Hi, I'm new to this. Full time RVing is looking like one way I could actually afford to have my own place, at last. I have two cats, though, and am wondering about the feasibility of this. I work full time but would plan to take my RV (probably will be a C class) to work each day. In Georgia, would it get too hot in summer or too cold in winter to have my cats stay in the RV? Is there a way to have a thermostat to have the AC or heat cut on as needed....? I would be out to check on them at breaks and my lunch hour, and could park in the shade or sun depending on the weather, could be under cover too. If it still might endanger my cats then I wouldn't go this route. I would like to rent an RV for like a week and try this on so to speak, but so far the online rentals I've found are very very expensive. It would be just me and my cats, no other people. I've been renting rooms for years and am getting really tired of it. Renting my own house or apartment is just too costly for what I'm making.

We camp with our cat all the time. Actually, over the years, we've had all kinds of animals, including a pet chicken. But of all the pets, cats are the most resilient. (They have 9 lives for a reason you know). But still, even with that, cats have their limitations.Traveling with them is no problem. Keeping them inside the camper is no problem. Feeding and litter box is no problem. Cold is no problem. But heat is something else. Being in one of the Southern States, you'd definitely need to keep an air conditioner running. An RV (of any type) will turn into an oven very quick, especially in Georgia heat! If you can overcome the heat with adequate air-conditioning, the cats will be just fine. So, you'll need to be camped somewhere that provides electricity. When you factor in the cost of an RV, and a CLASS-C will require insurance to drive it on the road, and then cost of camp sites or places that will provide electricity, water, and sewage, you may find living in an apartment is cheaper. To live cheap in an RV takes a lot of strategy and means, usually very limited or no hook-ups. Good luck in your endeavors. Remember: Where there is a "will", there is a "way"!

anytime someone looks into rvs as a cheaper way to live, it sets off alarm bells for me. Rarely is living in an RV cheaper than the alternative in a given area. Most full time rvers will move around the country to be in the least expensive climate for a given season. i.e. south in the winter and north in the summer. You say you would take your rv to work everyday. Where would you be taking it from? I'm assuming a campground. before looking at RV's, I suggest you price campgrounds in your area. Many times the cost of a campground plus the cost of daily commuting in a vehicle with poor gas mileage turns out to be more than renting an apartment. When pricing campgrounds, don't forget to factor in the cost of propane (lp gas) for heating in the winter. Heating an RV can be very expensive.Not saying this can't work for you but heating and cooling goes far beyond just having the right thermostat. There has to be a power source hooked to that thermostat. We spent four months last year next to a lady with four dogs living in a converted cargo van with a traditional window air conditioner cut into the side of the van with an extension cord running out to the campground electric hookup. No plumbing so she was dependent upon the campground restrooms and showers as well as laundry. So I know it can be done.

Thanks for your responses. It will take time to save for a used class-C anyway so I will be using the time to thoroughly investigate the costs and work involved in boondocking in an RV. I would want to make it as self-sufficient as possible (solar panels, etc.). The possibility exists that I could keep my RV in the parking lot at work, and just go off on my two-days-off each week exploring the region's state parks. :) I just don't make enough for the houses/apartments in the area, and would rather avoid public housing. It's long been a dream to have my own place, but it's looking like the only realistic options are something like an RV or tiny house. Four dogs in a converted cargo van???!!! My hat is off to that woman. It must be very hard, but she probably didn't have a lot of options. ~Qathe

I have run the generator to keep my rig cool in situations like yours.

First, we are not full-timers, but your idea for your fury friends is not feasible(IMHO). Having your RV sitting somewhere in the hot muggy sun is not a good idea for them. You would have to have the generator on the entire day. You would have to constantly be checking in on the kitties to be sure it is still running while you are away from it. It appears that you are going to purchase a used RV, and possibly some other persons problems. There are some things that you can buy that will give you a warning about the temperature in the RV on your phone, but you can't trust that, because of the possibility of lost of power. IMHO you need to find some other way to house your kitties during the day while working. Other then that, you should be just fine in an RV with 2 kitties.

Mulling over full-time RVing, with 2 cats | Good Sam Community

14 Replies

Qathe
Explorer
May 01, 2016
wannavolunteerFT wrote:
Qathe,

A couple of things come to mind when I read your comments..

One... Do you really want to drive something that normally gets 8 1/2 miles per gallon in Atlanta Rush Hour traffic??... when you are moving so slowly you get gallons per mile

Two.. You mention parking under an overhang; do you know how high the bottom of the overhang is? Most RV's are over 10ft high, and some are a good bit higher.

Three.. there is no RV that is resistant to GA heat and humidity, without running AC constantly... You say you work for the Humane Society... ask the folks you work with about leaving any animal in a car during the summer.. They will be sending the county to take your cats from you, if they think you are leaving them in a tin box with no AC. You MUST have a power source for AC in the late spring through mid fall, if you are going to leave any living thing in an RV during the day.

Ok...I'm not IN Atlanta, I'm in the suburban Atlanta area. I wouldn't be IN Atlanta rush-hour traffic.

The "overhangs" are huge, and at least twenty feet high. The building used to be a showroom for an auto dealership. They extend out quite a ways as well.

I NEVER ONCE SAID I WOULD LEAVE THEM IN AN RV WITH NO A/C ON. THAT IS WHY I ASKED THE QUESTION, TO FIND OUT IF THERE ARE WAYS TO INSULATE THE RV, AND HOW TO KEEP THE A/C ON--whether solar is enough, what type of batteries/generator, etc. I'm angry that you assume I would.

I'll look for another forum, where people might know a bit more and not assume the worst of me.
Opie431
Explorer
Apr 30, 2016
We have bunks. On one of the bottom bunks we had the litter box, a tray with food and water dishes on it and a Rubbermaid box laying on it's side with a afgan in it. We had only one cat but it should work for two cats as long as they get along.
The litter box sat in a low cardboard box so anything they raked after going stayed in the box, it must have been about eight inches high.
Our cat learned to walk on a lease.
The sleeping box probably would not work as it would be too crowded.
In six years of camping the electricity never went out when we were gone but that would be a problem.
Use scoopable litter for multiple cats.
wannavolunteerF
Explorer
Apr 30, 2016
Qathe,

A couple of things come to mind when I read your comments..

One... Do you really want to drive something that normally gets 8 1/2 miles per gallon in Atlanta Rush Hour traffic??... when you are moving so slowly you get gallons per mile

Two.. You mention parking under an overhang; do you know how high the bottom of the overhang is? Most RV's are over 10ft high, and some are a good bit higher.

Three.. there is no RV that is resistant to GA heat and humidity, without running AC constantly... You say you work for the Humane Society... ask the folks you work with about leaving any animal in a car during the summer.. They will be sending the county to take your cats from you, if they think you are leaving them in a tin box with no AC. You MUST have a power source for AC in the late spring through mid fall, if you are going to leave any living thing in an RV during the day.
WandaLust2
Explorer
Apr 29, 2016
Finding SHADE is important but may not be possible if you plan to constantly move your RV. If you stay in one CG and use a car for transportation it would be much better as shady spots go.
Qathe
Explorer
Apr 28, 2016
Hello again all. Well, I guess the power could go out at a campground too while I'm at work, only I would be too far away to do anything about it. The nearest RV campground is a couple exits away on the freeway. I'm going to research climate control/insulating RVs along with cost, etc. as I'm saving for one. I will take my time, and my cats' safety is paramount to me. Renting rooms has not proven to be a very positive environment for them...

I work at a humane society, and we have an RV (toy hauler) that's been used on animal rescues (natural disasters, hoarding situations, dog fighting rings etc.). I've been asking questions about it and how they powered climate control as they transported animals to safety.

Unfortunately unless you're the boss, you can't bring your own animals into the building. :( There are three *large* overhangs over the doors/driveways around the building; I suppose I could twist someone's arm into letting me park under one!
SkiSmuggs
Explorer
Apr 25, 2016
It seems to me that a truck and trailer (fifth wheel or travel trailer) would be a better solution for you. Then you could leave the trailer at the campground with AC or heat running, and commute in an unloaded truck for much better fuel mileage.
We take our cats everywhere, but they stay in the trailer when we go exploring.
nineoaks2004
Explorer
Apr 25, 2016
We take our three Chihuahuas camping with us and they love it as much as we do.
We even took a bottle baby goat on a couple of trips.
Cats probably love camping too, and the will us a litter box, so less poop walks and pick up.
Take them along and enjoy them, lots of people do so.
cmcdar
Explorer
Apr 22, 2016
sorry - duplicate post
cmcdar
Explorer
Apr 22, 2016
We spent 3 months living in a Hybrid camper with our two cats and small dog. They all loved it.

That said, I would have no peace of mind leaving my pets in my camper when the weather was hot enough to kill them IF THE AC FAILED.

I have solar panels and am fairly self sufficient. HOWEVER, I am dependent on having a source for potable water and dumping waste tanks.

Also, be aware of ZONING regulations in the area. There may very well be ordinances regulating parking for extended periods.
dhansen871
Explorer
Apr 22, 2016
First, we are not full-timers, but your idea for your fury friends is not feasible(IMHO). Having your RV sitting somewhere in the hot muggy sun is not a good idea for them. You would have to have the generator on the entire day. You would have to constantly be checking in on the kitties to be sure it is still running while you are away from it. It appears that you are going to purchase a used RV, and possibly some other persons problems. There are some things that you can buy that will give you a warning about the temperature in the RV on your phone, but you can't trust that, because of the possibility of lost of power. IMHO you need to find some other way to house your kitties during the day while working. Other then that, you should be just fine in an RV with 2 kitties.