For some folks, their RV is simply a means to get away from it all for a few days and enjoy some much-needed time in nature every so often. But for other people, the RV lifestyle is such a draw that they want to make their RVs into a full-time residence. However, this is a rather big step to take, so it’s important that you’re ready to make the shift. This isn’t a decision you’ll want to undertake lightly!
Meridian RV is your British Columbia RV dealer, with locations in Port Coquitlam and 100 Mile House. To help you make the transition successfully to full-time RVing, we’ve provided some of our best tips below.
Choosing the Right RV
Even if you already have an RV that you love, you’re going to need to take a good look at it and decide whether it’s the right RV for you to live in full-time. After all, a small trailer that’s good enough to spend a few nights in may not work very well for a family of four that’s living in it 24/7, all year long. These styles of living are very different from one another.
You’ll need an RV that has enough space for everyone to avoid feeling cramped, as well as sufficient storage for all the possessions you choose to keep. You should also look for something that is suitable in any season, especially if you’ll be spending a lot of time in very hot or very cold climates. Don’t be afraid to trade in your current model for a new one here at Meridian RV that will better meet your full-time living needs!
Performing Test Runs
No one has ever gone from paying rent or a mortgage and mowing the lawn to living on the road full-time without working their way up to it! You’ll need to give yourself some time to do some test runs with your RV over longer periods of time to make sure that this is the lifestyle you want and that you’re ready to embark upon it.
Start with a few week-long sojourns, then increase this up to a month at a time before going out on the road for two or three months, which should give you the data you need to determine if you can make full-time RVing work for you. Of course, this trial period will require you to take a lot of time off work or school while keeping your primary residence available, so make sure you’re financially secure before you attempt this.
Outfitting Your RV
Once you’ve determined that you’ve got the right RV and that you can tolerate living in it all the time, you’ll need to make sure it’s well-stocked with everything you need. This will require some serious paring down of your personal possessions and stocking up on certain items. Necessities like first-aid and medical equipment, clothing suitable for all seasons and weather conditions, electronic devices, tools, kitchenware, bedding and cleaning supplies are all going to be your top priorities. Figure out ways that you can keep your possessions to a minimum: instead of books or record collections, you can have all of your reading and music available on a server instead, for example.
For everything that you don’t want to get rid of and can’t take with you, you may wish to rent out a storage unit in your hometown to keep these items safe. Otherwise, see if family members have storage space for you to use while you’re embarking on your itinerant lifestyle.
Earning Money on the Road
Finally, unless you’re extremely wealthy, you’re going to need to find a way to earn some money while you’re out on the road. Fortunately, in the 21st century, there are dozens of jobs that can be performed remotely with the use of a phone, a laptop and a reliable internet connection. See whether you can parlay your current position into a remote-work position before you leave your job. If you can’t, you can look into doing writing, editing, transcription, data entry, customer service support, IT support, graphic design or any number of other jobs while you’re traveling.
Don’t forget about localized opportunities, such as positions at campgrounds. There may be a way for you to teach courses, perform cleaning duties, lead tours or otherwise employ yourself wherever you’re staying. Check local classified ads for temporary jobs like helping people to move, house-cleaning or event staffing.
Come on by one of our dealership locations in 100 Mile House or Port Coquitlam to check out our full stock of new and used RVs for sale, including models that are perfect for full-time RVing. Meridian RV proudly serves greater Vancouver and Kamloops, British Columbia.
