Using Your RV more like a tent

[Terrenski]

I am new to rving and one of the things that scares me about it is the maintenance with plumbing and electrical items as well as costs involved. Has anyone purchased an rv and tended to use it more like a tent to sleep in and use but not to get involved in all the water systems and power situations? To me this would mean:
- not having a generator
-not having ac
-using the city water tank for fresh water but maybe having a porta potty vs using/maintaining the black water tank
-using just the extra batteries for lights, basics, etc and maybe bringing lanterns instead
I know this might me no fridge or microwave and using the rv for living in and the outside fire for cooking, etc.
-probably a 2-3 day trip vs weeks long
Just wondering if anyone does this and what is it like? To me it would be comfortable and less stressful.
Thanks for your thoughts!
Terrenski

[Francesca_Knowl]

Terrenski wrote:
I am new to rving and one of the things that scares me about it is the maintenance with plumbing and electrical items as well as costs involved. Has anyone purchased an rv and tended to use it more like a tent to sleep in and use but not to get involved in all the water systems and power situations? To me this would mean:
- not having a generator
-not having ac
-using the city water tank for fresh water but maybe having a porta potty vs using/maintaining the black water tank
-using just the extra batteries for lights, basics, etc and maybe bringing lanterns instead
I know this might me no fridge or microwave and using the rv for living in and the outside fire for cooking, etc.
-probably a 2-3 day trip vs weeks long
Just wondering if anyone does this and what is it like? To me it would be comfortable and less stressful.
Thanks for your thoughts!
Terrenski

A perfect description of our style!

Our present rig is a very small trailer, and we use it very much as you describe. I call it "hard-sided tentcamping", and for us it's the only way to roll. And it's not a popup, by the way...might as well stick with a tent, in my opinion. I still get a thrill to be able to just walk right in and fix a sandwich by the side of the road. 🙂

Our present choice is based on much experience with RV's of more than one type, not to mention observing our sometime camping companions' preoccupation with the systems in their increasingly complex rigs.

Our purpose when camping is to get outside, and in remote places if possible. All we expect of our trailer is to provide shelter, heat, refrigeration, cooking facilities, and a place to sleep off the ground.

[the_bear_II]

You will be amazed at how little time hooking up water and sewer takes. You will also be amazed at how much better camping is with a refrigerator, flush toilet, stove/oven and running water.

We used our first TT as basically a place to sleep and cook. Most of our days and nights were spent outdoors until bedtime. The times that all the extras came in handy was when the weather turned bad. To be able to stay in a warm hardsided trailer, cook meals and not have to go outside when nature called was a blessing.

We didn't have a generator so we learned to conserve battery power and wer able to be out for 3 to 4 days before the batteries needed charging.

So as others have implied...if you begin to use the extras, you will find your camping experience to be much improved. The time it takes to deal with the extras is far outweighed by the conveniences. Especially if the weather turns bad.

[tonyandkaren]

I agree with the other posts - stick with a tent. But if you want to get off the ground and not have to mess with setting up a tent, van camping or sleeping in the bed of a pickup that has a cap installed works really well. We did that for years. All you need is a cooler, camp stove,lantern and a sleeping bag. It's a lot cheaper than investing in a RV that you'll only be using for weekend trips.

[tandkj]

Why not learn how to use the amenties and make the best of a good purchase. There is nothing like a goode hot shower in your own RV or being able to cook indoors when it's cold and/or wet outside.

[sremsing]

Ditto what they said above.

[Bob___Ann]

If you are not interested in all of the amenities that you mentioned I would not waste my money on an RV. I would stick with the tent or pop up as the previous poster stated. There is noting wrong with what you are saying. We enjoyed tent camping for many years. Both of our girls were raised tent camping. We only moved to an RV because we felt that the amenities that came with it would be nice.

[kmbelt]

Just stick with a tent and save your money or get a very basic popup. sounds like RV life isn't really for you.

[RRinNFla]

It sounds like you might be a candidate for a pop-up camper. But even that may have a fresh water connection and a small fridge, along with a propane cook top.

Don't be scared. The systems are relatively simple, but they are different from the ones in your stick house. And yes, they malfunction from time to time, but the benefit received more than makes up for the cost and trouble: electric lights when you want, a place to cook when it is rainy, a furnace when the weather gets colder than you want.

The great thing about RVing is you can tailor your rig to your own tastes. Get a house on wheels or a rolling tent. It is up to you. I would suggest looking at all the options at an RV show.

[richardwise]

Sounds to me you might find a pop up more to your liking rather than a TT or MH. If you get a TT or MH, you will sooner of later start using all the amenities and decide you can't live without them.