring. We also used a travel trailer, not a motor coach. We loved it.

[AthenaisC]

I used to tent camp every summer. Also, my grandparents owned a plot of land in the northern Mitten part of Michigan and they parked an old camper on it and we'd go up there once or twice a summer as well. I'm longing to RV when my husband retires and really enjoy your videos. Give it all to me, good and bad. You guys are great. ❤️

[industrialexitstrategist]

I am 51, solo empty nester, full time rv nomad since Jan 2019. I live in a 2019 Jayco Northpoint just shy of 45 ft toy hauler. I have 2 adult kids in college. I love my rv nomad life. I have truly enjoyed your videos. I lived in Colorado for over 20 years. Your video is spot on!! Keep up the great vidoes!! Cheers!!

[kingforaday]

Two of the biggest surprises for me when I began thinking about RVing was the expense and availability of a campground.
I recall the days of when I was a kid in the mid 60's to early 70's. I dont ever recall my parents complaining about the cost or finding a camping spot. Actually the reason we were able to travel to all the places we did was because of the expense of an RV vs a room!!!
I didnt realize the cost now of a camping spot was so expensive, sometimes very close to what a room would cost!!! Add to that the cost of an RV, insurance, maintenance, higher fuel expense, driving comfort, etc.

[LowRocks]

Great video; have to agree with all. Coming from a career in the Navy, I've learned that I can get to feeling tied down to one location, and we've been in our latest sticks and bricks for over 10 years now as I work towards retiring from my 2nd career. That said, we've been Rving (travel trailer; short duration vacations) for nearly five years and that tends to scratch the itch for the nomadic lifestyle, but we are planning to weigh anchor and head out full time in a few years. Totally agree on your point on real estate ... opportunity cost.

[MrRKWRIGHT]

Good evening Grateful Glamper. These videos just keep getting better and better. Thanks for a tour of your life on the road tourng the country in an RV camper.

[CheckThisOut]

Great honest information. Your comment: “We value the experiences together above all” says it all.
As Carson (of Downton Abby) says, “In the end, memories are all we have”. Your family will talk about your RV time together…forever.

[michelepromastertravel]

Good video, also consider there are different ways to camp that don't involve paying for campgrounds ever, but they do involve being totally self contained for your energy needs- solar panels etc. Many people make it a hobby of traveling and never paying for camping by finding spots in National and State Forests and Army Corps of Engineer campgrounds. Basically they are just a place to park in the woods or dessert that have a fire ring and pretty much nothing else (no electricity, water, flush toilets, picnic table or camp fee).

[Julio-jmld]

Drove from Los Angeles to Portland in my Excursion on a 1 week trip. Went hiking and visited a bunch of great places on the California and Oregon coast. I slept in my truck all week, I didn't know what I was getting into since this was my 1st time doing anything like this. I learn some things along the way. The point is things won't be all glamorous like some videos you see but if you never get out and do it for yourself you'll never know.

[MrZyptuous]

Dry camping at free camp spots will reduce the cost greatly. A good solar setup with a change in lifestyle on power usage will aid in the cost.

[normalperson]

Great vlog. I have used Amazon hub locations or lockers for packages away from home. RV on!

[tashainjena]

Haha. Thanks for mentioning our horrible roads here in Louisiana. Soon as you cross the state lines, you notice.