Top 3 Most Important Things to Know?

2012Coleman wrote:
here is one for ya - It is dangerous

Carbon monoxide detector should be mandatory in all RVs
As It already is in houses in most places..

The top three:

1. You only have a 6 (or 10) gallon water heater.
2. You only have a 6 (or 10) gallon water heater.
3. You only have a 6 (or 10) gallon water heater.

here is one for ya - It is dangerous

1) Any marketing that includes the initials "R.V." instantly includes a 40 - 60 % mark-up.

2) Pick up your dogs crap.... everytime.

3) Prioritize keeping your wife happy.

Charles

Donkey

1. Most rv's are built like the a$$ end!
2. Probably can't nor want to afford the front end.
3.Your job is to try and land in the middle :B

Oh my gosh these posts are so wonderful and helpful! Like many have pointed out, and obviously for good reason, specifics of the kind of life-style a person wants to live are vital to have a realistic conversation about living on the road even if it's just for a few weeks at a time.

2oldman wrote:
What is this, some kind of poll?

I wouldn't call it a poll, really. I kept my overall question very broad so I could get different sorts of answers from people who have had different experiences. I think that is what's most useful and helpful for people flirting with the idea of living on the road but don't yet have any real knowledge of what that means.

TexasShadow wrote:
1. HOW are you going to use your rv? Are you going to use private rv parks with full hookups available or are you going to use it to camp in state and federal campgrounds, or are you thinking you'll do some primitive camping with no facilities and no sewer, elec. or water? Are you going to use it seasonally or year round? This will help you determine size and model.
2. What is your budget, for buying an rv and for maintaining it and for the rv sites you will use? If you buy a used rv, are you savvy enough to pick out a good one or do you have a good friend who is?
3. Are you aiming for the long haul or for just a couple years?

I'm thinking, part time full hookup usage and part time federal camp ground. As for usage I'd say long haul, but seasonal. Like, every summer for 10yrs.

I think one of the most important concepts that I'm seeing come up repeatedly is how much commitment it takes. Education, money, and time are all things you need to have in order to make it work. But if you know that going in and it's what you want to do, it seems like it can be wonderful.

Oh, and thankyou jmtandem for the great post and the awesome website suggestions, I'm definitely going to check them out!

1: Flexibility. You need the ability to change course in a heartbeat. Campgrounds could be closed, and many other things.

2: Money. RV-ing isn't as bad as boating, but you have all the problems of a vehicle, and all the problems of a house.

3: Ability to learn. Things like basic electrical, plumbing, woodwork, and auto mechanic skills are all needed... that or tons of cash.

1. good health
2. deep pockets financially.
3. ability to be emotionally flexible. It is not easy to maintain friendships that have been life long while trundling down the road.

We lived in an RV for about three years, several years ago.
We started out with a 1977 Pace Arrow 27 foot Class A. the chassis was great, the floor plan terrible.
So, we traded it on a 32 foot Suncrest Class A, with a rear bedroom. It was GREAT!! We even spent a winter in it here in Billings. Yes, it CAN be done, with a little thought and common sense.
We finished our full time RV living in a 32 foot triple slide fifth wheel trailer. It was then we found out how nice a washer/dryer combo is to have! We also found that it really IS possible to use a one ton dually truck as a daily driver, no matter what anybody else says. The fifth wheel was roomy, comfortable, easy to tow, easy to park, easy to level, just really nice to live in. Of course, I was 15 years younger, then.
Now we have the coach in my sig. We have spent several weeks in it a time or two, and I would not be a bit afraid to go back to full timing in it (even though it does not have the washer/dryer).
Some have mentioned maintenance issues. I can't really address that, because most of the maintenance I have had to do has been the normal oil changes, tire replacements, etc. I did have a slide motor in the fifth wheel break, but that was covered by an extended warranty. I had to get the radiator cleaned in the old Pace Arrow. I had to eventually replace the alternator and the water pump in the one ton truck, but that was after we had settled down again. All in all, our RVing experience has been relatively trouble free.
Full timing in an RV is, IMO, one of those things where you can ask about the experiences others have had, but the bottom line is, it is ultimately up to YOU whether you will allow those experiences to frighten you away from what you want to do.
Remember, "life is short, eat dessert FIRST!"
Read the forums, look at various RVs, and make your decision.
Good luck.

EDIT: Oh, yeah, I almost forgot the question; three things to know...
1. your budget
2. your skill level: Driving, backing, carpentry, mechanical maintenance, electrical, etc.
3. Where do you plan to live?

alarson566 wrote:
Hi there,

My name is Alex and I'm a blogger specializing in small home and apartment living.

I've recently become fascinated with the idea of living in an RV and have been really enjoying researching and learning about the life style.

What I've decided to do to help me learn is to reach out to communities and individuals that clearly know a ton about RV living and ask them a question:

"What are the 3 most important things someone should know before they decide to purchase and/or live in an RV"

These could be warnings, unexpected joys, or just general advice.
Thanks for helping me out and I look forward to some lively discussion!

So you want people on this RV forum to give you topics for an RV blog??? You expect to glan this info for your school paper from responses in one thread??? This is how you research something? :H Lucky for you, computers have been invented - huh?

Maybe you should just read the posts - paying attention to the ones with news reports of people being found dead of carbon monoxide poisining. Lots of lively discussion can already be had here.

If you are fascinated with living in one yourself, take the advice above and move to a warm weather state. Its an RV - not a manufactured home.